Mindset Counselling Kamloops

12/18/2023

Announcement:

MindSET, as a separate and unique set of services and supports for people with acquired brain injury and persistent post-concussion symptoms, will cease operating on December 31, 2023. This change will not impact our current clients' ability to continue working with their counsellor, nor the ability to continue to refer individuals in need of specialized counselling services.

As individual clinicians, we are creating new mandates to address a wider range of challenges and transitions faced by individuals, couples and families. Counselling for brain injury and
concussion outcomes will continue to be a specialized service option for those in need in Kamloops and virtually throughout British Columbia.

After December 31, 2023, you may contact MindSET clinicians separately as follows:

Kim Vandepeear, MSC, RCC:
Synergy Counselling Associates
Email: kim@synergycounselling.ca
Address: 605 Nicola Street, Kamloops, BC
Website: synergycounselling.ca
Phone: 250-314-0298

Robin Engen-Johnson, M.Ed, RCC, CBIS:
Robin’s Nest Clinical Counselling and Concussion Services
Email: admin@robinsnestcounselling.com
Address: 900-235 1st Ave. Kamloops, BC
Website: robinsnestcounselling.com
Phone: 778-586-5712

We look forward to our continued relationships with all our clients. It has been a privilege to work with every person we have welcomed into our practice.

With Gratitude,
R
Robin, Christine and Kim
The MindSET Team

12/16/2023

Kim and I are thrilled to announce that we have joined Robin in accomplishing our certification by the Brain Injury Association of America and are officially Certified Brain Injury Specialists! All three of us at Mindset worked hard for this achievement! The opportunity to learn and study has brought us greater understanding and will help us support our clients moving forward!

10/02/2023

06/10/2023

This is a good article that shares information about traumatic brain injury including definition (note Concussion is included), what to look for, treatment options and how to get help. Feel free to reach out to the team at MindSET if you have any questions or concerns about yourself or a loved one. Our team can help you navigate the system, provide education and strategies for managing your symptoms and offer counselling to help with grief, adjustment and other emotional effects resulting from a brain injury.

www.mindsetcounselling.com

What is a traumatic brain injury (TBI)? A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can range from a mild concussion to a severe head injury. It is caused by a blow to the

06/01/2023

June is National Brain Injury Awareness Month in Canada. Brain injury includes concussion and strokes also. All across Canada there will be events and educational opportunities to learn about brain injury, how to live with the effects of brain injury, prevention, resources and more.

Did you know…
- Worldwide, 69 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury every year.
- Every 5 minutes, someone in Canada has a stroke.
- 1 in 4 people accessing mental health and substance use services have a history of brain injury.
- People with brain injury are 2.5x more likely to be incarcerated.
- Up to 82% of people experiencing homelessness have a traumatic brain injury.

(Statistics credit: Braintrust Canada)

Over the next month we will post information and resources about brain injury. Feel free to reach out to us if you have questions or need support.

At MindSET, our vision is is that all people with brain injury experience build a future where their injury is no longer the centre of their story.

At Mindset, we provide individual, couple and family counselling services and psych-educational programs geared to meet your specific needs. Our team of counsellors have a deep understanding of concussion, acquired brain injury and stroke outcomes.

04/04/2023

Today is National Caregiver Day.

Hug someone you know is a caregiver today! Their role is very important and can often be overlooked!

Caregiver is a term used for someone supporting a person with a chronic condition. In other definitions, caregivers can be someone living along side a person affected by illness or injury, coordinating care and appointments. Caregivers can be a spouse, family member, friend or paid support person. Caregiving takes energy, patience and balance. Caregiver support is important for the health of the caregiver. Connecting with other caregivers is helpful in promoting mental health in the caregiver.

Caregivers, including family members, can find support through counselling and support groups at MindSET. Connect with us to learn more.

www.mindsetcounselling.com

Carerscanada.ca

Carers Canada is a national coalition dedicated to increasing recognition and support for caregivers. Through collaborative engagement, members work to build awareness and recognition of the role of caregivers and the challenges they face. Carers Canada leads federal advocacy initiatives and nationa...

03/17/2023

Did you know that exercise is just as good for your brain as it is for your body

Aerobic exercise raises your heart rate and increases blood flow to your brain. As your increased breathing pumps more oxygen into your bloodstream, more oxygen is delivered to your brain. This leads to neurogenesis—the process in which the brain creates new neurons.
The birth of new brain cells starts when an embryo is developing and carries on into adulthood.
It was initially thought that you couldn’t create new neurons in the brain after the first few years of life. However, adult neurogenesis has been shown to happen across several scientific studies.

Neurogenesis can help the brain to become more resilient. This can then lead to increased mood, better cognitive performance, less dependence on antidepressants, and less anxiety and stress. It is also known to buffer against the effects of dementia.

Whether it’s jogging, hiking, walking your dog, dancing or swimming, get moving now. Your brain will thank you in the future.





Credit: Dent neurological institute and Frontiers in Neuroscience

03/12/2023

According to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, adults who participated in mind-challenging activities were 63 percent less likely to develop dementia.

03/09/2023

The cells in a woman's brain are merely more compact than those of a man's. In fact, several critical parts of the brain are larger in women than in men, such as the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC), and the Insula.

Happy International Women’s Day