Behold Counselling Services

05/06/2025

Sleep has been an issue. You too? I try to remind myself grief is not something to be "fixed" — it is sacred work in honouring the people or dreams we lost and accepting the pace of heart/body/mind recovers from tragedy. It's been a paradox of tragedy and beauty to pay witness to the community solidarity in the aftermath of the Lapu-Lapu festival tragedy.

This week, I returned to a book I read in grad school:The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief by Francis Weller. Francis is a psychotherapist, author, and soul activist who weaves together psychology, ritual, and indigenous wisdom to guide people through the sacred work of grief and emotional healing.

One reframe I appreciated remembering from his book is about "The Apprenticeship with Sorrow", this idea that grief is an apprenticeship — a lifelong initiation. We must "lean into" grief, not rush through it. Grieving is generative - strengthens compassion and soul depth and not be afraid to go there. I have felt a mix of vivid urgency to show up for my clients and community and also a deep dreaded bargaining stage of "why God!"

So let's keep collectively live into the paradox; build the necessary village to metabolize WTFshock, anger, sadness, nightmares, flashbacks, and all the in-betweeness of this dark night of the soul for our city

Thankful to hear the beautiful voices singing Amazing Grace. "Sorrow carves space in the heart for greater love"-Weller.

Hundreds gathered Sunday evening at Kensington Community Centre in Vancouver to mourn the 11 people killed and dozens more injured at the Lapu-Lapu Day festi...

04/16/2025

Yiya leads a guided meditation called "Filling the Pond" to support creatives in recovery. The meditation involves mindful breathing and visualizing a creative pond within oneself, which may feel low or dry due to various reasons. The goal is to reconnect with the artistic part of oneself and sense permission to invest time and energy into creative pursuits. The meditation emphasizes the importance of self-care, soul worth, and the value of play in nurturing one's creativity. , , , , , ,

She leads Artist Way Support Groups for people after solo trauma , entering into intentional post-traumatic growth in solidarity with other creatives

Yiya leads a guided meditation called "Filling the Pond" to support creatives in recovery. The meditation involves mindful breathing and visualizing a creative pond within oneself, which may feel low or dry due to various reasons. The goal is to reconnect with the artistic part of oneself and sense....

04/16/2025

Share this if you don't know how to talk to a friend or family who's stuck in an abuse cycle. Here's a sample of how to talk about hard things like this :

Dear [Friend's Name],

I’ve been thinking of you lately and just wanted to reach out with care and tenderness. I know life can be complicated and full of unspoken challenges—especially in relationships where things aren’t always clear or easy to explain.

I came across this visual the other day that really moved me, and I thought of you—not because I assume anything, but because I love you. It's called "Break Free From Abuse," and it maps out some emotional and behavioural cycles that can show up in relationships—sometimes subtly, sometimes more clearly over time.

👉 (image attached here)

Please know, I’m not sending this because I think I know your story better than you do. I just know how confusing it can be to make sense of things when love is mixed with pain, or when conflict becomes a regular part of a relationship dynamic. This isn’t about labelling anyone or assuming i know what's best for you. I feel anxious but I also want you to know in my heart, you matter. Your safety, your voice, your peace—those things matter deeply to me. I'm taking the risk because you mean so much to me.

The image gave me some language and clarity around things that can otherwise be so blurred, foggy, tabooed. If any of it resonates for you, even a little, I want you to know you can talk to me without judgment, pressure, or expectation. I’m here to walk alongside you, however you need. If you don't think I am the right person, please know you have options to voice. Therapy or support groups are some options .

You deserve to feel safe. You deserve to be cherished and respected—without needing to justify why.

Sending this with so much love. Please take your time with it, or feel free to ignore it altogether if now isn’t the right moment. There is no pressure—just care.

With love,
[Your Name] "

04/01/2025

10 Min Breathing to land and connect to our natural beauty ( version)

https://zoom.us/clips/share/vF1pBBhTSqKe1rOEqS83UA

Yiya guides a 10-minute meditation exercise to help them feel more calm and connected to the land. The exercise involves visualizing the Mountains, the , the Delta farmlands, and the Ocean, and connecting to the strength, flexibility, openness, and love associated with each. The meditation encourages viewers to tension, step back to see the bigger picture, and sense faith, love, and compassion and reconnection to the land.

04/01/2025

Having a hard time shaking off a negative feeling or thought? Breathe with me.

3 MIN Guided Breathing to ground + sooth your mind+body.
https://zoom.us/clips/share/e40WgDgsT5iWnoX1zF9NUg

04/01/2025

Having a hard time winding down at night ? Want to break the bad habit of scrolling in bed before sleep?
Try this meditation that leads you through full body muscle relaxation !

Progressive Relaxation Technique Audio Guide for clients of Behold Counselling.