Room for Growth Counseling Services

05/04/2026

Room for Growth is excited to announce we are now booking appointments with our Mental Health Nurse Practitioner!

Appointments are privately funded (although covered under many insurance providers).

This service is for current clients AND Renfrew County/Laurentian Valley community members who may not have access to a primary healthcare provider for mental health related concerns.

Appointments are two parts in nature - a mental & general health assessment (in our Pembroke office for approximately 30 mins necessary for general health information and dosing purposes if medication is required) followed by a Nurse Practitioner appointment (virtual) - for 40-45 mins at a time that is convenient for the client. (If clients do not have access to a computer/Internet they may have their virtual Nurse Practitioner appointment in office as well). Clients will also be entitled to one free 15 minute follow-up appointment.

Our Mental Health Nurse Practitioner can provide assessment and diagnosis of non-complex mental health concerns, prescription management, supportive documentation (for work related challenges), diagnostic/bloodwork and referral to other community based services.

Please share with anyone you feel may benefit from this service! (Bookings available starting now for Wednesday May 6, 2026) and onwards!

01/03/2026

Room for Growth is thrilled to welcome Keziah Emekeme to its team beginning in mid-January!

Keziah is a Family Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in mental health, addictions, and community-based care. She completed her Nurse Practitioner training at the University of Toronto after several years of practice as a Registered Nurse in diverse environments, including community health, mental health, transitional care, and acute care.

Keziah has worked in interdisciplinary settings supporting individuals with complex mental health and substance-use concerns, with a strong focus on access, continuity, and equity in care. Her clinical interests include integrated primary and mental health care, trauma-informed practice, women’s mental health, and advancing culturally safe, collaborative models that promote long-term wellness in the community.

As a Nurse Practitioner at Room for Growth Counselling Services, Keziah will provide comprehensive mental-health-focused primary care, including assessment, diagnosis, medication management, and ongoing follow-up for individuals with mental health and substance-use concerns.

She will work collaboratively alongside psychotherapy services to support trauma-informed and patient-centred care, with an emphasis on continuity and access within the community.

Although primarily based out of Toronto, Keziah has privileges at the Pembroke Regional Hospital (PRH) and will be able to order further assessment and make referrals as needed for her clients/patients.

Keziah is incredibly knowledgeable, passionate and will increase accessibility for mental health in this region. RFG is thrilled to have her on board!

“I am excited to be joining Room for Growth and to support mental health needs of individuals through collaborative, compassionate care.”
-Keziah Emekeme

12/16/2025

As we get closer to the season, it’s important to remember that it is completely normal and very common to feel an increase of this time of year (studies show nearly 90% of adults experience shifts in mental health due to financial pressure, family expectations, social obligations, and grief among other things…)

If you find yourself feeling this way know that you’re not alone.

Be good to yourself, give yourself grace in less than perfect moments, and if you have to “just get through” - do what feels right for you.

But most of all - recognize it’s OK to feel however you feel.

Although the list pictured gives a few ideas to stay grounded (I particularly enjoy number three ;)) others such as taking breaks, connecting with a trusted friend, cuddling a pet, setting boundaries (scheduling “you time” if it’s possible), self-care (such as taking a walk, a long bath or watching a low-stimulation/predictable show), managing expectations and just doing what “you” can - may help manage those big feelings.

And it’s OK to have really BIG feelings this season. The holidays can be a lot of pressure. Be kind to yourself and speak to yourself as you would a friend 🥰

And, if you’re finding none of that is bringing relief…. reach out someone - be it a trusted friend or a professional…we’re here to support you or help you access support.

Honour what feels right for you.
You’ve got this 💪💪💪💪

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and “however you need it to be” holiday season!
-Room For Growth Counselling Services ❤️

🌱 💜

12/02/2025

12/02/2025

Matching POWER HOUR Sponsor - Room for Growth Counselling

12/02/2025

Thank you to Shelia from Room for Growth Counseling Services (Power Hour Sponsor) and Sarah from Bayshore HealthCare Ltd. (Matching Sponsor) for stopping by and chatting with us about Giving Tuesday in support of Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation!

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.