Counsellor New Westminster

The Role of Personality in Aviation Performance

Aviation professionals, particularly pilots, are often thought to embody a unique blend of skills and personality traits—the so-called "right stuff." While cognitive and technical abilities are well-established as essential for pilots, air traffic controllers, and aviation maintenance technicians, the influence of personality traits on aviation performance is more complex and nuanced. The "Honeymoon Effect": Personality’s Delayed Impact The role of personality in aviation…

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The Polarization of Society: Holding Fast to Your Values in a Fear-Based Compliance World

The polarization gripping society today is undeniable. It feels like a relentless tug-of-war, with mounting pressure to choose a side—failure to do so risks marking you as an outcast. For many, conformity seems like the only path to safety. With ideological enforcers seemingly everywhere and the demand to align intensifying, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, as if you’re sinking under a flood of…

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Overcoming Emotional Conditioning

Occasionally, we encounter rare moments of clarity and happiness, where the weight of sadness and anxiety seems to disappear even for a minute. These moments - a quiet summer evening at the beach, recovering from illness, or being moved by art or music makes us wonder whether life could feel less like a burden. What if we could let go of fear and…

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Navigating Value Conflicts at Work: Strategies for Depersonalization and Professional Resilience

By Keith Norris, Counsellor in New Westminster BC For many individuals, work provides a sense of purpose and a platform to live out their values. However, situations often arise where job responsibilities or workplace cultures clash with personal principles. This misalignment can lead to stress, disillusionment, and burnout. While not every role or organization will align perfectly with an individual’s values, it is…

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Counselling for Anxiety and Depression

Understanding the Link Between Anxiety and Depression: Two Sides of the Same Coin I often hear clients say, “I can’t tell if I’m anxious or depressed.” This confusion is common because anxiety and depression frequently go hand-in-hand, creating a cycle of overwhelming thoughts and emotions. While they are distinct conditions, their close relationship means that they often occur together, blurring the lines between…

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Dispelling the Stigma: Men Seeking Counselling

Men's Issues in Therapy As suicide rates rise among middle-aged white men, there is a growing effort to break down the stigma around seeking help from mental health professionals. Many men find it difficult to ask for assistance—even something as simple as directions—let alone reach out to a counselor. This reluctance can have lasting effects on their well-being. Research increasingly shows that men…

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Mandatory vs Aspirational Ethics in a Professional Counselling Framework

In the field of counseling, understanding the distinction between Aspirational and Mandatory Ethics is crucial for navigating the ethical landscape of the therapeutic relationship. Aspirational Ethics represent a counselor's endeavor to exceed basic ethical standards, focusing on the spirit rather than the letter of ethical guidelines. This approach encourages personal growth, moral responsibility, and a client-centered decision-making process. Conversely, Mandatory Ethics outline the…

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Your Privacy and Preserving The Personal Touch in Mental Health Care

The expanding role of online mental health support offered by firms like BetterHelp, merits some critical inquiry. These companies took advantage of the relaxed regulations around mental health care during the COVID pandemic resulting in some serious ethical breaches. Your public health data is strictly confidential and protected under privacy laws like the Canada’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). Under very few…

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Navigating the Psychedelic Journey: The Imperative of Qualified Integration Therapy

The field of mental health treatment is evolving, and recent research highlights the significant benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapies. These therapies, which utilize psychedelic compounds, have shown promising results beyond their recreational use. As more individuals seek these benefits, there's a growing demand for professional psychedelic support. However, alongside these advancements, there's a rise in negative experiences. By Keith Norris  Many individuals feel confused,…

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How Do I know if Counselling is Working?

Determining whether counselling or therapy is effective for improving your mental health can be a subjective process, influenced by various factors unique to you. I want to provide you with some indicators that can suggest positive outcomes and help you assess if counselling or therapy is working for you. Improved symptom management: If you've noticed a decrease in the intensity, frequency, or duration…

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Are You Burned Out?

There are misconceptions surrounding burnout, and it is not merely feeling slightly overworked, stressed, or tired. Burnout manifests as a distinct clinical syndrome characterized by several key symptoms. There are misconceptions surrounding burnout, and it is not merely feeling slightly overworked, stressed, or tired. Burnout manifests as a distinct clinical syndrome characterized by several key symptoms. One significant symptom is emotional exhaustion, which…

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What Happens in Couples’ Therapy

Couples therapy often conjures an unromantic image, associated with patience, arduous work, and uncomfortably intimate discussions about matters we would rather avoid contemplating, let alone discuss with both our partner and a trained stranger.  Our culture places great emphasis on trusting and following our feelings. However, couples therapy understands that relying solely on our feelings can lead to disaster, as our emotions are…

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Exploring the Hidden Benefits of Mental Illness

When considering our psychological well-being, it may seem peculiar to consider the positive aspects of being unwell. One might argue that there are only downsides to such a condition. However, instead of assuming, as we often do, that our mental illnesses are solely problematic, we can embark on a journey of open-minded exploration. We can dare to ask ourselves: What purpose do my…

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Embracing Unconditional Love: Letting Go of Expectations and Embracing Forgiveness

In the realm of unconditional love, attachment, hidden agendas, and tallying up who gives what to whom have no place. It is a love that transcends conditions, accepting us as we are and others as they are. We release all conscious and unconscious expectations of others, allowing love to illuminate their true essence and inherent lovability. Love opens our hearts, allowing us to…

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Practicing Gratitude

An Attitude of Gratitude   It is commonly integrated into therapeutic practices - the concept that employing and exercising routine gratitude can facilitate many benefits. Continually working with feelings of gratitude can alleviate feelings of depression and anxiety while simultaneously provide a sense of well-being. Showing gratitude and appreciation for one another is “pro-social” behaviour and an effective way to balance against avoidance…

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