Rainstorm Counselling & Consulting

04/10/2026

When I lost my Dad, I had a lot of questions about how services for older men like him could be improved. Now, 15 years later, the Canadian government has the same questions. And they want your input. DEADLINE JUNE 1!!!!

"Too often, the message men and boys hear is to tough it out, to stay quiet and to deal with it alone," Minister of Women and Gender Equality Rechie Valdez said at the news conference. "But real strength is taking care of your health, showing up for the people who count on you and knowing when to reach out for help," she said.

The federal government is launching a "national conversation" to inform a future strategy on men's and boys' health.

04/01/2026

I've heard people say they wish their therapist told them much sooner that they should divorce. But we really don't like doing that. Our job is to hold space for hope! ... That being said, there's space for a neutral and objective assessment of where you are at, so you can make your own decisions. If you are feeling stuck or torn, here's a test that might help. (And check out all the other tests Psychology Today has too!)

Couples marry for love, and for many additional reasons. Emotional and financial security along with the desire to start a family rank high among them. Incompatibility causes most breakups in the first year of marriage, but over time, personality differences, finances, and other factors tend to unra...

03/25/2026

As I get more into couples counselling these last few years, an interesting spinoff has been the need for services to help adult children and their aging parents work out their differences. (Two weeks ago I posted a resource for parents who have adult kids who still need a lot of extra help.) The generation gap is real, but the next generation is less inclined to stick around than we used to be at that age. This is a full length (or longer) - but truly fascinating Oprah episode on the topic. So many aspects to this complicated issue. I think she does a great job holding space for both sides of the story.

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/?sub_confirmation=1In a groundbreaking conversation about one of the fastest-growing cultural shifts of our time: Op...

03/19/2026

I don't condone those reels with random lists that could be symptoms of ADHD, or of a lot of other things too. But I do love The Holderness Family. And I hope you have fun with this song!

I don't provide assessments or diagnoses. But I can do you one better than using a reel like this to decide whether to proceed with an assessment. Ask me how!

If you have ADHD, you are not alone. In fact, you can do great things!Learn more about the book here: https://theholdernessfamily.com/adhd-is-awesome/__Thank...

03/11/2026

Hi Facebook! It’s been a while. Two whole years, in fact. And in the quiet moments, I’ve often thought about this space.

Today, I wanted to share something that might resonate with many of you. It’s a collection of stories and resources about the unique and often challenging journey of parenting adult children who still need our support. It can be a lonely road, navigating that delicate balance of holding on and letting go. This resource from HeretoHelp.bc.ca offers a powerful reminder that you are not alone. It’s filled with personal stories, practical advice on boundaries, and a whole lot of compassion.

If you’re in this chapter of life, I hope you find some comfort and validation in these stories. And I hope you know that it’s okay to feel all the things you’re feeling.

Here is the link to the resource (and see you again very soon): https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/visions/supporting-adult-children-vol15

PDF | EPUB | Vol. 15, No. 1 (2019)

04/24/2024

“Screen Time & The Neurodivergent Brain: Modern Day Mental Health Considerations"

Is too much of your day spent in a power struggle with your kid over screen time? (Or maybe trying to get away from the distraction of ever-present screens yourself?)

I've just released my very first on-demand workshop! In it, I propose a broad, three step framework for healthy use of screens, and taking back your family life. At least half of the workshop is devoted to actionable strategies you can put into practice today. Follow the link below to purchase.
https://www.neurodiversityfamilycentre.com/challenge-page/screentime

09/15/2023

Last year I wrote a couple of blog posts on adult ADHD, which is essentially a developmental delay in executive functioning skills. Heres a general guide to the different areas that comprise executive functioning, and what (broad) age they might develop in neurotypical brains. (Lots of other good stuff at this site too!)

What age does executive functioning develop? Explore the growth of cognitive, communication, and motor skills from infancy to adulthood.

06/07/2023

Last month I took some time off, and watched 10 hrs of interviews with experts at Bright and Quirky's *Screen Time and Mental Health* summit. (Wow, i learned so much that I wish I knew twenty years ago, when raising my own kids!) I'm inspired to write another blog series - so look out for that upcoming. In the meantime, here's a podcast "why we should all strive to be GOOD ENOUGH digital parents". It's 40 min long, so note the button on the link to access the transcript if you prefer. Also, scroll down even more to check out episode 181 "4 Tips to Stop the Technology Tantrums" - something I hear a LOT about from my clients.

All the experts tell us that kids should grow up without screens. And while screen-free parenting is a cool idea - let's be honest, it doesn't actually work. The No Guilt Mom podcast welcomes Dr. Katie Davis this week to share how you can parent both with and without screens the right way!

06/01/2023

Is this you? Someone you know? In my work at The Neurodiversity Family Centre, I've been seeing more and more neurodiverse couples coming to me for help.

Adult attachment theory (evidence based) says that how we attach to our primary caregivers as children sets patterns in motion for how we connect to our significant others as adults. (These aren't the only two styles, there are two others.) Some sources call the "anxious" partner ... "preoccupied" instead. I think that's a better name. Because in this cycle, its important to remember the avoidant partner is anxious (overwhelmed) too - its just more hidden. Each partner is exhibiting behaviours that create worry in the other. Ready to work? I can help.

05/31/2023

Keep an eye on this space - new blog posting on Screen Time and Mental Health upcoming! (Chock full of info and tips that I wish I'd known 15-20 years ago!)

05/25/2023

Teach your children (and yourself!) a powerful antidote to Shame.

Shame starts in childhood, and tells us we are broken in some way. Parents tell me about their kids saying "sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry ..." and how annoying it is. It doesn't feel apologetic to them. Or "i'm sorry I'm a horrible kid!" Huh? Parents get confused. While guilt can sometimes be useful ("I did something bad), shame is not ("I am bad").

Simply reminding your child that they are not bad may do very little to shift Shame. If life is feeling unmanageable and you are feeling weighed down by all your (very Canadian!) "sorry's" .. who do you need to say "thank you" to instead?

05/24/2023

This past week I took some time off, and watched 10 hrs of interviews with experts at Bright and Quirky's *Screen Time and Mental Health* summit. (Wow, i learned so much that I wish I knew twenty years ago, when raising my own kids!) I'm inspired to write another blog series - so look out for that upcoming. In the meantime, here's a podcast "why we should all strive to be GOOD ENOUGH digital parents". It's 40 min long, so note the button linked here to access the transcript if you prefer. Also, scroll down even more to check out episode 181 "4 Tips to Stop the Technology Tantrums" - something I hear a LOT about from my clients.

All the experts tell us that kids should grow up without screens. And while screen-free parenting is a cool idea - let's be honest, it doesn't actually work. The No Guilt Mom podcast welcomes Dr. Katie Davis this week to share how you can parent both with and without screens the right way!