Stella Bird BFA MACP RP therapy for Adults, Youth and Children in Niagara

04/11/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CXG8t8ewz/

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), or Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), is a condition where the brain struggles to interpret auditory information despite normal hearing. Symptoms include difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, following verbal instructions, and distinguishing similar sounds. I

Symptoms: People with APD often ask for repetition, have trouble with multi-step directions, are easily distracted by background noise, and may have reading/spelling difficulties.

Causes and Risk Factors: The exact cause is often unknown, but it can be linked to developmental issues (e.g., low birth weight, premature birth), chronic ear infections, or neurological conditions like ADHD or autism. In adults, it may follow a head trauma or stroke.

Types/Subtypes: APD can affect different areas, including:
Auditory Discrimination: Distinguishing similar sounds/words.
Auditory Figure-Ground: Focusing on sound amid background noise.
Auditory Memory: Recalling instructions or lists.
Auditory Sequencing: Understanding the order of sounds/words.

04/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/17LEVvhyZb/

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), or Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), is a condition where the brain struggles to interpret auditory information despite normal hearing. Symptoms include difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, following verbal instructions, and distinguishing similar sounds. I

Symptoms: People with APD often ask for repetition, have trouble with multi-step directions, are easily distracted by background noise, and may have reading/spelling difficulties.

Causes and Risk Factors: The exact cause is often unknown, but it can be linked to developmental issues (e.g., low birth weight, premature birth), chronic ear infections, or neurological conditions like ADHD or autism. In adults, it may follow a head trauma or stroke.

Types/Subtypes: APD can affect different areas, including:
Auditory Discrimination: Distinguishing similar sounds/words.
Auditory Figure-Ground: Focusing on sound amid background noise.
Auditory Memory: Recalling instructions or lists.
Auditory Sequencing: Understanding the order of sounds/words.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter! 🐣🍫🥚
HBD Scrumpy Jack 🐇🎂🍓🍓🍓
🥳

04/03/2026

This model works because people cannot think logically ("reason") while they are in a high-stress "fight/flight/freeze" state; they must feel safe ("regulate") and connected ("relate") first.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_uBEOKJA_M

The "Regulate, Relate, Reason" model (developed by Dr. Bruce Perry) is a three-step framework used to manage conflict or distress by addressing the brain's natural, hierarchical processing of stress. To connect with and reason with an adult (or child), one must first calm their nervous system, then build connection, and finally engage in logical conversation, rather than leading with logic.

1. Regulate: Calm the Body and Nervous System
Goal: Restore a sense of safety when the thinking brain is overwhelmed.
Action: Stay calm, use a low and soft voice, utilize breathing exercises, or allow for movement. Avoid lecturing or demanding logic, which fails when the brain is dysregulated.
Adult Focus: Recognize your own stress triggers so you do not become dysregulated alongside them.

2. Relate: Connect with Empathy
Goal: Establish trust to transition from a survival-oriented brain state to a relational one.
Action: Use empathetic language ("I hear you," "I am here with you") and validate feelings without needing to agree with them.
Adult Focus: Listen without judgment and validate their experience to reduce the feeling of being alone in their distress.

3. Reason: Engage the Thinking Brain
Goal: Foster reflection, problem-solving, and learning.
Action: Once calm, discuss what happened and develop a collaborative plan.
Adult Focus: Focus on understanding the situation and teaching or applying new skills rather than punishment.

A simple but highly effective way to handle conflict with children and adults.

04/01/2026

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks about four types of invalidating family environments: the chaotic family, the physical or mental health problem family, the perfect family, and the typical family. He breaks down how these environments can teach children to doubt their feelings, suppress their needs, take responsibility for other people’s emotions, and seek reassurance outside themselves.

In this episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon talks about four types of invalidating family environments: the chaotic family, the physical or mental heal...

11/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/14MRMP8ua3c/

📢 *NEW* Knee Health class!
If your knees hold you back from exercising more, this is the class for you.

In this class we will focus on good knee mechanics and exercises specifically designed to strengthen and support your knees.

No Pilates experience required

$99 for 4 weeks
Class limited to 5
Thursdays @11:30am
Starts Nov 13th

Note: if you currently have an acute knee injury, please contact a medical professional for assistance.

08/12/2025

https://youtu.be/ZdIQRxwT1I0?si=uxV1fUBTqRwucOA1

This video was developed to give a basic introduction and overview of how trauma and chronic stress affects our nervous system and how those effects impact o...

06/10/2025

On the lookout for passionate individuals to join our dynamic board and help steer the ship towards a brighter future.
https://positivelivingniagara.com/ways-to-support/join-our-board/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKy3HhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFPM3hyR25Bbnk4clUwSHZzAR5_Fkuodl9jswhf6GBs47JhpNmwLA8ZJ4vxxjzNqGeSCa8_jiGyYBnh8-erVA_aem_ktlz3pffQHB7deUfDbK5dQ

06/08/2025

🧠 Insightful. Relatable. Funny. Painfully honest. ✨ Whether you're exploring your own ADHD journey, supporting a loved one, or just curious to learn more — this is a must-listen.🎧 'I grieved for myunmedicated self'... Ever wondered what executive ADHD dysfunction really feels like? This powerful conversation offers an honest, often funny, and deeply validating look at what it’s like to live with ADHD — especially the parts we don’t talk about enough.🌟How Do You Cope? New Podcast Episode: Living with ADHD & Executive Dysfunction 🎧Wherever you get your podcasts: HOW DO YOU
COPE? WITH HANNAH MAGUIRE ( OF REDHANDED https://redhandedpodcast.com/)
💬 “Doing the dishes isn’t just doing the dishes. It’s a hundred mental steps all at once.”
From struggles in everyday routines to office overwhelm, masking, and meltdowns — this episode beautifully captures the inner world of ADHD, especially in adults who are learning to understand themselves with more compassion.
🎙️ Topics include:
• Executive dysfunction explained in real-life terms
• Why small changes can feel so big
• The emotional weight of masking
• Object permanence + why ADHD brains “forget”
• How medication can create space between reaction and overwhelm
• Women / Girls and ADHD
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2bebe9e5-6a79-4882-9e36-053b6107aec8/episodes/94351330-3edb-4a07-9da6-0f09e7fe9b4f/how-do-you-cope-hannah-maguire-'i-grieved-for-my-unmedicated-self'-16

06/05/2025

Sign up to watch a free 50-minute session with Richard Schwartz, Pat Ogden, Frank Anderson, and Chris Irons. You’ll get practical, parts-based strategies to help clients navigate internal conflict and repair ruptures — both in their relationships and within themselves.

05/09/2025

Detaching From Emotionally Immature People with Dr. Lindsay Gibson - You might notice this in conversation: even if they seem interested in you, the topic will quickly veer back to them. It’s not curiosity that drives their listening—it’s a need to re-center themselves in the story.

When we’ve reached a certain level of emotional maturity, it becomes second nature to imagine how our actions might affect someone else. We get that people have rich inner worlds—full of thoughts, feelings, longings, and vulnerabilities. And that matters to us.

But emotionally immature people often don’t operate this way.

They tend to stay focused on what’s concrete: facts, appearances, physical realities. They struggle to recognize (or value) the emotional, the relational, the spiritual, or even the creative aspects of life. These "inner" experiences don’t register as real or important to them. As a result, they may come across as self-centered—not because they’re intentionally unkind, but because they haven’t developed the emotional capacity to see beyond their own experience.

Emotional maturity isn't just about being "nice"—it's about recognizing that other people are fully real on the inside, too.

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, in an interview that is timely as we're in the thick of the holiday season, I interviewed Dr. Lindsay Gibson for the...

03/30/2025

Free Conference - Mindful Parenting and Emotional Wellness - November 10-14