Roots in Wellness

01/28/2021

Let’s talk EVERY DAY about mental health.⁣⁣
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It’s great companies are bringing awareness to mental health. But in order to create real change, we need both awareness AND action! ⁣⁣
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Mental health is an issue EVERY DAY for so many people. Day in and day out, we witness the toll that struggles with mental health has had on our clients. On us. On our families and friends. The pandemic only amplifies these concerns, making us feel more isolated and disconnected than ever before. ⁣⁣
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So what can we do about it - today and EVERY day?⁣⁣
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• Share how you’re feeling when it is safe to do so. If you can’t think of a support person you would trust - reach out to mental health helplines. We have numerous ones in our story highlights!⁣⁣
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• Support others. Check in and ask how they’re doing. If you know they are going through a tough time, show up! Offer to drop off groceries, have a video chat, or go for a walk. ⁣⁣
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• Support organizations that support mental health. This includes both mental-health specific programs (like CAMH), and programs that support affordable housing, education, and access to food. ⁣⁣
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•Educate yourself on mental health. The more we know, the less we assume - and this can significantly reduce stigma! ⁣⁣
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•Take care of you. Listen to your body, and give mental health the same care you’d give to your physical health. Make sure you’re taking care of your needs for food, sleep, play, and rest. Stay active, whatever that looks like for you! Walking, dancing, yoga, and playing outside are just a few ways you can look after you ⁣⁣
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•Know that you are not alone! You are loved, you are important, and you are doing an amazing job navigating an incredibly challenging year. ⁣⁣
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If you need to talk to someone, please visit the link in bio to sign up for a free consult call and find out how we may be able to help:

https://rootsinwellness.ca/services/therapy/

01/22/2021

It’s no secret this year has felt heavy. If you’re feeling the burnout right now - please know that you aren’t alone. A pandemic + changes in our routines + isolation from loved ones + less sunlight + the same expectations from work/school/life is a LOT. It is normal to feel like everything is too much... Because it is! ⁣
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Take a moment for you today. Tune out of all the extra to tune back in again. There’s so much information surrounding us at any given time - from our phones, TV, email - the list goes on. What might it feel like to tune out some of these to tune back IN to you? ⁣
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Maybe tuning in looks like yoga. Journaling. A kitchen dance party. Meditation. Singing at the top of your lungs. Calling a friend. Allowing yourself to cry. Whatever tuning in looks like, know you are worthy of this time and this experience. ⁣
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You might just be surprised what your body and mind tell you, if you give them the opportunity 💗

01/19/2021

Do you spend most of your days on autopilot? When was the last time you slowed down and really savoured the moment? ⁣
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In a recent @calm meditation, narrator Jeff Warren introduced me to a phrase that hasn’t left my mind since - let the good land. There’s no doubt about it - times are hard. But one of the more beautiful aspects of mindfulness (in my opinion) is opening my senses, leaning into a moment, and seeing the potential for the gifts it may bring. Many of us are confronted with news and stories that leave us feeling scared (that’s a post for another day), which is why it’s important to spend time feeling the good stuff - really letting it land. Being mindful as we go through our day allows us to shift, reset our mindset and refocus on choosing an attitude of gratitude. ⁣
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Whether it’s sipping coffee from your favourite cup, putting on your coziest sweater and cuddling on the couch, or spending time quietly watching the winter sun set - what moments, thoughts or feelings can you savour today? - Cassandra ⁣
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Looking to develop a deeper connection wiggle yourself? Contact Cassandra today to book your free phone consultation. We offer online therapy so that you can access the support you need:

https://rootsinwellness.ca/about/cassandraumbriaco/

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Repost from @calm

01/14/2021

Welcome, Cassandra Umbriaco! | Roots in Wellness

Roots in Wellness is thrilled to welcome our newest intern, Cassandra Umbriaco!

Here's some words from Cassandra:

“Healing is possible. I would be honoured to take that journey with you and work together to explore your life, establish goals and bring about change that matters to you. Using the premise of accepting instead avoiding, and being mindful of your thoughts and feelings, you will experience the joy of living as your most authentic self. From unlearning unhelpful patterns to embracing self-compassion, I’ll support you in finding out who you truly are and the courage to embrace it.”

Click the link below to read more about Cassandra, including the life event that called her to become a psychotherapist and how she hopes to one day make a difference in the lives of young women affected by cancer.

https://rootsinwellness.ca/2021/01/14/welcome-cassandra-umbriaco/

Hello readers!  I can hardly believe I’m sitting down to write this blog post.  While writing a blog isn’t new to me, I’m thrilled to be contributing to Roots in Wellness – as a blogger and a student!  I’m the latest Masters in Counselling Psychology student to join the incredible R...

12/26/2020

This year wasn’t an easy one, and there may be many mixed emotions this holiday season. Here’s your gentle and loving reminder that it’s okay to feel them all ❤️⁣
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May you feel connection to those you love, near or far, on this Earth or not. ⁣
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May you experience presence to enjoy the little things, even when it seems there isn’t always much to look forward to. ⁣
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And may you carry hope in your heart for all of the good things to come ahead. ⁣⁣
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Sending you so much love. We are all in this together 😌

12/22/2020

Today feels heavy. ⁣
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It’s the winter solstice - the shortest and darkest day of the year. It’s also a day in Ontario where more lockdowns have been announced, and so many thoughts, opinions, and feelings are swirling around on social media. Today feels dark. ⁣
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And here you are. There’s this heaviness, but then there’s also you. ⁣
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You, who made it through the first lockdown. You, who survived despite uncertainty and fear. You, who has survived every single challenging thing life has thrown at you so far. You, who still has their light. ⁣
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It’s easy to lose hope. To say 2020 was a crap year and a complete write off. And it’s certainly not wrong. But here you are, showing so much resiliency this year. Still surviving. Still here. Our light can feel dim at times when life is heavy, and it’s allowed. We don’t have to have it together all the time. But please don’t forget your light is always there. ⁣
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You are strong. You are resilient. You are worthy. And your light is still here, still flickering - a beacon of hope, of trust, of love despite this tough time we’re in. The light will be brighter one day, but today can it be enough to remind yourself - you’ve got the light 💛

12/02/2020

This space has been so special to me and so many of you that I have had the pleasure of working with. It has been a place of healing, laughter, tears, and so much love. ⁣
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In October, I made the difficult decision to transition my practice fully online due to the current COVID situation. I continued to practice from my space, our space - but did so entirely online. With October came many other big changes in my life including moving homes and ultimately, deciding to give up my office space at 428 Aberdeen entirely to pursue a home office. ⁣
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This home office will include a major renovation to dedicate a portion of my home entirely to my work with my clients. We will have a separate entrance, waiting area, and two office spaces to accommodate my own growing practice and the students I have taken on. It will also have much easier access to trails for our Walk and Talk therapy sessions. My goal is to have the construction completed by March 2020 in the hopes we may be working together in-person again by then or shortly thereafter. ⁣
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This is a big move and so, so bittersweet. I said goodbye to 428 Aberdeen this past Sunday for the last time, and tears were shed as I thanked the space for the moments it’s held for myself, my students, and my clients. I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to start my private practice in such a warm and welcoming environment, and I look forward to all of the exciting opportunities to come as we embark on this new adventure 💚

09/15/2020

Some great mindfulness tips from @destressmonday
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Back to school can be an extremely stressful time, and it can feel like there’s no time in the day to breathe, never mind being mindful.
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Especially during these uncertain times, the stress can quickly get to us.
These quick mindfulness tricks can help you stay sane during these crazy times!
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You might even already do some of these without realizing it. Which one do you like best?

07/21/2020

Roots in Wellness

06/08/2020

Meet Kat Sclisizzi! | Roots in Wellness

Roots in Wellness is thrilled to welcome our newest student, Kat Sclisizzi!

Kat has over 15 years' experience in the mental health field, and is a wealth of knowledge! Kat's specialties include Eating Disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Parent-Child Conflict, and Behavioural Concerns.

You can read more about Kat on our new blog:

https://rootsinwellness.ca/2020/06/08/meet-kat-sclisizzi/

Hello, my name is Kat and I am so thrilled to be a part of the team at Roots in Wellness for the next 7 months! A little bit about me… I am currently in the final stage of my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree through Yorkville University, completing the practicum portion. While […]

06/02/2020

It’s Pride month, and Roots in Wellness wants you to know that we’re with you. We love you. We support you.
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Regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, skin colour, etc. We support you and we care for you.
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This year’s pride is extra difficult for many - with COVID-19, most pride events are cancelled. Not only that, but many are having to remain home with families they can’t be themselves around. We see you. We’re here.
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Have pride in who you are
Have hope for tomorrow
Have faith in yourself and others
Unite all people
Be proud to be you
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Throughout pride month, and all throughout the year, we celebrate the people in LGBTQ+ community. For being brave, for being beautiful, for being themselves. Thank you for being you.

05/11/2020

Happy Birthday Roots in Wellness! 🥳⁣
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Two years ago today, we started Roots in Wellness out of a dream to bring mental health services that integrated mind, body, and soul to our beloved Hamilton. ⁣
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We’ve learned a lot along the way, and have had the privilege of meeting so many amazing people. From clients, to community members, conferences and public speaking events - we feel so lucky to have had these experiences and to be able to serve our community!⁣
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We look forward to continuing to serve you and grow in the years to come. If you or somebody you know needs mental health support, please visit our website www.rootsinwellness.ca to find out more about how we may be able to help.

04/30/2020

I’ve been absent from here for a long minute. ⁣
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Part of it has been due to focusing my energy on baby and his needs - trying to take a “true” maternity leave. The other part of it has been genuinely not knowing what to say during this time. ⁣
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I’m struggling during this quarantine. I know so many of us are - this whole situation has violated our expectation of what these months would be. Weddings, graduations, festivals, and other celebrations cancelled. Work and school disrupted. Confined to spaces we may or may not feel safe in. Lots and lots of different feelings and thoughts that we move through every day. ⁣
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I recognize we are all moving through this in our own unique ways, and I won’t pretend to speculate on how you feel. I can say that I miss my clients dearly - now more than ever - and think about you often. I hope you find some sense of grounding, peace, and mostly, LOVE during this time. ⁣
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You are so very loved and cared about, now and always. You have strength, courage, and grace. You are important. You will get through this in whichever way makes sense for you. Maybe that means doing less, or maybe doing more - there’s no right or wrong! You are loved, and worthy of showing yourself a little extra love today, whatever that looks like 💗

03/17/2020

The coronavirus pandemic is something that we haven’t faced before in our time.
It’s big. It’s confusing. It’s scary. And it’s unfamiliar.
We’re being told to do things, and not do things, that we maybe haven’t thought about before. The prospect of staying in the house and not leaving can be daunting.
It’s important during these times that we remain united, although from a distance, and listen to the experts and follow their advice.
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If you’re wondering how to get through your days at home practicing social distancing, and how to distract yourself from some of the anxiety, we’ve put together some ideas here!
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We know this can be a scary time. If you’re struggling, please reach out. We are still seeing clients during this time, especially over video call. We are here to help.
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Stay safe everyone!

02/17/2020

We are so excited to introduce the newest member of the Roots in Wellness family!

Kayleen’s son Cadon Ben Edwards was born yesterday on February 16th at 11:19 am, weighing 9 lbs 5 oz. We are so over the moon! ❤️

11/11/2019

If you live in the Toronto/Hamilton/London/KW area, you know we’re in for quite a bit of snow today.
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This can be discouraging and many people done like the snow. It’s cold, wet, hard to drive in, and winter days are short and often cloudy.
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It’s easy to lose sight of the beauty of winter, but I encourage you to try to find it! I personally love watching the snow fall, and my dogs love to play in the snow.
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The winter can be a beautiful thing if we allow it to be. Check out this gorgeous photo from @digalittledeepertherapy from the first snow fall the other day!

11/05/2019

It’s that time of year again when many of us start to notice changes in how we feel, mentally AND physically! It is not uncommon to experience an increase in symptoms of depression and even anxiety in the winter months. It makes sense, given our exposure to less light, decreased physical activity, more viruses, and less social interactions. If you experience symptoms of seasonal depression, check out our blog (link in bio) for some tips to help you get back to feeling like you! If you feel like you need more help, we are always just a phone call or email away ☎️

10/31/2019

Happy Halloween from your friends at Roots in Wellness!! 🎃 We hope you have a frightfully fun night 👻

10/18/2019

Do you have a friend or family member who has recently come out as a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and you’re not sure how to support them?
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Or maybe you’re part of the community yourself and have questions about community resources, transitioning, or HRT.
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Roots in Wellness is now offering consultation sessions to help with these issues. These sessions can be a one time basis or ongoing - whatever your needs are!
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To find out more or to book a session with Jennifer, click the link below!
https://rootsinwellness.ca/about/jennifer-thomson/session-types-2/

10/03/2019

Came across this post today and it seemed very fitting! I’ve been feeling bad about not posting on here as much as we want to be until I came across this gem.
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Sometimes we NEED breaks from things in order to be our best selves! It can be tough if you aren’t used to giving yourself breaks, but a break can be an incredibly empowering thing when you’re feeling worn down and exhausted. What can you give yourself a break from today? This weekend? Next week? You deserve this time, sweet soul 🙏

09/21/2019

Day 2 of the OACCPP Annual Conference and we are learning about using CBT with PTSD and Trauma. Just a very light Saturday morning 😉
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We love what we do, and feel so grateful to serve our community with the latest research and information! 💚

09/04/2019

September can be a big month for anxiety! Whether it’s going back to school, sending the kids off to school, transitioning to a new job, or adjusting to a new season - September is a time of lots of changes!
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If you’re noticing anxiety, see if you can tune into these anxiety hot spots and release some of the tension. Do this now, but also do this during other times throughout your day too! The more we can notice anxiety in our bodies, the more we can try and release what tension we can to encourage a little bit of relaxation among the chaos! 😌

08/31/2019

Coping with Back-to-School Stress | Roots in Wellness

Heading back to school on Tuesday and dreading it?
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You’re not alone! Back to school time can be intimidating for a lot of people. There’s a huge amount of stress and pressure put on students to succeed, and it can be a lot!
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While we can’t take away your stress, we’re hoping these tips for coping with some of that stress will be helpful in making your transition back to school a bit easier!

https://rootsinwellness.ca/2019/08/30/coping-with-back-to-school-anxiety/

For many, going back to college or university every September can be a scary process. We worry about getting good enough grades, fitting in, making friends, balancing work and school, and so much more! Life for students is a stressful one, and we are hoping we can give you some tips before the schoo...