Articles
A Simple Technique for Ending Disputes with Your Partner
Have you ever said something that came out wrong, or not the way you had intended? Has your partner ever said something to you that rubbed you the wrong way? Do you ever wish you could have a do-over? Rewind.
Embracing Our Differences – Rethinking the Myth of When “Two-Become- One”
When starting couples marriage counselling with a new couple, one of the things I raise is the widely held belief that when we commit to living as a couple, “two-become-one” and live that way ever after. For many couples, however,
Helping Couples Separate with Dignity and Grace
Sometimes there is no “happily ever after” for the couples we work with. By the time they make it to our office, the “water under the bridge” is no longer flowing, leaving no way back to harmony and reconciliation. Only
Do you believe in coincidences?
These are hard times for many of us. And the worst part is – it’s been going on far too long, and we don’t know when it will be over. It’s difficult to see the forest for the trees some
Day 12: Cultivate Peace Within & Live in the Moment
Day 12 of 12 Days of Emotional Sobriety There is no better time than the holidays to cultivate a feeling of peace within. Most people these days are increasingly busy making it a challenge to stay mindful and present to
Day 11: Be of Service to Others
Day 11 of 12 Days of Emotional Sobriety The third pillar of recovery, after personal recovery and unity with the fellowship, are acts of service. This takes us out beyond our own self-interest and allows us to, often for the
Day 10: Give Others the Benefit of the Doubt
Day 10 of 12 Days of Emotional Sobriety Sometimes people’s intentions are malicious – but most of the time they are not. Most people do not set out to intentionally hurt others. And yet, it’s impossible to be close to
Day 9: Practice Gratitude
Day 9 of 12 Days of Emotional Sobriety One of the most powerful tools in your recovery toolkit is gratitude. It’s impossible to feel sorry for ourselves when we are being grateful. That does not
Day 8: Be Realistic
Day 8 of 12 Days of Emotional Sobriety Many addicts suffer from ‘fantasy functioning’. We come by it honestly, if we have grown up with a lack of healthy, positive role models for life. In attempts to compensate for low
Day 7: Don’t Be a Doormat – But Don’t Pick Fights Either
Day 7 of 12 Days of Emotional Sobriety Many addicts have extreme and contradictory emotions. Passivity in relationships means you allow yourself to be walked on and later feel used by others. This ‘resentful compliance’ is toxic to emotional sobriety
Day 6: Connect with Your Support Network
Day 6 of 12 Days of Emotional Sobriety Addiction is a disease of isolation. I can’t stress that fact enough. A lack of emotional sobriety is often caused from a lack of social engagement with others who support your recovery.
Day 5: Strengthen Boundaries
Day 5 of 12 Days of Emotional Sobriety Having strong emotional boundaries means knowing yourself – where you stop and others start. So many addicts get caught up in ‘emotional contagion’ – a concept that describes how you get sucked
The Good Life Therapy Centre offers trained therapists that provide marriage counselling, couples therapy, relationship intensives, addiction counselling, trauma counselling, and individual therapy services. Good Life Therapy offers specialized counselling services to many areas surrounding Vancouver, B.C., including Vancouver Lower Mainland, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Downtown Vancouver, Kitsilano, White Rock, Surrey, and online throughout North America.