Acorn Counselling

07/21/2025

A bit about Co-regulation 🥰

07/17/2025

Have you been thinking about trying counselling, but feel unsure about where to start?

You're not alone. Reaching out for support can feel like a big step, and we’d be honoured to walk alongside you as you take it.

This Summer, we are offering three free counselling sessions to new clients with one of our Clinical Intern Therapists. These sessions are completely free and confidential, offering you a safe space to explore whatever challenges you're facing.

Our intern therapists are compassionate, highly trained, and closely supervised by experienced licensed professionals. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, down, or simply need someone to talk to, we’re here to help.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to focus on your mental health, this might be the gentle nudge you need. We’d love to support you in taking that first step.

To learn more or book your first session, please reach out. We’re here when you’re ready.

📧 www.acorncounselling.org/free

07/05/2025

🌿 FREE Summer Workshops + Counselling Support for Families 🌿

This summer at Acorn Counselling, we’re opening our doors (and our hearts) to support kids, teens, and families with free workshops and short-term, no-cost counselling sessions.

✔️ Learn how to help your anxious child head back to school with confidence
✔️ Understand ADHD, OCD, gaming struggles, and more
✔️ Build your child’s social skills in a fun, friendly group
✔️ Connect with our caring team of therapists and clinical interns

➡️ Spaces are limited—visit www.acorncounselling.org/free to learn more and sign up today!

Let’s keep supporting kids and families together. 💛

Discover free mental health workshops for children, teens, and families. Get the support you need at Acorn Counselling.

06/01/2025

🌈 Happy Pride Month from Acorn Counselling! 🌈

At our practice, we believe in creating a world where everyone feels seen, safe, and celebrated - exactly as they are. Pride Month is not just a celebration; it's a reminder of the strength, resilience, and beauty of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

We celebrate Pride because:
❤️ Everyone deserves to feel affirmed in their identity.
🧡 Mental health thrives in safe, supportive spaces.
💛 Pride honours the history and courage of those who fought, and continue to fight, for equality.
💚 Inclusion is healing.
💙 Love is love.

Whether you’re navigating your journey or walking beside someone who is, we’re here to support you with compassion and care.

05/16/2025

🦸‍♂️ Calling All Young Superheroes! 🦸‍♀️

Join us on Friday, June 6, 2025, for the Superhero Academy PA Day Camp at Acorn Counselling! Designed for children aged 5–7, this one-day adventure blends imaginative play with essential emotional learning.

🌟 Why Enroll Your Child?

➡Build Emotional Resilience: Activities that help kids recognize and manage big feelings.

➡Boost Confidence: Discover inner strengths through superhero-themed challenges.

➡Develop Coping Skills: Engage in fun exercises that teach practical tools for managing stress.

➡Enhance Problem-Solving: Team missions that foster collaboration and creativity.

➡Therapy-Backed Approach: Led by experienced child therapists focusing on social-emotional development.

Spaces are limited! Secure your child's spot today: https://www.acorncounselling.org/pa-day-camp/

📍 Location: Acorn Counselling, 845 Upper James St., Hamilton, ON

Let's empower our little ones to become the heroes of their own stories! 💪✨

05/13/2025

We would like to introduce you to Ellie, one of our new Clinical Interns!

Ellie supports children, youth, and families in developing coping strategies, building self-understanding, and embracing their authentic selves. She is currently completing her Master of Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University and holds an Honours BA (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Ottawa. Ellie brings experience from her work as a Peer Counsellor, supporting students in both French and English through life’s challenges.

She is passionate about creating a safe, validating space for clients and has a special interest in the experiences of women and girls with ADHD and Autism. Ellie is committed to helping young people build confidence, resilience, and balance.

Ellie is accepting new clients and can offer in person or virtual support. To book your first session with Ellie, please connect with us or visit our website.

🌐:www.acorncounselling.org/affordable-counselling/
📞: 289-799-9622
⁠ 📧: info@acorncounselling.org⁠

⁠

05/07/2025

Meet Justine, one of our new clinical interns! 👋

Justine supports children, youth, and teens in navigating emotional, social, and life challenges. With a warm, compassionate approach grounded in curiosity and cultural humility, she creates a safe space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. Justine brings a strong academic background and diverse experience working with young people, with special interests in life transitions, self-esteem, and cultural identity.

Justine is accepting new clients and can offer in person or virtual support. To book your first session with Justine, please connect with us or visit our website.

🌐: www.acorncounselling.org/affordable-counselling/
📞: 289-799-9622
⁠ 📧: info@acorncounselling.org⁠

⁠

05/06/2025

🎭 What Is Masking?

We all wear “masks” sometimes — little ways we hide how we really feel or who we really are.
This is called masking, and it’s something many of us do to:
✔️ Fit in
✔️ Feel safe
✔️ Protect our privacy
✔️ Avoid judgment

You might be masking if you’ve ever:
😐 Said “I’m fine” when you’re not
😊 Smiled when you were feeling sad
😅 Used humour to dodge serious conversations
💪 Acted strong even though you were struggling inside

In small moments, masking can help us cope. But when we wear a mask all the time, it can be really tiring.
It can lead to:
- Emotional burnout
- Dysregulation
- Feeling disconnected
- Not getting the support we really need

This Mental Health Week, we’re inviting everyone — kids, teens, parents, and caregivers — to take a gentle look at the masks we wear and ask:

👉 What’s underneath the mask?
👉 And how can we show up more honestly with ourselves and others?

💬 What’s one “mask” you sometimes wear and why?

05/05/2025

Welcome to Mental Health Week 2025 💚

This year’s theme is Unmasking Mental Health — a powerful reminder that mental health deserves honesty, not hiding.

We often say things like “I’m fine” even when we’re having a tough day. Sometimes we hide how we really feel to fit in, feel safe, or protect our personal space — and we may not even realize we’re doing it. This is called masking, and it can help us get through certain situations. But over time, especially for people who are struggling with their mental health, masking can start to feel really heavy and tiring.

People may mask to keep a job, maintain relationships, or simply be accepted. But that can lead to disconnection, low self-esteem, and can prevent people from getting the support they need.

This week, we’re exploring:
💬 What is masking?
💬 Why do we do it?
💬 How does it affect us?
💬 And how can we create safe spaces to unmask together?

Let’s reduce stigma and open the door to more authentic, supportive conversations.
🌐 Learn more at MentalHealthWeek.ca

How do you really feel today — no mask, no filter? 💭

04/30/2025

Set Boundaries, Reduce Stress!

Feeling overwhelmed? Constantly saying “yes” when you really mean “no”?

Setting healthy boundaries is one of the most powerful ways to reduce stress and protect your well-being!

✅ Why are boundaries important?
➡️ They help prevent burnout
➡️ They protect your emotional & mental energy
➡️ They strengthen relationships by fostering respect
➡️ They allow you to focus on what truly matters

How to set boundaries:
🛑 Identify your limits – What drains your energy?
🔊 Communicate clearly – “I can’t take this on right now.”
💙 Prioritize self-care – Boundaries aren’t selfish, they’re necessary!
🙌 Stick to them – Saying no is an act of self-respect.

Remember, setting boundaries is an act of self-care, not selfishness. Protect your peace!

04/28/2025

Family Stress 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦❤️

Family life can be one of our greatest sources of love, joy, and connection—but it can also be one of the biggest sources of stress. From parenting challenges and daily responsibilities to communication breakdowns, it’s no wonder that nearly 70% of adults say family responsibilities are a major stressor (APA).

🌿 But here’s the good news: strong families aren’t perfect—they’re resilient, connected, and built on intentional practices.

✨ Anna Raworth, Clinical Director at Acorn Counselling, outlines 6 key characteristics that help families stay strong, even through stress:
- Appreciation & affection
- Commitment to the family
- Positive communication
- Time together
- Spiritual well-being
- Ability to cope with stress and crisis

These aren’t just ideas - they’re habits you can begin to nurture today.

Try this to ease family stress:
💬 Practice open communication—Create space for honest conversations
🛑 Set healthy boundaries—It’s okay to say no or take a break
💆‍♀️ Prioritize self-care—You can’t pour from an empty cup
👣 Make time for meaningful connection—A shared meal or a short walk can go a long way

💛 Family is about love, support, and showing up for each other. Let’s take small steps toward building homes filled with understanding and resilience.

🔗 Read more from Anna Raworth’s blog: acorncounselling.org/6-characteristics-of-strong-families

04/25/2025

Kids & Stress: More Than Just a “Bad Day”

April is National Stress Awareness Month, and it’s a great reminder that stress looks different for everyone - especially kids.

School, social pressure, noisy classrooms, overwhelming textures, transitions... it can all feel like too much for a developing nervous system. And what we often see as “meltdowns” or “acting out” may actually be signs of sensory dysregulation.

🧠 What Is Sensory Regulation?
Sensory regulation is the ability to manage and respond to the world through sound, touch, movement, and other sensory input in a way that feels balanced and safe.

When this system is out of sync, kids may:
🔹 Get overwhelmed by noise, crowds, or light
🔹 Avoid certain textures or clothing
🔹 Constantly seek movement, pressure, or fidgeting
🔹 Struggle with transitions or become easily dysregulated

In her latest blog post, Anna Raworth, Clinical Director at Acorn Counselling, explores how supporting a child’s sensory system can lower stress, improve focus, and help kids feel more in control of their emotions.

“Understanding sensory needs is one of the most powerful tools we have to support emotional regulation and reduce stress.”

Supporting your child’s sensory needs isn’t “extra”—it’s essential. When their nervous system feels safe, their emotions follow.

📖 Read Anna’s full blog post here:
“Sensory Regulation: A Key to Emotional Balance”
👉 www.acorncounselling.org/sensory-regulation

📲 Need support with sensory or emotional regulation?
Book a free consultation with our team today.