Cynthia Johnston Counselling and Consulting Services

03/04/2026

03/03/2026

Epigenetics researchers at the Institut Pasteur in Paris and INSERM have completed the most definitive human study of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance ever conducted — following three generations of Holocaust survivor families, Cambodian genocide survivor families, and control populations across 25 years — finding specific, reproducible methylation changes in stress-response genes (particularly the FKBP5 and NR3C1 glucocorticoid receptor genes) that are present in trauma survivors, transmitted to their biological children, and detectable in grandchildren who never experienced trauma themselves. Emotional pain leaves molecular scars. Those scars are heritable. 🧬
The mechanism — once considered impossible in mammals because the genetic dogma held that acquired characteristics cannot be inherited — operates through the germline epigenome. During the formation of s***m and eggs, the genome undergoes near-complete epigenetic reprogramming to remove parental marks. "Near-complete" is the operative word. Certain loci, including stress-response gene promoters, resist this reprogramming when the parent's stress exposure has been sufficiently severe and prolonged, maintaining their trauma-induced methylation patterns through the reprogramming process and passing them to the offspring's genome. The trauma experience writes itself into the reproductive cells.
The clinical implications are profound and already actionable. Children and grandchildren of trauma survivors show elevated baseline cortisol levels, altered HPA axis responsiveness, and increased risk of PTSD, anxiety, and depression — not because of how they were raised, but because of how their grandparents suffered. Understanding this mechanism means targeted epigenetic therapies could potentially reverse inherited stress marks, liberating future generations from trauma they never personally experienced.
The Pasteur team is now working with EMDR and methylation-targeting drug combinations. This is no longer metaphor — the inheritance of trauma is molecular, measurable, and potentially reversible.
Source: Institut Pasteur Paris / INSERM, Nature Reviews Genetics 2025

02/27/2026

"But he's a good dad." Is he?

02/25/2026

02/25/2026

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Psychology doesn’t say empaths are “weak.” It says certain traits — high empathy, high tolerance, high emotional responsibility — can unintentionally reinforce narcissistic behavior. The issue isn’t kindness. It’s boundaries.
Empaths tend to over-identify with others’ pain. When a narcissistic person deflects blame, plays the victim, or expresses woundedness, the empath often shifts into repair mode. Instead of holding the person accountable, they try to soothe, explain, or absorb the tension. That response can reduce immediate conflict — but it also removes consequences.
There’s also something called intermittent reinforcement. Narcissistic relationships often cycle between affection and withdrawal. Empaths, who are deeply relational, may cling to the “good version” they’ve seen. The occasional warmth strengthens attachment, making them tolerate patterns they normally wouldn’t accept.
Many empaths also struggle with boundaries because they equate love with endurance. They believe if they understand someone deeply enough, they can love them into healing. Psychology is clear here: empathy without limits becomes self-abandonment. When compassion overrides self-protection, enabling begins.
The hardest truth? Narcissistic traits thrive where they are accommodated. Not because the empath causes the narcissism — but because unchallenged behavior grows. Healthy empathy includes accountability. It says, “I understand you — and I will not allow you to harm me.” That’s where empathy becomes strength instead of fuel.

02/24/2026

02/24/2026

NEDIC is committed to making access to information and care for eating disorders more accessible. 🌍🗣️ 🌍🗣️Our Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) guide for the treatment of eating disorders is now available in Chinese (Simplified), French, Persian (Farsi), Punjabi, and Spanish. DBT blends cognitive approaches with mindfulness, offering hope and practical strategies for recovery.

A big thank you to for collaborating with us to get this guide out there!

Knowledge is power. Healing is possible. You're not alone. 💪💖

Image Description: A light purple background with light green fireworks and light green, blue and purple confetti. In the centre is a globe, with text bubbles reading, "Hello" in different languages spread across the globe. A dark purple title at the top reads, "Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for the Treatment of Eating Disorders." Below the globe, dark purple subtitle reads, "Now available in Chinese (simplified), French, Persian (Farsi), Punjabi, and Spanish!" Underneath is the NEDIC web link, www.nedic.ca

02/24/2026

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02/23/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17qTSWTjKf/

Not all boundaries are healthy. Some protect you while allowing connection. Others either let everyone in or keep everyone out. Here's how to tell the difference.

Loose boundaries make it hard to say no even when you want to. You overshare personal information early on. You chronically fix, help, or rescue others. You depend on others' opinions to feel okay. You're easily manipulated or taken advantage of. You struggle to express your own needs and wants. You say yes out of guilt or fear of disappointing people. You feel responsible for other people's emotions.

Rigid boundaries create radical rules with little room for flexibility. You're fiercely private and protective of personal information. You have difficulty asking for help or showing vulnerability. You keep others at a distance to avoid rejection. You avoid intimacy and close relationships. You struggle to trust even safe, consistent people. You use walls instead of boundaries to feel protected. You disguise emotional unavailability as independence.

Healthy boundaries give you a clear sense of what's yours to carry and what isn't. You can say no without excessive guilt or explanation. You're assertive in a balanced and considerate way. You're flexible without losing your sense of self. You share personal information appropriately. You're comfortable asking for help when needed. You respect others' limits and expect the same in return. Your boundaries come from values, not fear or anger.

02/23/2026

I have often talked to clients about the risk of this happening in couples therapy, and particularly if the therapist is not well versed in understanding and dealing with narcissistic and other such antagonistic and manipulative individuals.

She told her therapist she was being abused.

The therapist asked her husband to join the next session.

He came. Cried. Apologized beautifully. Held her hand.

The therapist told her: “See? He’s trying. You need to meet him halfway.”

And just like that, the cycle reset.

Abuse isn’t always loud. It’s strategic. Some people know exactly when to cry, when to perform remorse, when to look wounded.

Couples therapy can be powerful — but in abusive dynamics, it can become another stage. Another script.

Accountability isn’t a performance.

Real change happens consistently, privately, and over time.

Safety should never be negotiated in the name of “meeting halfway.”

02/19/2026