In recent months, there has been renewed criticism and “debunking” conversations surrounding Polyvagal Theory, originally proposed by Stephen Porges. For many therapists — and many clients — this has felt unsettling. Polyvagal language has shaped how we talk about trauma, safety, shutdown, and connection. Concepts like ventral vagal, sympathetic activation, and dorsal collapse have become […]
If you’ve ever looked for mental health support, you’ve probably seen the words counselling and psychotherapy used almost interchangeably. It can leave you wondering: Are they the same thing? Is one “more serious”? Am I supposed to choose? The truth is: both counselling and psychotherapy are valuable, effective ways to support your mental health. The
Counselling vs. Psychotherapy: What’s the Difference — and Which Do You Need? Read More »
Have you ever said “I was just asking!” and the other person felt pressured? Or been told something was a “request” when it really didn’t feel optional? Understanding the difference between an ask, a request, and a demand can transform how we communicate in relationships. These distinctions help build consent, emotional safety, and healthy boundaries
Boundaries Aren’t About Distance — They’re About Connection Boundaries aren’t walls — they’re communication tools.They tell others: “Here’s how to connect with me in a way that feels respectful and safe.” Many people associate boundaries with shutting people out, but in truth, they are the foundation of emotional closeness. Without boundaries, connection becomes confusing or
Setting Boundaries: Connection, Not Distance Read More »
Most people know how to say “I’m fine” even when their nervous system is not.We learn to push through, stay polite, stay productive, stay composed. On the outside, we look functional. On the inside, something feels tight, braced, or unsettled. At Juniper Counselling, we call this the Safety Gap — the space between appearing okay
The Safety Gap: Why Feeling Emotionally Safe Matters More Than Feeling “Fine” Read More »
You’ve tried the breathing exercises.You’ve journaled.You’ve gone for the walk, limited caffeine, and told yourself to “use your tools.” And still… nothing shifts. If coping skills that once helped don’t seem to work anymore, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. Often, it means your nervous system is overwhelmed — not unmotivated. At Juniper Counselling
When Coping Skills Stop Working: What Your Nervous System Might Be Asking For Read More »
Our minds are busy places. When stress, grief, or overwhelm show up, it’s common for our thinking to narrow—looping into self-criticism, worst-case scenarios, or harsh conclusions about ourselves and others. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) offers practical tools for working with these patterns—not by forcing positivity, but by helping us relate to our thoughts with more
Changing Unhelpful Thought Patterns: A CBT Skill You Can Practice Read More »
The holidays are often framed as a time to rest. Time off work. Slower mornings. Fewer meetings. And yet, many people arrive at January feeling depleted, foggy, or oddly unmotivated—wondering why all that “time off” didn’t translate into feeling restored. At Juniper Counselling, we often remind clients: rest isn’t one-size-fits-all. True rest goes far beyond
This handbook is grounded in a commitment to fostering deeper understandings and connections to how we can support magnifying climate change impacts on individual and community mental health and wellbeing. The goal of this resource is to offer an accessible, easy-to-engage touchpoint for people looking to connect with climate wellbeing information, strategies and pathways to
Climate Doom to Messy Hope Handbook Read More »
For people who look “fine” on the outside but feel exhausted on the inside. In Port Moody, Coquitlam, and the wider Tri-Cities, so many people are juggling demanding careers, families, caregiving roles, community commitments—and still showing up with a smile. On paper, everything looks “fine.” Inside? Not so much. This experience has a name: high-functioning
What to Do When You’re Overwhelmed but Still High-Functioning Read More »
