The holiday season isn't always festive cheer and warm fuzzies. For those with complicated family dynamics, it can be a time of immense anxiety, guilt, and resentment.

I've just published a new blog post digging into why these feelings are so intense and how we can navigate them with self-compassion. We explore the complexity of guilt (including moral scrupulosity), dealing with aging parents or clashing values, and the powerful concept of holding "two truths" at once.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the weight of family expectations this time of year, please share this with them. I am currently accepting new clients, and this is a special area of expertise and passion in my practice.

Far from being solely for crisis or mental illness, counselling is a dynamic process for personal growth, and one of its most potent applications is in effective goal setting.