Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW

Healing from People-Pleasing: Understanding and Overcoming a Survival Mechanism

People-pleasing is not merely an unhelpful behaviour, but a survival strategy. By examining people-pleasing through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, we can understand its origins, the emotional toll it takes, and discover how to heal these parts of us to create more harmonious and fulfilling relationships—both inside and out.

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SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness

Drawing the Line: Navigating Boundary Conversations

Setting boundaries with family and friends isn’t always easy. Honestly, it can feel awkward, emotional, or downright scary. Thankfully, the book Crucial Conversations is the ultimate toolkit for navigating tricky communication scenarios without blowing up relationships—or losing your sanity. This blog will walk you through some of the key takeaways from the book, including practical ways to prepare for and navigate tough talks about setting boundaries with the people you love.

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Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW

Finding the Right Therapist for You

Finding a therapist is a big step toward improving your mental health, and it's not always easy to know where to begin. With so many options, it can feel overwhelming—especially when you're already dealing with some form of mental health or emotional concern. We hope to make the process simpler and give you (and the people who care about you) strategies to get started.

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Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW

Rewriting the Past: How Memory Reconsolidation Heals Trauma

If you’ve been considering trauma therapy, you may have come across the concept of memory reconsolidation—a fascinating process that’s transforming how we heal from the past. Rooted in neurobiology, memory reconsolidation offers a way to address the emotional weight of traumatic memories and free yourself from their grip. Let’s take a closer look at what memory reconsolidation is, how it works in trauma therapy, and how it can help you rewrite the painful stories your brain holds onto.

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SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness

Discover Your Core Values and Start Living Authentically

Have you ever felt like you’re not quite living the life you’re meant to? Maybe you’ve made decisions that seemed logical at the time but left you feeling empty. The truth is, living authentically starts with understanding your personal core values. These values are like your internal compass—they guide you toward the life that feels right for you. In this post, we’ll talk about what core values are, how to uncover yours, and how to align your life with them. By the end, you’ll have the tools to live authentically and with purpose.

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Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW

Attachment Theory and Our Relationship with God

Attachment theory, which explains how early relationships shape trust and connection, can also provide valuable insights into our relationship with God. Understanding this connection helps us deepen our faith and heal relational wounds. Whether through self-reflection, counselling, or contemplative practices, the journey toward secure attachment with God is worth the effort.

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Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW

Building Love That Lasts: What Sue Johnson Taught Us About Healthy Relationships

Relationships can often feel like a thrilling yet unpredictable rollercoaster ride, full of highs, lows, and moments of confusion. Sue Johnson offers a guide to building healthier relationships. Her work, rooted in attachment theory, emphasizes the importance of the emotional bond between partners. Johnson provides practical tools to help couples create a stable and loving connection. With these insights, relationships can become resilient, enduring challenges like stress, anxiety, and trauma.

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Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW

Narcissism Through the Lens of IFS Therapy: Compassion and Connection

When we hear the word “narcissism,” many of us picture someone who is self-absorbed, arrogant, or manipulative. Narcissistic behaviour can indeed look like that on the surface, but when we dig deeper—especially from the perspective of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy—we begin to see a more complex story. IFS provides a compassionate framework to understand narcissism, and it also offers tools that friends and family can use to support healthier relationships with those who show narcissistic behaviours.

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SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness

Complex PTSD: A Helpful Guide for Friends and Family

When someone close to you is living with Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), it can be difficult to fully understand what they're going through. In this article, we’ll break down what Complex PTSD is, how it impacts those who have it, and share some ways to support loved ones who may be living with this condition. Whether you're a friend, family member, or partner, approaching C-PTSD with compassion, patience, and understanding can make a world of difference.

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Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW

Understanding the Difference Between Empathy and Compassion

Ever found yourself completely drained after trying to help someone through a tough time? You were just trying to be a good friend, but somehow their stress became your stress. It’s almost as if their anxiety jumped ship and landed squarely on your shoulders. Well, congratulations! You might have been caught in the empathy trap. But don’t worry—there’s a way out, and it’s called compassion.

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Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW

Creative Journaling Ideas to Improve Mental Wellness

Journaling is an amazing way to organize those swirling thoughts and make sense of them. It’s like having your own personal therapist in a notebook! So, let’s dive into some creative journaling ideas that not only help reduce stress but can also support healing from trauma and boost your overall mental wellness. Grab your favorite pen and a cozy drink—let’s get started!

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SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness

How to Address and Overcome Trust Issues in Relationships

Trust issues are common and can manifest as anxiety over unanswered calls or overanalyzing social media interactions, but you're not alone in experiencing them. While these feelings can strain relationships, they don't have to cause lasting damage. By addressing trust concerns directly, you can work toward building stronger, healthier connections.

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Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW

The Seven Pillars of Healthy Relationships

When it comes to building lasting relationships, Danny Silk’s book Keep Your Love On is a game-changer. It is easily the most recommended book by counsellors at SoulSoothe! One of the concepts from the book is the “The Seven Pillars of Healthy Relationships” that strengthen and maintain healthy connections. These aren’t just abstract ideas—they’re practical, life-changing principles that can transform how we relate to others. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through each pillar and share strategies for strengthening them.

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SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness

Overcoming Depression: Drug-Free Techniques That Work

While medication can be a vital tool for many, some people prefer to explore drug-free alternatives either alongside or instead of pharmaceutical options. This article dives into 10 practical, everyday strategies that can help lift the fog of depression and bring more balance and joy back into your life.

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Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW

How to Help Someone Struggling with their Mental Health (Part 3)

To provide emotional comfort effectively, we must first ensure that the person feels their emotions are safe and validated. Once their emotional response is validated, they can receive the comfort or assistance we offer. In this article, we are going to be integrating all the things we’ve explored up till now using “VCR” and some practical support options, as well as the power of prayer.

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Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW

How to Help Someone Struggling with their Mental Health (Part 2)

We don’t need to be professional therapists or counsellors to help our friends and family struggling with their mental health. There are practical things we can do to communicate better and offer necessary emotional support. In this article, we are going to look at some tips for listening, staying grounded, and reflecting emotion.

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Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW Bryce MacEwen, BSW, RSW

How to Help Someone Struggling with their Mental Health (Part 1)

When we see someone struggling with their mental health, it's natural to want to help, but we often don't know how to begin. While therapy should be handled by trained professionals, there are still ways we can support our friends and family in distress. In this article, we'll focus on understanding our motivations for helping and recognizing our limits.

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Denise Carey, BSW, RSW Denise Carey, BSW, RSW

Getting Back on Your Feet When You Feel “Stuck”

Have you ever faced a significant event that left you feeling paralyzed, unable to move forward? These events or experiences can hit us hard, leaving us feeling overwhelmed, confused, and deeply depressed. If you're feeling “stuck,” know that you’re not alone. Life is a journey filled with twists and turns, and encountering the unexpected is part of the process.

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SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness

How to Develop Self-Leadership

Do you ever find yourself setting goals and then not achieving them? Maybe you start projects, but never finish them? Or perhaps you struggle to get started in the first place? Developing self-leadership is a journey that empowers you to take control of your thoughts, emotions, and actions, leading to greater personal and professional success. In this blog post, we look at what self-leadership is and how you can improve on this important skill.

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Denise Carey, BSW, RSW Denise Carey, BSW, RSW

What does it mean to “guard your heart?”

“I learned that it's important to stay connected with supportive people, especially during tough times, and to find better ways to handle difficult situations without shutting myself off from the world.”

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