SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness

From Rumination to Relief: Using IFS and CBT to Calm an Overactive Mind

Have you ever found yourself stuck in an endless loop of thoughts—rehashing past conversations, worrying about the future, or analyzing every little detail of a situation? The more we try to stop these thoughts, the stronger they seem to become. Instead of fighting against them, what if we approached them with curiosity and compassion? Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) offer powerful ways to understand and soothe an overactive mind.

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

Breaking Free from Codependency and Toxic Relationships: Letting Go, Healing, and Reclaiming Your Self-Worth

Toxic relationships and codependency can be some of the hardest relational patterns to overcome. This blog post will help you understand codependency and other toxic relationship patterns while supporting you through the difficult process of letting go and restoring your self-identity through self-compassion.

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How to Convince Your Partner to Try Couples Therapy (Without Pressuring Them)

You might feel stuck if you believe therapy could help your relationship, but your partner is resistant to the idea. How might you suggest it without causing them to feel trapped or pressured? This blog post focuses on how you can build open lines of communication while addressing any concerns your partner might have, to help them see therapy as an positive opportunity.

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

The Connection Between Trauma and Perfectionism: Why We Strive for “Flawless”

Perfectionism sometimes feels like a “badge of honor,” something to be proud of. But underneath the surface, it can create a lot of distress. The constant pressure to achieve can make us sacrifice our health, relationships, and even our peace of mind—all in the pursuit of an impossible goal. In this post, we’ll dive into how perfectionism develops, how it’s linked to trauma, and how we can start to break free from its grip. It’s time to understand the roots of perfectionism and explore how we can heal from the inside out.

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

Changed by Love: A Biblical Theory of Change for Christian Counsellors

Every counsellor—whether they realize it or not—operates with a theory of change. But for the Christian counsellor, there’s an additional, vital question to consider: Is this theory of change biblically sound? This article explores a biblical theory of change for Christian counsellors, one that aligns with both Christian theology and modern neuroscience. At the heart of this theory is a simple yet profound truth: We are changed by love.

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Emotional Distance in Relationships: Why It Happens & How to Reconnect

Does it ever seem like you and your partner exist side by side, but not together in one shared life? People commonly experience emotional distance in their relationships, which can seem unnerving—but it's often possible to restore closeness through intentional actions. This blog post will examine various sources of emotional distance between partners, while also presenting you with actionable techniques for reconnection.

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The Powerful Effects of Self-Compassion on Mental Health

Compassion has a profound effect on mental health. Practicing self-compassion can lead to greater happiness, improved emotional resilience, and even better physical health. In this blog post, we explore the science behind compassion, its impact on mental well-being, and practical ways to incorporate it into our lives.

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

Somatic IFS Therapy: Healing Through Mind-Body Awareness

Physical sensations are more than just reactions. They are part of how we emotionally process experiences, and they hold valuable information about our well-being. Somatic IFS Therapy is a unique and powerful approach that blends various approaches of somatic therapy with Internal Family Systems (IFS) to foster deep healing. In this blog post, we explore how Somatic IFS integrates body awareness into counselling and emotional healing and how reconnecting with our sensations can lead to profound emotional release and transformation.

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The Roles We Play: An Intro to Family Systems Theory

Family Systems Theory helps us understand how families operate as interconnected emotional units. Each member plays a role, and these roles can shape not only how we interact with our family but also how we approach relationships, work, and even our sense of self. In this blog post, we’ll explore some common family roles and discuss how becoming aware of these roles can help us break free from unhealthy patterns and build healthier, more balanced relationships.

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

Understanding Spiritual Abuse in Christian Communities

Spiritual abuse is an often-overlooked yet profoundly damaging form of harm that occurs within faith communities. This article explores the complex dynamics of spiritual abuse, offering insight into how to recognize its signs, recover from its trauma, and implement safeguards to prevent it in Christian communities.

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

The Connection Between Anxiety and Chronic Pain: Insights from IFS Therapy

Living with chronic pain can feel like an endless battle, one that affects not just the body but also the mind and spirit. The connection between anxiety and chronic pain is complex, but understanding can offer a sense of comfort and relief. Here, we’ll explore how these two experiences intertwine and how Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy offers a path forward.

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Signs You're Recovering from Anxiety: Understanding and Building Distress Tolerance

Recovery from an anxiety disorder is rarely a straight path. Some days, you might feel like you're making real progress; other days, it may seem like you're back where you started. But one of the clearest signs that you're on the right track is an increase in distress tolerance—the ability to handle discomfort and difficult emotions without feeling completely overwhelmed. So, what exactly is distress tolerance, and how does it fit into the healing process? Let's talk about it.

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

Befriending Your Inner Critic with IFS Therapy

For many of us, the inner critic is a persistent, often unwelcome voice that undermines our confidence, sows seeds of doubt, and leaves us feeling inadequate. But what if there was a way to not only quiet this voice but to transform it into a helpful ally? IFS offers a compassionate framework to understand and work with this inner voice, reframing it as a part of us that, however harsh it may seem, ultimately wants to help.

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The Importance of Self-Care for Parents of Teenagers

As parents, we often prioritize our children's needs above our own, especially when they’re navigating challenges like academic pressures, social changes, and mental health issues. However, it’s essential to remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish; it’s an investment in your ability to support your teen effectively. In this blog post, we explore why self-care is crucial for parents of teenagers, particularly those supporting teens with mental health concerns. We look at practical tips to help you maintain your well-being.

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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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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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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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