Florence Rosenthal, Registered Psychotherapist

04/04/2024

It occurred to Pooh and Piglet that they hadn't heard from Eeyore for several days, so they put on their hats and coats and trotted across the Hundred Acre Wood to Eeyore's stick house. Inside the house was Eeyore.
"Hello Eeyore," said Pooh.
"Hello Pooh. Hello Piglet," said Eeyore, in a Glum Sounding Voice.
"We just thought we'd check in on you," said Piglet, "because we hadn't heard from you, and so we wanted to know if you were okay."
Eeyore was silent for a moment. "Am I okay?" he asked, eventually. "Well, I don't know, to be honest. Are any of us really, okay? That's what I ask myself. All I can tell you, Pooh and Piglet, is that right now I feel really rather Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. Which is why I haven't bothered you. Because you wouldn't want to waste your time hanging out with someone who is Sad, Alone, and Not Much Fun to Be Around At All, would you now."
Pooh glanced at Piglet, and Piglet glanced at Pooh, and they both settled, one on each side of Eeyore in his twig abode.
Eeyore looked at them in surprise. "What are you doing?"
"We're sitting here with you," said Pooh, "because we are your friends. And true friends don't care if someone is feeling Sad, or Alone, or Not Much Fun to Be Around at All. True friends are there for you anyway. And so here we are."
"Oh," said Eeyore. "Oh." And the three of them sat there in silence, and while Pooh and Piglet said nothing at all; somehow, almost imperceptibly, Eeyore started to feel a very tiny little bit better.
Because Pooh and Piglet were There.
No more; no less.
(A.A. Milne, E.H. Shepard)

04/04/2024

When we have been lucky enough to experience early secure attachment or to have “earned” it later on in life, we are comfortable with ourselves.

We can tolerate our failings and those of others, recover from painful events, forgive ourselves or others for acting badly, and catch ourselves before we perseverate on negative judgments. We are connected to ourselves rather than alienated. However, for some of us, alienation from self early on was essential to survival.

Alienation from self can be adaptive genius: if we disown the part of ourselves holding the pain of rejection, then we can bring to the table just those aspects of self that are acceptable in that environment, parts that can win any available sense of attachment or praise.

It is a brilliant survival strategy but one that comes up short once the demands of adult life call for qualities or actions not available to the parts that helped us survive.

04/04/2024

Great thing to reflect on: if an adult can’t communicate, express their anger, or cope with frustration— why would a 7 year old be able to? Children’s nervous system capacity is shaped by the interactions they watch and receive. When overstimulated, children intuitively look to the adults around them. What they’re saying is “help me make sense of this” and “am I safe?” A regulated adult can see the child’s capacity as different from their own. They don’t see their children’s tears or tantrums as a personal insult or disrespect. Or something to dismiss. They don’t expect children to be robots or stoic. Their emotional stability manifests as consistent behavior. The child learns: “this adult I can trust. I know how they’ll react”

Instead of punishing or shaming, they can help the child through big emotions. And at the end of the interaction, there’s a deeper connection. A chronically dysregulated adult cannot cope with frustration or tantrums. They see their child’s emotions as a burden and use punishment in an attempt to quickly get them out of that emotion. This works— temporarily. Usually because the child is filled with fear. But after the interaction there is a loss of trust and connection for that child.

We need to as a society take a look in the mirror and see where our level of regulation is currently at. Then, we need to develop patience for children who are still learning to cope with boredom, confusion, rejection, and the daily disappointments in life.

By being the calm stable presence we change the future generation

04/04/2024

The art of saying no by Sugar & Sloth

04/04/2024

02/27/2024

Knowing when to let go and to stop doing something is an important life skill. Because of the conditioning around “quitters” so many people feel shameful or wrong about quitting something even when they know it their body it’s time to let go. Quitting can be the beginning of doing what we’re actually meant to do

12/15/2023

Last week a 9-8-8, a new three-digit su***de crisis talk and text helpline launched. Now people across Canada have access to the 9-8-8: Su***de Crisis Helpline, available nationwide in English and French, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
#9-8-8 ***de

12/03/2023

12/03/2023

As I found my own edges as a compassionate person, the beautiful clarity of boundaries began to shine everywhere. ✨

When I know where I start and stop, I know what is my responsibility AND what is not.

When I know where I start and stop, I know both my innate worth AND my humbling limitations.

When I know where I start and stop, I can better appreciate and honor YOUR innate value and worth (just as I now can for my own).

I do not need to put you down in order to raise myself up.

Nor do I need to allow you to make me feel small (in order to make you feel important).

There is no longer any need to participate in drama games or power plays.

Not in this beautifully boundaried place.

Because I am.

And so are you.

We are.

And we have limited days on this spinning orb, embodied in this current form.

This time is precious.

And knowing my boundaries helps me know my place in the grand dance of the universe.

I am both mighty and wondrous…and I am also a mere human (with needs and weaknesses) — all true at the very same time.

And that is true for you, too. ✨

How good it is to discover how be able to show up for our lives in our fullness as the humans that we are - living, loving, growing, and becoming.

Boundaries are beautiful. 🕯️

❤️
Molly

PS. Sneak Peek at some Big Beautiful News!!!!!

Those of you who’ve followed me for a while know that my free cartoon content is just the beginning. For almost 3 years, I’ve been running the passion of my heart - a bootcamp intensive where I guide participants into the powerful teachings and tools that changed my life (the very tools I still use myself on a regular basis).

The only problem? There was only one of me and only so much time in the day! That meant I had to limit the amount of people who could join the bootcamp (and restrict the opportunity to just women).

Well….all that has just CHANGED!!!!!!

This summer, I finally took the leap and hired a small-but-mighty team of unicorns (humans full of creativity, talent, heart, and brains, not to mention a passion for the purpose of this program). 🦄🔥❤️🧠🦋

Wowwww. Talk about a revolution.

Thanks to these fine humans and our shared labor of love to spread this message, our beloved bootcamp is now experiencing a glorious expansion!!!!!!!

Already so rich and luscious, my amazing little team and I have created some new and affordable bootcamp packages (open to all)!

Don’t worry! We are still running the wonderful women-only bootcamp intensive, too! 🥰

But alongside that, we are sooooo proud to now offer 2 more bootcamp options (open to all genders and allowing for varying needs of pricing, pacing, and flexibility)! 🥳💃🏻😍

Want a sneak peek????

We’re sooo close to launching but I literally can’t contain my excitement for one more minute (so I have to tell you NOWWW)!
🤪😅

At the time of this posting, you’ll be able to see the changes on the bootcamp page, thoooough if you go peek right now, the purchase links still aren’t live yet (as we’re working feverishly to get the last little logistical pieces in place)! 😅

Be ready for some joyous announcements here in the next few days as we officially launch!!!!!

We’re so excited to be able to serve more of you in a bootcamp experience that so many grads have called absolutely life-changing.
🥹❤️🙌

Http://boundaried.com

12/03/2023

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/trauma-bonding -does-it-happen?

Trauma bonding occurs when someone experiencing abuse develops an attachment for their abuser. Learn about the signs and the healing process here.

07/15/2023

Watson's Mill...less than 5 minute walk from Manotick Counselling

06/30/2023

Getting a terminal diagnosis—or loving someone who does—may give you more time to prepare. Yet it can also mean that grief starts long before life ends.

06/09/2023

Good article

https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/window-of-tolerance?fbclid=IwAR2Adl9otObQ2Sj3iApa2cS7lnsK1pUkJHHNyAQLtmIbx21Gor6zCM3J7dA

Window of tolerance is a term used to describe the zone of arousal in which a person is able to function most effectively. When people are within this zone, they are typically able to readily receive, process, and integrate information and otherwise respond to the demands of everyday life without mu...

03/10/2023

If you're wondering if you might be too self-critical, here are signs to look out for and some steps you can take to reduce self-criticism.

03/10/2023

Navigating eating disorder recovery can be very difficult. Keep reading to learn how to overcome body image struggles.

03/08/2023

🥰🥰🥰

03/08/2023

💚💚💚

03/08/2023

3….2….1…GO….💚

03/08/2023

03/07/2023

1st day back at Manotick Counselling in 3 years!

01/30/2023

01/22/2023

https://youtu.be/2SCLRtTAGHE

SIGN UP FOR MY HEALING PROGRAM: https://doctor-ramani.teachable.com/p/taking-yourself-back-healing-from-narcissistic-antagonistic-relationshipsTHERAPIST AND ...

12/23/2022

10/25/2022

Mental health conditions aren't "simple things" that people can get over. This is why education, understanding and empathy are needed to help remove the stigma surrounding mental health.
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Image via traumabreakthrough on IG