It is with heartfelt sadness that we grieve with the family of Rod Minaker, on his death last week. Rod worked with our counselling agency, at what was then known as Bergen and Associates Counselling starting mid-2007, and except for a brief break, worked with clients at our offices until 2014. Our hearts break at the …
The potato chips of relationships: Social Media
I spoke with Talia Ricci of Global News on the effects of social media and they posted the piece on their website today…Millenials (those born after 1984 or s0) essentially have used social media all of their adult lives. Those born before 1984 can remember a time when: we went to the video store to rent …
A Letter to Dahlia: TGDK
Dear Dahlia, Your signature, “TGPF”-Thank Good People Friday is something you are famous for in the city. You have made the city a kinder and gentler place, as you encourage people to express gratitude for a kindness they have received in their lives. Gratitude is a value we both share as vital…so today, for me, on …
Thoughts on being a therapist
The magnitude of this work is not lost on me. Four and a half years after beginning as a therapist I still find myself utterly awed at the courage and tenacity of the folks who plunk down on the couch and whisper words that have never made it outside their heads or hearts. 55 months …
Doin’ it right
“There’s no cracks in the outside foundation,” they said. “Well, if it was the window leaking, it would be running down the drywall…and it’s not, so it’s not the window,” they said. “It doesn’t seem like there is a standing water issue outside by the building,” they said. It was almost like they were trying …
Leadership, Loyalty, and My Very Good Luck
Preface…I (Carolyn) wrote recently about the great team I work with every day at Bergen and Associates Counselling…and I used a story of Lindsey as an example of the quality of people I interact with. A solid team of therapists that supports and builds each other up, makes for better therapy for clients, I think. …
Affirmation: You’re Good Trouble
I love my work. I love it for lots of reasons that I’ve written about before–the clients I see humble me with their courage and stun me with their growth. I am often surprised by joy as we work through the difficult stuff of life. I also love it because it is a place where …
Before it’s too late
I was talking recently to some of my colleagues about couples therapy. One of the topics that came up was the reluctance of one partner to hear the other spouse’s pain…and do something about it. Sometimes, when couples come to therapy, we ask the couples which one is the “draggee” in therapy, and one the …
An Open Letter to Ms. Rona Ambrose
Dear Ms. Ambrose, Wow…did you see this coming? Your role as leader of the Official Opposition? I know your party was anticipating a re-election, with Mr. Harper continuing to be Prime Minister. And now–you’re the interim leader of the Conservative party. That’s an enormous job to land in. I applaud your courage to take on …
An Open Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau, I’m no political wizard, so I have no political advice or wisdom to give you. Nada. Zip. As a Canadian, however, I care about this country…and I care for it’s leaders. You are head of this very large collective family of Canada, and so I wanted to share a few things …