Resiliency: Use This Word With Caution

March 3, 2023 |
Resiliency, as symbolized by a flower blooming through a crack in the pavement.

As part of the helping professions, career professionals help clients achieve their goals by providing guidance, advice, resources, and caring support at every step of their work-life journeys. In my practice, I offer coaching in the areas of career, personal development, and life enhancement. My goal is to facilitate and nurture the overall wellbeing of my clients; to help them create a life that aligns with their vision and dreams. Along the way, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t; what to say and what not to say. One of…

Return to Work: One Size Does Not Fit All

February 17, 2023 |
Young woman at office desk, unhappy about return to work post-pandemic

We have all seen clothing labels that read “One size fits all.” Over the past few months, employers have been calling their employees back to the workplace, however, for some workers, this has created a situation where one size does not fit all. Certain employees are asking for consideration, exceptions, and accommodation. Nancy Doyle published in Forbes that “One rule cannot apply to all. Disabled and neurodivergent people still require flexibility and might need a different rule.” Read on to learn about the impact return to work orders can have on…

How to Help Clients Deal With a Toxic Work Environment

October 14, 2022 |
Toxic Work Environment

As career professionals, many of us have experienced toxic work environments firsthand, or we may have helped our clients deal with the fallout of toxic environments. Such a scenario can cause undue stress on us, our co-workers, and other people we deal with. In turn, it can negatively influence our attitudes toward people and work in general, and may even affect our personal lives. In this article, we’ll explore what a toxic work environment looks like and how we can help our clients deal with the situation. What is a Toxic Work…

September is Suicide Prevention Month: Let’s Create Hope Through Action

September 9, 2022 |
September is suicide prevention month, depicted by two friends hugging, supporting each other, offering hope.

In Canada, more than 10 people die by suicide every day. Although suicide occurs frequently, there is still a lot of stigma around suicide and efforts to prevent it. September is Suicide Prevention Month. Throughout the month, groups comprised of representatives from all sectors—workplace, health services, community, school boards, and post-secondary institutions—organize events designed to bring awareness of and provide education on the issue of suicide. WARNING! This article may trigger emotional responses. Use your self-care and mindfulness resources to sit with the contents of this post and seek help if…

Trauma-Informed Care: A Necessary Skill for Career Professionals

July 15, 2022 |
Trauma-Informed Care word cloud

As career practitioners, we work with clients daily, yet we may never know what these individuals have experienced in the past. Trauma can evolve from a distressing event—a job restructuring, injury, the loss of a loved one, an accident, or even a transition from one country to another. A trauma-informed care approach is necessary for safe and supportive crisis intervention and service delivery. It acknowledges that a client has experienced some form of trauma in their life. What is Trauma? Trauma involves the event, experience, and effect. Trauma is an…

How to Invest in Your Body, Mind, and Spirit Bank Accounts

June 24, 2022 |
Young woman raising hands to the sky at sunrise, investing in her body, mind, and spirit bank accounts.

With life gradually returning to normal after COVID, some people report that they’re having difficulty adjusting. Some feel exhausted, unmotivated, unsettled, anxious, and perhaps even depressed. For the last two years, all of us have had to draw heavily on our physical and emotional resources. But, let’s face it, those resources are not limitless! Think of the different aspects of yourself as being similar to a bank account; you can’t maintain a healthy account if you continuously make withdrawals. It’s vital to focus on making deposits to keep your reserves topped-up. I’d like…