Kristen Johnston

In a world that often tells us comfort is the goal, it can be jarring to face hardship. Whether it’s anxiety, grief, burnout, or loss, we’re left wondering: Why is this so hard? Why am I not handling this better? But the truth is, you are handling it. You’re here, reading this, breathing through it. […]

As summer winds down and schedules become full again, many of us in Port Moody and the Tri-Cities feel the shift into September as both exciting and overwhelming. Returning to school, work routines, and community activities often comes with a burst of energy—followed quickly by stress and fatigue. One powerful way to navigate this transition

Middle school can be a mix of excitement, independence, and—let’s be honest—big emotions. As summer winds down, many kids feel a swirl of anticipation and worry. A new grade means new teachers, new classmates, and sometimes new expectations. For kids prone to anxiety, this change can feel overwhelming. Here’s how you can help your middle

Is Social Media Making Us More Anxious? How Counselling in Port Moody, Coquitlam, and Port Coquitlam Can Help.   Over the past decade, researchers, parents, and mental health professionals have been watching an unsettling trend: young people are reporting higher rates of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and self-doubt. Some experts, like psychologist Jonathan Haidt (author of

In a world filled with small talk, smiling emojis, and “Have a nice day!” platitudes, we’ve come to prize niceness. We’re taught to be agreeable, to smooth over discomfort, and to avoid conflict at all costs. But what if being “nice” isn’t always what the world needs? What if what we really need is more

Have you ever felt like you’re the only one who doesn’t have weekend plans? Or like everyone else seems to be doing just fine—while you’re quietly feeling disconnected? If so, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, loneliness is becoming such a big issue in Canada (especially here in BC) that people are calling it a

At Juniper Counselling, we often speak about compassion as one of our core values — creating spaces where clients feel seen, supported, and safe. But not all compassion is created equal. In fact, there’s a term coined by Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chögyam Trungpa that captures this beautifully: idiot compassion. While it may sound harsh at

When you’re looking for a therapist you will inevitably see the phrase “You are welcome here.” It’s often intended as a gesture of inclusivity, a way to create a safe atmosphere and affirm that all identities, stories, and struggles are invited into the room. However, this well-meaning phrase subtly reinforces a dynamic we at Juniper

At Juniper Counselling Port Moody, we often say that therapy is a journey—not a quick fix. One of the most common questions we hear is, “How often should I come?” or “How long will this take?” The answer depends on a few personal factors, but there’s one thing that research and experience agree on: consistency

Mental health support shouldn’t make you feel broken.And yet, many people who walk through the doors of therapy have already internalized the idea that something is “wrong” with them—that they are flawed, sick, or damaged. But what if healing didn’t begin with fixing?What if it began with remembering your wholeness? At Juniper Counselling, we believe