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
Who’s Who at ICC? Understanding Our Different Types of Practitioners
When you are looking for mental health support, the letters after a practitioner’s name and terms such as student, intern, coach, or supervisor can feel confusing. At Island Clinical Counselling (ICC), our team includes practitioners with different levels of training, areas of expertise, professional registrations, and roles. This range allows us to offer several kinds
Music Therapy: When Words Aren’t Enough
Music Therapy Have you ever heard a song that instantly brought back a memory, changed your mood, or helped you feel understood? Music can reach us in ways that words sometimes cannot. It can help us connect with emotions, experiences, and parts of ourselves that may be difficult to explain. Music therapy builds upon this
Counselling in Campbell River
Island Clinical Counselling Opens July 1 If you have been looking for counselling in Campbell River, we have exciting news. Island Clinical Counselling is expanding to Campbell River on July 1, making it easier for individuals, couples, families, children, and youth to access professional mental health support close to home. Our new office is located
When My Partner Lies: Understanding Betrayal Trauma in Relationships
There is a particular kind of pain that happens when the person you love looks you in the eyes and tells you something that does not match what your heart, body, or instincts are sensing. You notice changes. A feeling in your stomach. Inconsistencies. Distance. Missing details. Something feels “off.” But when you bring it
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
When the Roles Begin to Shift: The Grief and Stress of Caring for Aging Parents
There is a particular kind of grief that often goes unnamed in adulthood: watching our parents age. For many adults, there comes a moment when the relationship quietly begins to change. The people who once cared for us, guided us, protected us, and helped us navigate life are now slowly beginning to need support themselves.
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