Willow and Sage Counselling Blog

Burnaby clinic image of the play therapy room.
Calling children shy blog. Image shows a shy child in a plaid shirt with their hands over their face.

New Blog Post!

When we say a child is shy, we risk turning a moment into a personality. Shyness is often situational. Children shift depending on their environment, their energy level, and their sense of safety.

At Willow and Sage Counselling, we believe that everyone deserves a safe and supportive space to nurture their emotional wellbeing and personal growth. Our blog is an extension of this mission—a place where we share insights and inspiration to support you and your family on the journey toward balanced mental health and wellbeing.

Through our blogs, we aim to empower you to take charge of your mental health by exploring topics on anxiety, autism, self-care, mindfulness, boundary setting, and more. Whether you are seeking tips for yourself, your child(ren), or your family, insights into overcoming challenges, or guidance for creating positive change in your life, you will find relatable and compassionate content in our blog posts.

Each post is thoughtfully written by us at Willow and Sage Counselling, drawing from evidence-based practices and real-world experience. We strive to create resources that are informative, approachable, and, most importantly, helpful.

No matter where you are on your mental health journey—beginning to explore therapy for your family or looking for ways to deepen your self-awareness—we are here to walk alongside you. To stay updated with our latest posts, bookmark this page! To explore previous blog topics, view our blog archive.

Join us in fostering a community of understanding, growth, and balance.

Recent Blog Posts

Sitting in Discomfort Blog Image - Shows a side profile of a woman laying on her stomach on pillars of different sizes.

Most of us spend a lot of energy trying not to feel uncomfortable. We distract ourselves. We overthink. We overprepare. Discomfort has come to mean that something is wrong. But what if discomfort is not a problem to eliminate? What if it is simply part of being human?

Co-regulation dependency blog image. Image shows a young Asian boy sucking his thumb, holding a brown bear.

Co-regulation is one of the most important parts of early childhood. When a toddler melts down and a parent stays calm, the child’s nervous system calms down. Over time, these repeated experiences build the foundation for self-regulation.

Blog image for Fears and Phobias. Shows a young Caucasian boy with his hands over his ears. He appears to be screaming.

Fears, phobias, and supporting your child. Fear is a normal part of being human. It helps us stay safe, pay attention, and respond to potential danger. But sometimes fear shifts from being protective to being limiting. At Willow and Sage Counselling, we can help you help your child.

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) blog. Image shows a young girl sitting on the ground with her head on her knees.

Occasional low mood during winter is normal, but sometimes those feelings can become heavier and longer lasting. Understanding what is typical and when to seek support can make a significant difference for adults and children.

Blog image for: Helping children return to routine after the holidays. A mom is brushing her child's teeth.

The weeks after the holidays can be a challenging time for families. By approaching this with empathy, consistency, and mindfulness, you can help your child return to routine with less stress and more connection.

Two Caucasian women sitting across from one another in an EMDR therapy session.

Experiencing trauma can leave lasting emotional, physical, and psychological effects. Traditional talk therapy can be helpful, but other methods like EMDR can help you process distressing memories.

Looking for more blogs? Visit our Blog Archive!