Ashley Madison – most people are aware of the website that promotes infidelity – and if they weren’t aware before, they certainly are now. Following a security breach that left thousands of user’s emails and information exposed, the Ashley Madison fallout is far from over. I certainly have heard the gamut of opinions on this situation. However, I am much more concerned with … Read More
Are you being present?
It doesn’t matter how many new techniques I learn when working with clients because the most important tool always stays the same. Being present! It is the most healing element to any counselling session. And, the reason it is so powerful is because it does not happen very often in our normal, everyday lives. When speaking with your spouse, you … Read More
Does marriage counselling work?
Being in a relationship can be one of the most difficult things you could ever endeavour to do. When you first meet, it can seem like you are floating on a cloud. Regardless of your history of previous relationships, it can seem like you have finally met someone different. Sometimes it lasts, but as divorce rates would illustrate, things change. … Read More
How to help an addict
Addiction can be a very difficult issue to deal with in your relationship. Whether you are the child, the spouse, or the parent of an addict, the feelings of frustration and desperation can often be the same. You will often hear people recommend that you stop enabling the addict, or that you use tough love on the addict. But does … Read More
Sparring in relationships
My husband and I were recently having a discussion about the renovations that were happening in our home. This is the fourth time we have undertaken a renovation project; twice while I was pregnant. Our ability to navigate through the stresses of these times provides me the confidence in our relationship that we can make it through almost anything. Though … Read More
ADHD and Relationships
Written by Cheryle Sherwood, Registered Psychologist at Serenity Now The more patients I see with Adult ADHD, the more I realize just how pervasive ADHD can be in an individual’s life. The triad of symptoms of inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity sound fairly benign when seen on paper, however, seeing how much these impact adult level of functioning is profound. One … Read More
Couples Communication
I love working with couples! Mostly, because the healing that happens when your partner can hear you more effectively, is transformative. Regardless of the issue that brings a couple in for counselling and regardless of their level of distress, the very first step in their healing is to learn how to communicate more effectively. Though this sounds very obvious to … Read More
Healing from Infidelity
Relational trauma occurs when there is harm done to one person by another in a primary relationship through any form of betrayal, abuse, addiction or compulsion (Dayton, 2007). I have primarily worked with women who have experienced their partner’s infidelity, addiction or compulsive use of Internet pornography. Betrayal has an impact whether a partner has engaged in one act of … Read More