Imagine this: You are at your local park trying to enjoy some fresh air. When you originally arrived, everything was quiet.  But over time, things become loud.  You hear a dog start barking repeatedly nearby. Then, someone begins shouting across the field to their friends, and a dump truck passes by, wheels squealing.  These sounds may not bother some people. But for others, these sounds can be intense, overwhelming, and distressing.   In these moments, your body tightens, fo

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, new polling data reveal that more Canadians are seeking therapeutic support now than in the past. In 2022, it was estimated that about 1 in 4 individuals were seeking therapy , up from only 9% in the spring of 2020 (pre-pandemic levels). Despite this increase in help-seeking behaviours and people in therapy, there are still many myths about therapy that prevail.  You’ve probably heard someone say, “Therapy is only for peopl

Have you ever felt like your emotions were boiling over like a volcano ready to explode? Maybe you have felt overwhelming anger, sadness, or frustration and didn’t know where to direct these emotions or how to regulate them.  Perhaps, during these moments, even small frustrations, minor setbacks, or the tiniest of sensory inputs (sounds, smells, textures) quickly become all-consuming.  You may notice that things that once felt like a small stressor for you have now become dif

Have you ever been called lazy, rude, or dramatic? Have you been told you are too sensitive, too intense, too quiet, or too much, or that you need to just “make eye contact,” “stop overthinking,” or “respond normally”? Perhaps you have felt people looking down upon you if you can’t remember what you were going to say. Maybe you were criticized for the way you communicate, questioned for needing clear instructions, or laughed at for needing to fidget or move around.  If you ar

Giving birth can be one of the most joyful and life-changing experiences in your life, filled with love, connection, and a deep sense of meaning.  But for some individuals, the postpartum period can also come with unexpected and overwhelming mental health challenges. Have you been feeling disconnected from reality after giving birth or experiencing beliefs, even though there is evidence to the contrary? Do you see, hear, feel, taste, or smell things that others don’t notice?

Are you an ADHDer who feels like your brain is like a phone stuck at one perfect battery?  You can still attempt to initiate tasks, but every task you try to initiate will drain your phone that much closer to empty.  Even simple tasks or tasks you once enjoyed or excelled at feel risky. If you resonate with this feeling of exhaustion, overwhelm, or as if you are constantly running on empty, you may be experiencing ADHD burnout.  ADHD burnout can feel as if your brain and body

When someone questions your ideas or opinions or raises a disagreement, do you immediately find yourself withdrawing your opinion in an effort to keep the peace? Do you start to go silent, stop responding to communications, or feel frozen during a conversation, even if you want to say something? Maybe you notice that your heart races, your mind goes blank, or you feel as if you can’t move or respond during the argument. If this resonates with you, you may be experiencing what

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a term you have likely heard of at least once in your lifetime.  It is one of the most widely discussed and prevalent neurodevelopmental differences. In fact, approximately 366 million people globally have ADHD .   Yet despite the growing awareness and prevalence surrounding this neurotype, it remains misunderstood.  This misunderstanding is evident in the everyday statements people make about ADHD.  Maybe you have heard, “Ev

Are you an autistic individual who finds yourself rehearsing exactly what you want to say before you enter a social interaction, job interview, or phone call?  Do you sometimes watch your favourite TV show or movie and use some of the phrases in it to write a script so that you can navigate a conversation?  If this resonates with you, this mental rehearsing is known as autistic scripting. Because autism can impact social communication, processing speed, and the interpretation

You have likely heard of autism, as it is one of the most discussed and common neurodevelopmental differences. Globally, approximately 1 in 127 people are autistic . Yet despite growing awareness, autism remains widely misunderstood.  You may have heard statements such as “Autism is just a set of quirks” or “High‑functioning autistic people don’t need support.” While often well-intentioned, these comments erase the lived realities of autistic people and overlook systemic barr

Running a business is no easy feat, especially when you have ADHD.  The constant effort of monitoring how you’re perceived, anticipating feedback, and bracing for possible rejection can make even small interactions feel emotionally charged. Sometimes, even a brief critique or a delayed email reply can disrupt your momentum, or the fear of rejection can stop you from pitching your ideas or showing up authentically. If this experience resonates with you, you may be experiencing