Room for Growth Counseling Services

11/11/2025

Thinking about those who have served, continue to serve and their families who also make the ultimate sacrifice. I thank each of you for your service and bravery.
Today we Remember 🇨🇦 🌺

🌹 🇨🇦

10/27/2025

can literally change the structure of your brain. 🧠

That’s why symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and triggers from certain sounds or smells are real neurological responses — not signs of weakness or “overreacting.”

Here’s what’s happening inside your brain after trauma 👇
1️⃣ The — your center.
When it shrinks after trauma, it struggles to tell the difference between past danger and present safety.
That’s why flashbacks feel like they’re happening right now.
2️⃣ The — your internal alarm system.
If a traumatic memory is stored incorrectly, the amygdala stays on high alert, sending fight-or-flight signals even when there’s no real threat.
3️⃣ The Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex — your emotional regulator.
When this area goes offline, it becomes harder to manage big emotions — which is why you might “overreact” to something small.

Your brain isn’t broken; it’s protecting you. This is also why learning to “ground” and regulate when you’ve gone offline is so important.

✨ The good news? The brain can heal.

Through therapies like EMDR or other techniques such as the ATTCH method, your brain can reprocess traumatic memories correctly — helping these structures catalog memories in a way that is less charging, and return to healthy functioning by bringing your nervous system back into balance.
You’re not broken.

Your brain has just been doing its best to keep you safe. 🌿

Remember that trauma rewires the brain, but so too does healing.

Original post credits : the EMDR coach

09/06/2025

Our Is the Key to Happiness, Focus, and Well-being. Here’s How to Support It Naturally.

When your key brain chemicals are in balance, you experience more motivation, better sleep, stronger connections, and improved mental clarity.

Here’s how to support those chemicals on your own:

🧠 DOPAMINE – The Drive Behind Motivation (loves reward driven behaviour)
Dopamine fuels focus, ambition, and goal-directed behavior. When levels dip, so do your energy and enthusiasm. You can BOOST dopamine through regular exercise, cold showers, list-making, and brain-friendly nutrients like L-tyrosine, magnesium, and vitamin B6. Even small wins can create a dopamine surge—so celebrate progress, not perfection.

💙 OXYTOCIN – The Chemistry of Connection
Often called the “love hormone,” oxytocin is released during moments of trust, affection, and empathy. It reduces stress and promotes social bonding. You can naturally ENHANCE oxytocin by practicing gratitude, hugging loved ones, petting animals, and engaging in acts of kindness. Self-care routines and mindfulness practices also support its release.

😊 SEROTONIN – The Mood Stabilizer
Serotonin is crucial for emotional stability, sleep, and a sense of well-being. To INCREASE it, spend time in sunlight, eat foods rich in tryptophan (like eggs, cheese, and turkey), and incorporate omega-3s, probiotics, and vitamin D into your routine. Practices like meditation, journaling, and nature walks are simple yet powerful serotonin boosters.

🌙 MELATONIN – Your Natural Sleep Aid
Melatonin regulates your circadian rhythm and helps you fall asleep naturally. Screen time, caffeine, and irregular routines can throw it off. To SUPPORT melatonin production, aim for consistent sleep schedules, reduce blue light exposure before bed, and consider herbal teas, magnesium, or melatonin-rich foods like tart cherries and walnuts.

Your brain already has the tools to help you thrive. You just need to activate them 🧠💪🌱

08/31/2025

aims to restore the natural flow of energy in the body and facilitate healing on many levels. It is an ancient technique that is based on the concept that energy flows through us, and imbalances in this energy can cause physical or emotional stress. A reiki practitioner can help promote emotional wellbeing, grounding and feeling re-balanced.

Chris Barling will be hosting his final Reiki Day this Wednesday September 3 @ Room for Growth Counselling Services in Pembroke, ON.

If you are interested in connecting with Chris, please email greensteel79@gmail.com - spaces are limited.

08/29/2025

That part. ❤️

When grief shows up, it’s easy to believe something is wrong with us. We feel broken, messy, out of control. But grief isn’t a malfunction, it’s a natural response to loss.

What hurts more than the grief itself is the silence around it. The way we hide it, dismiss it, or carry it alone. The truth is, unspoken grief doesn’t disappear. It lingers in our bodies, in our breath, in the way we move through our days.

If your heart has been holding something unspoken, this is your invitation to bring it into the light.
Let's Talk About Grief
Friday September 5 at 7:00pm

👉 Sign up in the link in the comments.

08/29/2025

Did you know?

Complex trauma can be considered an acquired form of ?

It changes how the brain wires itself including brain structure, size, and processing.

It changes how an individual perceives/interprets safety and how they adapt when situations become overwhelming or stressful.

Important to note: these are not dysfunctions.

Conversely the body is demonstrating how incredibly strong and intelligent it really is.

This is often misunderstood and there is potential to pathologise (or in some cases lead to a multitude of differential diagnoses) rather than recognize this is actually a normal and protective response.

When it is recognized that these responses actually make sense, and that the body is doing what it is actually programmed to do for survival; healing can begin.

This is why it is VITALLY important to ALWAYS do/take a trauma history.

Remember trauma rewires the brain but so too does healing! ✨🌻🌱

08/27/2025

As winds down and we head towards more structure and routine (and of course shorter days and changes in weather), it’s very likely that tensions will present at times no matter what environment you’re entering.

As we find our rhythm and regain footing - the shift towards deadlines, more rigid scheduling and less balance/time away may inevitably cause conflict.

If you’re entering a space where there’s been a lot of growth or change, there may be adjustments, re-jigging of roles and responsibilities and inevitability there *may* be personality conflicts/clashes in views/values and work behaviours.

Try not to stress, *usually this has a way of sorting itself out. If it doesn’t - try this:

1️⃣ Don’t take the bait – silence is powerful.
2️⃣ Their chaos is not your problem – protect your peace.
3️⃣ Set boundaries like a pro.
4️⃣ Don’t match their vibe – stay grounded.
5️⃣ Keep it factual, not emotional.
6️⃣ Stop playing therapist – it’s not your job.
7️⃣ Use strategic pauses – sometimes say nothing.
8️⃣ Redirect or shut it down – toxic chats don’t deserve your energy.
9️⃣ Stay one step ahead – predict & prepare.
🔟 Debrief with your inner circle – vent to someone you trust.

⚡ Takeaway: Dealing with difficult people is less about having control, and more about mastering your response.

👉 Question: Which of these strategies do you use the most? And what’s one tactic that works best for you in tough situations?

08/22/2025

This weekend, The City of Pembroke is partnering with Dragonfly Family Learning Services to provide a Park Social Club to children with neurodiversity and their families!

This social will happen at the Rotary Park Playground, on Saturday August 23, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

This drop-in, free play style gathering are designed to create social and inclusive play opportunities for children while also giving caregivers a chance to connect amongst each other!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Don't Miss Out!

This weekend, The City of Pembroke is partnering with Dragonfly Family Learning Services to provide a Park Social Club to neurodivergent children and their families!

This social will happen at the Rotary Park Playground, on Saturday August 23, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

This drop-in, free play style gathering are designed to create social and inclusive play opportunities for children while also giving caregivers a chance to connect amongst each other!

Park Social Club is open to children of all ages, their siblings, and their caregivers. Many of the children who attend have ADHD, sensory needs, autism, or other neuro differences. We welcome any family who feels that a typical playdate or large community event might not be the right fit for their child!

Park Social Club is coordinated by Dragonfly’s Director and Certified ABA Parent Educator, Erin Curtis. Erin is a neurodiverse professional with over a decade of experience supporting neurodivergent children and their families while also raising her own neurodivergent daughter!

If you have any questions regarding these socials, or Dragon Fly Learning Services,
please contact Erin Curtis by emailing erin@dragonflyfamilyandlearning.ca or by calling (343) 300-6697.

See you out there!

08/20/2025

Sometimes the process can be focused on talking/feeling (mental, cognitive & emotional processes/responses); sometimes it’s movement or helping the body release what it’s been holding (somatic); sometimes it’s connecting and exploring through spirituality, stillness and just learning how to be present (physical embodiment); other times there can be elements of communication through creation (artistic expression/evocation).

Whichever method a client/therapist decides to embrace, exploring various therapeutic modalities creates a space that is both person centred & collaborative.

When clients can communicate/engage in a way that makes sense for them, it has potential to strengthen the therapeutic alliance and lead to more active participation in a healing journey.

Tonight I am organizing a new bundle of crafts, essential oils, fidgets for my office. I love how grounding that textures, scents, and colours can be (imo). Recalibrating IS resetting, it’s logging out and getting back to the basics.

08/19/2025

Room for Growth Counselling Services will be hosting another day on August 27th. If you are interested in learning more (and experiencing the effects) of this ancient healing practice, please reach out to Chris Barling for more information.

Chris can be reached via email at greensteel79@gmail.com 🙌✨🪐

08/18/2025

As a , I often find myself researching other local groups/resources that may be of interest to others within our community.

This summer I stumbled upon “Bloom” which is an amazing locally run, safe/ supportive group for teenage girls as they navigate the next chapter of their lives. Bloom offers a non-judgemental space to explore, question and discover self & connect with others in meaningful ways.

was created by local Pembroke resident Allie, and her teenage daughter, Ava (15), for teen girls to have a safe place to learn, grow, heal, connect, and learn to navigate life while on their own path of self discovery.

Please find more information below (as well as links to Bloom)

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BLOOM 🌸🌸🌸

🌸 Teen Girl Support Group: A Safe Space to Bloom and Grow 🌸

Welcome to our Teen Girl Support Group—a nurturing space where teen girls can come together, explore their passions, develop self-love, and connect with others in meaningful ways🌿

At this group, we believe that each teen girl is like a flower, unique, beautiful, and capable of blooming into her fullest potential. Our workshops are designed to help girls grow emotionally, socially, and personally, just like flowers growing strong in the sunlight.

🌼 What We Offer 🌼
Our workshops are a blend of self-love practices, confidence-building activities, and a focus on hobbies and interests that make each girl shine in her own way. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect:

Self-Love & Confidence
In our group, we’ll explore ways to cultivate self-love and boost self-esteem. Just as flowers need the right environment to bloom, teen girls need a safe space to nurture themselves. Through empowering activities and open discussions, we’ll help each girl appreciate her unique qualities and learn to treat herself with kindness and compassion.

To learn more - check out their Facebook group below ⬇️⬇️⬇️

https://www.facebook.com/share/1YEPqnLZvh/?mibextid=wwXIfr&direct_share_include_copy=1&fb_entity_type=unknown

08/01/2025

Have you ever thought about trying ? Are you looking to reset, restore and ground?

If you’re not sure exactly what reiki is - that’s ok, I wasn’t either 😬. But I can say that it was a very calming/recalibrating experience that was very much needed.

If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, that you just need a reset - check it out. Chris is a very warm, welcoming and wonderful practitioner (see poster for contact details/price etc.).

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This summer Room for Growth Counselling Services is sharing its space with new and upcoming clinicians/independent contractors who are starting out in the field of health and wellness.

Through this other practitioners can test the market for their craft and possibly build a client base.

If you or someone you know is interested, please reach out to sheilab@roomforgrowth.ca. There is no cost to the business/practitioner that would like to host @ RFG (but it should align with/be similar in scope to RFG - other ideas welcome as well :)).