When we feel anxious in social situations, it’s natural to want to pull away. Avoiding discomfort feels protective — whether that means skipping a gathering, staying quiet in class, or finding an excuse not to attend a meeting. In the moment, avoidance brings relief. But over time, it quietly keeps anxiety strong. At Reflections Therapy in Markham , we often help clients recognize that avoidance isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a learned coping strategy . The brain believes it

Feeling trapped in the cycle of social anxiety can be exhausting — constantly worrying about judgment, replaying conversations, or avoiding situations that make your heart race. One effective approach to breaking free from this pattern involves using behavioural experiments  and stepladders  — gentle, evidence-based tools to help you rebuild confidence and ease in social settings. 🌱 1. Behavioural Experiments: Testing, Not Avoiding When anxiety strikes, it’s common to assume

Based on CCI’s Social Anxiety Module 2 Social anxiety often convinces us that the best way to feel safe is to avoid judgment or hide...

When it comes to helping kids grow emotionally, therapy doesn’t always have to feel like therapy. In fact, some of the most powerful lessons about feelings, friendships, and self-worth can happen while tossing a ball, playing Candy Land, or even pretending to be royalty for a day. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) offers a playful yet purposeful framework for helping children understand themselves and the world around them. Through activities that focus on five key themes: 

🌱 Growing Self-Esteem in Everyday Life Self-esteem is more than just feeling good about yourself—it’s the foundation for how you...

Finding a better way forward starts with simple, step-by-step problem-solving. Life can feel overwhelming when challenges stack up —...

Breaking the Cycle of Depression: How Small Actions Create Big Change Depression can feel like being stuck in a heavy fog, where everyday...

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by your emotions that you didn’t know what to do next? Or maybe you found yourself shutting down and feeling nothing at all, even though something was clearly wrong? Psychotherapy can help us understand our emotions, even the most painful ones, and use them to grow stronger. In this post, we’ll explore how  Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)  helps people  feel better by feeling more —and how this process works, even for people who think they’re “

Learn how therapy in Markham can help with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Build body acceptance, reduce negative thoughts, and improve...

Are you feeling stuck in a cycle of self-doubt and negativity? You’re not alone. Low self-esteem is something many of us have experienced...

Learn how DBT skills can help GTA residents boost emotional balance by taking better care of their physical health. Our mind and body are...

You Are Your Own Worst Critic: Learning Self-Compassion Most of us have heard the saying, “You are your own worst critic.”  And it’s...

A Practical Guide to the TIPP Skill for Managing Overwhelming Emotions When distress hits hard—whether it’s anxiety, sadness, or...

When many people think of therapy, they imagine sitting across from a therapist, talking about childhood memories or past relationships...

Have you ever felt shame, guilt, or anger  and didn’t know how to handle it? Maybe these emotions made you withdraw, avoid people, or...

Imagine this: You wake up feeling refreshed, savor your favorite breakfast, and the commute is smooth. Then, out of nowhere, your manager...

Dedicating time to your self-care  is not a selfish act—it is a form of self-preservation. It is a crucial investment in your mental,...

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is an evidence-based, trauma-informed approach that helps individuals understand and heal the...

If you've ever felt stuck in a cycle of overthinking or overwhelmed by problems, you're not alone. Many of us get caught up in what's...