Navigating Anxiety | Counsellor Talk

Does your mind sometimes feel like a tangled ball of yarn, with worries and fears pulling you in every direction? You’re not alone. Anxiety is a common emotion we all experience, but when it overstays its welcome, it can disrupt our daily lives.

Understanding Anxiety

Imagine anxiety as a fire alarm in your brain. It’s there to alert you of danger, but sometimes it goes off even when there’s no real threat—like when you burn toast. When anxiety becomes frequent, intense, and prolonged, it can interfere with your daily routine and overall well-being. Recognizing this is the first step towards managing it.

Anxiety is a common emotion, but when it becomes persistent, it can interfere with daily life. Frequency, intensity, and duration matter. If you’d like to understand more go to AnxietyCanada.com

Avoidance Behavior: The Sneaky Culprit

Avoidance might seem like a quick fix, but it’s a sneaky culprit that can make anxiety worse. Ask yourself: Are you dodging certain situations because of irrational fears? If the answer is yes, it’s a sign you need to address the root of your anxiety. Talking to a doctor or a counsellor can be incredibly helpful.

Stay Connected

Humans are social creatures, and sharing our feelings can be a powerful antidote to anxiety. I walk and talk almost daily with colleagues and friends and it is amazingly helpful to deal with a range of emotions. Whether it’s chatting with friends, joining a support group, or even writing in a journal, expressing your thoughts can reduce the feelings of isolation that often accompany anxiety.

Everyone Experiences It Differently

Just because you’re feeling anxious doesn’t mean you have an anxiety disorder. It’s essential to understand that everyone experiences anxiety differently. Educate yourself about anxiety and mental health to better navigate your emotions. Check out mentalhealthliteracy.org for more fabulous resources.

Professional Treatment: Your Toolbox

When anxiety becomes too much to handle on your own, it’s time to explore professional treatment options. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medication are two effective methods for treating chronic anxiety. Finding the right approach might take some time, but it’s worth the effort to explore different options and regain control over your life.

Anxiety doesn’t have to rule your life. By understanding it, addressing avoidance behaviors, staying connected with others, and seeking professional help when necessary, you can manage anxiety and lead a fulfilling life. Remember, you are not alone on this journey.

For more resources check this out and for tips on well-being, visit counsellortalk on Facebook and join the conversation on Instagram @counsellortalkcanada.

Enjoy every second of every day and take care of yourself!

Note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice.

Counsellor Talk : Connecting Through Creative Counselling Techniques

It has been a process, to say the least in creating this book, but we are so happy it is here. So much learning as we did not hire anyone to help us. We look forward to sharing Counsellor Talk with you and are so grateful for all the input from others.

We believe our book is real and relatable, and we hope it will be truly inspiring. We invite you to explore a multitude of ideas that we hope will get your creative juices flowing.

Get ready to embark on a journey where we will share several tips, tools, and techniques to empower you in finding your path, and discovering what works best for you and your clients.

As psychologists, we understand the power of connection. The therapeutic alliance is the foundation upon which healing is built, the glue that binds us together in our shared humanity. In “Counsellor Talk,” we’re offering you the tools to deepen those connections, breathe new life into your practice, and embark on a journey where healing isn’t just a destination. You will use many of the ideas as jumping-off points to meet the needs of your particular clientele.

So, grab your favorite mug, brew a cup of your preferred beverage, (we prefer a cup of calming tea), and settle in. Let’s explore together, heart to heart. We hope you will rediscover the magic of counselling, not as a clinical exercise, but as an art— a place where ideas flow to meet the needs of those entrusted to your care. 

Throughout “Counsellor Talk,” you’ll find practical tips, creative exercises, handouts, and ways to integrate technology into your practice. From mindfulness techniques to expressive tools via the arts, from narrative therapy to using technological tools —we’re here to help you expand your toolkit, inspire you to think outside the box and embolden you to make a real difference in the lives of those you serve.

 “Counsellor Talk” isn’t just about the nuts and bolts of counselling—it’s about the heart and soul behind the practice. It’s about rediscovering the joy in your work and rekindling the passion for helping others which is the first thing that drew you to this field.

What inspired us to write “Counsellor Talk” was you—the counsellors, the school counsellors, the therapists, and the healers who devote their lives to helping others. This book has been over 30 years in the making, but life got in the way. So here we are finally sharing some of our ideas and inspiration with you by never giving up our goal and publishing our first book. The journey continues as we go on the road to support you with in-depth workshops based on our book Counsellor Talk.

As two psychologists with over 60 years of combined counselling experience, we wish to inspire the next generation of counsellors as well as rejuvenate those seasoned professionals.

In writing this book we hope to pass on our passion and love of counselling. It has been the best part of our professional lives.

Hope : A Message We All Need to Hear


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The following post was written by Vince Fowler a Business Coach, Speaker and Veteran in Calgary . He allowed me to share it with you. I think it is one of the best posts I have read, thus I am sharing it with you. You can follow Vince on twitter @VinceFowler

It would appear that the lives of most people who actively post on Facebook  are somehow living the perfect life – a life filled with laughter, with joy, money, friends, love, appreciation, amazing holidays, best job ever, best opportunities ever, etc … etc.

At times, it just might seem to you that everyone around you is having more fun than you, that their life is somehow better, more fulfilling and more rewarding than yours.

That’s just not reality.

Everyone has challenges. Everyone has fears. Everyone has pain … and I truly believe that we all have our own demons & skeletons kept secretly in our closets … under the proverbial  lock and key.

“Help” is something that way too many people have a hard time asking for … and when issues go un-addressed, people begin to lose hope. And when all hope appears lost, the only available decision left in the room seems to be the exit-life door … and then they’re gone… just as Robin Williams is gone.

Sad. So very sad.

Please – do not feel that my life or anyone else’s – celebrities included – are better than yours. Everyone is a little messed up in their own way … I know I am.

Just because I post my joys, doesn’t mean I don’t experience sadness. Just because I post my excitement, doesn’t mean I don’t experience boredom. Just because I post my successes and aspirations, doesn’t mean I don’t experience pain and failure.

I wish Robin Williams were still alive. He was funny beyond belief. He shared his talents with so many for no other purpose than to make them laugh. Sure, he was rich and famous … not because he discovered a way to monetize his talents, but because people actually valued his art and his craft.

That said, Robin Williams clearly had issues – which means Robin was a human being … which means he was just like you and me. Sadly, he wasn’t able to deal with those issues. Because he was loved and appreciated by millions, millions are now mourning his loss.

I once heard many, many, years ago … a man can live 40 days without food. He can live 4 days without water, but he cannot live 4 seconds without hope.

I don’t judge Robin Williams … I will miss Robin Williams.

Thanks Vince for saying what so many of us feel. Teens are particularly vulnerable at this time and we want to make sure they are safe. Your message is a message for all!

If a person believes there is no hope in winning a game,you can visibly see their efforts drop

If a person believes there is no hope in a relationship improving, they sometimes immediately break up

I challenge you to look around and observe on your own

As long as there is HOPE , even a glimmer of HOPE, people keep trying

By Vince Fowler 2014

I want a future where we treat all human beings with dignity, respect with understanding and compassion. I want a world where we have better treatments for mental health disorders and a world where there will be no future losses due to these illnesses. I want a world where all people are not ashamed or afraid to reach out for help. It is more than OK to reach out for help there are many places and people where you can. There is hope and I have hope that we can help .

Susan Spellman Cann

Resource for teens in CalgaryHearing Youth Helping Youth 403-264-8336

Adults can also call the Distress Centre : 403-266-4357 403.266-HELP

Resources to assist with hope: 

Click here: Livebinder on depression

Click here: Mental Health resources for teens

Click here: Suicide prevention resources

Click here: Depression Resources : High School Counselling

Click here: Haiku Deck on hope