Relationship strategies that get you nowhere.

Delyse Ledgard, RCCRelationships

couples communication, relationship strategies,

Negotiation in relationships is essential as you attempt to get what you want from your partner. Not all relationship strategies lead to loving and positive interactions. This blog identifies 5 strategies that make it harder to get your needs met and can erode trust. They tend to become more frequent when you are at your worst or stressed and in … Read More

Do you struggle with wanting to feel normal?

Delyse Ledgard, RCCTrauma

feeling normal

I am not sure I have ever said ‘I want to feel normal.’  In fact, I think I have been one of those people at the other end of the spectrum who has made a point of being different and expressed my independence at every opportunity.  Being unique and authentic has been a lifelong task.  For me, it came from … Read More

Thoughts on being Depressed.

Delyse Ledgard, RCCTrauma

depression, anxiety,

We know what the experience of depression is.  When we are depressed our system shuts down. Our energy, our aliveness, our feelings, our motivation and creativity, and our will to truly live become muted and dampened.  We mostly shut down gradually and imperceptibly. There is a stuck feeling to being depressed.  Our feelings and thoughts come slowly and painfully.   Depression is … Read More

Integration is the main task of therapy

Delyse Ledgard, RCCTherapy process

In therapy, our main task is to integrate new experiences. This is no less true whether we are getting over a relationship breakup or dealing with depression, or obsessing over losing weight.  People come to therapy because they keep repeating responses and habits that keep them stuck in past experiences. 

Connecting with your emotions

Delyse Ledgard, RCCTrauma

woman holding head in hands looking anxious

Do you feel uncomfortable around emotions, yours and other people’s? Do your emotions feel irrational, painful, or too vulnerable?  To suggest connecting to your emotions may be the last thing you want to do.  When I encourage people to focus on their emotions I typically hear two responses.

The calming influence of mindfulness

Delyse Ledgard, RCCTherapy process, Trauma

Woman standing on one leg balanced with the light behind her.

Mindfulness at its core is nothing new.  Bringing attention to our experience is fundamentally what mindfulness refers to. What is interesting is that the research confirms the benefits and provides us with information to inform our practice.  One of the benefits is how we can practice mindfulness to calm emotional reactivity.