New Aniibiish, 209 Yale Avenue West, Winnipeg, MB (2025)

07/14/2025

Boredom isn’t a problem—it’s a gift. As adults, we often find ourselves on the hamster wheel of life juggling responsibilities, overcommitting, saying yes to every invitation, and filling every gap in our schedule with something “productive.” Kids aren’t exempt either. We sign them up for camps, activities, playdates, and outings in an attempt to ward off boredom.

But what if boredom is exactly what we all need more of?

Boredom, especially in children, fosters imagination, self-regulation, and creative problem-solving. It’s not something to be avoided it’s something to be embraced.

And the same applies to us.

There’s wisdom in doing less.
Saying no.
Being still.
Missing the BBQ.
Letting silence stretch a little longer than feels comfortable.

Instead of FOMO and fearing the “empty” moments, we can choose to see them as opportunities for rest, reflection, creativity, and connection. Maybe this summer, instead of packing every day full, we give ourselves and our children permission to be a little bored and let that be enough. ❤️

06/15/2025

Today, I want to take a moment to recognize the profound importance of fathers and father figures in shaping our lives, families, and communities.

To the men who show up with presence, patience, and love—thank you. Especially and personally .hayward Whether through biological ties, blended families, or chosen relationships, your efforts to nurture, protect, and guide do not go unnoticed. You are helping to build secure foundations for future generations.

And to those who are trying—despite not having had strong models themselves—I see you too. Many grew up in homes where tenderness was scarce, vulnerability discouraged, or emotional connection absent. The courage it takes to unlearn those patterns and choose a different path is worthy of deep respect.

Fatherhood is not about perfection. It’s about the willingness to grow, repair, and love in ways that promote safety, stability, and emotional connection. That is enough. That matters.

Let’s celebrate the men who are walking that path, and hold space for those still finding their way. Healing is possible, and it’s never too late to become the father—or the kind of person—you needed as a child.

06/07/2025

Gentle reminder ❤️

05/21/2025

As psychotherapists, we know that connection is often the cornerstone of healing. In recent years, research has increasingly supported what many of us have intuitively known: the presence of animals, particularly dogs, can enhance therapeutic rapport, reduce anxiety, and support emotional regulation.

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) integrates trained animals into therapeutic interventions, offering clients a co-regulator who is nonjudgmental, attuned, and responsive. From a neurobiological lens, interaction with animals has been shown to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reduce cortisol levels, and promote oxytocin release—creating a sense of safety and grounding that is essential for trauma processing and emotional growth.

Bringing a dog to work in a therapeutic or clinical setting doesn’t just benefit clients; it can positively impact staff well-being, reduce burnout, and enhance the emotional tone of the workplace.

As mental health professionals, creating spaces that foster safety and connection is essential—and sometimes, that includes four paws, a wagging tail, and a calm presence on the office floor.

Have you integrated animal-assisted therapy into your practice or workplace? I’d love to hear how it’s supported your clients or team.

05/11/2025

Mother’s Day is widely recognized as a time to express love, gratitude, and admiration for mothers. However, for many, this day may evoke complex and painful emotions. Not all individuals carry fond memories or nurturing experiences with their mothers. The presence of mental illness, addiction, or other adverse circumstances may have contributed to significant attachment wounds, making this day one of grief rather than celebration.

To those for whom this resonates, I extend a heartfelt hope that someone—a teacher, a neighbour, a caregiver—offered you moments of comfort and kindness. And if not, may you look inward and honour the strength, resilience, and compassion you embody today. You are worthy of tenderness, care, and self-love—not just today, but every day. ❤️

05/01/2025

Today, I’m pausing to reflect with deep gratitude.

To my community—thank you for the strength, connection, and sense of belonging you bring to my life. In moments of both challenge and celebration, your presence is a reminder that we’re never meant to journey alone.

To my colleagues—your dedication, insight, and quiet acts of support do not go unnoticed. The work we do together, often behind the scenes, has impact—and I’m grateful to be part of a professional circle committed to growth, compassion, and meaningful change.

And to my friends—thank you for holding space, for the laughter, for the check-ins, and for showing up in both the light and the dark. Your friendship is a steadying anchor.

We build each other. We lift. We listen. And together, we rise.

Thank you.

04/28/2025

Today is Election Day in Canada — a day to honour one of our most fundamental rights and responsibilities.

Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. They shape not just our government, but the direction of our economy, the strength of our social programs, and the values we uphold both at home and on the world stage.

Each vote contributes to how we build a stronger, more inclusive nation — one that reflects our shared commitment to opportunity, compassion, innovation, and integrity.
It influences how we care for our citizens, invest in future generations, and collaborate with our global partners in creating a more just, sustainable world.

Voting is not just an act of choice — it is an act of hope, a declaration of belief in the future we want to create together.

If you are able, I encourage you: make your voice heard today.
Our country’s strength depends on the active participation of its people.

04/23/2025

“When the nervous system regains its capacity to feel safe, individuals can express themselves genuinely, engage comfortably with others, and embrace a life of greater openness and ease.” — Dr. Stephen Porges & Karen Onderko

As a registered provider of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), I’m excited to recommend Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change, and Healing—a powerful new book by Karen Onderko and Dr. Stephen Porges.

This book offers a comprehensive and compassionate look at how Polyvagal Theory and auditory interventions can support profound healing. SSP uses filtered music to engage the social engagement system and shift the nervous system toward greater regulation and resilience.

In my practice, I’ve seen how SSP helps clients with developmental trauma and attachment disruptions expand their window of tolerance, feel safer in their bodies, and increase emotional regulation—even outside of sessions.

The book includes clinical insight and real-life stories from those navigating depression, ADHD, perfectionism, gender identity, Parkinson’s, autism, and more—highlighting the broad impact of this approach.

You can learn more here:
Unyte: Introducing Safe and Sound – A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change and Healing

Whether you’re a therapist, educator, or someone on your own healing journey, this is an essential read.

04/22/2025

Clients continuously, and often unconsciously, assess our tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, and energetic availability for cues of safety or “neuroception”.

When we are fully present — regulated, attuned, and emotionally accessible — we offer a powerful social cue that can shift a client’s nervous system from defense (sympathetic activation or dorsal vagal shutdown) toward safety (ventral vagal engagement).

In this way, therapeutic presence is not simply a “soft skill.” As Dr. Porges explains
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIONBtytiTm/?igsh=YTBiaThuZWViM2tp
it is a core clinical intervention grounded in neuroscience.
Being accessible is not just about being available — it is about offering a nervous system that is regulated enough to invite co-regulation, exploration, and ultimately, healing ❤️‍🩹 Effective therapy begins not with techniques, but with the therapist’s ability to embody safety.

04/21/2025

In psychology, the theory of environmental self-regulation suggests that individuals interact with their environments in ways that support emotional stability, identity continuity, and stress management. Everyday objects—such as a favourite coffee mug—play an often-overlooked role in this process.

Environmental self-regulation posits that individuals curate their physical spaces to maintain psychological equilibrium. A personal mug, used daily, becomes more than a functional item; it is a transitional object (Winnicott, 1953) that fosters emotional grounding by linking the present to familiar, comforting experiences.

Research (e.g., Gosling et al., 2002) in environmental and personality psychology has shown that personally meaningful objects enhance feelings of control, stability, and self-expression. In work environments, especially those characterized by high demands and rapid change, small rituals involving familiar objects can support emotional resilience and cognitive performance.

Thus, reaching for a favourite mug is not simply a habit—it is an unconscious strategy of self-regulation, buffering against the psychological impacts of stress and uncertainty.

How have you curated your environment—intentionally or unintentionally—to support your well-being?

04/14/2025

Sometimes, the best thing we can do for ourselves — and our clients — is slow down and take in something nourishing. This morning, it’s a cup of tea, a quiet corner, and The Polyvagal Theory Workbook for Trauma by Arielle Schwartz, PhD.

As a Somatic Experiencing practitioner, I deeply appreciate how this book blends theory with practical, body-based exercises. It offers accessible ways to regulate, rebalance, and rewire the nervous system without reliving the trauma — something so crucial for trauma-informed care.

I’ll definitely be sharing insights, exercises and the workbook with clients. It’s a valuable tool for supporting nervous system resilience, cultivating safety, and gently guiding healing through the body.

Polyvagal theory continues to shape the way we understand trauma, and this workbook brings it to life beautifully.

04/03/2025

In the evolving field of integrative mental health, Audiovisual Entrainment (AVE) is emerging as a powerful, science-backed tool for enhancing emotional and cognitive well-being. One of the most effective and user-friendly AVE technologies available today is the DAVID Delight Pro—a portable device that gently and safely guides the brain into optimal states using precisely timed pulses of light and sound.

This device helps shift brainwave frequencies—boosting mood, improving sleep, enhancing focus, deepening relaxation, and even supporting memory and neurological health.

How It Works:
AVE uses rhythmic flashes of light and pulses of sound to synchronize brainwave activity. By changing your brainwave frequencies, you’re essentially shifting your mental state—like tuning into a different station on the radio. These sessions can help guide the brain into states of relaxation (alpha/theta), focus (beta), sleep (delta), or heightened awareness and cognitive function (gamma).

In addition to immediate effects, AVE improves brain health over time by increasing cerebral blood flow and stimulating the release of key neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and endorphins—all essential for emotional balance and resilience. We use the made in Canada 🇨🇦 Davids Delight Pro with our clients https://mindalive.com/products/david-delight-pro

New Aniibiish