Meet the Author
Hi, I'm Sarah, a Registered Psychotherapist offering somatic and talk therapy at my Roncesvalles and Junction offices in Toronto's west end, and online across Canada. This is where I share what I'm noticing in my work, with practical Tend to It Tuesday posts and reflective Friday Field Notes. Take what's useful, and leave the rest. Learn more about me
For education only, not a substitute for therapy or medical advice.
Vacation Anxiety Is Real: How to Actually Rest When Your Nervous System Won’t Let You
Paradoxically, one of the most regulating things you can do with vacation anxiety is to stop trying to get rid of it. Name it, notice where you feel it in your body, and let it exist alongside the good parts of where you are. Anxiety tends to loosen its grip when it stops being treated as a problem to solve.
Why Rest Doesn’t Fix Burnout
Many people assume burnout will resolve with rest. Time off, sleep, or a quiet weekend should be enough.
But burnout is not only about exhaustion…
Lessons on Resilience and Renewal: Using Movement to Support Mental Health
Monthly wrap-up on making movement a sustainable practice. What’s up on the blog for June.
Spring Reset for Your Mind: Letting Go of Stress and Burnout Patterns
April is the time for deep cleaning our homes. But in psychotherapy, we look at Spring Cleaning for the Mind. We all have mental habits, like "bracing" for bad news or staying in a "freeze" state, that may have served a purpose during the dark winter months but no longer fit the current season. These patterns are often linked to stress, burnout, or nervous system responses that once helped you cope.
The Science of Play: A Nervous System Reset for Stress and Burnout
We often treat "fun" as a luxury, something we do only after the work is finished. But from a nervous system perspective, play is a biological necessity. Without it, our nervous system can stay stuck in patterns of stress, tension, or burnout.
Why You Feel Most Tired Right Before Spring
If you’re feeling "done" with winter but don't quite have the energy for spring, you aren't failing. You are likely experiencing cumulative burnout.
Teen Stress in the Junction: Helping Your Teen Navigate the Mid-Winter Slump
By late February, the pressure of the school year is in full swing for Toronto teens. Between midterms, social dynamics, and the lack of sunlight, many adolescents hit a "winter wall." As a parent, it’s hard to watch your teen withdraw, get irritable, or struggle with the "blahs."