Welcome to The Woods Counselling

Better Health Blog

Here we offer insight on the best ways to approach trauma, and teach you the skills we’ve learned to handle chronic illness. And you’ll also find free counselling resources to put them into action.

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The Benefits of Focusing on Breathing
Elysia Bronson MA RCC Elysia Bronson MA RCC

The Benefits of Focusing on Breathing

Focusing on breathing is a simple yet powerful technique for grounding and containment. Breathing is a subtle sensation in the face of a powerful emotion. By focusing on breath, people can slow down their heart rate and mind chatter, and in turn, feel more relaxed and in control. When people practice focusing on breathing regularly, they can develop a deeper awareness of their breathing patterns and learn to regulate their emotions through breath

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How Health Counselling works with Chronic Illness
Elysia Bronson MA RCC Elysia Bronson MA RCC

How Health Counselling works with Chronic Illness

Grieving losses is a big part of living with a chronic illness and one of the hardest parts. As its noticing that pieces of your identity can change when you lose both your abilities and roles at the same time. It can be scary and painful. Emotions that come with this are same as grief and can hit you at any time. This is important to recognize and make space for when we do chronic illness counseling. We work to help our clients come to acceptance of both the disorder and themselves and we’re committed to be your mental health support throughout your journey. Whether your a caregiver, or looking for support for family members, or parents of kids with significant medical/developmental. We provide online counselling all over Canada.

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Chronic Illness & Grief
Elysia Bronson MA RCC Elysia Bronson MA RCC

Chronic Illness & Grief

The way we approach chronic conditions can make a big difference on our mental and physical health. With every condition that becomes chronic we need to recognize that there can be losses to mourn as the regular lifestyle we had before is being adjusted to a new way of life (Arseneau, 2008). Next, we can approach the condition from a perspective of radical acceptance. This doesn't mean we approve of the new reality, but it means we accept the facts as they are. For example, Today I have a condition that is rare, painful and I have no control over when it will affect me. Without accepting these facts I cannot change them, or be proactive in making adjustments that anticipate the symptoms. Self-compassion is the way we approach our self. This can be simple in recognizing your doing the best you can given the circumstances your in.

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5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
Elysia Bronson MA RCC Elysia Bronson MA RCC

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding

How to use grounding skills to cope with trauma triggers. Triggers can be challenging to manage, especially for those who have experienced trauma. Grounding skills can help you stay present and cope with triggers as they arise. Scaling can be a useful tool for measuring your level of distress, while feet-to-the-floor and breathing exercises help you feel grounded and centered. You can also use the 5-4-3-2-1 technique to bring awareness to your surroundings and senses. Remember, it’s essential to practice grounding and containment skills regularly to make them more effective.

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Solid Chair Technique
Elysia Bronson MA RCC Elysia Bronson MA RCC

Solid Chair Technique

The solid chair technique is another simple yet powerful technique for grounding and containment. This technique involves noticing the support of the chair underneath you and how solid it feels. People can relax fully into the chair's support and let go of every muscle that does not need to be working right now.

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How Online Counselors Help Cancer Patients with Fatigue & Finding Relief
Elysia Bronson MA RCC Elysia Bronson MA RCC

How Online Counselors Help Cancer Patients with Fatigue & Finding Relief

This overwhelming sense of exhaustion can significantly impact physical, emotional, and mental well-being, making it a distressing symptom for many patients. However, there is hope. With the support and guidance of compassionate counselors, patients can learn effective pacing techniques to manage their fatigue and regain control of their lives. In this article, we explore how counselors play a vital role in helping patients navigate cancer-related fatigue and embrace a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.

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Introduction to Grounding and Containment Strategies
Elysia Bronson MA RCC Elysia Bronson MA RCC

Introduction to Grounding and Containment Strategies

Welcome to our latest blog post! Today, we're excited to introduce you to our grounding and containment pack, a powerful tool that can help you manage and overcome trauma and anxiety. This pack includes a range of skills and techniques that have been developed by experts in the field of mental health and trauma therapy.

Over the course of this series, we'll be exploring some of the key skills included in the pack, so that you can get a sense of just how powerful these techniques can be. Whether you're someone who struggles with anxiety on a daily basis, or you've experienced trauma in your past, this pack has something to offer.

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I have heard of fight or flight, but when my trauma happened, I could not move or speak, it was as if I was paralyzed. What does that mean?
Elysia Bronson MA RCC Elysia Bronson MA RCC

I have heard of fight or flight, but when my trauma happened, I could not move or speak, it was as if I was paralyzed. What does that mean?

Dealing with the impact of trauma can be a difficult and overwhelming journey, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. The effects of trauma can last for many years and may even hinder your ability to lead a fulfilling life if left untreated. One of the most common symptoms of PTSD is avoidance, where one may try to forget or avoid thinking about the traumatic event altogether. However, avoiding these thoughts and feelings only prolongs the healing process and can make it more difficult to manage symptoms.

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