I sometimes introduce myself as YodaNinja. "Yoda on the outside, Ninja on the inside." Outside, I seem calm and composed. When I speak (or write), what I say can be profound, perplexing... or both. But my inner world is another story. Deep inside of me is a Ninja battleground where thoughts, emotions, ideas, and utter randomness all fight for my attention. Every once in a while, they actually cooperate and I have to say, I'm deadly. But then they go at it again... and "Everybody is Kung Fu fighting." I'm a dad, a husband and a guy whose mind has a mind of it's own. My recovery from my addiction to numbing myself (with pretty much anything I can get my hands on) is a lifelong journey. I live with depression, anxiety and adhd... and sometimes they don't get along very well with my family, or with the rest of my life. Professionaly, I make my living as a Counselling Therapist in Edmonton, Canada. I teach on addiction and psychopathology at City University, and I have a small counselling practice where I use superheroes and other geeky stuff to help people make peace with their own personal YodaNinja. This blog is part of my healing and writing keeps me grounded. I hope that something I have written may add a little bit to your journey. Keep it Real
“Self-care went from being something I do to something I am.” Jasmine Fulks, Registered Psychologist For a free article on self-care, “Four Ways that “Self-care” Will Sabotage Your Well being”, click on the photo. Photo by Photo by Luke Stackpoole on Unsplash
“The people that are able to give the most have the best boundaries.” Jasmine Fulks, Registered Psychologist Recently I attended a workshop that emphasized the need for self-care. The workshop was a great opportunity to connect with my wife and a few friends. It also got me thinking more deeply about my life. Some of … More Four Ways that “Self-care” Will Sabotage Your Well being
Why do we still think of mental illness as a brain disorder? ___ Many mental illnesses are not simply “mental” nor is a person just… “ill.” Many mental illnesses are not simply “mental” nor is a person just… “ill.” Some studies report that people who live with addiction experienced some form of trauma in their … More “Mental Illness” is a Brain Disorder?
Each of us can be caught by envy. We look at the next person and long for what they have: the bigger home, kids, a better or happier relationship, a better job or a bigger office, to have a better body or to be richer. One of the most painful things we have to face … More Facing the Inevitable: Life Will Not Turn Out How You Planned
Guest post by Janna Price Research and evidence based practices have indicated that Eating Disorders and other Addictive conditions have overlapping similarities. This blog article will discuss Eating Disorders and the similarities between Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse Disorder, as well as treatment methods. Research suggests that about 50% of persons with an Eating Disorder … More Guest Post: Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse
Flourishing after an experience with major depression is more likely if you have supportive relationships. Family, friends and professional mental health supports are vital for a full and resilient recovery. And even if a person does not fully recover, meaning they may improve considerably but continue to have some symptoms, relationships will significantly improve their … More This One Factor Will Improve Our Recovery from Depression
A physical body is a universe in itself. Each of us is made up of roughly a hundred trillion cells. In each of those cells is roughly a hundred trillion cells. In each of those cells is roughly that same number again of atoms. And our brains alone have a hundred billion brain cells, give or take … More Depression is A Universe of Darkness
In Canada, marijuana is about to be legalized. Just in time for my teenager’s 18th birthday. I know that it’s just a coincidence, but forever this will be known as the generation that legalized pot in my country. Some people I know think that legalization will usher in a new wave of brain dead stoners … More Clearing the Air About Recreational Cannabis Use
Myth #1: Mental health means getting the right medication To see the rest of the article, “The 6 Myths that Can Rob Us of Our Mental Health,” click on photo. Keep it Real Photo by Andrew Officer
Reblogged, author Yoni Freedhoff, MD • • • A great deal of well designed research has been published demonstrating that exercise is just as good, if not better, than antidepressants for mild to moderate depression. One of the best papers on the matter was published in 2000 in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine. In it Michael Babyak … More Walk Briskly Away From Your Depression?
Getting High on Recovery 