Mindset Solutions Counselling

11/09/2025

💔 Pondering Sunday #2 — The Trauma of Loving a Narcissist

Loving someone with narcissistic traits can feel like walking through a hall of mirrors—everything you think you know about yourself gets distorted.

At first, there’s love-bombing: affection, intensity, and admiration that feel like a dream. But soon comes criticism, withdrawal, or blame. These emotional highs and lows create what psychologists call trauma bonding—a cycle of hope and fear that keeps you tied to the relationship.

Over time, gaslighting and invalidation erode your confidence. You begin to question your memory, your emotions, even your worth. The result is a painful disconnection from your own identity.

🪞 Reflection:
Healing begins by naming what happened. It’s not about revenge or bitterness—it’s about reclaiming your voice and re-learning what safe love feels like.

✨ Call to Action:
If you recognize yourself in this, reach out for professional support. You deserve healing, not confusion. You are not too sensitive—you were simply not treated with care.

11/02/2025

🪞 Pondering Sunday #1 — Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) isn’t just about vanity or arrogance—it’s a complex psychological condition rooted in fragile self-esteem and deeply buried emotional wounds.

At its heart, NPD involves an inflated sense of self-importance, a constant need for admiration, and difficulty empathizing with others. But beneath that exterior often lies a deep fear of rejection, shame, or insignificance. Many with NPD have learned to protect themselves through control, perfectionism, and emotional detachment.

It’s important to remember: not every person with narcissistic traits has NPD. Personality exists on a spectrum, and those with the full disorder often struggle in relationships, careers, and self-understanding.

🪷 Reflection:
Have you ever found yourself adjusting your behavior to avoid someone’s anger, criticism, or withdrawal? That might be your nervous system responding to chronic invalidation.

✨ Call to Action:
Take five quiet minutes this week to journal about your emotional boundaries. Where do you feel overextended or unseen? Awareness is the beginning of change.

11/02/2025

https://www.facebook.com/RachelMSC/

I am a registered provisional psychologist with The College of Alberta Psychologist, under the supervision of registered psychologist Kate Harper. I offer in-person, online counselling services across two Calgary and Strathmore locations.

10/26/2025

📝 Pondering Sunday: The Power of ADHD Assessment

A formal ADHD assessment is often misunderstood. Some see it as just a label. But in reality, it’s so much more — it’s a process of understanding yourself in a deeper, more compassionate way.

Here’s what an assessment can uncover:

Clarity: pinpointing symptoms and patterns that may have gone unnoticed.

Validation: realizing the struggles you’ve faced aren’t because of laziness, but because of how your brain works.

Direction: knowing what treatment options, strategies, and supports will help you thrive.

Strengths: assessments don’t just look at challenges; they highlight areas where you excel.

For many adults, the process is profoundly healing. Years of confusion or self-criticism can finally make sense. It’s not just about a diagnosis — it’s about creating a roadmap forward.

And importantly, an assessment is tailored. It rules out other conditions, examines functioning across different areas of life, and gives you a full picture of how ADHD shows up for you.

This Sunday, reflect on this: What if the clarity you’ve been searching for is only one step away?

📌 If you’re ready for that clarity, I offer comprehensive evidence-based ADHD assessments for adults. Learn more here:
www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

10/19/2025

🔬 Pondering Sunday: What the Latest ADHD Research Tells Us

Science is constantly reshaping how we understand ADHD — moving us beyond outdated stereotypes into deeper compassion and clarity.

Here are some key insights from recent research:

ADHD impacts not only attention but also working memory, planning, and emotional regulation. It’s about how the brain manages the “executive functions” of daily life.

Neuroimaging shows differences in dopamine pathways — highlighting why ADHD brains seek stimulation and novelty.

Lifestyle factors matter. Adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition can reduce symptoms significantly.

Multimodal treatment — combining therapy, medication, structure, and support — consistently proves more effective than any single approach.

This research reinforces what many people have felt all along: ADHD is complex, layered, and real. It’s not about laziness, lack of willpower, or poor discipline. It’s about a brain that processes the world differently.

The most hopeful finding? With the right supports, people with ADHD don’t just “cope” — they thrive. Many leverage their creativity, energy, and big-picture thinking to excel in careers, relationships, and personal growth.

This Sunday, remember: if past strategies haven’t worked, it doesn’t mean nothing will. It just means you haven’t found your fit — yet.

📌 If you’d like to work with someone who stays up-to-date with ADHD research, I’d be honoured to support you:
www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

10/12/2025

💊 Pondering Sunday: ADHD and Medication

When people hear “ADHD,” medication is often the first thing that comes to mind — and also one of the most misunderstood. Some believe it changes who you are. Others fear dependency. But here’s the truth: medication for ADHD is not about altering personality. It’s about helping the brain find balance.

Stimulant medications, for example, target dopamine pathways in the brain, helping to regulate attention, impulse control, and focus. For many, the experience is profound — they describe it as putting on glasses for the first time. Suddenly, the mental fog clears, and tasks that once felt impossible become manageable. For others, medication is less dramatic but still supportive — reducing symptoms enough to create space for therapy, routines, and new skills.

But medication is not a “one size fits all.” It works differently for everyone, and it’s not the only option. Some people thrive without it, relying instead on therapy, coaching, lifestyle changes, and structure. Others find that combining approaches — medication plus therapy plus healthy routines — gives the best outcome.

The key is informed choice. Medication is a tool, not a crutch. And like any tool, it’s most powerful when used thoughtfully, with guidance from a healthcare professional.

This Sunday, I invite you to consider: what if taking medication wasn’t about weakness, but about support? What if it was simply one way to give your brain the environment it needs to thrive?

No matter what path you choose, the important thing is that you have options — and the freedom to choose what works for you.

📌 If you’d like to explore ADHD treatment options, including how medication and therapy can work together, I’d love to support you:
www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

10/10/2025

💼 Pondering Sunday: “Work, Worth, and Well-Being”

Observance: World Mental Health Day (October 10)

So much of our identity is tied to our work — what we do, how we perform, how we’re seen. Yet the demands, pressure, burnout, perfectionism, comparison, and “always-on” culture take a heavy toll.

Workplaces often neglect the mental side of wellness. But recent conversations around psychological safety, flexible policies, and mental health supports show what’s possible: environments that care for the person behind the role, not just the output.

This Sunday, reflect: What boundaries are you holding between work and life? Where does your worth become entangled with productivity? What small changes might protect your mental space—pauses, transitions, saying “no,” silencing the inner critic?

Your mental health matters—not just on days off, but every day.

📌 If your work life is wearing you down, therapy can help you reclaim your boundary, identity, balance, and resilience:
www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

10/06/2025

❤️ Pondering Sunday: ADHD and Relationships

ADHD isn’t just an individual experience — it ripples into relationships too. Partners often describe feeling unheard, forgotten, or sidelined when ADHD symptoms get in the way. Missed dates, forgotten chores, or difficulty staying present during conversations can feel deeply personal.

On the other side, the partner with ADHD may feel criticized, inadequate, or like they’re “never enough.” The cycle is painful: one feels unseen, the other feels unworthy.

But here’s the hopeful truth — ADHD does not have to be a relationship ender. With awareness and support, couples can learn to navigate its challenges together. Research shows that when both partners understand ADHD, they can shift from blame to teamwork. Instead of “You never listen to me,” it becomes, “Let’s find strategies so we can both feel heard.” Instead of “You always forget,” it becomes, “Let’s create reminders and structures that work for us.”

Love thrives when we turn toward each other with empathy. ADHD invites couples to build stronger communication, clearer expectations, and creative solutions. And when partners learn to view ADHD as a shared challenge rather than a personal failing, connection deepens.

This Sunday, reflect on this: What would change in your relationship if you both approached ADHD not as a weakness, but as something you can work through — together?

📌 If ADHD is straining your relationship, couples counselling can help bridge the gap. Learn more here:
www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

10/05/2025

It’s easy to reduce someone to a label — “she’s anxious,” “he’s bipolar,” “they’re depressed.” Yet behind every diagnosis is a whole human being — with strengths, humour, dreams, and resilience that often outshine the struggle.

This week marks Mental Illness Awareness Week in Canada — a time to pause, reflect, and widen our understanding.

Mental illness touches 1 in 5 Canadians every year, yet its reach extends far beyond numbers. Families, friends, workplaces, and communities are all shaped by the ripple effects of anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, eating disorders, and more.

But here’s what’s often forgotten:
Mental illness is not the whole story.

It’s easy to reduce someone to a label — “she’s anxious,” “he’s bipolar,” “they’re depressed.” Yet behind every diagnosis is a whole human being — with strengths, humor, dreams, and resilience that often outshine the struggle.

Awareness is more than facts. It’s about shifting perspective.
It’s about asking, “How can I support you?” instead of “What’s wrong with you?”
It’s about workplaces making space for mental health days, families normalizing open conversations, and communities treating care with the same urgency as physical health.

This Sunday, let’s remember:
Mental illness is not weakness.
It’s not identity.
And it’s not the end of the story.

Compassion, support, and treatment can change lives. Awareness week is a reminder — not just to notice the challenges, but to believe in the possibilities of recovery and growth.

📌 If you or someone you love is navigating mental illness, you don’t have to walk it alone. I’d be honoured to support you:
www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

10/02/2025

✨ New This Month at Mindset Solutions Counselling! ✨

Did you know I send out a monthly newsletter filled with:
🌱 Mental health tips you can use right away
💭 Gentle reflections & “Pondering Sunday” highlights
📚 Book, app, and resource recommendations

This October, we’re talking about Mental Illness Awareness Week.

If you’d like a little encouragement, insight, and real talk delivered straight to your inbox each month — I’d love for you to join the newsletter community. 💌

09/21/2025

🌱 Pondering Sunday: ADHD in Adulthood

For many adults, ADHD is a hidden story. They’ve gone through school, jobs, and relationships carrying the weight of symptoms no one ever named. Instead of support, they often heard: “You’re not trying hard enough.” “You’re so disorganized.” “You’re always late.”

It’s no wonder so many people don’t realize they have ADHD until much later in life. On the outside, they’ve learned to compensate — making endless lists, over-preparing, or burning themselves out to stay “on track.” But inside, it feels like chaos. Managing time, staying organized, keeping up with responsibilities — these daily tasks can feel like running a marathon every day with no rest.

Research tells us that ADHD in adulthood often looks different than the stereotype. It’s less about running around with boundless energy, and more about:

Difficulty following through on commitments

Struggles with money management and deadlines

Zoning out during conversations or meetings

Emotional intensity and sensitivity

A deep sense of “never enough”

And when undiagnosed, it can quietly strain relationships, careers, and self-esteem.

But here’s the hopeful part: discovering ADHD later in life doesn’t mean “too late.” In fact, many adults describe diagnosis as both freeing and validating. Finally, the puzzle pieces fit. Instead of self-blame, there’s understanding. Instead of endless frustration, there’s the chance to create strategies that work with the brain — not against it.

This Sunday, I invite you to reflect on this: How often do you blame yourself for challenges that may have deeper roots? And what would it feel like to replace self-criticism with curiosity?

ADHD in adulthood is real, and it’s more common than most people think. Recognizing it is not about making excuses — it’s about finding compassion, clarity, and a path forward.

📌 If this resonates with you, I offer comprehensive ADHD assessments for adults. Learn more here:
www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca

09/14/2025

🔎 Pondering Sunday: The Many Faces of ADHD

ADHD is often painted with a narrow brush — as if it only looks like hyperactive children who can’t sit still. But in reality, ADHD has many faces, and it doesn’t always look the way we expect.

For some, ADHD shows up as restless energy, fidgeting hands, or racing thoughts that never quite slow down. For others, it’s missing appointments, forgetting where the keys went (again), or staring at a to-do list so overwhelming that nothing gets done at all. Sometimes ADHD is loud and visible; sometimes it’s quiet and hidden.

What makes ADHD so complex is that it impacts more than just “attention.” It involves executive functioning — the brain’s management system. That means planning, organizing, regulating emotions, shifting focus, and remembering information are all part of the picture. When these processes don’t run smoothly, everyday tasks can feel like climbing a mountain without proper gear.

And yet, many people with ADHD go unnoticed for years. They are told they’re lazy, careless, or not living up to their potential. Over time, these messages turn inward, shaping a painful story of self-doubt: “What’s wrong with me?” The truth is — nothing is “wrong” with them. Their brains simply process information differently.

This Sunday, I invite you to pause and reflect: What if the struggles you’ve been blaming yourself for weren’t character flaws at all, but signs of a brain that works differently? What if compassion — for yourself or for someone you love — could shift the whole story?

So today, if you recognize yourself in these words, or if someone close to you comes to mind, remember this: ADHD has many faces. And none of them are defined by weakness.

📌 If you’ve ever wondered whether ADHD may be part of your story, I’d be honoured to walk with you:
www.mindsetsolutionscounselling.ca