Blog | Whitehouse Psychotherapy

Shelley's Blog

Browse my recent written articles featuring insightful and meaningful information that I believe everyone should know.

Going Back to School – How Will This Affect our Children’s Mental Health?

It’s official. Our kids are going back to school in a few weeks. Parent’s communities online are abuzz with a zillion questions, opinions, perspectives, and fears. So many questions are being raised with no exact answers. In particular, I get a lot of questions that have to do with going...

Children and COVID 19: A day in the life from a child’s perspective.

I wake up, open my eyes and wonder what day it is….I realize that it’s Wednesday. Each day feels the same though and I wonder if my Parents will have the news on already when I go down for breakfast.I realize that this will be another day I will not...

Life in Light of COVID-19 and lack of Self Distractions

Life is very different now in light of our current experience having to self-isolate and socially distance ourselves, isn’t it? For many people, this poses an unwelcome change to their day-to-day as it has been drastically altered in such an instantaneous pace! My name is Shelley, and I am a...

Couple’s Therapy: a New and Important Awareness

As I see couple’s in my practice, what I notice comes up a lot for me is the importance of each partner in a relationship engaging in their own healing work before, entering into the journey and contract of marriage.   When we suffer from childhood trauma, unmet needs and or...

Holiday Season and ‘Toxic Family Members’

As the holidays approach us, this is the time of year where family generally gather together and often spend more time together than usual. I have noticed that this time of year, though to me, is so beautiful, also tends to trigger us. In working with my clients, I notice...

How can I Heal my Deep Inner Shame?

Shame is the most damaging thing that can happen to a person. Shame has far-reaching consequences and an extremely long recovery process. Many people wonder, “How do I find a Psychotherapist near me?” when considering seeking assistance from a professional in healing their shame. It is important that you find...

Your Mask Has No Face Behind It

“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and fully embracing who we really are.Choosing authenticity means one cultivating the courage to be imperfect, to set boundaries and allowing yourself to be vulnerable.” Brene Brown. So what do we mean by your...

Signs of Effective Treatment you Need to Know About

A number of the clients I see will come in for their first therapy session and will share their previous therapy experiences with me. Experiences in which they felt uncomfortable and unwilling to open up to their therapist, so they felt wary of trying therapy again. Today I want to...

How do you know therapy is working for you?

How do you know therapy is working? I feel this is an important question to ask yourself, and rightfully so as you made very important steps to open up to another person about your issues. A large part of how effective treatment works is to be present with the inner...

Anxiety Disorder Symptoms: How these can lead to Dissociation

Most people are familiar with anxiety and the typical anxiety Disorder Symptoms it exhibits. Increased heart rate, feeling of fight or flight, fast breathing and dizziness to name a few.  But when a person experiences many situations of anxiety where they feel at risk or someone they love is at...

Cyber Bullying – Still Prevalent & Rising Among Adults

Bullying has always existed and is on the rise more so in this age of technology where cyber bullying is so prevalent. It is very easy for a person to hide behind their computer or phone. Cyber built bullies don't have the inner strength to confront others in such brash...

How Shame Affects Adults & Children

Shame is an incredibly damaging emotion to experience and carry. In my own personal life I have come to closely know adults that were severely shamed as children and I can tell you that this feels like one of the most destructive conditions to our “Being-ness” How Does Shame Affect...

When Anxiety is Rising up, “Stop, Drop and Breathe”

The other day during a session with a client, the phrase "stop, drop and breathe" presented itself in my mind while I was explaining what to do the moment my client felt a trigger strongly arise.  I thought, “Wow! This is such a good phrase to use and action to...

Psychotherapist vs Psychologist

Over the past few months people have asked me: “What is the difference between a Psychotherapist vs Psychologist?”. This is a topic I find very interesting. I find that a lot of professionals provide misguided answers to their clients regarding this question. The explanation I provide is based on my...

Anxiety Therapy Toronto | How our Inner Critic affects our Relationships?

I recently read a quote that said, “You’re busy doubting yourself, while so many people are intimidated by your potential”. I am not sure who penned this quote but I love it! Many people seek anxiety therapy in Toronto and often the anxiety they feel is based on the things...

Psychotherapist Near Me | The Most Unknown Effect of Child Abuse

As children, we are innocent. We have connection with our true self. One that is pure and free and the essence of our soul is so beautiful. We are free from addictions, coping mechanisms and painful heart break. Additionally, we trust our inner voice and listen to it, act on...

Psychotherapy Toronto | Mindfulness – A Recent Buzzword

Mindfulness Therapy has become a massive movement.  As a matter of fact, all over the world people are realizing the massive events of being mindful. So it is safe to say that if you are looking psychotherapy in Toronto that offers Mindfulness Therapy, you should be in luck. Mindfulness really...

Trauma Therapy Toronto – When Trauma Causes Anxiety

Trauma Therapy in Toronto has become a very sought after service and may be an excellent option for healing trauma. Trauma comes in many different forms and affects us all differently. Based often upon how much resilience we have built inside, the same event can cease to cause a blip...

Relationship Therapist Toronto | Who is this Person I fell in love with?!

At the beginning of our relationship we are so in love! Everything is flowers, tummy butterflies and chills all over right? We are completely infatuated and excited. Then months or even a year goes by and suddenly, we wonder, “Wait! Who is this person?!” Then Bam! Suddenly we are thinking,...

Family therapy Toronto | Is your Child out of Control?

I have heard this frustration from parents frequently and have a great deal of empathy for them. They are really struggling to be the best parent’s they can be and help their child feel and do better. Be happier and perhaps even calmer. I provide Family therapy in Toronto/Richmond Hill....

Look for the calm within yourself

Are you familiar with that punch of adrenaline that hits you in times of sudden stress or fear? Do you want to know how to stop experiencing that feeling? Look for the calm within yourself Have you ever noticed that when you become stressed, are struggling at work, are suspicious...

10 ways to de-stress

There’s good stress … and then there’s bad stress. Do you know the difference? And how are you dealing yours? It’s important to be aware of what stresses you out, so you can build a relationship with your biggest stressors and manage the way you react to them. Some stress...