Conversations with Safe Harbour Therapy

Safe Harbour's founder Julie Long has moved to Minnedosa, Manitoba and has decided to pass the harbourmaster keys to her colleague, Carmen Okhmatovski. Carmen has been a Safe Harbour clinician for the past few years, and now owns and directs the therapy centre. Tune into this podcast to learn about how Safe Harbour Therapy was created, how this transition came to be, and what the future holds for both Safe Harbour and Julie Long.

In this conversation, Julie and Nan explore the world of Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS Therapy). We discuss the healing power of being capital S, SELF Led, using the 8 C's of Connection: curiosity, creativity, courage, compassion, confidence, clarity, and confidence to gently and effectively change our relationship with the parts of us that have been our constant companions: anxiety, inner critics, perfectionists, managers—even addictions, and other forms of self-harming.

You are strong and resilient in taking this first step to care of yourself. You may be tired of feeling the way you do and are ready for change. You want to enjoy the life you live and the key to this is to enjoy the relationships you have, including the one with yourself. You might notice recurring patterns such as the same fears or reactions, but anything you try to do differently only temporarily helps. I can help you find the strength to create lasting and meaningful changes in your life. My approach is client-centred and holistic and I feel honoured to encourage you as you embark upon this journey of healing and growth.

When we are in distress either temporarily or chronically, we tend to shut down that connection. This break in our body-mind connection can lead to further pain and suffering. Our emotions take over; we dwell on thoughts in an attempt to control them. The resulting distress may be seen in such symptoms as anxiety, depression, addiction etc. However, if we are able to find ways to maintain our body-mind connection even in times of distress, we can open the door to so many more possibilities that in turn can help us whether its acceptance, taking action, seeking help from others, building resources etc. I have experienced success in finding ways to achieve and strengthen this connection using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and trauma informed yoga.

“What we resist persists.” Are you anxious, sad, feeling emotional? Are there challenges in your life that you want to sort out, approach directly or put behind you and don't know where to start? Are you seeking new opportunities, relationships, employment or career changes? Have you experienced negative adverse events or trauma that may be impacting your life today? Counselling is an opportunity to talk to a trained professional who can help you make sense of difficult feelings and emotions; help resolve complicated issues or find ways to manage them.

You'll eat to feel better, physically and emotionally. Scarfing down a box of chocolates on the couch because you're sad, lonely, mad or tired just won't make sense anymore. What will make sense is figuring out what that craving and urgent need to eat and only eat is really telling you. Finding the space in the urgency to figure out what you really need to find peace again. This is how that chocolate bar doesn't turn into three and a bag of chips to boot.

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others.You need to accept yourself.” –Thich Nhat Hanh Most of us are so kind to others and yet the sound track in our own minds is so mean. Being as compassionate to ourselves as we are to others will continue to […]

NeurOptimal is considered by many to be the most highly evolved form of neurofeedback available today. After more than 40 years in the neuroscience field and related disciplines, Drs. Susan & Valdeane Brown, have developed a technology that gives feedback directly to your brain allowing it to regulate itself more efficiently.

Most folks have experienced the feeling of being overwhelmed perhaps you have too. RAIN is a tried and true mindfulness practice that can help you move through the feeling of overwhelm - let's give it a try shall we?

Diagnosing concussion remains controversial because the brain is a complex. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.

Forgiveness and repair are key relational skills, but what are they? And how do we do them? When we experience a rupture in a relationship, the path to reconciliation is two-part. The first is forgiveness—the inner work of coming to peace with oneself and the other person. The second is relational repair, the work of two people taking accountability for their part in the rupture, rebuilding trust, and reestablishing closeness.

How can we possibly put our own needs aside, just for a moment, to understand what our partners might be going through in times of stress? How does building empathy for others helps us build more empathy for ourselves? Here we'll talk about the work of couples therapy, what it means to be a Marriage and Family Therapist, and the importance of community and connection.

Take the time to stop and notice and see the “REAL” need the child has. SAI, is it sensory or is it attachment? What is the purpose of the behaviour you are seeing? Our behavioural responses arise out of our experience of our self, others and our environment. As Occupational Therapists, we may be trained to look for the sensory needs/challenges and find ways to meet or accommodate for them, however, if we do so out of context of relationships and attachment, we may miss the true meaning of the behaviour.

With holiday celebrations quickly approaching, with its many joys and demands, many people find themselves considering their boundaries around their time, energy, conversations, and social interactions.

Stress stimulates change in the body such as the release of chemicals or the activation of the inflammatory response. Stress in itself is not necessarily the problem, what matters is how we deal with it. Craniosacral therapy(CST) is a gentle way of working with the body, using a light therapeutic touch to encourage the release of symptoms cause by physical, psychological and emotional stress.

Exploring the relationship between inflammation in the body and depression. Research has demonstrated a correlation between inflammation in the body and symptoms of depression. When inflammation is induced in healthy people, many of them develop symptoms of depression. This suggests that inflammation in the body may be a factor in the development of depression and anti-inflammatory interventions may be beneficial in reducing symptoms of depression in some people.

What can happen when we are open to the power of art and nature, seeing art in nature, creating art in nature, and are immersed in nature? I have been pondering about the life of beavers and what we can learn from these industrious creatures. I have some personal stories to share about recent experiences while being in nature as well as reflections on being in the natural world and in the forest.

For this week's episode, founder Julie Long, reflects on choice … how choice might empower us and how the lack of choice might dis-empower us and thus affect how we think, feel, and respond to our world.

Around this time of year, it's a custom for many to share what they appreciate about each other. Perhaps you've recently been on the receiving end of a thank you. Do you remember your reaction? I know when I receive a comment of appreciation it resonates with me and puts a bounce in my step. Research has shown that sharing an expression of gratitude with another person elevates the receiver's mood but it helps elevate the mood of the giver of the gratitude. It's a dose of dopamine and who doesn't like feeling better?

I take pride in an "outside the box" approach to identify my client's needs and provide a creative, results-oriented method to vocational rehabilitation, career counselling and disability management. I see my role, one I am passionate about, to empathically support, connect, challenge and celebrate with my clients as they define, understand and own their strengths and limitations.

Have you ever been abused or experienced a traumatic event? Are you struggling with symptoms of PTSD? There are many ways we experience trauma. Whether you are a veteran in the military, a first responder (fire, paramedic, police), a sexual assault survivor, a childhood abuse survivor, or a civilian who experienced something traumatic, I invite you to reach out to me and start your healing journey.

“THR” stands for truth, healing and recovery. These are gifts I want to work with you to achieve. The stories we tell ourselves dictate how we see ourselves and our relationships, and impact how we experience the world around us. I will support you in rewriting your stories to help you discover your truth, heal […]

Are you feeling like you are carrying a lot of tension in your body? Do you feel like your stress levels are high? Do you want to release negative emotions stored in your body? Raindrop can enhance positive emotions such as joy and happiness, relax muscles, reduce stress and improve immune function. Rejuvenate the mind, […]

I provide key vocational career and rehabilitation counselling services, in both official languages, to assist individuals with the physical and psychological impact of injury, illness or disability in achieving successful and enduring results in health and employment. I am a skilled and experienced helper dedicated to assisting you in life's greater challenges; health and employment. […]

I strive to help clients navigate spaces where various aspects of their lives, both personal and structural, intersect. I believe it is important to think critically about what it truly means to be happy, healthy, and well. My goal as a therapist is to support you in feeling more conscious, aware, and empowered. You are […]

Have you ever reacted to something random like a text, someone's voice, or a feeling in your own body that gives you a headache or makes you anxious? This podcast is meant to provide you with a better understanding of why some of these body sensations, emotions, and thoughts (that may seem to come out […]

It’s going to be okay. Taking the first step to care for yourself is often the most difficult part of starting on the journey of healing. If you are feeling anxious, worried, fearful, depressed, frustrated… you name it, we will work together to help you find the inner space to feel safe and secure. Let’s […]

What is the Guided Imagery and Music form of music therapy? Guided Imagery and Music is a gentle psychotherapeutic approach characterized by the use of specially sequenced western classical music designed to stimulate and sustain a dynamic unfolding of imagery experiences. Your music and imagery experiences are reflections of you and are unique to your […]

One of the more notable qualities of grief is its ability to make us feel alone or isolated. “I’m surrounded by people, so why do I feel so lonely when I’m grieving?” Grief is the emotion of loss, and whether we have lost a person, a pet, a home, a dream, an identity…. there is […]

Will Foot Reflexology help if I am feeling overwhelmed? During the pandemic many people may feel overwhelmed for many different reasons. Stress levels increase. Studies have shown that stress lowers a person’s immune system. The reverse is true with reflexology therapy, it increases a person’s immune system. It is by working the reflex points of the nervous […]

Nutrient-Enriched IV Drip (IV Therapy) delivers high dose nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids directly into the bloodstream. Once infused in the bloodstream, these nutrients travel all over to different cells in the body, where they use concentration gradients to infuse and enrich cells, which encourages optimal functioning.

We talk with Jess Winnicki, Art Therapist and Social Worker, to reflect on the process and power of spontaneous art making. We will discuss what it means and how it can support us on our journeys. At the end of the podcast, Jess invites you to engage in this type of art making process.

How are things going in your day-to-day life? If you’re like most people…the pandemic may have knocked you off balance and may be affecting your mental health.  Are you sleeping?  Do you have an appetite? Do you find you’re worrying a lot…about your job? School? Your kid’s or your parent’s health? Have you stopped talking […]

Here is a wonderful News Years Resolution for 2021…Learn the Healing Touch Self Chakra Connection! Are you feeling drab and or experiencing the doldrums? Are there times when you feel heavy of mind, heart, spirit or body? Most people are prone to the above predispositions because of the demands placed because of the holiday season.  Covid19 […]

Are you struggling to parent anxious kids while your own stress or anxiety is on the rise? During the pandemic, many parents are finding themselves struggling to maintain their own mental health, and emotionally regulate themselves while also managing their kids’ rising emotions. The recent changes in our interactions with each other and the outside […]

What is important to know about breathing? The most important thing to know about breathing is that if you are doing it right now, you are already doing a good job! That may sound trite, but we tend to put all kinds of pressure on ourselves to do everything right, and breathing shouldn’t become another […]

If you could add up the minutes of your day, how much time do you spend sitting, and how much time do you spend walking, stretching and moving?  My guess is that most of us would have a large discrepancy between the two! Each occupation or lifestyle comes with it’s own set of problems that […]

In times of crisis – and a pandemic is certainly a crisis! – it is important to slow down, take pause, and check in with ourselves.  How am I doing? How am I feeling?  How am I coping with the stress and pressure I’m experiencing right now?   This type of check-in provides an opportunity […]

I am a marriage and family therapist (MFT) – but I don’t only work with married people and families! It’s a deceiving title. I work with all people; individuals, people in intimate relationships and families. Being trained as an MFT means I specialize in the area of relationships. With individuals we focus on the relationship […]

“Look deep into nature, and then you will know everything better.”~Albert Einstein Today I wanted to bring you a brief overview of eco-art therapy, some of the background and theory,  describe how nature can be a container and support for us, the potential benefits of eco-art therapy, as well as bring you information from a […]

Do you find it hard to be the parent you want to be?  Feel like you are running on empty?  Are you challenged at times by how to respond the way you want with your kiddos?   Let’s talk about the challenges of parenting in a Code Red – when our normal is being turned […]

Who are you? How do you respond to the world? We are constantly learning how to answer this question as our lives unfold – especially during adverse life experiences like a pandemic. I think understanding who we are can help us navigate these situations with a greater sense of compassion: for ourselves and for those around us. […]

Stress — The Good, The Bad, The Ugly & The Reset In somatic experiencing, clients know that touch is part of the treatment protocol and often wonder why?? Well, touch is essential to not only development, but to survival.  A lack of healthy, appropriate and nurturing touch is often one of the contributing elements of […]

Massage therapy is a powerful tool for mind and body care, but it can be difficult to know what amount and type of massage is right for you. Luckily, Massage Therapists are trained professionals who can talk to you about your reasons for seeking massage therapy and your goals, and can propose the treatment plan […]

In this podcast we will be exploring poetry therapy. We will examine the relationship between poetry therapy and art therapy and how we can bring these creative processes into our lives as a tool for grounding and healing. To close the podcast I will read a poem from local poet Lauren Carter, and invite you […]

Struggling to get pregnant? Have you experienced a recent miscarriage or loss? Infertility affects roughly 1 in 5 couples and no one should have to go through the stress, frustration and devastation alone that comes from trying to conceive for months (or years!), navigating assisted reproductive technology or healing from pregnancy loss.  As a Fertility […]

Do you and your partner find yourselves struggling with more conflict during this time of COVID? Many couples find that the dynamics of their relationships have been changed or strained as a they spend more time together, less time with friends and family, and more time working from home or navigating return-to-work with COVID. Times […]

So often I have heard women say “One week I feel great! I’m optimistic, motivated and get everything done like super woman, then the next week I’ll feel like a completely different person. I’m exhausted, everything hurts, I can’t show up for things, I don’t feel like myself and I don’t have the capacity to […]

Many of us find ourselves in various ‘states of distress’ from time to time, particularly these days. This podcast and blog are meant to help people who are finding themselves stuck in states they don’t want to be in, find a more easeful, balanced state of being relatively quickly and intuitively.  Question: Let’s start by […]

The Quarantine 15.  Has the Covid-19 pandemic added extra stress and anxiety around your relationship with food and your body? You aren’t alone. Social distancing, working from home, gym and yoga studio closures, isolation and a myriad of other unexpected challenges we couldn’t have imagined have impacted us on so many levels. If you struggle […]

The proper functioning of the lymphatic system is critical to our body’s ability to drain stagnant fluids, detoxify, regenerate tissues, filter out toxins and foreign substances, and maintain a healthy immune system. Unlike the vascular system, which employs the heart to pump blood through a vast network of vessels, the lymphatic system has no such […]