The Counselling Group

23/07/2025

Why is it so much easier to hype up a friend than to accept a compliment yourself?

That voice in your head that says, "They don't mean it," or "I could've done better," - that isn't humility. That's self-criticism in disguise.

And here's the thing: being hard on yourself doesn't build resilience. It builds stress.

What actually helps?

💙 Kindness.
💚 Compassion.
💛 Patience.

The same things you'd offer someone you love.

So next time someone compliments you, pause. Breathe. Try simply saying, "Thank you." No deflection, no self-depreciation, no shrinking.

Want to work on quieting your inner critic? We're here to help: https://heyor.ca/r0o6v8

17/07/2025

Sometimes, understanding what's really going on beneath the surface can be the most powerful step forward.

The Counselling Group offers psychometry and psychological assessment services designed to help you or your child gain clarity, confidence and the right support. Whether you're navigating learning challenges, ADHD, anxiety or mood-related concerns, we're here to walk with you at your pace.

Assessments are done in English and French, but our team can support you through the process in Arabic, English, French and Spanish to help you express yourself in the way that feels most natural.

Explore some of the most common assessments we offer or reach out directly to talk through what you need: https://heyor.ca/Yrtwhg

11/07/2025

Some of us love a good routine. The morning coffee. The familiar walk. The calendar that keeps everything (mostly) together.

Routine can feel grounding. It can help us manage anxiety, stay organized and create a sense of safety in the chaos of life.

But sometimes, routine becomes a rut. That same schedule that once felt comforting? It can start to feel stagnant, like life is just happening on autopilot.

This is where mental health comes in. When we get stuck in the same loop for too long, we might notice:

🌀 Low mood or lack of motivation
🌀 Disconnection from joy or connection
🌀 A sense of being "numb" or emotionally flat
🌀 Resistance to change, even when we crave it

You're not lazy or broken for feeling this way. It might just be your mind and body's way of saying, "I need something different."

If you're feeling stuck, we're here to help: https://heyor.ca/r0o6v8

09/07/2025

Ever been told to "just stay positive"?

Like you're overwhelmed, hurting or just trying to make it through the day and someone drops a "good vibes only" on you. 🙃

Real emotional wellness doesn't come from ignoring what's hard - it comes from naming it, sitting with it and learning from it. And sometimes, just letting yourself feel it without rushing to fix it.

True positivity isn't about fake smiles. It's about honesty, growth and showing up for yourself, even when it feels heavy.

We're here to hold space for all of it - no toxic positivity required: https://heyor.ca/r0o6v8

27/06/2025

There's no shortage of voices telling you how to live your life.

Be this. Do that. Look like that person. Achieve that - and do it all before yesterday.

Chasing every expectation doesn't bring peace, it often brings disconnection, frustration and that quiet sense of something's missing.

Here's a gentle alternative: pause. Check in with yourself and ask "Which choice feels warm? Peaceful? Hopeful?" and start there. That's your inner voice talking.

If you need to reconnect with that voice, we can help: https://heyor.ca/ddecuf

25/06/2025

Not all growth is loud.

Sometimes it's not a new job or a big milestone. Sometimes it's setting a boundary or saying the hard thing. Making a tiny shift in how you talk to yourself.

That's invisible growth and it matters just as much as the big, shiny moments because it's what makes those moments possible.

Our team is here for all of it - the quiet, the messy and the in-between.

Ready to start growing from the inside out? Let's talk: https://heyor.ca/ddecuf

17/06/2025

Hiding who you are is a kind of ache.

Quiet at first, then louder, heavier and harder to carry.

But when you’re allowed to be who you are - to really be - you start to breathe differently. Life feels a little softer. Joy starts to feel possible.

And when someone sees you, knows you and loves you for all of it? That’s when the real unfolding begins.

This Pride Month, we honour the bravery of being seen and the deep healing that comes from being loved without condition. 🌈

13/06/2025

You're busy, like Capital B Busy™, and when you try the apps, the boundaries and the "just saying no" thing, it still doesn't really fix the stress.

Here's why: it's not just about what's on your plate, it's about how you're expecting yourself to show up for it all.

If you're secretly holding yourself to perfection in every area of your life, yeah ...no wonder you're overwhelmed. That's an impossible task.

Naming it is the first step forward to something gentler, more human and way less exhausting. Let's talk about it: https://heyor.ca/ddecuf

09/06/2025

Please reach out if you need to speak to someone. 613-722-2225

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is investigating an act of vandalism that occurred overnight at the National Holocaust Monument, located at 1918 Chaudière Crossing.

09/06/2025

Avoiding it feels easier, and hey, sometimes scrolling, ghosting or stuffing it down feels like self-care - but here's the thing: what we avoid in the short-term often grows roots in the long-term.

Facing the hard stuff? That takes courage, but it's also where growth, healing and actual peace live.

So next time you're tempted to dodge the thing (you know, that one), ask yourself, "How might facing this help me become the version of me I'm working toward?"

You don't have to do it alone, we're here to help when you're ready: https://heyor.ca/ddecuf

03/06/2025

🌈 June is here, and we're celebrating Pride Month with open hearts and minds.

At The Counselling Group, we know that mental health is just as important as Pride, and everyone deserves to feel seen, heard and supported no matter their identity.

This month, we honour the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and recommit to providing a safe, inclusive space for all to explore their journeys.

Let’s keep showing up for each other, not just in June, but every day. 🏳️‍🌈✨

27/05/2025

Thanks to your support, our All Minds Matter campaign raised $19,000, including $6,800 from 86 donors during our race weekend!

To do the math for you, that's 223 sessions of accessible, professional counselling for individuals and families who need it most.

At The Counselling Group, we see the impact of every single session - and we couldn't do it without you. Thank you for investing in mental wellness and community care!

Just think how much more we can do with your support. If you haven't already, please donate: https://www.jfsottawa.com/allmindsmatter