Toi Toujours Counselling

02/15/2023

Feeling grateful to speak with on an issue that is close to my heart.
Pain does not expire, symptoms of trauma do not expire. Resources for Adult survivors of CSA should be available at any age. It is common that folks do not seek help for CSA until adulthood due to many factors. Many folks who have experienced CSA already feel that their experience is invalid, they may also blame themselves for waiting so long to report or seek help. By withholding services and funding from adult survivors, it further reinforces the narrative that they do not deserve support and that their experience is invalid

Former Erin resident Kelsey White-Sjolin wants to raise awareness about the gaps in Ontario's victim compensation program, particularly for historical sexual abuse cases

01/19/2023

My lunch break today
Did you know that during my masters and postgraduate degree I did extensive research on dance movement therapy and how this works as a powerful tool in healing from trauma? Dance has been shown to help regulate the nervous system, aid with feelings of connectedness to the body, dissociative symptoms, expression and feelings of safety within ones' body. 🩰🧚

10/11/2022

Today is world mental health day.
There is truly no one stronger than those who spend each day battling their mind, their addiction, their symptoms of trauma. I am constantly inspired by my clients and their will to heal.
The battle when one is living with issues of mental health and addiction are not only internal though. Issues of mental health are still invalidated, shamed and stigmatized. In many respects having a mental health issue is still seen as a personal failing or a choice. Like any other illness, this is not a choice. People with mental health issues deserve care, empathy and admiration. NOT shame. They deserve accessible treatment, medication and funding. If you are living with a mental health issue, know that I see you. I am fighting for you and with you. You deserve to be here.
Note: I am now offering sliding scale rates to those making bellow a certain wage in order to make mental health care more accessible.
We are in this together.

09/18/2022

Therapy with Arts Based Methods

I am a trained and practicing artist, holding a bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Guelph. I am also an experienced social worker, psychotherapist, holding degrees in social work from Wilfrid Laurier as well as the University of Waterloo. I use evidence based therapeutic modalities while complimenting my work with artistic expression.
Book a session now https://toitoujourscounselling.com/

Art can create a safe way to speak about hard things. Talking about trauma histories, addictions, struggles with mental health and loss can be really hard. For some folks it is nearly impossible. Some will actually experience something that we call the “freeze trauma response.” This is a trauma response where someone is actually unable to speak and in some cases are unable to move. Think a “deer in headlights.” As a therapist my number one goal is making therapy safe and to this end, ensuring that clients are able to set boundaries, speaking when it feels safe for them. Art can be a safe way to speak and communicate thoughts, feelings and emotions.

Art can help us to sit with and process thoughts, emotions and experiences. Historically I have used art as a way for clients to process hard feelings.For some ; art, poetry, music and writing are forms of expression that come naturally. Art can be a mode of soothing and therefore it can enable us to stay within our window of tolerance while processing.

09/17/2022

I illustrated this photo based on a photo of Lilly by . This is an amazing YouTube channel that I would recommend. It is all about people being comfortable and feeling lucky to be in their skin. So much of my work with folks living with eating disorders and body dysmorphia is in teaching that the body is about more than thinness, beauty, perfect skin. The body does work for you, it allows you to live.
patriarchy wants us to believe that we need to shrink to be feminine, beautiful, acceptable. We are taught to make ourselves smaller and to silence ourselves. Don't let this myth rule you, take up space.