Reflection From Thrive, Team Blog

Thoughts and practices from therapists doing the work themselves.

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Colter Long
Andressa Taverna
Estairia Hong

How to Use the Thrive Blog

The Thrive blog is where our therapists share what they are learning in the room and in their own growth. With more than 80 articles, it can be hard to know where to start, so this guide organizes the blog into reading paths by topic. Each path begins with a foundational article and moves toward more specific questions, so you can learn at your own pace.

Two women in conversation, reflecting the themes of the Thrive blog

Blog Reading Paths by Topic

Anxiety, stress and overthinking

If worry keeps you up at night, start with Managing Anxiety Disorder with Therapy: A Complete Guide, then read What Causes Anxiety? and How Long Do Anxiety Attacks Last?. For racing thoughts, Help, I Can’t Stop Thinking offers practical perspective, and Change Your Anxiety Equation with CBT introduces a structured way to work with anxious patterns.

Trauma, attachment and the inner child

Begin with Trauma Therapy: The Comprehensive Guide and Types of Trauma. To understand how the body protects you, read What is Trauma Response?. For earlier wounds, Navigating Early Attachment Trauma and Understanding and Healing Your Inner Child go deeper, and Modern Trauma Therapies explains current treatment approaches.

Couples, marriage and relationships

Our six part couples series is a thorough introduction. Start with What Is Marriage Counselling?, then Does Marriage Counselling Work?, Does Couples Therapy Work?, What To Expect from Marriage Counselling, How to Prepare for Couples Therapy and Couples Therapy vs Marriage Counselling. Related reads include When to Go to Couples Therapy?, Gaslighting in Relationships and Premarital Counselling.

ADHD, autism and neurodivergence

Start with What is Neurodivergence?, then explore Is ADHD Neurodivergent?, Is OCD Neurodivergent? and Is Depression Neurodivergent?. For a broad overview of ADHD, read our ADHD guide. Trusted outside information is also available from CADDAC.

Therapy basics and choosing a therapist

New to counselling? Read A Step-By-Step Guide To Starting Individual Counselling, Things To Consider When Choosing A Therapist and Psychotherapy: Definition, Types and Effectiveness. To compare methods, see Counselling Techniques and Approaches, Internal Family Systems Therapy and Group Counselling vs Individual Counselling.

Online and affordable therapy

If cost or travel is a barrier, read Benefits of Online Therapy, The Benefits of Low Cost Counselling, Sliding Scale Therapy and 6 Reasons to Try Low Cost Counselling.

Psychedelic therapy and integration

For education on this evolving field, start with What Is Psychedelic Therapy? A Complete Guide, then What is Ketamine Therapy? and Psychedelic Medicine. These articles are educational. Thrive offers preparation and integration counselling and does not supply or administer substances. Laws are changing, so always follow Canadian law and medical guidance.

Seasons, self care and everyday wellbeing

Some articles help with specific times of year, such as Holiday Blues, Christmas Depression and Autumn and Seasonal Depression. Others offer gentle reframes, like The Deeper Side Of Gratitude, You Are Not Supposed To Be Happy All Of The Time and The Role of Self-Care in Individual Counselling.

Identity, personality and life direction

Curious about temperament? Read What is an Introvert? and What is Introvert Personality?. For men’s mental health, see What Are Men’s Issues?. And if you are rethinking your path, The Only Question to Ask in Career Exploration is a good place to begin.

Themes That Run Through Our Blog

Whatever the topic, a few ideas show up again and again in our writing, because they sit at the heart of how Thrive approaches healing.

  • You make sense. Anxiety, numbness and exhaustion are often signals that something in your life no longer fits, not proof that you are broken.
  • Safety comes first. Many articles explain how a calmer nervous system makes insight and change possible.
  • Connection heals. Relationships, with ourselves and others, are both where we get hurt and where we recover.
  • Insight should become action. Our writers try to end with something practical you can try this week.
  • Authenticity over performance. Several pieces explore what it costs to bend yourself to fit in, and what becomes possible when you stop.

These ideas reflect the Thrive Formula our therapists use in sessions: Regulate, Reveal and Reclaim. Reading with them in mind can help you connect articles that seem unrelated at first.

A Short Glossary for Blog Readers

Therapy has its own vocabulary. Here are plain language explanations of terms you will see across the blog.

Nervous system regulation

The ability to return to a settled state after stress. When regulation is hard, people may feel stuck in overdrive, shut down, or swing between the two.

Window of tolerance

The range of arousal in which you can think clearly and feel your emotions without being overwhelmed. Therapy often aims to widen this window gradually.

Trauma response

Automatic survival reactions such as fight, flight, freeze or fawn. They are protective, even when they no longer fit the situation you are in.

Attachment

The patterns of closeness and trust we develop in early relationships, which often shape how we connect as adults.

Parts

A concept from Internal Family Systems describing the different inner voices or roles within us, such as a critic, a protector or a hurt younger self.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a structured therapy that helps the brain process distressing memories so they feel less charged.

CBT

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a practical approach that looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviours influence one another.

Neurodivergence

Natural variation in how brains work, including ADHD and autism, understood as difference rather than deficit.

Integration

The process of making sense of an intense experience, such as a psychedelic journey or a breakthrough in therapy, and weaving what you learned into daily life.

Many readers arrive with a specific question. These are some of the most common, with the article that tackles each one.

From Blog Topics to Counselling Services

If an article describes something you are living with, one of our services may be the natural next step. Here is how the main blog themes connect to support at Thrive.

Why a Counselling Centre Keeps a Blog

Therapy can feel mysterious from the outside. Our blog is one way we make it more transparent: explaining how different approaches work, what sessions feel like and how change actually happens. We also hope it helps people who are not ready for counselling feel less alone with what they are carrying.

Writing is also part of how our team keeps learning. Putting ideas into words sharpens our thinking, and hearing from readers shows us which questions matter most in our community.

Who Writes the Thrive Blog

Most articles on our blog are written by the counsellors and founders who practise at Thrive, drawing on their training and the patterns they see in their work. You will notice different voices and styles, which reflects the genuine diversity of our team. Some articles are practical guides, while others are personal reflections on growth, spirituality and connection.

If an author’s perspective resonates with you, you can read their profile on our team page and request them as your counsellor.

Reflections From Our Therapists

Alongside practical guides, the blog includes personal reflections from our founders and counsellors. These pieces tend to explore the deeper side of healing: how people change, what it means to meet your own needs, and how growth often involves letting go rather than pushing harder.

These reflections are a good way to get a feel for the people behind Thrive before you reach out. If a writer’s voice resonates, that connection can be a meaningful starting point for choosing a counsellor, and many readers find that the same warmth carries into the therapy room.

Articles for specific communities

Some pieces speak directly to particular experiences, such as The Non-Monogamous Checklist for people exploring alternative relationships, and Men’s Kayak Journey, which reflects on connection and nature. We aim to keep widening the range of voices and topics over time.

Using the Blog Alongside Therapy

Reading can be a helpful companion to counselling, but it is not a substitute for personalized care. Here are a few ways clients use the blog well:

  • Bring an article that resonated to your next session and talk about why it landed
  • Use the reading paths to learn the language for experiences you have struggled to name
  • Share a relevant article with a partner or family member to start a conversation
  • Return to favourite pieces between sessions as reminders of what you are practising

If a topic stirs up strong feelings, pause and take care of yourself. Your counsellor can help you make sense of what comes up.

Reading Tips for Hard Days

Mental health content can be comforting, and it can also stir things up. A few gentle guidelines help:

  • Read one article at a time and notice how your body responds
  • Skip sections that feel like too much, and come back later if you want to
  • Pair reading with something grounding, like a walk, a warm drink or a call with a friend
  • Remember that articles describe general patterns, and your experience is uniquely yours

If reading leaves you feeling worse, that is useful information too. It may be a sign to talk with someone rather than carry it alone.

Trusted Mental Health Resources Beyond Our Blog

We also recommend reputable Canadian sources for mental health information. The Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division offers programs and resources across the province, HeretoHelp publishes practical guides, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health shares research based information on many conditions.

Blog FAQs

How often do you publish new articles?

We publish as our therapists have insights worth sharing, rather than on a fixed schedule. The newest articles appear at the top of this page.

Can I suggest a topic for the blog?

Yes. If there is a question you would like our therapists to explore, send it through our contact page.

Can I share articles from the blog?

Yes, please do. Sharing a link with a friend, partner or colleague can be a gentle way to open a conversation about mental health. We only ask that you link to the original article rather than copying it.

Do you cover topics for families and teens?

Some articles touch on family dynamics, parenting and growing up. If you are looking for support for a teen or your family, contact us and we will let you know which counsellors work with younger clients and families.

Is the information on the blog medical advice?

No. Articles are general education and cannot replace an assessment or care from a qualified professional. If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency.

Can I work with the author of an article?

Often, yes. If the author is a Thrive counsellor, mention their name when you book your free 15 minute consult and we will check their availability.

From Reading to Real Support

If something on the blog helped you feel understood, that is often a sign you deserve more support than an article can give. Book a free 15 minute consult through our contact page or call 604-227-0297, and we will help you find a therapist who fits, in person downtown or online.

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