Whatever it is, talking about it can help.

People usually seek out therapy because of: symptoms (depression, anxiety, grief, etc.), behaviours (self-harm, addiction, criticism, etc.) or relationships (conflicts, breakups, loneliness, etc.). But therapy is not only for those who are suffering. Taking care of your emotional health is important and seeing a therapist is an excellent way to engage in proactive self-care.

Have you seen your family doctor?

It is a good idea to see your physician prior to or during talk therapy. Sometimes symptoms of illnesses such as hyperthyroidism can mimic anxiety or hypothyroidism can mimic depression. Seeing your family doctor is especially important if you have found talk therapy unhelpful to you in the past.

Trauma

Experiencing a traumatic event can have short- or long-term consequences. Not everyone will experience a potentially traumatic event in the same way. Traumatic events are commonly associated with things such as sexual or physical assaults, car accidents, a sudden death of a loved one, or witnessing a violent event. However, individuals can also be traumatized by a loss of a relationship such as a long-time friend or spouse, a sudden loss of a beloved career, losing a pet, or experiencing a humiliating moment. Often these types of traumas are minimized and garner less sympathy, but they can cause legitimate emotional suffering and maladaptive coping behaviours; especially if there is repeated exposure to these events. Trauma can manifest in a variety of ways, but the most common symptoms of trauma are:
  • Experiencing anxiety and/or panic

  • Feeling overwhelming fear

  • Feelings of guilt and/or shame

  • Feeling unexplained pain in your body

  • Feeling angry and/or irritable

  • Feeling “on edge” and easily startled; always needing to be alert and on the lookout for potential danger

  • Feeling distress and/or anguish

  • Experiencing flashbacks of the event

  • Having intrusive thoughts such as “what if..?”

  • Feeling like you’re in a state of shock

  • Feeling nothing at all anymore (emotionally numb)

  • Feelings of exhaustion or fatigue

  • Having sleep disturbances/nightmares

  • Loss of memory, trouble concentrating, confusion

  • Having mood swings

  • Avoiding people or places that may trigger memories of the traumatic event

  • Isolating yourself, withdrawing from friends and activities

Complex Trauma

Struggling with complex trauma is similar to struggling with trauma in the following ways: both are a result of experiencing a traumatic event and both can include some or all of the symptoms outlined above. The difference between trauma and complex trauma is that complex trauma commonly results from experiencing repeated trauma, usually childhood abuse. But this can include other types of traumatic experiences. The other differences between complex trauma and trauma are that those struggling with complex trauma commonly experience additional symptoms such as:   

  • Having a difficult time regulating your emotions. This may look like extreme anger, depression, suicidal thoughts or drastic mood swings from one to another. This may also look like having a hard time identifying and expressing your emotions or having a hard time communicating your needs to others.

  • Difficulty controlling your impulses, aggression, or self-soothing in unhealthy ways.

  • Lost memories of the trauma experience or reliving the experiences.

  • Dissociation or feeling like you are detached from yourself, like you are an observer of yourself and/or feeling as though the world is dreamlike or not real.

  • Negative self-perception. This may look like feeling like you’re totally different from everyone else and feeling excessive shame and guilt. This may also look like having low self-esteem, being over-critical and negative about yourself and/or having a disturbed body image.

  • Having a hard time in your relationships (personal and/or professional). This may look like having difficulty trusting anyone, having a hard time understanding or establishing healthy boundaries, difficulty noticing or responding to other people’s emotions, a pattern of seeking out someone to save you or even a pattern of seeking out someone to abuse you or isolating yourself from others.

  • Feeling as though you have lost your beliefs, values, faith or hope in the world or people.

Anxiety

General Anxiety can be understood as when fear or worry reduces your quality of life. You may be afraid of a certain situation and feel as though fear is holding you back in life, or you may feel worried and find yourself thinking a lot about the future and possible negative outcomes. For example, worrying about things such as paying bills, your personal safety, failure or your relationships can be perfectly normal. But if you find yourself worrying about these and other things more than others, maybe it’s time to talk to someone. Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms such as sleep disturbances, feeling tense, increased heart rate, breathing difficulties or stomach upset.

When treating anxiety, we are committed to meeting you where you are at. You will never be forced or coerced into doing anything you are not ready for. Sometimes you may benefit from exercises such as gradual exposure or activities in the community. This would be a collaborative decision between you and your therapist.

Winnipeg Therapy Anxiety Depression

Social Anxiety

Does your heart pound, your body tremble or your skin flush at the thought of meeting friends for lunch, going on a date, or public speaking? Do others describe you as shy or introverted but you know that it goes beyond that? If you find yourself in fear of being scrutinized or judged by others and as a result you avoid social situations, you may be struggling with social anxiety. This type of anxiety can cause distorted thoughts such as being very critical of yourself and assuming that others are thinking negative thoughts about you, too. Social anxiety can greatly reduce your quality of life but it can help to talk to someone about it.

Phobias

We are all a little afraid of some things. Some are afraid of insects like spiders or cockroaches; animals such as cats, dogs or snakes; things such as water, heights, or blood; or of activities such as flying or driving. But if you experience intense anxiety related to something and actively avoid the situation at all costs, you may have a phobia. 

Panic Attacks

Sometimes anxiety can become physiologically intense resulting in physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, hyperventilating, shaking or trouble breathing. This is commonly known as a panic attack and can be very scary. Often people who are experiencing a panic attack think they are having a heart attack or are dying. Often, people who experience panic attacks then start to worry about having another attack and start avoiding social situations or normal daily activities such as driving or going to the store. This can lead to agoraphobia (fear of being away from home or being in crowded places) which can drastically reduce your quality of life. If you are struggling and wish things could be different, help is available. Remember, Winnipeg Talk Therapy offers in-home services and there are effective treatments available!

Depression

Everyone feels sad or struggles with being hopeful and positive at times. These are normal responses to setbacks or challenges in life. But if sadness and hopelessness persist or increases in severity to the point that your daily functioning is impacted, maybe it’s time to talk to someone. Signs and symptoms of depression can include:

  • General depressed mood

  • Excessive sadness

  • Overwhelming fatigue

  • Sense of hopelessness and/or helplessness

  • You no longer have interest in or get pleasure from once enjoyable activities

  • Significant increase or decrease in weight related to changes in appetite

  • You’re unable to sleep or you’re sleeping too much

  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

  • Finding it hard to think, concentrate or make decisions

  • Reoccurring thoughts of death

Winnipeg Talk Therapy Depression

Grief & Loss

There are several types of grief including ‘typical’ grief, anticipatory grief, chronic grief, complicated grief, delayed grief, disenfranchised grief, ambiguous loss or absent grief. It’s important to acknowledge and learn how to manage the grief you may be feeling and potentially find the meaning in it. Grief and loss are commonly understood as a result of a loved one passing away. While this is true, grief and loss can be experienced for a variety of other reasons such as the breakdown or loss of a relationship unrelated to death, the loss of normal life such as what has happened due to the pandemic, when a pet passes away, losing a job, losing your youth, when someone hurts you, becoming ill, when placing a baby for adoption, being an adoptee, or as a result of losing your culture and identity.

While grief shares characteristics with depression, it isn’t a disorder. Grief is a natural process that most people experience after losing someone or some thing they care about.

Winnipeg Therapy Grief Loss

Everyone grieves in their own time. Most people go through a process of grief where you learn to adjust to the physical absence of someone or some thing while continuing to have a psychological or emotional connection to them or it. Time does not necessarily heal all wounds; it is what you do with that time that makes the difference. If you feel stuck in your grief and want to move forward, talking about it can help.

Symptoms can include a wide range of emotional states or physical symptoms such as:

  • Anger and/or irritability

  • Guilt

  • Self-blame

  • Sadness and/or loneliness

  • Anxiety

  • Numbness, detachment and/or shock

  • Fatigue

  • Headache

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Physical weakness

  • Changes in appetite

  • Muscle soreness or tension

In the early phase of grief symptoms can include intense feelings and extreme reactions. However, when these feelings persist for a long time and if grief counselling has not been helpful, perhaps you’re experiencing complicated grief and need further intervention. If you’re grieving and find yourself thinking about suicide or other persistent symptoms of depression, maybe it’s time to talk to someone.

Relationships & Loneliness

Winnipeg Therapy Relationships Loneliness

Healthy relationships are so important to our well-being because they keep us healthier and happier. Studies show that people who are more connected to family, friends and community are happier, physically healthier, and they live longer than people who are less well connected.

The experience of loneliness can be toxic. Studies have shown that people who are isolated from others more than they want to be find that they are less happy, their health declines earlier in midlife, brain functioning declines sooner and they live shorter lives than people who are not lonely.

Loneliness can be experienced even when you’re surrounded by people or if you’re in a committed relationship. It’s not just the number of people in your life, it’s the quality of your close relationships that matters, as having healthy relationships in our lives can buffer us from challenges we’re facing.

Even good relationships don’t have to be smooth all the time. It is normal to have arguments, disagreements and other ups and downs in any relationship. Because relationships are messy and complicated they often involve hard work and sometimes we don’t know how to nurture our relationships or solve problems when they arise. If you’re dealing with issues such as communication breakdowns, constant arguments, loneliness, betrayal, or frustration with the intimate, parent/child, friend or professional relationships in your life, let’s talk and figure it out together.

Life Decisions, Meaning & Purpose

Making life decisions can be overwhelming at any stage of life. Whether you’re making decisions about emerging into adulthood, parenthood or retirement, the consequences of decisions can make the process difficult for many people. Some people fear making poor choices, some are dissatisfied with choices they’ve already made and some are paralyzed and cannot make any choices at all. Those who struggle with decisions may need some assistance figuring out how they really feel about something. Learning to be self-aware is really important in order to feel confident when making choices. Some individuals need practical help figuring out all of their available options. Some individuals need help differentiating between the things you can control and how to take healthy, calculated risks. Finally, some individuals need help accepting uncertainty. Sometimes we are unable to control any outcome despite making healthy, appropriate decisions. It’s okay to make mistakes, and in fact, mistakes allow you to learn to make wiser choices in the future.

Life Purpose – Many people struggle to find their purpose in life and our sense of purpose can change following significant life events (becoming a parent, changes in relationships, retirement, etc.). Purpose can be the motivation that guides your decisions, influences your behaviour, creates direction in your life and provides meaning. If you need help figuring out what you’re passionate about and turning that passion into action, maybe it’s time to talk to someone.

Meaning – Many individuals struggle with existential anxieties and the human need for meaning and authenticity. Individuals often struggle with the meaning of life, pondering existential questions such as “why am I here?” or “why me?” Some individuals wonder how to create meaning out of painful life experiences. Meaning can provide a stable centering effect in a world that is confusing and overwhelming. Finding meaning is not only a potentially healthy coping mechanism, it is also a basic human need.

Spirituality

In our practice, we recognize and embrace the profound role that spirituality can play in personal growth and healing. For those seeking therapy for spiritual reasons, we offer a space to explore and deepen your understanding of the self as not just a physical being, but a manifestation of consciousness.

Our approach integrates traditional therapeutic techniques with spiritual principles, assisting you in discovering a more harmonious relationship between body, mind, and spirit.

Whether you are seeking to cultivate a deeper sense of mindfulness, understand your life’s purpose, or explore the connection between your physical health and spiritual well-being, our therapy sessions are designed to support your journey. We provide guidance on treating the body as an expression of consciousness, embracing practices that nurture both physical and spiritual health.

Our approach is also suited for those grappling with existential questions, seeking spiritual direction, or looking to integrate their spiritual beliefs into their daily lives. In this journey, we honor and respect your individual beliefs and experiences, offering a compassionate and open-minded space for spiritual exploration and growth.

Not sure what’s wrong, but know you need help? That’s okay.

Book an appointment and we’ll figure it out together.