Sometimes we can deal with struggle by ourselves or through talking to friends or family. There are, however, times when issues may be too much for us to manage on our own, and seeking support and strategies can be very beneficial. A counsellor can help you address your problems in a positive way by helping you to clarify the issues, explore options, develop strategies and increase self-awareness.

Your decision to seek therapy is a big step to making a positive change in your life. In our practice, we attend to individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, relationship and intimacy issues, divorce, bereavement, stress, work related issues, direction in life, life transitions, adjustment, domestic violence, trauma and recovery. Treatment modalities to therapy are tailored to meet each individual’s needs and goals.

In therapy, we work in partnership with clients to enhance their quality of life by exploring and understanding patterns of behaviours, as well as the thoughts and emotions that keep them from creating a life they enjoy. With time and proper support, new skills are developed that reinforce positive changes!

Being in a relationship is a wonderful thing, especially in the honeymoon phase – lots of affection, cute little notes, heart emoticons in texts, surprise gifts and flowers. There’s nothing better! So how is it that couples go from being bright-eyed lovebirds to wanting to call the relationship off and walk away?

According to Statistics Canada (2018), approximately 38% of all marriages end in divorce. Though it happens at different times, there has been a steady increase in the divorce rate for three-year marriages. The average duration of marriage in Canada is 14 years, with 42% of divorces occurring for marriages lasting between 10 and 24 years (Statistics Canada, 2018).

Though this sounds scary, the good news is that relationships can be repaired, wounds can be healed, and love can be restored! What helps in this process is understanding how couples end up in distress and what they need to do to get out. The first step in couple/marital counselling is identifying where the problem exists.

Whether aimed at addressing small issues or dealing with potentially relationship breaking challenges, therapy can help you each feel valued, heard, and connected again! In a non-judgmental and supportive environment, you and your partner’s individual wants and needs are combined with evidence-based techniques and therapies to help build confidence, openness and respect.

When both partners are provided with the right tools, relationship frustrations often ease or disappear, problems become manageable, a sense of security develops, and increased communication paves the way for a calmer, happier relationship and the healthiest way forward together.

Children often internalise problems rather than communicating them openly, so it can be difficult to know if they’re struggling. However, if you notice any of the following signs, you may want to consider getting further advice or support.

Change of behaviour: Have they started to act out or get into trouble? Or perhaps they’ve become quiet and withdrawn and are spending a lot of time in their room? A noticeable change in behaviour can be part of their normal stages of development, but could also be a sign that they need some extra support.
Sleep patterns: Often, when we’re feeling upset, physical things like sleep patterns are the first to be affected. If your child is finding it harder to sleep, it may be a sign something is causing them anxiety. Likewise, sleeping significantly more than usual can be an indicator that they’re demoralised or even depressed.
Eating patterns:Is your child eating noticeably more or less than they usually would? Or at different times of day? Are they refusing to sit down for meals with the rest of the family? Eating patterns and appetite often change around emotions. If you’re worried about your child’s eating, you may want to consult your family doctor first.
Health Problems: Is your son or daughter reporting frequent headaches and/or tummy upsets? Are you noticing changes in mood and lack of motivation? These are often symptoms of anxiety.
School grades: A significant drop in school grades can be a key indicator that they’re feeling distracted or upset. You may want to meet with their teacher. Your child may express themselves at school in ways they wouldn’t at home.

What do I do next?
If you think your child would benefit from counselling, suggest it to them. But, it’s important not to make them feel like it’s being suggested as a punishment. Don’t bring it up during an argument or when emotions are running high. Simply let them know you’re concerned about them and you want to help.

Let’s be real for a second! Family dynamics are tough! Even if you all grew up in the same household, you and your family members can be very different people. With large age gaps, natural differences in personalities, and contrasting values or beliefs, connecting can be tough! There are also many different types of families – nuclear, extended, single-parent, blended and childless. And, with more young people continuing to live in their family home after they reach adulthood, more and more families (over 18% of the US population) are now living in “multi-generational” homes. In these families, people of very different ages and generations are trying to co-exist.

Whether aimed at addressing small issues or dealing with potentially relationship-breaking challenges, family therapy can help each person feel valued and connected again. In our practice we provide a non-judgmental, supportive environment to meet your family’s needs. We combine evidence-based techniques and therapies to foster confidence, openness, and respect, and help your family work together to improve relationships with each other and themselves.

With the right tools, appropriate approaches and healthy insight, family frustrations often ease or disappear, problems become manageable, and communication increases. This paves the way for calmer, happier relationships and a healthy way forward.

Humanacare is a trusted provider of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), offering comprehensive support services to help employees address a variety of personal and professional challenges. As an EAP provider for Humanacare, Stick & Stone Counselling Services is dedicated to supporting employees in achieving a healthier work-life balance, managing personal and workplace stressors, and addressing mental health concerns.

Our experienced counsellors provide confidential, solution-focused counselling tailored to meet your unique needs. Whether you’re facing challenges in your personal life, navigating workplace dynamics, or striving for emotional well-being, we’re here to help you thrive both professionally and personally.

A referral must be obtained from Humanacare prior to booking:

- Go to https://aspiria.eapintake.com
- Fill out the information
- Request Stick & Stone Counselling Services
- Once we receive your referral, we will contact you to book!

Stick & Stone Counselling Services is honored to support clients covered by the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program, a federally funded initiative that provides essential health benefits to eligible First Nations and Inuit individuals. We are committed to delivering culturally sensitive, respectful, and accessible mental health care tailored to the unique needs of Indigenous individuals, families, and communities.

Our compassionate counsellors provide a safe and supportive space to address a variety of mental health concerns, from personal challenges to intergenerational trauma. We recognize the importance of cultural identity and holistic healing in the counselling process and strive to offer care that honors these values.

At Stick & Stone Counselling Services, we are here to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing and well-being.

- In order to book NIHB sessions, you must send a photo copy (front and back side) of your treaty card PRIOR to booking.
NIHB sessions must be pre-approved! Please contact reception to book!

We are proud to collaborate with Saskatchewan Victim Services to support individuals who have been impacted by crime or trauma. This essential program provides resources to help victims navigate their recovery journey. At Stick & Stone Counselling Services, our compassionate and experienced counsellors offer a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can process your experiences, heal from emotional wounds, and regain a sense of safety and empowerment. We are dedicated to helping you rebuild your life and move forward with resilience and hope.

- We will require an approved letter from victim services in order to book.