Community Support

Deciding to reach out for support is a big step. Then comes a question you might not have expected: Should I meet in person or online? Here's the good news. There's no wrong answer. Virtual and in-person psychotherapy each have real strengths, and the right fit depends on you: your schedule,...

In honour of World Hospice & Palliative Care Day, October 10 There's a moment in many families' lives when the question quietly changes. It stops being "how do we fix this?" and becomes "how do we make the time that's left as full, as comfortable, and as connected as possible?" That shift...

One of the most common things we hear from families at the first session is some version of the same sentence: "I wasn't sure if things were bad enough to come here." It's an understandable question. Many people picture family counselling as something you do after a crisis: after the blow-up,...

If bedtime in your house feels less like a peaceful wind-down and more like a nightly negotiation, you are far from alone. Stalling, extra hugs, "one more story," tears at the door; most families hit a rough patch with sleep at some point, and it can leave everyone exhausted. The good...

It's not written all over my face. It can only be seen through the countless doctors' appointments. The blood work comes back normal. The overwhelming list of medications and treatments I've tried, where the side effects always seemed to outweigh any benefit. The plans I've had to cancel were not because...

Mental health struggles rarely announce themselves on a schedule. They can show up in the middle of a workday, in the quiet of a Sunday evening, or in a moment that catches someone completely off guard. That unpredictability is exactly why a suicide safety plan exists. Not as something to...

When we think about recovery from a traumatic brain injury, a car accident, chronic pain, or any major health event, our minds often go straight to therapy sessions, medical appointments, and rest. But there's a quieter, equally powerful part of the healing process that's easy to overlook: what's on our...

A car accident. A serious diagnosis. A sudden loss. The end of a career you built your life around. Traumatic events don't just change your circumstances; they can change how you see yourself. If you've found yourself thinking "I don't feel like me anymore," you're not alone, and you're not broken....

The end of summer brings a familiar mix of excitement and unease, for kids and parents alike. New teachers, new routines, and the return of early alarms can be a lot to adjust to all at once. From a behavioural therapist's perspective, transitions go more smoothly when we prepare children...

Say the words "occupational therapist" out loud to most people, and you'll watch them picture a career counselor or a workplace injury form. It's one of the most common mix-ups in healthcare, and honestly, the name of the profession itself often leads to this misunderstanding. Here's the reframe: In occupational therapy...

If your child has been recommended for an AAC assessment, or you're already using an AAC device or communication board at home, you've probably run into a lot of opinions. Well-meaning family members, other parents, even strangers in the grocery store sometimes have thoughts about "the tablet" or "the picture...

Have you ever been told your labs look "normal," while your body tells a completely different story? The fatigue that sleep doesn't fix. The joint pain that comes and goes without warning. The sense that you're working twice as hard just to feel “normal”. If any of that sounds familiar,...

Summer can feel like a gift: no school bells, no homework, no rushed mornings. But for many families raising children with autism, the long unstructured days can also bring a wave of challenges. More meltdowns. More anxiety. More "I don't know what to do" moments. Sound familiar? The good news? A...

Have you ever struggled to communicate your message clearly after an illness or injury? Observed a child unable to effectively express their message? Supported a loved one who has difficulty swallowing safely? If so, a Speech-Language Pathologist may be the support you need to help with these challenges, as well...

Getting into a car accident is stressful enough. But navigating Ontario's auto insurance system afterward? That's a whole other ordeal and one that your insurer isn't exactly rushing to make easier for you. Whether you've recently been in a collision or you're trying to understand your rights before something happens, this...

Caring for a loved one is one of the most meaningful things you can do. Whether you're supporting an aging parent, a child with a disability, or a partner recovering from illness, you show up, day after day, because love drives you. But love alone can't refuel an empty tank. Family caregiver...

As we journey through life, maintaining our independence becomes a priority, especially as we get older. However, the risk of falls can significantly impact our ability to live on our own terms. Fall prevention plays an essential role in preserving our well-being and autonomy. In this article, we will explore...

10 years ago, if someone had offered me a job as a caregiver, my response would have been, “Sorry, I’m not a certified Personal Support Worker.” Back then, I thought you had to be a PSW, not just to be a caregiver, but a good caregiver. Well, after 8 years of...

Halloween is just around the corner, and this is typically an exciting evening full of spooky adventures! For most kids, dressing up, playing tricks, and filling up on candy can be a high point of the experience. Who wouldn't love that, right? Unfortunately, some children with special needs may find...

“Autism” is a word that everyone has heard, but how many people understand what it means? Because it isn’t just one thing, and it looks different from one person to the next, many people find it difficult to describe.  In the past, April has been celebrated as Autism Awareness Month. However,...

We think of leisure as free time that’s purely for enjoyment. There are no goals involved. But for an Occupational Therapist (OT) like myself, leisure activities have tremendous therapeutic potential. Let me tell you why. Leisure Is An Occupation First, let’s orient ourselves. When you hear the word “occupation” - what comes...

As an occupational therapist, I have worked with acquired brain injury (ABI) survivors for almost 10 years now. I have worked with ABIs of varying types and severity and have learned much about gaps in ABI knowledge and support from the public’s perspective. For ABI survivors and their families, learning...

Has someone you love recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease? Are you looking for guidance on how to support them in the day-to-day? Alzheimer's disease is a common form of dementia, and it can be extremely overwhelming and demanding for both patients and families who are juggling the many details...

Are you a parent in a pandemic still trying to balance work and family life simultaneously? Are you a caregiver or medical professional who's been burning the candle at both ends since the  Covid outbreak? Are you a human being who is tired of hearing about Covid-19 and the relentless...

You may have noticed that we love technology, education and design. This makes us suckers for Ted Talks. They're short, accessible, and offer insights and inspiration from innovative thinkers, cutting edge researchers, and passionate practitioners. So, we're beginning a little series that is seriously called "Ted Time", where we'll periodically...