Acorn Counselling: Child, Youth & Family Therapy
71 Rymal rd W L9B 1B5 Hamilton, ON, Canada

We are pleased to offer another FREE virtual mental health workshop to support kids and their families during this trying time. Tomorrow’s topic is Calming Anxiety: Tips and Tools to Manage Stress. The goals of this workshop include: * ways to reduce life stress * develop relaxation techniques * have some fun while connecting with peers... This workshop is for children ages 8-11 and is run by our very own Child and Youth Care Practitioner: Ben Send an email to [email protected] or [email protected] to sign up! For more information check out: https://www.acorncounselling.org/kids-workshops/ #positive #expressyourself #etherapy #counselling #therapy #selfcare #selflove #mentalhealth #ontario #hamont #mentalhealthawareness #gta #powerfulthoughts #positivethoughts #playtherapy #childanxiety #childtherapy #heretohelp #childempowerment #stopstigma #positiveparenting #positivesayings #youarenotalone #youareenough #families #familylove #mentalillness #school #childhoodunplugged #help

From all of us at Acorn Counselling, we want to wish you a safe and happy holiday season! #happyholidays #merrychristmas #happynewyear #acorncounselling #family #hamont #mentalhealthhamilton #mentalwellness #childcounselling #teencounselling #familytherapy #hamontbusiness

Good resource for those who may need

In case you need a stress-lowering cuteness this morning

This is so sweet Simply being present without the need to change anything right away

getting by emotionally and functionally is okay lower expectations and be kind

Thank YOU to all our clients, families, colleagues, and community for the support! We are so grateful to do the work that we do and honoured to be voted 1st place! #readerschoiceawards2020 #mentalhealth #hamont #counselling #counseling #acorncounselling

Hey folks! Let's get personal regarding anxiety. Anxiety can have so many different symptoms. It can make us do totally irrational things, and can have negative... effects on our social circles. Off the top of my head, here are some random things anxiety has influenced me to do when I was in the throes of it. Do you recognize yourself in any of these? If not be grateful! ;) If so, I'd love to hear your stories! 1. I once avoided eye contact with a fb acquaintance in Walmart. I was having severe anxiety and was just trying to breathe and keep my legs moving. She later unfriended me. It may have been coincidental, or she may have thought I was being rude and unfriended me as a result. 2. I avoid potlucks in general. They stress me out. I get too overwhelmed with what to bring and shut down. And then I will usually cancel. This also includes bringing a dish when going somewhere for supper. I've often shown up empty handed or with something from the store on the way, feeling awful about it. It is either that or cancel. So bizarre, right? Something to talk to my therapist about if the opportunity presents itself again, I suppose. You will hear this from me over and over...be kind, and try to give others the benefit of the doubt. We don't know the demons that they are battling inside their heads or bodies. - Heather #anxiety #anxietyawareness #mentalhealth #WorldMentalHealthDay #breakthestigma See more

Came across this article today with tips for Teens on now to stay resilient during this pandemic. https://www.sciencetimes.com//guidance-teenagers-staying-s

The first step of emotion regulation

Some great and important info about back to school

Sign up for our NEW newsletter specifically for the FREE MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOPS program. We are extending into September, and are so excited to share the new schedule soon!

Hey, #HamOnt! Were offering supports to Black youth to help make the back to school transition as smooth as possible. Were offering: Peer-to-Peer tutoring ...Mental Health Supports Food Supports School Supplies And more! Link to signup:http://tinyurl.com/y45jueog

Welcoming our new CYC and our new (free) program! Ben is the newest addition to our team, and the developer and facilitator of this amazing new program. We hope to be able to provide more support to the kids and teens in our communities during this difficult time ... #mentalhealth #acorncounselling #mentalhealthworkshops #hamont #childandyouth #CYC #CYW #childtherapist

Check this out, and add it to your back-to-school kit!

Lets help our kids get ready for school! Ive been getting lots of questions from concerned parents, so Darren and I have put together some tips that you will ...hopefully find helpful. We have 27 days left....we can do this!!! #backtoschool #safeseptember #pandemicplanning #doctorteachercollaboration See more

Great read on prepping kiddos to return to school, with practical strategies. Let us know what you think! As you put their concerns into words, anxious kids recognize they arent alone with their worries, and thats already half the battle.... #childanxiety #backtoschool #mentalhealth

The things we say and think impact us. Today we are challenging you to start a pattern of positive self-talk. Need help getting started, powerful and meaningful self talk often starts with I am..., I can.... or I will... Share, comment and challenge each other. ... . . . . . #hamiltoncounsellor #acorncounselling #positive #expressyourself #etherapy #treatmentworks #counselling #therapy #mentalhealth #hamilton #hamont #ontario #gta #love #mentalhealth #health #mentalillness #wellness #hope #childtherapy #childcounsellor #iam #ican #iwill #positiveselftalk #powerfulthoughts #positivethoughts #challengeyourself

We need 3 more Teen to pilot our free workshop tomorrow at 4:30pm. Anyone interested? Register at www.acorncounselling.org/teen-workshops

We are running a new very exciting PILOT PROGRAM FREE Mental Health Workshops for Kids and Teens (Connect + Cope, current working title) We are looking for 8 participants to sign up and take part in this free group, and offer feedback so that we can: 1) make registration super simple and safe... 2) make our workshops amazing and help more kids! If you'd like to test this program, please register here, drop your email below to be added to the mailing list for a full schedule (10 weeks of workshops!)

#COVID19 #youthmentalhealth #ymhc

ONE Space left in the COPING & CONFIDENT Teen Group! For teens 13-17 years old who want to: Learn new coping skills and understand their emotions Gain self-confidence and tap into their resilience... Effectively express their feelings without meltdowns, overwhelm or self-destructive behaviours Connect with peers and know they're not alone Starting NEXT WEEK! Wednesday Evenings from 6:30pm If this sounds like a good fit for your teen, visit the link below to register https://www.acorncounselling.org/teen-group/

Honoured to be nominated for the Hamilton Spectators Readers Choice awards https://www.thespec.com/readersc/business/acorn-counselling

Great visuals from a program I reference quite often

When you come in to work early to make your own Sandtray . . . #selfcare #sandtraytherapy #sandtray #hamiltoncounsellor #mentalhealthmatters #playtherapy #counseling #selftherapy #nurtureyourinnerchild #calm #miniatures

Alicia House shares some of the challenges facing teens on the spectrum, and gives us 2 things parents can do to help.

Today is National PTSD Awareness Day. A wonderful colleague here talks about post-traumatic stress disorder, and how it impacts individuals and families. There are supports. Please take care of yourselves and each other, and reach out for help if you need.

What acceptance does and does not look like Notice the difference, and notice what happens in your mind when a feeling shows up

7 out of 10 teenagers said they were struggling with their mental health in some way.

BRAG BOOKS Earlier this week I talked about a simple practice that can help boost your child's self-esteem, improve your relationship, and increase positive behaviours. To start a brag book, follow these simple steps:... 1. Get a notebook or a journal, place it by your child's bed 2. Catch your child doing positive things throughout the day, like using manners, being kind, thoughtful or helpful, using coping skills instead of melting down. Give them positive feedback, aiming for 5 times a day 3. At bedtime, write down 1 positive thing, or BRAG, from the day in their book, and then read it out loud together. If you try this out, we would love to hear how it goes for you! Let us know in the comments

BRAG BOOKS Earlier this week I talked about a simple practice that can help boost your childs self-esteem, improve your relationship, and increase positive behaviours. To start a brag book, follow these simple steps:... 1. Get a notebook or a journal, place it by your childs bed 2. Catch your child doing positive things throughout the day, like using manners, being kind, thoughtful or helpful, using coping skills instead of melting down. Give them positive feedback, aiming for 5 times a day 3. At bedtime, write down 1 positive thing, or BRAG, from the day in their book, and then read it out loud together. If you try this out, we would love to hear how it goes for you! Let us know in the comments

Ever heard of the Negativity Bias? Our brains are programmed to pay attention to the negatives much more than the positives! This has kept us safe from danger for thousands of years. It also keeps us stuck, anxious, sad, and frustrated. And for our kids, it can really impact how they feel about themselves and how they see the world! ... We can Flip the Script though!! The magic formula, research has found, is 5:1 For every ONE negative, we need FIVE positives to be able to shift this in our minds. So try highlighting 5 positives for your child for every 1 negative throughout the day. Turn up the compliments and positive feedback, and then when you do have to redirect or set a limit, they will be more accepting and be able to bounce back sooner. 5 POSITIVES for every 1 NEGATIVE W

Here is a great activity that you can do with your kids to: increase positive behaviours help your child see themselves in a more positive way... increase positive interactions between you and your child Let us know what you think or how this goes for you in the comments

Parents who want to have ongoing discussions about anti-racism with their kids, I found this incredible resource! Starting from pre-K, you can find read-alouds, book recommendations (with youtube reading videos), PLUS additional resources on: -Coronavirus... -Calming Down Strategies -a Kids Corner with games and worksheets -a Parent section with anxiety and grief resources And so much more! https://sites.google.com/harle/ms-alanas-office/counseling

Our inner voice develops, grows, and can be entrenched throughout our entire lives. When our dominant inner voice is a critical one it can impact every aspect of our life. You can rewire your inner voice, but it is hard work! If you are a parent, a caregiver or a role model for a little one in your life take some time to consider the words you use - what kind of inner dialogue are you helping manifest in them? ... . . . . . #hamiltoncounsellor #innervoice #yourwordsmatter #vulnerability #courage #emotionalpain #healing #etherapy #treatmentworks #counselling #therapy #mentalhealth #hamilton #hamont #ontario #gta #love #beautiful #mentalhealth #health #mentalillness #wellness #hope #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #endthestigma #itsokaytonotbeokay #youarenotalone #love #childtherapy #childcounsellor

Super excited to be opening registration for 2 new groups running this summer! Check out our group therapy page for more details https://www.acorncounselling.org/services/group-therapy/

Hiding and ignoring pain only adds to it. Brene Brown says it well ... when we deny our emotion, it owns us. Therapy can be an amazing tool in helping people acknowledge, care for, and move through emotional pain. ... . . . . . #hamiltoncounsellor #brenebrown #vulnerability #courage #shamework #emotionalpain #healing #etherapy #treatmentworks #counselling #therapy #mentalhealth #hamilton #hamont #ontario #gta #love #beautiful #mentalhealth #health #mentalillness #wellness #hope #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #endthestigma #itsokaytonotbeokay #youarenotalone #love #childtherapy #childcounsellor

The practice of gratitude is invaluable. Take time each day to notice what you appreciate - it will be worth it, trust me! .... . . . . #hamiltoncounsellor #gratitude #etherapy #treatmentworks #counselling #therapy #mentalhealth #hamilton #hamont #ontario #gta #love #beautiful #mentalhealth #health #mentalillness #wellness #hope #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #endthestigma #itsokaytonotbeokay #youarenotalone #love #childtherapy #childcounsellor

Lets talk about emotions! And stress. And how to connect with ourselves and our kids

A Teens Guide! This pandemic has affected everyone, and teens do have it especially hard given where they are in their development! https://edition.cnn.com//teen-guide-parents-cor/index.html

Did you know that our mental health starts to develop in the womb? Here are some ways for you to foster positive mental health in children. .... . . . . #hamiltoncounsellor #childmentalhealth #infantmentalhealth #etherapy #treatmentworks #counselling #therapy #mentalhealth #hamilton #hamont #ontario #gta #love #beautiful #mentalhealth #health #mentalillness #wellness #hope #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #endthestigma #itsokaytonotbeokay #youarenotalone #love #childtherapy #childcounsellor

Be present with your child...

For all of us out there, it is very normal to feel both a positive emotion and a negative emotion at the same time.

Great idea as we all strive to survive the pandemic... what other items would you add to the list?

Is your family building forts? Theyre certainly a common occurrence in my home. Check this out! In case you need some inspiration

Keeping attachment styles in mind can be so helpful in understanding ourselves, our partners, and our kids. Not everyone had the privilege of being provided with a secure attachment, but its never too late to develop this attachment style, or earned secure attachment. Doing this difficult work can have positive effects on your kids, your grandkids, great grandkids and so on. An insecure attachment is not a life sentence. And beginning to understand your own pattern is a huge first step