Strength in Heart Counselling

05/06/2026

A lot of people think their relationship struggles are just "bad luck" or "choosing the wrong people." But often, there's a deeper pattern underneath it.
This is where attachment styles come in.

In simple terms, your attachment style is how you learned to connect, trust, and feel safe with others. Here are the main ones:

- Anxious attachment. You might crave closeness but feel afraid people will leave. This can show up as overthinking, needing reassurance, or feeling emotionally overwhelmed.

- Avoidant attachment. You might value independence so much that closeness feels uncomfortable. This can look like pulling away, shutting down, or struggling to open up.

- Secure attachment. You're able to be close to others while still feeling grounded in yourself. There's trust, communication, and emotional balance.

If you've been noticing patterns like this in your relationships, therapy can be a space to understand them more deeply and start shifting them.

05/05/2026

When your body feels overwhelmed, start here.

Your nervous system is activated. That means trying to "think your way out" doesn't always work. Instead, you can support your body directly.

Here are 3 simple ways to calm your system:

- Slow your exhale. Breathe in normally, then make your exhale longer than your inhale. This signals safety to your body.
- Ground through your senses. Name 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear. It brings you out of your thoughts and into the present moment.
- Change your temperature. Splash cold water on your face or hold something cool. This can quickly reduce intensity in your body.

If your anxiety feels constant or overwhelming, you don't have to manage it alone. Therapy can help you understand what's driving it and build tools that actually work for you.

05/05/2026

EMDR therapy is more than just talking through your experiences. It's about helping your brain process them differently.

When something overwhelming happens, it doesn't always get fully processed. That's when it can feel like certain memories, reactions, or emotions keep coming back.
EMDR helps your brain revisit those experiences in a safe, structured way so they feel less intense over time.

You're not erasing the memory. You're changing how it's stored and how it affects you.

05/04/2026

We're excited to welcome Ashley Bishop to the Strength in Heart team!

Ashley is a Registered Nurse who has made the meaningful transition into counselling, bringing a truly unique perspective to mental health support. Having spent years caring for patients in clinical settings, Ashley understands on a deep level what it means to hold space for someone in pain.

She specializes in postpartum depression, anxiety, and trauma, and her approach is warm, grounded, and completely client-centered. Whether you're a new parent feeling overwhelmed, someone navigating anxiety, or healing from difficult experiences, Ashley offers a safe and compassionate space to begin.

Ashley sees clients in-person at our Cobble Hill office in the Cowichan Valley, and virtually across all of BC.

The first full session with Ashley is free, and then $35 each. Free 20-minute intake consultation is also available.

Read more about Ashley's journey on our blog and book your free consultation today.

Blog: https://www.strengthinheart.ca/blog/2026/5/4/meet-ashley-bishop-registered-nurse-amp-compassionate-counsellor-in-cobble-hill-and-online-across-bc

Book: https://strengthinheart.janeapp.com

04/28/2026

We’re hiring! Strength in Heart Counselling is looking for a Part-Time Administrative Assistant / Intake Coordinator to support our growing counselling clinic.

If you’re warm, organized, and love helping people take the first step toward care, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply here: https://www.strengthinheart.ca/blog/2026/4/28/we-are-hiring-part-time-administrative-assistant-intake-coordinator-mental-health

Please share with someone who’d be a great fit.

We’re hiring! Part-Time Administrative Assistant / Intake Coordinator (Mental Health). 75% virtual position supporting counselling in Victoria, BC and online across Canada.

04/27/2026

Sometimes it's racing thoughts. Sometimes it's trouble sleeping. Sometimes it's avoiding things that suddenly feel overwhelming.
A few signs anxiety might be taking up more space than it should:

• Your mind keeps replaying worries or "what if" scenarios
• Falling asleep is harder because your brain won't slow down
• You start avoiding situations that make you anxious
• Stress shows up physically like tension or headaches
• You feel like you're dealing with everything on your own

If any of that sounds familiar, therapy can help you sort through it and build tools that actually make things easier.

04/24/2026

It's common to feel unsure about starting therapy.

Many people wonder if their concerns are "serious enough" or if they should just handle things on their own. But even one conversation can provide clarity, perspective, and support.

Sometimes the hardest part is simply reaching out.

If something has been weighing on you, you don't have to navigate it alone. Book a session today and take the first step.

04/22/2026

Healthy relationships rely heavily on communication. But communication is more than just talking. It's also about how we listen, respond, and express our needs.

Some habits that can help improve communication include:

• Listening to understand, not just to respond. Giving someone your full attention can help them feel heard.
• Expressing feelings clearly and calmly. Sharing how you feel without blaming can make difficult conversations more productive.
• Asking questions instead of making assumptions. Clarifying intentions can prevent misunderstandings.
• Taking breaks during heated conversations. Sometimes stepping away briefly can help everyone return to the conversation more calmly.

Good communication is something that can be learned and strengthened over time, often with the support of therapy.

04/20/2026

Self-awareness is the ability to notice and understand your thoughts, emotions, and reactions.

It might sound simple, but it's one of the most important skills for supporting mental health.

When we become more aware of our patterns, it becomes easier to recognize things like emotional triggers, stress responses, and the ways we respond to difficult situations.

Self-awareness can help us understand what we're feeling and why, recognize patterns in our reactions, and communicate our needs more clearly.

Without self-awareness, it's easy to move through life reacting automatically to situations. With it, we have more opportunity to pause, reflect, and choose how we want to respond.

This is one of the core things many people begin to develop through therapy.

04/17/2026

Stress, relationships, work pressures, and personal challenges can build up over time, and many people try to manage it all by themselves.

Therapy offers a space where you can talk openly, explore what's going on, and begin to work through things in a supportive environment.
A place where you can start unpacking what's been on your mind. Because that kind of support can make a real difference.

Book your therapy session today and take the first step toward feeling more supported.

04/15/2026

Boundaries are a way of protecting your time, energy, and emotional wellbeing. But many people struggle to recognize when their boundaries may need strengthening.

Some common signs you might need strong boundaries include:

- Feeling constantly overwhelmed by others' needs
- Saying yes when you really want to say no
- Feeling drained after certain interactions
- Feeling responsible for other people's emotions
- Having little time left for yourself

Healthy boundaries aren't about pushing people away. They're about creating space for healthier relationships and protecting your own wellbeing. Learning how to set and maintain boundaries is something many people explore in therapy.

04/13/2026

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗬𝘃𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲, 𝗥𝗦𝗪: 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗜𝘁!

If you've been searching for a therapist who understands the complexities of trauma, addiction, grief, burnout, and alternative relationship structures without judgment, Yvonne Paquette brings both clinical depth and real-world understanding to the therapy room.

Yvonne specializes in:
• Trauma-informed counselling
• Kink-affirming therapy and ethical non-monogamy (ENM)
• Anxiety, depression, and stress
• Grief, loss, and addiction support
• Front-line and workplace burnout
• Identity work and self-empowerment

CVAP & ICBC coverage available.
Her approach blends Internal Family Systems, trauma-informed practice, attachment theory, and harm reduction—creating a space where you can be fully honest about your experiences and feel truly seen.

At Strength in Heart Counselling, Yvonne supports clients in Victoria, BC and online across Canada. She's currently accepting new clients.

Ready to work with a therapist who understands complexity? Book a free consultation today.

Learn more about Yvonne: www.strengthinheart.ca/meet-yvonne