Therapy Alliance

01/13/2022

Happy New Year from Therapy Alliance! Can't believe we're already almost half way through January...

Here we see Dr. Evil being a little skeptical that we'll follow through on our resolutions. I know I can definitely relate to this for myself! It got me thinking about motivation as it's closely connected with our resolutions. Something that often happens when we "fail" to work on our goals, is to apply this failure to our entire being, and instead of thinking...today I failed to go to the gym, the thought becomes
Ugh, I'll NEVER be able to do it.

You might intuitively think this belief, and the feeling of shame that can go along with it, should really kick us into gear and get us back on that horse, but quite often the opposite happens, and those bad feelings lead us to put the horse back in the barn and drive back to the city....for a long time!!

If we can say to ourselves instead, ok, maybe I wasn't at my best today, but I'm a capable person who can get back at it tomorrow, that helps us to stay much closer to that horse.

If you would find it helpful to talk to someone about any struggle you are having, please reach out to us on our website at therapyalliance.ca to see how we can help.

06/20/2021

Reflection on Father’s Day 2021

On Father’s Day we pay tribute to, and express gratitude for the role that fathers play in our lives. However, for many people, Father’s Day or Mother’s Day can be difficult and triggering because of loss, or a complex relationship that may have included abandonment or abuse.

Damaging patterns are often passed from fathers to children (frequently sons) and become a sort of generational legacy. Perhaps one of the most iconic father-son relationships in popular culture is Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars Trilogy. The protagonist Luke, can sense the presence of Vader, the evil galactic overlord, in his very core, and at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, learns the truth about his father. Vader, consumed by a lust for power, implores Luke to join him to rule the galaxy together and says to him, in the famous line, “It is your destiny”. However, Luke rejects this destiny as he values his relationships with his friends over the power he could have by being like his father. At the end of the trilogy, Luke’s warmth washes over even Vader himself, and there is reparation between them.

Like Luke, sons are not destined to be like their fathers, and can choose loving relationships with their own children, partners, and themselves over the false empowerment achieved through abuse or escape. The therapist Terrence Real says that “This person brings peace to their ancestors and spares the children that follow.”

There is support out there to help with this. Maybe it’s not Yoda!, but through therapy or programs such as AA, the pattern can be broken and new destinies formed.

06/06/2021

06/06/2021

Claire - Day 7 - Final Day of CAMH Sunrise Challenge!
Another beautiful sunrise to end off this week. It's been a challenge as well as a learning experience - I've learned that exercising in the morning works for me (though not this early!) and supports my mental wellness. The important thing is to find what works for you in creating a healthy routine that takes care of your mental health. Thanks to everyone for your support, comments, and donations. Thanks to Phil Robbins, my partner at Therapy Alliance and his wife Jessie for getting us started on this journey! Thank you to my partner Nigel for getting up with me every morning even though he really didn't need to!


For more information on supporting our team to help CAMH, see the following link:
http://give.camh.ca/site/TR/Events/2021SunriseChallenge...

06/06/2021

Phil - Day 7 FINAL DAY!!! CAMH Sunrise Challenge

For this last day of the challenge went for a walk in the Windsor Sculpture Park. It's been tough for me getting up this early, but I guess that's why it's called a challenge! Another good challenge for me would be the Go to Sleep Before 1am Challenge as going to bed early to ensure enough sleep is something I need to work on.

A big thanks to Claire Molloy, my partner at Therapy Alliance for joining me in this and inspiring me with what she has been doing for her mental health in these early morning hours, and also to my wife Jessie for encouraging us to do this...and a special thanks to everyone who engaged in our posts and who made a donation to CAMH in support of this event. You are helping a very important cause.


For more information on supporting our team to help CAMH, see the following link:
http://give.camh.ca/site/TR/Events/2021SunriseChallenge?px=1347689&pg=personal&fr_id=1180&s_src=coaching+autoresp&s_subsrc=sc2021&utm_campaign=sc2021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=coaching+autoresp

06/05/2021

Phil - Day 6 CAMH Sunrise Challenge

Doing some professional development reading this morning. Almost done this book by Terrence Real about depression in men. It's over 20 years old and dated in some ways, but a really interesting read about the prevalence of covert depression amongst men and the influence that patriarchy has on this.


For more information on supporting our team to help CAMH, see the following link:
http://give.camh.ca/site/TR/Events/2021SunriseChallenge?px=1347689&pg=personal&fr_id=1180&s_src=coaching+autoresp&s_subsrc=sc2021&utm_campaign=sc2021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=coaching+autoresp

06/05/2021

Claire - Day 6 CAMH Sunrise Challenge
Good morning everyone one! I have a busy day today and didn't think I had time for a run so I've decided to do some yoga since I've been doing a lot of sitting lately and felt like I needed some stretching and maybe some meditation as well. Off I go...

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For more information on supporting our team to help CAMH, see the following link:

http://give.camh.ca/site/TR/Events/2021SunriseChallenge?px=1347689&pg=personal&fr_id=1180&s_src=coaching%20autoresp&s_subsrc=sc2021&utm_campaign=sc2021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=coaching%20autoresp&fbclid=IwAR3K20GYoYbt8Ayle6zEqhLXiqB5AzmCY5X9fBb1tzs0kDJHAGJHtJoj_WI

The Sunrise Challenge: Wake up with the sun from May 31 to June 6 while raising money to support the groundbreaking mental health research at CAMH. By rising together and rallying our friends, family and coworkers behind the cause, we can change the way the worl...

06/04/2021

Claire - Day 5 CAMH Sunrise Challenge
A little foggy this morning and it took a while for the sun to pop out. Went for another run this morning and eventually got some nice shots of the sun as it popped through the clouds. I might need to go back to bed this morning as well!

06/04/2021

Phil - Day 5 CAMH Sunrise Challenge

Video post today!


For more information on supporting our team to help CAMH, see the following link:
http://give.camh.ca/site/TR/Events/2021SunriseChallenge?px=1347689&pg=personal&fr_id=1180&s_src=coaching+autoresp&s_subsrc=sc2021&utm_campaign=sc2021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=coaching+autoresp

06/03/2021

Phil - Day 4 CAMH Sunrise Challenge.

Taking time to plan out the morning in my calendar in the hopes of using this extra time in a productive way. I find for myself that if I schedule some goals into my calendar I'm more likely to get them done. One of them is to read this morning, which is going to be tough since I'm extra tired, and reading and being tired doesn't always mix well, but will try! (additional coffee maybe).


For more information on supporting our team to help CAMH, see the following link:
http://give.camh.ca/site/TR/Events/2021SunriseChallenge?px=1347689&pg=personal&fr_id=1180&s_src=coaching+autoresp&s_subsrc=sc2021&utm_campaign=sc2021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=coaching+autoresp

06/03/2021

Claire - Day 4 CAMH Sunrise Challenge
No run or bike ride today. I decided to start the day with a cup of tea and some reading. I might even try to do some yoga or meditation. Do you have a morning routine that starts your day off right? Share it with us!


For more information on supporting our team to help CAMH, see the following link:
http://give.camh.ca/site/TR/Events/2021SunriseChallenge?px=1347689&pg=personal&fr_id=1180&s_src=coaching%20autoresp&s_subsrc=sc2021&utm_campaign=sc2021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=coaching%20autoresp&fbclid=IwAR3giWE5bC_e74-BsOX-tpPbYsRRcFp0Epqppr73fmwx8oZpBSeq5AUqDx4

06/02/2021

Claire - Day 3 CAMH Sunrise Challenge
No run today, but a beautiful sunrise and a bike ride. Today was VERY challenging to get up this early, but worth it in the end.

06/02/2021

Phil - Day 3 CAMH Sunrise Challenge

In Windsor, Ontario for a few days. This morning went for a walk in the amazing park along the riverside. Here is the sun rising next to the Detroit skyline.


For more information on supporting our team to help CAMH, see the following link:
http://give.camh.ca/site/TR/Events/2021SunriseChallenge?px=1347689&pg=personal&fr_id=1180&s_src=coaching+autoresp&s_subsrc=sc2021&utm_campaign=sc2021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=coaching+autoresp

06/01/2021

Day 2 - up for the sunrise that never came! That rain was heading straight for us, but luckily it was a little warmer this morning. Thanks for everyone's encouragement and support!

06/01/2021

Phil - Day 2 CAMH Sunrise Challenge

Went to a spot in Toronto that BlogTO said was good for seeing the sunrise, however the sunrise was a no-show today. Was much more difficult getting up this morning than Day 1, so feeling good to have made it up and out!


For more information on supporting our team to help CAMH, see the following link:
http://give.camh.ca/site/TR/Events/2021SunriseChallenge?px=1347689&pg=personal&fr_id=1180&s_src=coaching+autoresp&s_subsrc=sc2021&utm_campaign=sc2021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=coaching+autoresp

05/31/2021

Claire - Day 1 CAMH Sunrise Challenge

Caught a good sunrise to start off the challenge while out for a run. Exercising at the beginning of the day gets the blood flowing and can improve your mood and energy level...although it's often the last thing you want to when you're lying in your warm bed!


For more information on supporting our team to help CAMH, see the following link:
http://give.camh.ca/site/TR/Events/2021SunriseChallenge?px=1347689&pg=personal&fr_id=1180&s_src=coaching+autoresp&s_subsrc=sc2021&utm_campaign=sc2021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=coaching+autoresp

05/31/2021

Phil - Day 1 CAMH Sunrise Challenge!

Ok, not exactly right at sunrise (which was 5:39am), but I swear I was awake by then. Wasn't as difficult to wake up as thought it would be, but maybe it's day 1 motivation. Motivation can be a difficult. For me, if I'm teamed up with someone else for a challenge that can help a lot, so thank you to Claire (my business partner at Therapy Alliance) for joining me in this!


For more information on supporting our team to help CAMH, see the following link:
http://give.camh.ca/site/TR/Events/2021SunriseChallenge?px=1347689&pg=personal&fr_id=1180&s_src=coaching+autoresp&s_subsrc=sc2021&utm_campaign=sc2021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=coaching+autoresp