Art Therapy Guelph

09/07/2025

We believe that this originated with Tara Brach.

09/06/2025

When you carry trauma, you need to be able to feel safe to be able to properly process emotions. The emotions wheel can be beneficial for identifying and naming emotions.

09/05/2025

Understanding the Invisible Struggle of Cognitive Dissonance and Trauma Bonds
The Hypothetical Case of Janet: Living with Cognitive Dissonance and Trauma Bonds
Janet, a woman in her thirties, finds herself trapped in an emotional labyrinth. She loves her partner deeply, yet his actions often leave her feeling anxious, confused, and hurt. She oscillates between moments of affection and periods of distress—convinced one day that she should leave, only to be pulled back by apologies and promises. Janet’s inner conflict is relentless: she rationalizes his behavior, doubts her perceptions, and feels unable to trust her own judgment. These are classic symptoms of cognitive dissonance, a psychological state where conflicting beliefs and feelings wage a silent war inside her mind. This emotional turmoil is particularly pronounced in pathological love relationships, where trauma bonds keep Janet anchored to a cycle of pain and hope.

What Is Cognitive Dissonance? Origin and Meaning
Cognitive dissonance is a term introduced by psychologist Leon Festinger in 1957. In essence, cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort experienced when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time. Festinger’s research demonstrated that individuals are driven to reduce this discomfort by changing their attitudes or behaviors, rationalizing their thoughts, or denying information that conflicts with their core beliefs. Cognitive dissonance is not rare—it is a universal psychological phenomenon, but in the context of pathological love relationships, its impact can be profound and deeply distressing.

Cognitive Dissonance and Trauma Bonds in Pathological Love Relationships (PLR)
Pathological love relationships are marked by intense emotional highs and lows, often resulting from manipulation, intermittent reinforcement, and cycles of abuse. One partner in a PLR has the characteristics of the dark triad of the cluster B personality disorders. The dark triad is a name for anti social, narcissistic, psychopathic or Machiavellian personality disorder. In a PLR cognitive dissonance flourishes: the victim, like Janet, struggles to reconcile the loving moments with the hurtful episodes.

This persistent state of cognitive dissonance is closely linked to trauma bonds, powerful emotional attachments that develop from repeated cycles of abuse and reconciliation. Trauma bonds reinforce cognitive dissonance, making the victim doubt their perceptions and rationalize the abuser’s behavior. The paradox of cognitive dissonance and trauma bonds traps individuals in a pattern where escape feels impossible despite ongoing harm.

Understanding Trauma Bonds: The Heart of Cognitive Dissonance
A trauma bond is a psychological response that occurs when a person forms an attachment to someone who intermittently abuses or mistreats them. The trauma bond develops through recurring cycles of affection and mistreatment—intense emotional connections are formed, making it difficult for the victim to break free. Trauma bonds are further influenced by our own hormone system such as dopamine (rewards), oxytocin (rewards), opioids (rewards and addictive). The sad part with the trauma bond is the opioid system will make us addictive to things that are in fact bad for us.

Cognitive dissonance is both a symptom and a cause of trauma bonds: the more a person justifies or denies the abuse to maintain emotional connection,
Read the rest on our blog, https://arttherapyguelph.com/cognitive-dissonance-and-trauma-bonds/

09/04/2025

🍁Understanding the Phenomenon of Post Traumatic Growth in Everyday Life
🌱Imagine two individuals, Alex and Jordan, who experience similar tragedies—both lose a loved one unexpectedly. In the aftermath, Alex finds daily life unbearable, feeling stuck and overwhelmed by sorrow. The world appears darker and opportunities for happiness seem impossibly distant. Jordan, however, while enduring profound grief, begins to reflect and slowly discovers new depths of resilience. Over time, Jordan develops greater empathy, finds new meaning in work and relationships, and pursues interests previously neglected. What explains these divergent paths? The concept of post traumatic growth offers us insight into why some individuals not only recover from trauma but also transform their lives in powerful ways.

👉What Is Post Traumatic Growth?
Post traumatic growth (PTG) refers to the positive psychological changes that occur as a result of struggling with highly challenging life circumstances or trauma. Unlike mere resilience—which focuses on returning to baseline functioning—post traumatic growth describes a process in which individuals surpass their previous levels of functioning, discovering new strengths, perspectives, and appreciation for life. The term was first popularized by psychologists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun in the 1990s, who studied survivors of trauma and found that many reported profound personal development following adversity.

The 5 Main Ways People Experience Post Traumatic Growth
One: Relating to Others
Deepening connections and empathy—someone who, after surviving a serious accident, reaches out to support others facing similar challenges, forging meaningful friendships along the way.

Read the rest on our blog, https://arttherapyguelph.com/post-traumatic-growth/

09/04/2025

"Oh, there are a lot of lousy people in the world. Also, a lot of terrific people. You've gotta remember that, and you've got to move in the right circles. I have days where I just want everyone to go f**k themselves or walk off a cliff, but I only say that to myself, and I smile and I walk home and I have some tea. I talk to Garson (her husband), or I might take a nap. Then I wake up and I write, and in writing, I wipe away all the unpleasantness of the day, of the people, of the city, whatever.

We have it in our power to overcome as****es, and I think we have them thrown onto our path to see if we have the chops to handle them. Handle them."

~ Ruth Gordon

09/03/2025

What is a Flying Monkey? Unmasking the Narcissists Footmen and the Top 7 Ways They Get Recruited
In the world of psychology and pathological relationship dynamics, the term “flying monkey” has gained notoriety alongside discussions of narcissistic abuse. Far from the whimsical creatures of “The Wizard of Oz,” flying monkeys in the context of narcissistic relationships are real people—friends, family, colleagues, or even strangers—who become unwitting (or sometimes willing) allies to a narcissist’s campaign of manipulation, control, acquisition of something (money, s*x, resources, help, labour) and psychological harm.

What is a flying monkey? Understanding what is a flying monkey, how they operate, and why they play a pivotal role in the machinery of narcissistic abuse is essential for anyone seeking to recognize and escape these toxic patterns. Read on.

What is a Flying Monkey and Why Do Narcissists Employ Them to Do Their Dirty Work
At the heart of narcissistic relationships lies a fundamental drive: the manipulative, self-centered individual seeks to extract resources, validation, attention, and control from those around them. Their desires often extend far beyond material gain—while money, help, or labour may be clear objectives, they are equally hungry for admiration, emotional energy, and psychological dominance. These individuals treat others as extensions of themselves, sources to be mined rather than respected or cherished. Their need for superiority and admiration means they are constantly on the lookout for new sources of supply, reshaping relationships so that the other’s needs, boundaries, and well-being are sidelined in favour of their own gratification.

How Narcissists Get What They Want
Read the rest on our blog, https://arttherapyguelph.com/what-is-a-flying-monkey/

09/03/2025

The power of 'AND'. Walking the middle path.

09/02/2025

Why Some People Do Not Believe in Therapy: Top Ten Reasons Behind Disdain for Mental Health Support
Mental health and therapy are topics that have gained widespread recognition and respect in recent decades. Still, why some people do not believe in therapy remains a pressing question. This phenomenon is not simply about ignorance—it’s rooted in a complex interplay of personal experience, societal attitudes, and psychological defenses. In this article, we explore why some people do not believe in therapy, listing the ten most common reasons, including those that reflect deeper issues and adding insight into the broader landscape of skepticism. Let’s examine why some people do not believe in therapy and what lies behind their reluctance.

Ten Reasons Why Some People Do Not Believe in Therapy or Mental Health Issues
One: Past Negative Experiences: Why Some People Don’t Believe in Mental Health Diagnosis and Do Not Believe in Therapy After Being Forced Into It

One of the most significant reasons why some people do not believe in therapy is their personal history. Some individuals were forced into therapy in the past when they were not ready or did not feel it was a good fit. For example, a child is forced by their parents or therapy is court ordered. They did not get to choose the therapist or type of therapy and may have not been ready. This can leave lasting resentment and skepticism, undermining any potential benefit therapy might offer later in life.

A significant portion of people who do not believe in therapy do so because they struggle to recognize or accept their own mental health challenges. Denial can be a powerful shield, preventing individuals from acknowledging feelings of anxiety, depression, or other psychological difficulties. This resistance may stem from fear of vulnerability, cultural stigma, or misconceptions about what it means to have a mental health issue.

For some, the act of admitting their struggles feels threatening to their self-image or sense of control, while for others, their symptoms are so normalized or minimized that they genuinely do not see themselves as needing help. These patterns of denial often reinforce skepticism toward therapy, fueling the belief that mental health support is unnecessary or even irrelevant to their lives.

Two: Personal Gain by Discouraging Therapy: Why Some People Do Not Believe in Therapy Because It Threatens Their Control

There are those who have something tangible to lose if others seek help. Some people fear their partners leaving them, their secrets being exposed or that their behaviors will no longer be tolerated. People like abusers fear exposure, facing legal repercussions or being left. This self-interest drives their disdain and often manifests as overt opposition to therapy.
Read the rest of this article on our blog, https://arttherapyguelph.com/why-some-people-do-not-believe-in-therapy/

09/01/2025

Empowering Creativity, Uniting Women and Supporting Mental Health: Three Upcoming Online Art Therapy Groups for Adult Women -

The next group group art therapy starts on Friday, Oct 10 2025, and runs every other week for four sessions. It runs from 9-11.30 am.

09/01/2025

The Psychological Fuel Behind Narcissistic Behaviour
Introduction
In the context of psychology, the phrase “what is narcissistic supply” is essential for understanding the ways in which narcissistic individuals operate. What is narcissistic supply? It refers to the attention, admiration, validation, or emotional reactions—positive or negative—that people with narcissistic tendencies seek from others. This concept helps explain many of the behavioural patterns people observe from narcissistic personalities.

The Definition of Narcissistic Supply and Four Main Forms of It
So, what is narcissistic supply? Narcissistic supply is the emotional nourishment or psychological “fuel” that people with narcissistic traits crave to reinforce their self-esteem and maintain their self-image. What is narcissistic supply in practice? It can take many forms:

Admiration and praise: Compliments, public recognition, and being told they are exceptional or unique.
Attention and recognition: Being in the spotlight or having their presence acknowledged in various settings.
Affirmation of their perceived superiority or uniqueness: Others seeking their approval or expressing envy at their abilities or lifestyle.
Even negative reactions, such as fear or outrage, can be regarded as what is narcissistic supply—reactions that reinforce their sense of power or importance.
In sum, the idea of what is narcissistic supply sheds light on the psychological drivers behind narcissistic behaviour. Recognizing how individuals pursue admiration, attention, and emotional reactions from others helps us understand the complex nature of narcissism. Knowing what is narcissistic supply allows us to respond with clarity and compassion—setting boundaries where necessary and supporting healthier relationship dynamics.

Types of Narcissistic Supply
What is narcissistic supply if not the pursuit of psychological sustenance? It is often grouped into two main categories, that each fulfill different psychological needs for narcissistic individuals:

Primary supply:
Public recognition, social status, fame, and visible signs of success, all of which answer the question: what is narcissistic supply in the public sphere? A big production for show.

Secondary Supply
Personal attention and validation from close relationships, loyalty, and control within intimate relationships—another facet of what is narcissistic supply.

Furthermore, narcissists often alternate between seeking these different forms, adapting their behaviour to the environment and audience. Understanding what is narcissistic supply, and the distinction between primary and secondary supply, clarifies why behaviour may differ in public versus private.

Why Is Supply So Important to Narcissists?
For those wondering what narcissistic supply at its core is, it is the fragile foundation upon which narcissists build their self-worth and identity. Meanwhile despite projecting confidence, they are deeply sensitive to criticism or rejection. When supply is threatened or withdrawn, their insecurity becomes evident, often resulting in anger or defensiveness. Feelings of emptiness or shame can quickly arise, undermining the image they strive to maintain.

Those close to narcissists, such as family members, quickly learn what is narcissistic supply by observing familiar patterns—charm followed by manipulation or intensive
Read more on our blog, https://arttherapyguelph.com/what-is-narcissistic-supply/

08/30/2025

Did a plein air painting course with .worthington.art at St Ignatius in Guelph today. Rick was a great instructor, patient and understanding. It was a good afternoon and not pricy for an art lesson.