Holiday stress often starts before December. A Port Coquitlam and Vancouver counsellor shares gentle, practical ways to plan for a calmer, more meaningful season.

Feeling drained no matter how much you rest? A Port Coquitlam and Downtown Vancouver counsellor explains the signs of burnout and gentle, practical ways to recover this fall.

Loneliness is common in Vancouver and the Tri-Cities, especially as the rainy season sets in. A Port Coquitlam counsellor shares why connection can feel harder and gentle ways to rebuild it.

BC won't turn the clocks back on November 1. Here's how darker winter mornings can affect your mood, signs of winter blues and SAD, and practical tips from a Port Coquitlam and Vancouver counsellor.

Anger is a powerful emotion that everyone experiences. Yet, when it feels uncontrollable or overwhelming, it can disrupt relationships, work, and overall well-being. Many people ask themselves, why can I not manage my anger? Understanding the reasons behind this struggle is the first step toward gaining control and finding healthier ways to respond. This post explores the common causes of anger, why it can feel so difficult to manage, and practical strategies to help you rega

Anxiety often brings to mind panic attacks or visible distress, but many people live with a quieter, harder-to-spot version known as high-functioning anxiety. They show up to work on time, hit their targets, keep their homes tidy, and show up for friends — all while a current of worry runs underneath almost everything they do. In Vancouver and Port Coquitlam, where fast-paced careers, a punishing cost of living, and a culture that prizes composure all collide, this pattern is

Anger can feel like an uncontrollable force, especially when it arises unexpectedly or seems disproportionate to the situation. For many, the root of these anger management challenges lies deeper than surface triggers. One significant but often overlooked cause is avoidant attachment a style of relating to others that shapes how people handle emotions, including anger. Understanding this connection can open the door to healthier relationships and better emotional control. A s

Looking for a Farsi-speaking, culturally sensitive therapist in Port Coquitlam or Vancouver? Here's why language and cultural understanding matter in counselling, and what to expect.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) offers practical skills for managing intense emotions and improving relationships. Here's what DBT is, who it helps, and how it's used at Sartipi Counselling.

Choosing a counsellor is a personal decision. Here’s what to look for when you’re searching for counselling in Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, or the Tri-Cities. Finding the right counsellor can feel overwhelming. Maybe you have been feeling anxious, emotionally exhausted, stuck in a difficult relationship, struggling with a major life change, or carrying something from your past that you have never fully processed. You may have typed “counsellor near me,” “therapist in Port Coqui

If your mind replays the same conversation, decision, or mistake over and over, you are not alone — and you are not broken. Overthinking is one of the most common struggles clients bring into counselling, and it is deeply tied to how anxiety works in the brain. The good news is that overthinking is not a fixed personality trait. It is a pattern, and patterns can change. What Is Overthinking, Really? Overthinking is repetitive analysis and questioning that never quite reaches

Have you ever finished an argument with your partner and wondered, "How did something so small turn into such a big fight?" Maybe your partner cooked dinner, picked up the kids, cleaned the house, or tried in some other way to make your life easier. Their intentions were loving. Yet somehow, instead of feeling closer, you both ended up hurt, misunderstood, and emotionally distant. If this sounds familiar, you are far from alone. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, one of the

Many people who struggle with anger believe they have an anger problem. However, in my work as a clinical counsellor, I often see something deeper beneath the anger: anxious attachment. Clients frequently come to counselling feeling frustrated by their emotional reactions. They may become upset when a partner doesn't text back, feel hurt when someone seems distant, or react strongly to situations that others might consider minor. What often surprises them is that the anger it

Have you ever found yourself asking, "Why do I keep ending up with the same type of partner?" You are not alone. This is one of the most common patterns I see in my counselling work. Many people feel stuck in relationships that look promising at first, but eventually feel distant, one-sided, or emotionally unfulfilling. In this article, I want to help you understand why this pattern happens and what you can begin to do to change it. Attachment style and childhood trauma W

Moving on from a past relationship can feel like an uphill battle. Many people find themselves trapped in a cycle of memories, emotions, and what-ifs, wondering why they can't forget their ex and why regret lingers long after the breakup ends. This experience is common, deeply human, and far more complicated than "just getting over it." Understanding the psychology behind these feelings — and knowing the difference between healthy grieving and being emotionally stuck — can he

If you often feel insecure in relationships, worry about being abandoned, or find yourself overthinking your partner’s behavior, you may be experiencing anxious attachment. Anxious attachment is one of the most common relationship patterns, and it can significantly impact emotional wellbeing, communication, and relationship stability. The good news is: it is not permanent. With awareness and the right strategies, anxious attachment can be healed and moved toward a more secure

Have you ever felt like your partner suddenly becomes distant,especially just when the relationship starts to feel emotionally close? If you’re in a relationship with someone who has an avoidant attachment style, this pattern can feel confusing, frustrating, and even painful. Understanding why avoidant partners withdraw is the first step toward breaking this cycle and building a healthier connection. Avoidant attachment is one of the most misunderstood patterns in relationshi

Do you feel like the harder you try to get close, the more your partner pulls away? You want to talk things through; they go quiet. You reach out; they create distance. Then, just as you finally give them space, they seem to wonder why you've gone cold. This exhausting push-pull is one of the most common patterns in relationships. It's known as the anxious-avoidant cycle, or the pursuer-distancer dynamic, and it can leave both partners feeling lonely inside a relationship the

Have you ever found yourself in a relationship that doesn’t feel right, but you can’t explain why? You’re not alone. Many people enter partnerships that don’t meet their needs or values, leaving them feeling confused, stuck, or even drained. Understanding why this happens can help you make better choices and create relationships that truly support your growth and happiness. The Role of Past Experiences: How Your History Shapes Your Choices Our past has a powerful impact on ho

Leaving a toxic relationship often feels like a huge relief, yet many people find themselves overwhelmed by guilt afterward. You might wonder why you feel this way when you know leaving was the right choice. This post explores the complex emotions behind guilt after ending a toxic relationship and offers practical ways to understand and manage these feelings. Reflective moment by a calm lake Why Guilt Happens After Leaving Guilt is a common reaction after leaving a toxic rela