What is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)?  Sensitive.  Irritable.  Defensive.  Maybe you’ve been labeled by others over the years who don’t understand just how painful it can be to live with an overwhelming aversion or fear to any type of rejection.  And it’s about more than just rejection. We’re not just talking about getting turned down for a date or when …

Love Languages: A Familiar Framework Many people who come to my therapy couch have heard of the Five Love Languages, including queer couples. The concept has been hugely popular and has resonated with many people. The idea that we all fall into one of five categories can seem enticing and seems to promise a way to satisfy that deep desire …

If managing money feels harder for you than it seems to for everyone else, you are not alone. Maybe you’ve forgotten to pay bills, avoided checking your bank account, made an impulsive purchase you later regretted, or promised yourself that this time you’ll stick to a budget, only to watch the plan fall apart. For many people, ADHD and money …

The Trouble with Neurodivergent Brains and Anxiety For a lot of people, anxiety advice starts to sound the same. Breathe deeply. Meditate. Stay present. Keep a gratitude journal. If you’ve tried those things and walked away feeling more frustrated than calmer, you’re not alone. For many neurodivergent people, anxiety doesn’t respond to the same strategies that are often recommended – …

Written by Stacey Squires, MSW, RSW & Angela Dore, MSW, RSW How We Avoid Sitting With Emotions Scroll. Clean the kitchen. Stay busy. Call a friend. Work late. Eat. Spend. Research. Solve the problem. Most of us would rather do almost anything other than sit with our emotions, especially the uncomfortable ones. Maybe you’ve noticed yourself reaching for your phone …

Written by Laura Coulombe, Registered Psychologist & Founder of Eclipse Psychology www.eclipsepsychology.ca Introduction You may have heard of this weird sounding type of therapy called EMDR, otherwise known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is certainly a mouthful, but it is also a well researched and evidence based therapy that has been shown to be highly effective in helping people …

Why choose self-compassion?  Making the journey from self-criticism to self-compassion isn’t an easy one. Many of us assume that being hard on ourselves is what drives us to succeed, improve, or stay accountable. That critical inner voice can be oh so familiar, so loud and relentless, and feel like an essential (or only) source of motivation. And yet, if criticism …

What is Alexithymia?  Most people haven’t heard of alexithymia, and yet it’s estimated that one in ten people struggle with it (Goerlich, 2018). The word was coined by two psychologists in the 70s (Nemiah & Sifneos, 1972), meaning an “inability to describe feelings correctly” or “no words for emotions.” This describes one aspect; it’s so much more under the surface.  …

Receiving answers about our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are invaluable to help us understand ourselves better. Whether you are looking for clarity on why you may have difficulties concentrating on tasks or communicating with others, psychological assessments can provide us with these answers. What are Psychological Assessments? Psychological assessments include the use of screeners, comprehensive testing, and diagnostic tools to …

Healthy, loving communication is the foundation of a strong relationship. When communication starts to break down, it can lead to conflict, misunderstandings, emotional distance, and a growing sense of unhappiness or disconnection.  Many couples find themselves having the same argument over and over, feeling unheard, misunderstood, or unsure how to reconnect. Communication issues are one of the top reasons couples …

Seven Strategies to Spring Clean People Pleasing: Learn how to stop people pleasing, set healthy boundaries, reduce resentment, and make space for your needs with practical, realistic strategies.

Finally having a word for why you’ve been struggling all those years can feel like a celebration and a huge relief, but it can also bring grief, anger, and sadness for all the years you had to struggle without knowing why. Maybe there were impulsive decisions, difficult relationships, feeling like you’re lazy or a failure, or feeling a lot of …

Friendships in adulthood often don’t formally end, they just change or fade. Sometimes it can be a sharp pain and the source is clear. Other times the changes are quiet enough that you don’t realize you’re grieving it, the vibe is just off. There’s no clear moment to point to, no conversation that marks the shift. Just a growing sense …

Lately, many people have been carrying a quiet sense of heaviness. You might notice it while scrolling the news, hearing conversations about global conflict, injustice, or violence, or simply feeling a weight in your chest that wasn’t there before. When distressing events dominate headlines and social media, it can leave us feeling overwhelmed, helpless, or even emotionally numb. If you’ve …

Written by Angela McGrath, Registered Provisional PsychologistOriginally published on Inner Work Psychology In my therapy practice, I help my clients understand and shift their insecure attachment and improve their relationships. But our attachment styles shape not only how we connect with others, but how we see and feel about ourselves. If you ever find yourself struggling with self-doubt, insecurity, or not …

At Calm Harbour Counselling, we thought we’d start out the year reflecting on the books that have made a big impact on us as people, how we support clients and continue growing as therapists. Whether you’re in therapy, considering it, or simply curious about emotional wellbeing, these books offer gentle insight, practical tools, and a sense of being seen.  Angela’s …

Thriving Through the Holidays often requires a bit of intention because the season can stir up stress as easily as it stirs up joy. A lot of people head into December already tired, then feel pulled in several directions by family expectations, financial strain, social events, and the emotional work of keeping everyone else comfortable. Many people arrive in December …

If you’ve scrolled through social media or talked to friends about therapy lately, you’ve probably encountered mentions of EMDR. But what exactly is this acronym that keeps popping up, and why are so many people talking about it? EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based, clinician-led psychotherapy that supports the brain’s natural ability to process and resolve distressing …

When ADHD is part of a relationship, connection can take extra care.
At Calm Harbour Counselling, we support couples in understanding how ADHD shapes communication, routines, and emotional responses. Therapy offers tools and insights to reduce conflict, strengthen understanding, and reconnect with intention. Whether one or both partners are neurodivergent, we help you find ways to grow together, with clarity, compassion, and curiosity.

Angela McGrath explores how early attachment experiences shape our sense of self and impact adult relationships. She gently guides readers through the roots of attachment wounds and outlines what healing can look like in therapy.

Burnout often gets described as feeling overworked or overwhelmed. In sessions, people often describe being ‘beyond exhausted,’ ‘running on empty,’ or having ‘nothing left to give. At first glance, maybe this is something that can be solved by taking a break or getting some rest. But for many neurodivergent folks, burnout isn’t just about needing a vacation, it’s a nervous …

How the Nervous System Reacts to Danger Our body has a built-in response called “fight-or-flight” when we face danger. It makes our heart race, our breathing speed up, and sharpens our senses to help us react quickly. This response is essential for protecting us – just imagine living without it! In today’s world, this response often activates for stressors like …

Exploring Different Therapeutic Approaches with Calm Harbour Counselling  At Calm Harbour Counselling, we recognize that everyone’s journey is unique. Our therapists bring a wealth of experience across a range of therapeutic approaches, allowing us to carefully tailor our support to align with your individual needs and values. Whether you’re familiar with therapy or exploring it for the first time, we’re …