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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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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SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness SoulSoothe Counselling & Wellness

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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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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