Justin the Therapist

03/15/2026

This one hits closer to home for people than they like to admit. 👀

If you’re always reading the room, matching energy, being who you think you need to be… it can start to feel like there’s no solid “you” underneath it all.

But, being adaptable isn’t the problem.

That skill probably helped you build connections, fit into different spaces, and move through life smoothly.

The real question is who you are when no one else is around.

When there’s no one to impress or accommodate:

💭 What actually matters to you?
💭 What do you care about?
💭 What still feels true in private?

That’s your anchor.

You don’t need to stop adapting.

You just need a home base inside yourself to come back to. 💙

This question (and many others like it) come up on the Mental Health Matchmaker Podcast.

🎧 If you feel like diving a little deeper, listen to the full episode on your favourite streaming platform.

03/13/2026

I talk to a lot of new therapists, and the story I hear most is about trying to find their rhythm in the early stages of this work.

It sounds like, “I want to feel more confident in my sessions.”

Or, “I’m doing the work, but I keep replaying everything I said after.”

That in-between stage can really shake your confidence.

You’ve worked so hard to get here, and now you’re stepping into a role that carries a lot of responsibility, emotion, and self-doubt all at once.

And sometimes the challenge isn’t just the number of clients, it’s not having enough space to slow down, reflect, and actually learn from those early sessions.

When I’m working with therapists in supervision, I always come back to the same thing.

✔️ Slow down and focus on the quality of your work
✔️ Make space to really think about your sessions
✔️ Bring in the moments that felt confusing, heavy, or unexpectedly meaningful

That’s where you start to find your voice and build real clinical confidence.

Doing good therapy is still the best “marketing” there is.

When people feel genuinely supported and changed by the work, they talk about it.

If you’re early in your career and want steady, thoughtful support as you build your skills and your caseload, clinical supervision can make a big difference.

You can book a supervision consultation through the link in my bio, or just send me a DM if you want to ask a question or see if we’d be a good fit.

I’m always happy to connect. 💙

https://bbtherapy.ca/services/clinical-supervision/

03/12/2026

03/05/2026

We live in a world where we’re encouraged to find “the one,” our everything…

Our best friend, support system, adventure buddy, and emotional anchor all rolled into one.

But the reality is, no one person can fulfill all of that for you.

What really matters is the balance between what your partner offers and what you seek outside of your relationship.

Having your partner as your rock is incredible, but sometimes they can’t always be everything.

And that’s OKAY.

It's perfectly healthy to find fulfillment elsewhere, in friendships, hobbies, and passions, while continuing to grow together as a team.

The key is knowing that your connection can stay strong without expecting perfection. 🔑

It’s about recognizing that you both have a role in the relationship, but your needs can and should be met in multiple places.

Take a moment to reflect and embrace the fact that your relationship can thrive when you allow space for other meaningful connections to fill in the gaps.

This doesn’t take away from your bond, it strengthens it. 💪

03/04/2026

Staying after infidelity is complicated.

You can see your partner trying, you can want to move forward… and still feel triggered by a wound that hasn’t fully healed.

That push and pull can be exhausting.

Healing is about slowly rebuilding safety, understanding what happened, and giving space to the grief that often comes with it.

Grief for what you thought you had.

Grief for the sense of security that feels different now.

Needing more time doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.

Repair takes patience, honest conversations, and sometimes support from someone outside the relationship.

If you and your partner are working through this and want support, you can book a free intake call through the link in my bio. 💙

Couple Therapy | Couple Therapist | Ontario Therapy | Psychotherapist

02/23/2026

Just incase you were wondering 🤔

02/23/2026

Just incase you were wondering 💭😂

02/20/2026

started because I saw two challenges create an opportunity.

People were reaching out for therapy who genuinely wanted help but were under real financial strain, and couldn’t afford to invest in therapy. At the same time, I was meeting passionate student therapists who needed practicum placements and were really hoping to get great quality training..

Affordable Therapy Ontario was my way of bridging those two needs.

It allows people to access therapy at a lower cost while also providing world-class training to student therapists.

It’s simple, human, and built around care.

If you’re curious about ATO or want to understand how it works, head to the link in my bio to learn more.

02/17/2026

Countertransference is one of those things most therapists experience, but few of us talk about openly.

It doesn’t mean you’ve crossed a line or done something wrong. It usually means something familiar got stirred up before you even realized it.

Our brains are good at making quick connections, especially when emotions are involved.

What matters is what you do next.

Can you pause instead of reacting instinctively?

Can you get curious about what’s being touched in you, rather than letting it shape how you show up in the room?

This kind of self-awareness deepens your work.

It keeps you grounded, present, and able to meet the client in front of you as they actually are.

This work asks us to be human and professional at the same time, and that balance takes practice.

Reflection, supervision, and honest curiosity go a long way. 🙏

02/11/2026

Ready? Almost no one ever feels truly ready.

And that is OK!!

That first session usually comes with a pounding heart, sweaty palms, and the quiet hope that you don’t completely mess it up.

You follow what you’ve been taught, you stay present, and you do your best to help the person in front of you.

And then… something clicks. 🫰

You realize that this moment counts, even with the nerves, even with the uncertainty.

From that moment on, someone can say, “I talked to my therapist today.” and that changes how you see yourself and the work you’re stepping into.

If your first session is coming up and your nerves are loud, that experience is actually part of becoming a therapist.

Because you become one when you step into the room. 👏👏👏

Therapists | Ontario Therapy | Clinical Supervision

02/09/2026

This is one of the hardest spots to be in as a friend.

You see something that worries you. You care deeply. You want them safe. And suddenly you’re asking yourself a question that has no clean answer:

Do I say something… OR do I risk making things worse?

Sometimes speaking up can plant a seed. Hearing concern from someone they trust can help a person see their situation more clearly.

Other times, naming it too directly can push them closer to the relationship and further away from you.

There isn’t a single “right” move here.

The real question is about safety.

What might help your friend feel more supported, more grounded, or a little less alone right now?

And the truth is, you may not know.

You do your best with the information you have, knowing this isn’t a one-time decision. It’s an ongoing process of showing up, staying connected, and keeping the door open.

Caring about someone doesn’t come with a script.

It comes with patience, reflection, and a willingness to sit in the uncertainty with them.

02/05/2026

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room… as it holds more meaning than people realize. 🐘👀

There are parts of our stories we don’t choose, moments that stick with us long after they happen.

Those experiences shape how we see ourselves, and if we’re willing to look at them honestly, they can also shape how we show up for others.

I don’t think pain automatically turns into something meaningful.

It takes time, work, and a lot of reflection.

But I do believe that when we heal our own stuff, we gain a deeper capacity to sit with others in theirs.

So the elephant is in every one of our rooms, not as a symbol of toughness, or resilience, or “everything happens for a reason.”

Just as a reminder that even the parts of our story we’d rather hide can end up making us more human, more compassionate, and more present.

And in a therapy room, that always matters. 💙

Personal Healing | Therapy | Self-Reflection | Emotional Growth | Ontario Therapy