Myth Busters: Therapy in the Media Pop culture and media have historically portrayed counselling or psychotherapy in inaccurate ways. Therapists in movies and on TV are often portrayed as overly neurotic, judgmental, incompetent, and even aggressive. These quirky caricatures of bad therapists make for entertaining programming (after all, the medias job is entertainment, not education) but they are hardly encouraging to someone who might be considering seeing a therapist. Research has shown that media portrayals of therapists do, in fact, impact the public’s attitudes about seeking therapy. Inaccurate portrayals might lead the public to believe that unethical and even abusive practices are normal. If the majority of your knowledge of therapy comes from the big and small screen, you might benefit from some help separating fact from fiction. So, what does the media tell us about therapy and how are we to know what is fact and what is fiction? Here are 3 myths about therapy that we learn from …

8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting Marriedby Lisa Thomson 1. Do you feel emotionally safe and supported in your relationship? Can you be vulnerable and open about beliefs, hopes and fears? 2. What are your reasons for wanting to get married? Are they idealistic or realistic? 3. Are you able to “show up” for your partner? Can you envision yourself as a supporter when life gets tough? As a confidant? As a cheerleader when your partner is pursuing a goal or dream? 4. Who is your relationship support system? Are you surrounded by friends and family who will support you in working through difficult times that may come up? 5. Do you know what your preferences are for how to handle finances, career, extended family and whether or not to have children? Have you communicated openly about these things with your partner, and have you listened to their hopes and preferences? 6. Are you sexually compatible? Are you a …

by Marilyn Price-Mitchell, PhD Learning from mistakes and errors is an important part of child and adolescent development. Most adults understand this concept. Yet, we have failed to teach our children that there is a positive side to getting things wrong. Many children grow up in a society that pressures them to be perfect – to get the highest SAT scores, to land prized scholarships, to get into the best universities.  Parents correct or complete children’s homework to improve their grades. They argue with teachers who try to point out a child’s areas of weakness that need improvement. How does all this focus on testing and perfection affect kids’ learning?  And how can we help them understand that learning from mistakes is part of healthy development? Why is it Important to Learn from Mistakes?Whether it involves homework, developing friendships, or playing a sport, learning is enriched through error. Learning from mistakes is part of how we challenge ourselves to learn …