Sleep is the best meditation. Dalai Lama
No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.
Your depression is connected to your insolence and refusal to praise. Rumi
Sleep is the best meditation. Dalai Lama
Simple Advice Counseling Centre
Assessment/ Treatment
Tel: (416) 227 1815
Fax: (647) 696 9618
Hourzad Salehi
Registered Psychotherapist
Certified Clinical Counselor
(RP/CCC/MA)
Family Therapy
Why Choose Counselling
Let’s try and look at things differently!
Ask yourself a question, does life ever feel a bit like a puzzle that doesn’t quite fit?
Most people agree that counselling is “good” for those who are experiencing a crisis of some sort. But there still seems to be a perception that you have to be in real trouble to even think about accessing face to face counselling. This is partly fueled by the media, but also by traditional cultural bias and stereotyping that imply even thinking about counselling must mean that you are “weak” or have “lost it” somehow. Asking for counselling is perceived as something negative because “It happened years ago. You should be over it by now!”
But let’s just pause for a moment and look at things from a different perspective. As someone who is part of an experienced team of counselors, I would like to challenge the misconceptions that many still have. I believe that when a person accesses counselling for themselves this actually means that they are taking a very positive step!
I absolutely agree that counselling is crucially important for those who are experiencing major mental health issues as debilitating stress, major depression or trauma. But counselling can also be used as a means of “seeing life a bit more clearly”, or being able to see “the wood from the trees”.
Talking to someone who is emphatic, non-judgmental and professionally qualified to listen, provides the “confidential space” in which to explore what can be uncomfortable and distressing feelings that may be unexplained or ignored. This is not something that is always possible with friends or family as they will understandably have pre-conceptions.
So, you may be asking yourself the question, “Does that mean that counselling can also be used as a means of nipping a problem in the bud before it becomes really serious?”
Exactly!
Counselling can be used in many different situations. For example someone has some relationship problems that seem to be building and decides that it’s time to talk to someone. This is a really positive way of exploring the problem before it becomes more serious. It may also provide some good objective insights that then allow the people in the relationship to work out how they can take things forward. Another example might be someone who always finds ways of putting things off, and feel unable to take decisions.
This is beginning to wear them down and could become serious if not attended to. Yet another could be someone who has experienced a bereavement and is really struggling to move forward with their life. Accessing personal one to one counselling can be a very positive step to resolving their grief.
So our message is, don’t ignore those persistent nagging feelings that haven’t gone away. Don’t let those feelings fester, or leave an issue until it becomes a crisis or a mental health problem. Act early and don’t delay.
Look at it this way. It’s the switched on person who decides to access counselling when they know there is a problem, or as people often say, “If your electric goes off, don’t try to fix it yourself, call an electrician!”
We can provide you:
One to one counselling.
Couples counselling.
Family counselling.
Children’s counselling.
The benefits
Having the opportunity to talk to someone can be very helpful. We can all benefit from support, whether it’s from friends and family or specialist help from trusted organisations.
Are you at a point of change in your life? Are you experiencing relationship difficulties? Have you been made redundant or are you worrying about your future? Are you being bullied or concerned about exams? Counselling can help you work through issues like these and many others.
As you look at your own actions and the beliefs that help form your decision making processes, you are able to make conscious changes without taking on external beliefs or behaviors that are not yours. From this place of empowerment you are able to function in life without choosing to let the stresses of life hinder or prevent you from functioning effectively.
"Breaking up is hard to do." But staying together can be just as challenging."
When to hire a relationship therapist
The number of couples seeking counseling has increased in recent years and it's not only women who are picking up the phone and dialing a therapist these days. Men, too, are increasingly seeking outside help to alleviate their romantic woes.
Couples counseling can be an effective way to mend a broken relationship, but only if people start the process before the damage is too extensive to repair.
"Many people wait until it's too late. "Go to marriage counseling when you still don't want the divorce. Go while there's still glue there."
Is it time for you to hire a relationship therapist? These signs can lead the way.
"Your fights are getting out of control."
"If you're not willing to invite your children to pull up a chair and watch you fight, "that's a good sign you can use some help and counsel."
Fighting is healthy, but only when it is done in a constructive manner. Couples counseling can help people change their arguing style so they can resolve their problems in a less hurtful way, setting a more positive example for their children. And it can help couples without children improve their behavior around family and friends.
You encounter the same stumbling blocks day after day. When couples find themselves rehashing the same issue over and over again—bickering over the division of chores, say, or fighting over spending habits—it may be time to consider outside intervention. Repeated fights can corrode trust and a couple's connection. While counseling may not eliminate the problem, it can minimize the problem's effect on the relationship."If the problems keep festering, think about getting a consultation.
You feel you are slowly drifting away from your partner. While constant fighting often signals that it's time to get help, a notable lack of confrontation can also be cause for concern, according.
Some people actually fear conflict or feel uncomfortable sharing their concerns about their relationships. In those cases, people can find themselves slowly growing apart from their partner. Some even begin to entertain the idea of pursuing other sexual relationships.
"When there's that emptiness, people are prone to two kinds of crisis—one is the affair, and one is somebody's midlife crisis." In these cases, it's the counselor's job to draw relationship concerns out of the partners, eventually closing the emotional gap between them.
"The truth is, in marriage, the things that frighten us the most are usually the most important things to say to strengthen the relationship. "Often, we just don't know how to say it in a gentle and constructive way."
Individual/Family Therapy
Family counselling helps you to understand and cope better with the stresses and strains of family life. Families can be a source of support, encouragement and love but sometimes relationships within families are put under strain and family members feel isolated or overlooked. Family counselling can help when siblings aren’t getting on, or when parents and children are going through a divorce or separation. Forming a new family is a challenge and it is at this point that many parents contact Relate for some support to help everyone settle. Every family member can expect to have a voice and be heard within family counselling.
17665 Leslie St., Suite 37B
Newmarket, ON, L3Y 3E3
Tel: 416 227 1815
Fax: 647 696 9618
E-mail: info@SimpleAdvice.ca
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