What is Dungeons and Dragons? Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is a tabletop role-playing game that has been around since 1974 and enjoyed by many. Essentially, D&D is a storytelling game where one person (the dungeon master) creates a story, and players create characters to navigate the fantasy world together. The beauty of D&D is anything
Back-to-School Anxiety: Helping Children Move Through Fear and Find Their Footing
There is a particular kind of energy that arrives at the end of summer. You can almost feel it gathering in the air. The mall hallways fill with children comparing backpacks, lunch kits and brightly coloured school supplies. Parents move through the aisles with lists in hand, trying to remember indoor shoes, water bottles and
Relationship OCD (ROCD): When Love Gets Trapped in the OCD Cycle
Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (ROCD) “What if I’m not with the right person?”“What if I don’t love my partner enough?”“What if I’m making the biggest mistake of my life?” Almost everyone experiences relationship doubts from time to time. But for someone with Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (ROCD), these questions don’t simply come and go; they become relentless,
The Healing Journey & the Campfire Analogy
By Qualia Reed Don’t Rush In my journey, I often return to the analogy of caring for a campfire. Having grown up in the 80s and 90s, I remember the Smokey the Bear ad campaign and its message about preventing forest fires. As I got older, it continually surprised me how often people didn’t put
The Other Side of Resilience
A Blog Post for Island Clinical Counselling I’ve always considered resilience to be one of my defining qualities. The ability to adapt and “handle whatever comes” has long felt like a well-earned badge of honour. The internal narrative that I can overcome whatever is thrown my way has been something I’ve leaned on in both
The Truth about CBT and Positive Thinking
“Just be positive.” “It’s all about mindset.” “Try looking on the bright side.” Sound familiar? There is no shortage of advice when it comes to mental health and the power of our thoughts. These particular phrases, while usually well-intentioned, can actually do real harm. They suggest that if we simply replace negative thoughts with positive
Choosing Rest over Reinvention this Winter
“New Year, New You” I noticed this phrase absolutely everywhere in the lead up to New Year’s Eve. My social media feeds were overflowing with well-meaning slogans encouraging behaviour changes the moment the clock struck midnight. I was told I should make my resolutions to eat cleaner, move more, drink less, sleep better…and of course
Meet Kaylin: A Compassionate, Person-Centered Guide on the Path to Healing
From an early age, Kaylen has been deeply drawn to people. She is fascinated by their histories, their lived experiences, and their aspirations for the future. Her belief that every individual holds inherent strengths and the capacity for healing naturally guided her toward the counselling profession. She is continuously inspired by the trust clients place
How to Stop Overthinking at Night: Using CBT-I to Calm Your Mind for Sleep
You’ve finally crawled into bed, the lights are out, and the house is quiet, but your mind isn’t. Thoughts start racing: What if I can’t fall asleep? What if I’m exhausted tomorrow? Why can’t I just switch off like everyone else? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Overthinking at night is one of the
Workplace Wellness in the Autumn: Prioritizing Mental Health at Work
As the air turns crisp and the leaves start to fall, many of us notice a shift, not just in the weather, but in our energy, mood, and work rhythms. Autumn brings a natural invitation to slow down and reflect. But for many professionals, it also brings increasing workplace demands, looming year-end deadlines, and less