From the Therapist’s Chair: How Your Body "Speaks" Before You Do
In my practice here in the Junction, I often see people who feel "blindsided" by their own emotions. They might experience a sudden burst of anger, a wave of anxiety, or a total collapse into exhaustion without seeing it coming.
From the Therapist’s Chair: The Difference Between Solitude and Loneliness
In the middle of a cold Toronto winter, we spend a lot of time indoors and, often, a lot of time alone. In my practice, I frequently hear people struggle to figure out if they are enjoying their own company or if they are slipping into a state of loneliness.
Reflections on a Month of Integration: Moving from “New Year Pressure” to Steady Integration
We’ve made it through the first month of the year. In the therapy room, January is often a month of high intensity; lots of “shoulds” and a heavy push for change. But as we reach the final days, the conversation usually shifts from “How do I change?” to “How do I actually live with what I’ve learned?”
This is the process of Integration. It’s the stage where the new tools and insights you’ve gathered start to settle into your actual, physical life.
Wintering: Practical Ways to Support Your System in the Low-Light Season
In Canada, January isn't just a month on the calendar; it is a physical experience. The shorter days, the lack of sunlight, and the biting cold aren't just inconveniences—they have a direct impact on your biology. When the environment slows down, your nervous system often follows suit.
Tending to What Came Up: Balancing the Past with Your Future
By mid-January, the initial rush of the new year often slows down, and the "dust" from the holidays finally begins to settle. This is usually when we start to notice the emotional residue—the lingering tension from a family comment, the fatigue from over-extending ourselves, or the old patterns that surfaced during the break.
Why Our Systems Resist Change: The Science of Staying
The first week of January usually comes with a lot of pressure to "change everything." But by the second week, many of us feel a familiar pull back toward our old habits. Often, we label this as a lack of willpower, but the reality is much more scientific: your body has a biological preference for what is familiar.
In therapy, we look at this through the lens of homeostasis. Your nervous system interprets "familiar" as "safe," even if that familiar pattern is actually painful or exhausting.