East Coast Flourish Counselling and Consultation

12/18/2025

When we are young, shame can feel like a protective mechanism, but as adults, it can leave us grappling with overwhelming anxiety, depression, and isolation - thoughts like “it’s my fault” or “blaming”.

12/16/2025

When we live in our sympathetic nervous system we have no energy left for change - let’s slow down and listen.

10/23/2025

Shift your perspective by noticing one positive thing today, no matter how small, and challenge your brain's tendency to focus on the negative - today a pic of my dog showed up! Gave me a warm feeling to start my day.

10/20/2025

Couples counselling is an area of our focus - the therapeutic journey begins with self-awareness of your truth, needs and desires, complemented by skills to express them effectively:

1. Relationships need to necessitate room for each partner's multifaceted truths - builds up confidence of the relationship!

2. Fostering an environment where complex emotions can be conveyed and uncertainty tolerated - it is a possibility to be honest with yourself and your partner!

3. Building courage, improving communication, overcoming fears and learning to cope with challenges - can feel closer, deeper connected, resulting in an exponential growth of 1+1=more than 2!

10/19/2025

Negative Mental loops are like prisons in our mind that we reinforce. We can break free of this and learn to live free!

Our time is limited so why not live better. It is not about dismissing our problems or worries but stepping out, zoom away and slow down. What is one small thing you can do to step out of this loop 🔁. Yes this will be challenging but your choice is to stay trapped.

1) name and tag
2) my thought is ….
3) acknowledge
4) notice your body
5) anchor yourself

Do, move, imagine and practice! You are not your emotions — don’t become your emotion — cognitive overload doesn’t allow space to live and find peace. Even 1 minute moment stepping out can restore and begin the journey. Developing this muscle require routine. Overtime your mind will learn that your thoughts won’t get immediate attention — this is the fist step to building your emotional boundaries. Your brain will be skeptical, it wants to stay with what is familiar and easy — intentionally developing new neural pathways is necessary.

10/13/2025

Little lies vs big lies - the intent is everything - In relationships, we all fib a bit, but ask yourself, did you just lie to show acceptance, gain a deeper understanding, and strengthen your bond?

OR

Did you just lie to protect yourself, gain from the lie, or deceive your partner?

STOP 🛑 and think about this. You want to be able to express yourself genuinely, even the conflicting parts. Truth is about being vulnerable, and that takes bravery, courage and skill. And that's just the first step - being willing to learn about your partner is equally important!!

We help couples and individuals identfiy there needs, how to start having hard conversations and develop effective and truthful communication!

10/12/2025

Protect your peace! Discover the freedom of setting limits! Its hard! but necessary!

Establishing clear boundaries with yourself allows you to nurture meaningful relationships while safeguarding your emotional energy.

Let’s leave space to do this! Let’s learn how we develop inner peace when the world around us seems so chaotic.

10/11/2025

How do we get to lust in our intimate relationships? Play needs to be successful in the relationship to get to there so why does it feel like play is so hard to get to sometimes?

10/10/2025

Many couples come to therapy for 1 of 3 reasons - wanting growth, unsure if they want to stay together or what that could look like, or trying to figure out how to exit the relationship.

Often the first step in couples therapy or individual therapy where relationships come up in sessions - is learning to "Self-define" - what is really important to each individual? going deeper in self-reflection and define what you need, how to communicate and ask for this effectively.

Many times, clients might say “I don’t know what I feel” or “I don’t know what I think or want” Or they may know but be fearful about speaking it to their partner. Self-defining is the first step in the ongoing process of differentiation within the stages of intimate relationships. Counselling can help navigate this!

10/09/2025

Individuals dealing with social anxiety often experience nervousness, but with the right approach, we can transform these feelings into opportunities for growth, connection, and newfound experiences, ultimately moving from nervousness to empowerment.

If we don’t, it is easy to move from nervous to scared —that can feel more stuck.

10/08/2025

What a profound question I often get asked from many of my female clients: why is ADHD emerging now - in my 40s or 50s? 💛

Many women are first diagnosed with ADHD during perimenopause or menopause — not because it’s new, but because hormone changes make long-hidden symptoms impossible to ignore now. With lower estrogen levels, dopamine declines even further. Both together directly impact our ability to emotionally regulate and feel motivation.

Our coping tools or masking doesn’t work as well. This can lead to brain fog, forgetfulness, and feeling overwhelmed. The coping strategies that once worked suddenly don’t, and it can feel like you’re falling apart. We get tougher on ourselves - the inner critic gets louder.

The truth is, you’re finally seeing what’s been there all along. With the right understanding and tools, clarity, calm, and confidence are absolutely possible. Newer research, tools and information is out there - this can also feel overwhelming.

Slow down, pause and reach out for support. You don’t have to do this alone and making yourself a priority — perhaps for the 1st time — is important to begin your next life chapter!

I often say to my clients — You are not just ADHD and you aren’t alone, finding space in therapy for your voice and collaborate is pivotal — let’s figure out what works for you and your life, moving from feeling stuck to a better quality life.

10/01/2025

Tired of waiting months for a counsellor? 💸 Wishing support was actually affordable?

We get it. That’s why our counselling interns (fully supervised by me) are offering:
🌿 Free first session
🌿 Video, phone, or in-person
🌿 Flexible rates that fit real life

Because your mental health can’t wait. Want to jump right in, you can book your free first session with Rose or Sophia today!

📞 Want to know more…Call today for a free consult and let’s chat about what’s possible for you. You don’t have to wait months to start feeling better.

Ann Vermette is a Licensed Counselling Therapist, Coach and Owner