Dover Psychology & Consulting

As many of you already know, there are some big changes happening at Dover Psych these days. Join Sam as she shares about the transitions we're stepping into. #yeglocal #yegtherapy #therapyyeg #therapist #therapistlife #yegtherapist #yegwellness

We're jumping into a new series starting this week, friends! It's our summer of self-care ❤️ Sometimes self-care gets a funny reputation... like it's a luxury which consists only of bottomless brunches, beautiful bouquets, bubbles & baths, perfect pedicures... a peaceful paradise. BUT, self-care is so much more than these things. So, we're diving into the 8 domains that exist within the concept of self-care over the next weeks. You'll see glimpses into our own lives as we work to take care of ourselves while taking care of our families, holding regular responsibilities (careers, parenting, daycare/school stuff, etc.) and carving out a little space to dream. Join us ❤️ #selfcarematters #selfcaresummer #wellnessyeg #yeglocal #yeg #dreamalittledream #yegtherapy #yegtherapist #yeghealth

We're wrapping up our video series introducing different types of therapy that we use at Dover Psych today, friends! Sam is introducing existential therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Both of these therapies are tools to help us face the big realities and questions of life and find meaning in them... things like: why am I here? what is my purpose in life? what really matters to me? what do I value? why does suffering happen? why is it happening to me? how do I deal with it? Existential therapy and ACT help us use those questions and the uncertainty that comes with them to explore our values and find meaning in our lives within the circumstances that we find ourselves. #acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy #act #yegtherapy #yegtherapist #existentialtherapy #thebigquestions #yeglocal #yeg #yegwellness

Today we’re shining a spotlight on the spouses, partners and families of first responders and military personnel. It’s easier to see the toll that this work takes on the first responder. We can imagine the stressful calls, the erratic schedule, the high job demands… the aftermath of difficult deployments or emergencies. Seeing the spouse and the family is a little more tricky. The spouse that fills in all the gaps at home while their partner is on the job, being uncertain of their mood and energy when they do come home, knowing how to support their loved one when their experiences on the job don’t fall away when they walk through the door at home. Spouses live through the highs and lows of being a first responder family in a unique way. Research supports that first responder spouses need strong social connection to navigate their unique role. Employers generally focus on the first responder and their needs. Spouses are encouraged to look for - and know - the signs and symptoms of mental health issues for their first responder spouse. They are encouraged to ensure their spouse has the necessary social connection and social support. Yet, spouses are left to navigate their own relationship with the first responder family life independently. New research is emerging highlighting that first responder spouses and families need to be recipients of targeted support as well. #firstresponder #firstresponderfamilies #socialsupport #socialconnection #wellbeing

We’re talking about one-handed postpartum snacks with Jessica @jessicamantikrd on Tuesday, May 5 at 1PM! Join our free Edmonton moms group this week. Jessica is going to focus on ‘one-handed snacks’ — easy, nutritious options postpartum moms can eat while caring for their baby. She’ll discuss how keeping these snacks within reach can help support regular fueling, energy, and recovery throughout the day. Jessica Mantik is a Registered Dietitian @jessicamantikrd Comment ✨moms✨ and I’ll message you with more info about our free moms group! We meet at @balancepsychservices and @doverpsych #edmonton #yeg #mother #pregnant #postpartum new moms group, pregnancy group, prep for baby, edmonton baby group, things to do with baby, baby activities

We’re talking about Talking Toddlers at our free Edmonton moms group! Join us on Tuesday, April 7th 1PM at @balancepsychservices and @doverpsych Britt will be talking about what typical language development looks like, what skills to watch for, when to reach out to an SLP and what resources are available in Edmonton. Britt Meropoulis @slp.britt is a Speech Language Pathologist and owner of Dream Pediatric Services @dreampediatric.yeg Comment ✨tuesday✨ and I’ll send you more info about moms group! #edmonton #yeg #yegmom #yegmoms edmonton moms group, mom community, supporting moms, speech therapy, talking toddlers, toddler speech, speech milestones

GUIDEPOST 10: Cultivating Laughter, Song & Dance Why do laughter, song and dance matter in our quest for wholehearted living? They created emotional and spiritual connection. They remind us of the core truth at we are not alone. Laughter allows us to say “I get it. I’m with you” without saying a word. Song offers us emotional connection. It allows us to feel. Dance is full body vulnerability. So what gets in our way of embracing the full belly laugh, singing boldly or contorting our bodies with our “hidden” dance moves? Fear. Fear of being seen as awkward, embarassing, foolish, immature, goofy… and the list goes on.These shame triggers hold us back. The need to present an “always in control” and “cool” front to the world minimizes our risk of being truly seen, but also keeps us from being truly known. Where can you make space for this kind of vulnerability and joy in your life? Can you dare to be goofy? #wholeheartedliving #giftsofimperfection #yegtherapy #yegwellness #yegtherapist

GUIDEPOST 9: Cultivating Meaningful Work Wholehearted living includes giving our energy and time to something meaningful to us. When we think of “meaningful work”, our minds might immediately jump to our careers. Does our 9-5 fill our cup? Maybe. But meaningful work is much bigger than our careers. So what’s at the core meaningful work? We all have gifts and talents. Sharing those gifts with others beings meaning and purpose to our lives. When we hide these gifts it brings a sense of emptiness and lack of connection to our lives. Sharing our gifts gives us a connection to something bigger than ourselves. It is a spiritual connection that requires commitment on our part. Our gifts and talents don’t always bring us the paycheque to live off of, but they feed our souls. Exploring your gifts can be challenging. Our own doubts creep in… - Maybe I don’t have any gifts? - Are my talents “good enough”? - If I can’t make money at it, it’s probably not going to work out - work isn’t “supposed to” be about your gifts. It’s about making enough money Maybe it’s not either or. What if we can work to earn a living and we can develop time and energy to the things that make us come alive? #giftsofimperfection #meaningfulwork #yegtherapy #talents #yegwellness

A new look for Coffee & Convos posts ☕️ having a tough day as a mom? We’re talking about breath work & grounding with Cari @balancepsychservices to help you manage tough days more effectively. Come to our free Edmonton moms group on Tuesday, February 10th! Get a free coffee & a seat at 1pm. Guest speaker starts 1:30pm. 📍302, 550 - 91 Street SW Balance Psychological Services @balancepsychservices and Dover Psychology @doverpsych 🅿️ 7 spots with signs for “Dover Psychology” or across the street at Servus Credit Union along the fence with signs for 30 minute parking (you can stay longer) 📞 Call or text The Fourth 780-729-4144 on Tuesday and one our staff will help direct you to moms group. Plesse note this number is only active during moms group. Comment ✨breath✨ and I’ll send you more info about our free moms group. #mothers #motherhood #edmonton #yeg #yegmoms edmonton moms group, free baby activities, postpartum help, edmonton events

GUIDEPOST 8: Cultivating Calm & Stillness Sometimes we think of calm and stillness as something we’ll figure out in the future… when our circumstances simply are calmer. But that’s not serving us well. In fact, we really need the skills of creating calm and stillness when our circumstances aren’t calm. Calm and stillness aren’t about focusing on nothingness. It’s about creating perspective - creating a clearing in which we can allow ourselves to feel, think, dream and question. There, we can quiet our minds and bodies allowing us to feel less anxious and overwhelmed. Stepping into practices that facilitate calm and stillness can be fear inducing. It’s in the quiet where things become clear and we see where the problems lie and where we are not living aligned with our values. Start small. Can you create a little time for a breathing practice? A short meditation? #calm #stillness #meditate #yegtherapy #yeglocal

Coffee & Convos is moving to 302, 550 - 91 Street SW at Balance Psychological Services and Dover Psychology @doverpsych call or text 780-729-4144 on Tuesday if you need help ❤️ you’ll see familiar faces Mallory and Etenia there! Working on the parking situation. If the 7 spots marked “Dover Psych” are full, park along the street on Ellwood Drive or further in the residential area. Now that we’re ending the Wednesday mornings and I’m down to one staff (aka ME!) I’ll be updating the look of our Coffee & Convos posts closer to what it used to be in 2022 🤣 ✨comment✨ with all your questions about moms group. #yeg #edmonton #yegmoms #edmontonmoms #yegcoffee

GUIDEPOST 7: Cultivating Play and Rest Play is a vital component of wholehearted living. It’s a necessity - something we are biologically wired to do. Our society values business, being stretched too thin and not taking time off to do something seemingly purposeless and “unproductive”. Yet, play shapes our brain and helps us foster empathy, navigate complex social situations and is at the core of creativity and innovation. The opposite of play isn’t just a lack of fun or joy. It’s depression. So, let’s roll up those sleeves and battle over a board game, grab a puzzle, hit our local skating rink.. your play, your choice! Once you’re done playing, it’s time for some rest. I can’t think of a better way to rest than a turmeric latte and a new book. #play #rest #wholeheartedliving #yegtherapy #yegtherapist