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Lonely Together: Understanding Loneliness Inside Relationships
Loneliness is one of the most misunderstood emotional experiences. Most people associate it with being physically alone - an empty room, a quiet weekend, a life with too much space in it. But in my work as a relational psychotherapist, I often see a different kind of loneliness. The kind that shows up inside relationships. The kind that appears even when two people share a home, a bed, a family, a life. This form of loneliness is subtle, quiet, and deeply human. And because
Clarinda Brandão, RP
Dec 18, 20254 min read


DANCE-A-THON FOR ST. JOE’S
On Saturday, November 22nd , SOUL FUEL Fitness + Pilates will open its doors to turn movement into money for St. Joseph’s Health Centre Toronto . Members of the Bloor West Village community and beyond are invited to come together for an afternoon to Dance Through The Ages & Save Lives of all Stages . With a fundraising goal of $25,000 , generously matched by TD Group , the event hopes to raise a total of $50,000 to support care at St. Joe’s. The team at Psychotherapy In The

Co-written
Oct 27, 20252 min read


How to Spawn a Narcissist: A (Totally Tongue-In-Cheek) Guide
(Warning: follow these instructions at your own moral risk. Or.... better - don’t. Read the “safer” alternatives instead.) If you’re into creating tiny human tyrants who think the world revolves around them, congratulations - you’re one click away from parent-of-the-year material. Follow these seven foolproof steps and you’ll be raising a little legend who always needs applause, never apologizes, and believes empathy is optional. Below each step: the real psychological idea b

Guest
Oct 13, 20253 min read


How to Support Someone Through Pregnancy or Infant Loss
Pregnancy and infant loss are deeply personal experiences - and no two stories are the same. For some, the grief is raw and consuming. For others, it’s quieter, or even hard to name. There isn’t one “right” way to feel after a loss like this. What’s often shared, though, is the silence that surrounds it. The uncertainty of what to say. The fear of saying the wrong thing. As therapists, we often hear from both sides - from those who’ve experienced loss and from friends or fami
Clarinda Brandão, RP
Oct 13, 20252 min read


The Importance of Connection
When life hurts, we often turn inward—trying to make sense of things alone. But healing rarely happens in isolation. Connection, in its simplest form, can be the medicine that helps us breathe again, soften the edges of pain, and begin to find our footing.

Maria Mihailoska
Sep 30, 20252 min read


7 Ways To Ease Back-To-School Stress
For weeks, your days have been a blur of sunscreen, snack runs, and maybe a few too many mosquito bites.
But now, the calendar is whispering a different story: back-to-school is almost here. And if you’re feeling a strange mix of relief, sadness, and a pinch of anxiety, you’re not alone.

Co-written
Aug 27, 20253 min read


What If You’ve Tried Everything? Why I’m Excited About Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
It’s not because they’re not trying. It’s not because therapy has “failed.” Often, it’s because their mind and nervous system are so locked in patterns of fear, shame, or grief that it feels like they just can’t access what they need to heal.
That’s one of the reasons I’ve become really hopeful about Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). It’s a different way in. A shift in perspective, a loosening of the mental knots we can’t untangle by talking alone.

Co-written
Jul 31, 20252 min read


Why Men Avoid Therapy
As a male therapist, I work with a lot of men who are accessing therapy for the first time. They like the idea of trying it out with someone they imagine will understand. I listen to their experiences and hear their longstanding beliefs about the idea of opening up to a professional, including the reasons they’ve avoided it until now. And to be honest, I get it.

James Barber
Jul 23, 20254 min read


Grieving the Relationship You Wanted: Healing from Family Hurt
We’re told that family is everything. That no matter what, we should forgive, stay close, and make it work. But what about when it’s...

Mia Vucurovic
Jun 25, 20252 min read


The Power of Community and Cultural Traditions: Nurturing Identity, Well-Being, and Connection
For many, it’s the quiet strength of community and the familiar rhythms of cultural traditions. In this thoughtful piece, Maria explores how our shared rituals, stories, and relationships don’t just connect us to each other, they nourish our mental health, strengthen our identity, and remind us that we belong.

Maria Mihailoska
Jun 24, 20252 min read


Desire Discrepancy in Couples: It’s Not About Frequency - It’s About Emotional Safety
Desire differences are one of the most common - and most misunderstood - sources of tension in couples. One partner wants more. The...
Clarinda Brandão, RP
Jun 6, 20252 min read


You Don’t Have to Be on the Same Page - You Just Have to Understand Each Other
In couples therapy, I often hear partners say: “We just need to get on the same page.” It sounds like a reasonable goal. But what’s...
Clarinda Brandão, RP
May 30, 20252 min read


Breaking Habits with Hypnotherapy
How Hypnosis Can Support Lasting Change Whether it’s emotional eating, smoking, procrastination, or other patterns of self-sabotage,...

Samira Shefik
May 29, 20252 min read


Giving Ourselves Permission to Rest, Without Guilt: A Relational and IFS Perspective
In our fast-paced world, the message to "keep going" and "stay busy" often feels overwhelming. Yet, for many of us, taking time to rest...

Maria Mihailoska
May 29, 20253 min read


Mental Health After Becoming a Dad: No One Talks About This Enough
When we talk about mental health in the postpartum period, the conversation usually centers around moms - and for good reason. But...
Clarinda Brandão, RP
May 27, 20252 min read


Why It’s Not the Fight That Breaks You - It’s the Lack of Repair
In my therapy room, I often hear couples say things like, “If we could just stop fighting, everything would be okay.” There’s this deeply...
Clarinda Brandão, RP
May 16, 20252 min read


Understanding Narcissism: Why Some People Become Narcissists
Narcissism is a personality trait that many of us encounter in varying degrees in our daily lives. Some might know someone who exhibits...
Clarinda Brandão, RP
Oct 17, 20243 min read


Understanding Panic Attacks: A Therapist’s Perspective
As a therapist, I’ve worked with many clients who’ve experienced panic attacks, and I can tell you one thing with certainty: they’re no...
Clarinda Brandão, RP
Oct 10, 20243 min read


The Power of Gratitude: Why It's Important and How to Cultivate It in Your Life
In the fast-paced, goal-oriented world we live in, it's easy to overlook the simple yet profound practice of gratitude. We often focus on...
Clarinda Brandão, RP
Oct 3, 20243 min read


Reviving the Spark: How to Breathe Life Into Your Marriage
Maintaining a lively and vibrant long-term marriage requires effort, commitment, and a willingness to nurture the connection between...
Clarinda Brandão, RP
Sep 26, 20242 min read
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