Songbird Counselling

08/03/2025

Your nervous system is a biological alarm bell that is designed to keep you safe. Anxiety is the warning sign that there is a threat we need to adjust our behaviours for. 🚨🫨

Sometimes that threat is heavy rain when we are driving and we can keep ourselves safe by adjusting our speed and being more alert. But sometimes that “threat” is calling a restaurant to make a reservation, parking at a new place for the first time or having to ask an employee for help finding an item. 📱🚙

Sometimes our anxiety doesn’t seem to make sense to us and it can be incredibly frustrating. We might not understand why the alarm bells are going off but we have to trust that in that moment, our body is doing its best to try and keep us safe.

So instead of feeling ashamed of your nervous system response or angry at yourself for having it. Try out some self compassion and focus on reminding yourself (and your nervous system) that you either are safe or you can make some choices to feel safer like relaxation techniques, boundaries and self care 🧠💕

07/28/2025

In an effort to continue making my practice more accessible I am excited to be able to offer direct billing for sessions! Save yourself the hassle and time of submitting receipts for sessions

I am currently able to direct bill with most major insurance companies and I am continuing to add to that list. Please keep in mind that every insurance policy is different and some policies may not cover counselling sessions with me (unfortunately).

If you have any questions about direct billing please don’t hesitate to reach out!

07/18/2025

With AI models like ChatGPT growing in popularity it is important to be mindful as we use it. AI models are often designed to be validating which can feel really good and it makes it easy to open up. 💻

While AI can feel really helpful, it is not a substitute for therapy and can often times be harmful.

AI is not designed to notice hallucinations, delusions or manic thinking. They are not trained to understand the complexities of trauma or a mental crisis. It can’t recognize the physical signs of distress and the emotional shift in tone. It can never understand what it means to be human. 🧠❤️‍🩹

It is also not designed to be a replacement for connection. AI will never laugh with you, will never cry with you, will never notice that you finally change your hair colour like you’ve been wanting to for months. 👥💕

I understand that therapy is not always affordable and that life sometimes dictates our access to support, but please do not let AI models be the only thing filling that gap. Reach out to friends, call support lines, look up low cost therapy programs in your area, make your wellness journey diverse. If you need support finding free and low cost options please don’t hesitate to reach out!

06/30/2025

☀️ Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you have to do it all.

There’s so much pressure this time of year to make every sunny day “count,” to be outside, social, productive, or constantly making memories. But rest counts, too.

It’s okay to stay inside on a sunny day. It’s okay to say no to plans. You’re not wasting summer — you’re listening to what you need.

Let joy be gentle. Let rest be valid. Let summer be yours. 🌿💛

06/14/2025

June is Men’s Mental Health month and while there are many conversations opening up about men’s mental health, men are still significantly less likely to seek therapy than other genders are.

Many men grow up hearing they need to be tough, quiet, and handle things alone. That system makes talking about emotions feel unfamiliar—or even off-limits.

Some don’t have the words for what they’re feeling. Others aren’t sure where to turn, especially when most mental health spaces seem built for someone else.

So what do we do? We can start by encouraging honest conversations, sharing stories from men who’ve been there and, for my fellow therapists, we can keep creating spaces where men feel seen, heard, and supported.

06/02/2025

A lot of my clients say that they skip breakfast because they’re not hungry or they don’t have time but did you know that eating a balanced breakfast can boost your mood, help with focus, and even make your medications more effective?

Skipping breakfast can lead to energy crashes, mood swings, and poor concentration. If you’re already struggling with your mental health let’s use all of the tools that we can, starting with a balanced diet.

💡 Some ideas on where to start 💡

🥚 Option 1: Scrambled eggs, whole grain toast, and avocado
🍓 Option 2: Greek yogurt with berries, honey, and granola
🥣 Option 3: Oatmeal with banana, peanut butter, and chia seeds

Start your day with something that feeds both your body and your brain. You deserve it. 💛

05/29/2025

05/16/2025

Healing your nervous system doesn’t happen overnight, it can be a slow process — and it often shows up in subtle ways. You might not notice it right away, but over time, your body and mind begin to feel safer, calmer, and more connected 💫💚

05/11/2025

Mother’s Day is a celebration of love in all its beautiful forms. 💐 To the birth moms, adoptive moms, stepmoms, foster moms, grandmas, and mother figures—you are cherished beyond words. 💖

But today can also carry deep grief—for those who have lost their mothers, for those who long to be mothers, and for those who have lost a child. You are not forgotten. Your heart matters. 🤍

04/23/2025

Gratitude, positivity and silver linings can all be great tools to help a good mood continue. But when we feel sad, angry, hurt or disappointed, trying to immediately think of the positive side can actually be harmful 🧠🫤

If you said “I feel sad” would you prefer is someone replied “no, you should feel grateful” or “of course you feel sad, that sounds like a really difficult experience” 💬

An important part of therapy is having a space where we feel our emotions are validated, but you can create that space for yourself too 💖

03/30/2025

Therapy is a judgment-free zone where you can talk about the things society tells you to keep quiet.

Shame, trauma, intrusive thoughts, relationships, fears—nothing is off-limits. Speaking openly in a safe space helps break the cycle of isolation, process difficult emotions, and find healthier ways to cope.

Your feelings are valid. Your experiences matter. And you don’t have to carry them alone.

03/15/2025