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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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Exploring Mindfulness-Based Therapy: A Path to The Present

In the current model of psychological well-being, mindfulness-based therapy stands out as a transformative approach, integrating the ancient practice of mindfulness with modern therapeutic techniques. This combination creates an effective modality for enhancing mental health, promoting an increased awareness of the present moment, and fostering an attitude of nonjudgmental acceptance toward one’s thoughts and feelings (Kabat-Zinn, 1994; Segal, Williams, & Teasdale, 2002). Mindfulness-based…

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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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Harnessing Self-Affirmation: Insights for Personal Growth

Life's challenges, from health concerns to academic pressures, often put our self-esteem and identity to the test. Understanding how to positively respond to these challenges is crucial for our mental and emotional health. The concept of self-affirmation provides a valuable lens through which we can view and manage these challenges. David K. Sherman's paper, "Self-Affirmation: Understanding the Effects," offers a thorough exploration of…

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Stop Ruminating

Stop ruminating and start living. If your mind keeps cycling through the same worries or regrets, you're not alone. Reflecting extensively on past, present, or future occurrences can present a formidable challenge, yet viable strategies exist for its management. Herein lie several discerning recommendations: The First Step to Stop Ruminating - Discern the Underlying Causes stop ruminating It is imperative to recognize that…

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Transformative Experiences

“Living rationally and authentically means understanding that life centrally involves making leaps of faith, both small and large, and that the value of living is to a large extent the value of experiencing your life, whatever that experience is”. – L.A. Paul The concept of a "transformative experience" comes from philosophy, particularly in the work of L.A. Paul, and it refers to an…

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What Does it Mean to Be “Spiritual”?

Spiritual wellness encompasses being connected to something greater than oneself and cultivating a set of values, principles, morals, and beliefs that provide a profound sense of purpose and meaning in life. It involves using these principles to guide one's actions and choices. While spiritual wellness can be fostered through various avenues, including religious practices, it is important to note that being spiritual doesn't…

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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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To Lament or Desire to Rewrite the Past.

Imagine living a life replayed on a loop, every victory, every setback, every joy, every heartbreak, repeating endlessly. What would stir within you? Would fear take hold? Would you long to rewrite the story? Or could you, perhaps, find peace and even longing within this unbroken cycle? Friedrich Nietzsche, the celebrated philosopher of the 19th century, grappled with this idea of the eternal…

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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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Why We Use Small Talk

Many people experience discomfort when attending social events, which can often stem from a distaste for small talk. The thought of being trapped in conversations about mundane topics such as the weather, traffic, or holiday plans can be overwhelming, particularly when one craves more meaningful and dignified discourse. This can create a sense of resentment towards social gatherings, as they hold up an…

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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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Freud vs The Buddha – The Utility of Ego

The ego is a concept used in psychology to describe an individual's sense of self or identity. It serves as the conscious perception of oneself and their interactions with the surrounding environment. Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory outlines the ego as one of three components that comprise the human personality, alongside the id, which represents primal and instinctual drives, and the superego, which reflects…

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Meditation Basics

Meditation does not have to involve sitting in lotus position as the schema might dictate, but can also be done sitting comfortably, lying down, or walking. Eyes open or closed. Interestingly, the better you get at dropping into a meditative state the less time you have to spend doing it to achieve the same results. Meditation is a practice that has been around…

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Childhood Trauma & Neurosis – How Therapy Helps

One reason we seek out therapy in order to gain perspective and in turn recover from our neuroses. Neurosis is a pattern of negative thinking that can get in the way of appreciating our full potential. Every human is in part neurotic, at work, in relationships, in our attitudes around creativity or politics. How you are neurotic should be carefully explored without judgment…

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