Safe Haven Counselling

10/03/2025

Did you know we are hard-wired to seek out behaviours that help release dopamine in our brain which can lead to substance abuse and addictive behaviours?
Michaela with Safe Haven Counselling shares a bit more with us.
If you are looking for support around your addictive or troublesome behaviour, we have skilled therapists on our team that can help 🩵

02/24/2025

People often ask me "is this normal...to feel this way or act like this?" or "Am I normal?"
This is always a welcomed moment to explore how there is "NO normal"
We all very much have our own unique ways of coping and responding to the world around us. Yet, we all desperately want to know if what we're doing and who we are is 'normal' because we want to belong and be like others.

Imagine embracing the beauty of knowing that you are not like others and not supposed to be like others 🤹‍♂️🤸‍♀️🦊
We are all different, because we are supposed to be!
Goodbye 'being normal' and Hello 'being exactly who you're meant to be'
💛🧡❤💙💜

08/18/2024

Returning from holidays is always bitter-sweet. 🌸🥀
Sweet because of the chance to relax, escape and expand, make memories, pause on life and connect.
Bitter because....well, the holiday is over and you know it will be a while until you get to do that again.

**The thing about holidays though is that my thoughts, care and reflections about my clients and their struggles stay with me and only expands and deepens.
I think about each of you and the determination and tenacity you have to keep going. I don't know how you do it but you figure it out and I'm so grateful for our connection with each other.
See you soon 💗!

08/03/2024

Happy Saturday....a beautiful sign on the entrance to the Tibet Kitchen restaurant in Kensington.
"Tashi Delek" is a greeting meaning good luck and good health.
What is your religion? Your faith? Your beliefs?
Loving kindness, sounds like one we could all use and practice ♥️🧕🧑‍🦲🧙🧘♥️

07/08/2024

New blog post from our very own Eric Fisher:

Written by Eric Fisher - Eric is a Counselling Therapist with Safe Haven Counselling and Author of: "The Martial Art of Recovery: Self-Mastery Practices to Subdue Addiction and Achieve Mental Wellness"-Link to book through Amazon here: https://www.amazon.ca/Martial-Art-Recovery-Self-Mastery-Practice...

07/04/2024

It's been a looong time coming but I did it 🎊😊!!
Completing the process to be a fully Registered Psychologist after practicing as a Certified Canadian Counselor for many years always felt like a lofty goal I would never reach.
Studying for the big EPPP exam was one of the most difficult challenges of my life. I am so very grateful to have had all the support along the way and am proud I made it, phew!
Now back to the important parts like taking care of myself, learning from my clients, spending time with my family, reading books I actually want to read and gaining new skills as a therapist.
Thank you to those who have supported me along the way 💕

05/29/2024

We had so much fun tonight doing some outdoor pics with Pauline! 💙

From left to right, here is the Safe Haven Counselling team 💙:
Therapist Carl Conradi, Therapist Sam Kerr, MSW, Sarah Elton Reg. Psychogist and SHC Owner, Jan Pugh Reg. Provisional Psychologist, Therapist Sara Adams MSW, Steph Evans Reg. Provisional Psychologist and Therapist Eric Fisher, CCC.

05/26/2024

Direct billing is finally here!!
We are always looking for ways to make counselling more accessible and finally with the help of our JANE booking system, we are able to offer direct billing for several benefit providers.
Please feel free to ask today if we can get this service going for you 👍

04/30/2024

Thought it might be time to re-introduce our team.
Take a scroll through the pics to learn a little more about each of us - our super powers 🤹‍♀️ and strengths 🦚!

04/17/2024

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month.
In supporting clients around past trauma, sexual assault can and has been, unfortunately, a common traumatic event that people feel stuck with.
The shame and blame around SA is real and sticky but it is possible to move to a place of healing and understanding.

04/16/2024

A new sign today, hooray!
While our location can be busy, it is very centrally located along 16th Ave NW. There's free parking adjacent to the building and then just cruise up to the 4th floor and there we are!
Safe Haven Counselling has been serving clients in this location for almost seven years, wowza!

04/12/2024

Embracing change!
Easy for some, difficult for many 😊

What I like about this quote is the invitation to embrace, accept and embody change in our lives.
Counseling is a space where we are often discussing change....how slowly it happens, the non-linear nature of it and our rush to see results.
Imagine joining with change, plunging into it and enjoying its dance?!
🩰👯🕺💃