Healthy Relationships

PNHC now offering reduced fee Psychotherapy Counselling!

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We are excited to be able to expand our mental health support through psychotherapy at Plattsville Natural Health Clinic! We have Mandy Adam, an intern therapist working under the supervision of Elizabeth C. Faus Counselling and Psychotherapy, who will be starting with us May 5, 2025. Mandy will be offering reduced fees for psychotherapy during her student internship at our office. She will be offering individual sessions for only $90 and couples sessions for $150. Welcome Mandy and we look forward to watching you impact the health and care of our patients and community!

If you would like to book with Mandy, simply contact:

Elizabeth C. Faus elizabeth.c.faus@gmail.com or 226-228-0448 to see if Mandy or Elizabeth is the right fit for you.

Mandy Adam mandy.w.adam@gmail.com or 226-228-8495 to speak to Mandy directly.

Do you want to know if Mandy’s style is what you need? See below for a little about her approach:

One time I saw a friend at the store holding a cake. I asked, “What are you celebrating?” He appeared confused, but then realized I was looking at the cake and with a sad smile said, “This is my comfort cake for a tough day.” I wonder how often in life others assume we are celebrating, but underneath our smiles we are hiding our pain. Do you ever feel that way? On the outside everything looks fine but inwardly you are hurting? Maybe it has always felt like no one will ever understand you. My desire as a therapist is to meet you where you are at in your story and to see the world through your eyes.” Source: mandyadam.com

To learn more about Mandy before booking, see below for her bio:

Meet Mandy Adam, an intern therapist at Elizabeth C. Faus Counselling & Psychotherapy, located at the Plattsville Natural Health Clinic. As she concludes the final phase of her Master’s in Counselling, she is dedicated to applying her skills and knowledge to support individuals on their personal journeys. Mandy holds an undergraduate degree in Religious Education and Human Services, which provides her with a solid foundation in psychology and sociology.

Mandy is committed to fostering meaningful connections and believes in the power of compassionate, non-pathologizing spaces where individuals can feel safe and understood. Her collaborative approach emphasizes transformative change through an integrative evidence-based framework. Mandy employs a range of therapeutic modalities, including person-centred therapy, attachment theory, narrative therapy, coherence therapy, art therapy, biopsychosocial approaches, family systems therapy, DBT, ACT, and faith-based approaches.

With experience working with military families, teens, single mothers, and individuals facing burnout, Mandy has a diverse approach to addressing life’s challenges. In her free time, she enjoys glamping with her three kids, reading, and expressing her creativity through writing and art.

For more information: mandyadam.com

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in trying any of our services, working with any of our amazing practitioners, or are simply wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact the Plattsville Natural Health Clinic by calling 226-232-7665 and book your appointment today! 

Psychotherapy now available at PNHC – Welcome Elizabeth!

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We are so excited to welcome Elizabeth Faus registered psychotherapist to our team! When you meet this remarkable lady, she immediately draws you in with her approachable and personable disposition. She is currently available on Thursdays between 12pm and 5pm for all of your psychotherapy needs, with opportunity to expand her hours in the future. To book in for your appointment, call or text 226-232-7665. Still not sure if psychotherapy is right for you? See below for more information or give us a call to learn more.

What is Psychotherapy?

In an environment of empathy and compassion, psychotherapy helps individuals to develop strategies and tools needed for change and healing. While it is always an option for clients to come for short-term therapy (and sometimes that is all that is needed or accessible due to financial limitations), psychotherapy is by definition a deeper dive into individual’s lives—the deep-rooted patterns, childhood stories or traumas that may be limiting their daily lives. It is often when individuals are willing to “go deeper”—to look at the root causes of their suffering—that they see real, lasting change in their lives.

EMDR

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is an evidenced-based psychotherapy method proven to be effective in treating trauma, depression and anxiety. It involves asking the individual to focus on specific trauma memories and images from their past while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (eye movement, tapping, etc.). EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about a distressing event, but instead focuses on the emotions and thoughts associated with traumatic memories. The processes involved in EMDR allow the brain to desensitize, digest, and reprocess negative memories leading to long-term healing and freedom.

Elizabeth Faus RP

Elizabeth completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Western Ontario in 2014, and then began working in Human Resources. Her love of connecting with people led her to pursue a Masters of Arts in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy which she completed in 2018. Over the last 5 plus years, Elizabeth has been providing individual counselling to children, adolescents, teens and adults. She resides in Ayr Ontario with her husband and two young daughters. 

Elizabeth has knowledge and experience providing support to those struggling with complex trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, self-harm/suicide, loss and those simply wishing to improve their emotional well-being. She is specifically trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy which is an evidenced-based psychotherapy method proven to be effective in treating trauma and depression.

She brings energy and dedication to her work, offering a warm and compassionate environment. She desires to journey alongside clients so that they may feel heard, seen and may experience positive change and long-term healing. 

In her free time, she enjoy lattes, giggling with my girls, and deep conversations.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in trying any of our services, working with any of our amazing practitioners, or are simply wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact the Plattsville Natural Health Clinic by calling 226-232-7665 and book your appointment today! 

Thriving through Halloween

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By Dr. Elisha Cook ND

Halloween can have many mixed emotions for families. There is the excitement of dressing up, imagination, and of course treats. However, there is also the anticipation of behaviour battles and having access to treats in the house. Different struggles can arise for different families, and it is important to keep in mind that your individual situation is different than someone else’s. As a result, you do not need to approach this time of year and holiday the same as other families.

The Candy

As mentioned above, different families will have different struggles during this season. For some, having a child with a food sensitivity can challenge you to wonder, “is this treat really worth them experiencing (insert your child’s symptom)”. For others, the sheer volume is overwhelming and may be too much for their child to be able to handle. Some individuals may not struggle at all in this area.  

For those who struggle with volume or particular treat items, consider a trade or a deal. Go about your festive activities as you normally would, sort through the candy to pull out items your child reacts to or would lack interest in, and offer them a deal. Consider suggesting to them, “If you give us this bag of candy, we will give you this new toy”. In our house, we have done this and our little one has been more than willing to make a trade. The prospect of a new toy is much more enticing than the sugar.

The Environment

Between flashing lights, heavy foot traffic, and spooky items, the various environments of Halloween can be overwhelming for some, including some neurodivergent individuals (individuals with different conditions or states that affect their brain functioning). Individuals who experience this can consider going to quieter neighbourhoods with less foot traffic or homes with fewer decorations. If this is difficult to anticipate or plan for, consider taking quiet breaks every couple of houses to regroup and ground before moving on.

An alternative is to change how you approach Halloween entirely. Attending a Halloween party put on by a local organization may offer a different way to celebrate, have some fun and get some treats. You can even consider holding your own Halloween party, and giving your child a bag of treats at the end (though this requires a bit more planning and potentially resources).

The Aftermath

The time after Halloween can hold the majority of the struggles that parents face. As mentioned above the types of candy and candy itself can pose problems for some. As parents, having access to these treats in the house can be a struggle as temptation has walked in the door, sat down, and offered you a bag of chips as part of your “parent tax”. In addition, if you are a home that participates in giving out treats to trick or treaters, you may be stuck with the left overs. Approaching these treats with moderation can be easy for some individuals, but for others, adopting certain mindsets may be warranted:  

Mindset #1: I do not NEED this treat.

Mindset #2: This belongs to (insert child’s name).

Mindset #3: My goal of (insert goal), is more important to me than this treat.

With the temptation, consider asking yourself these questions:

Question #1: Is this treat worth moving further from my goal?

Question #2: What could I be doing instead of eating this treat?

Question #3: Am I just thirsty?

Question #4: Have I adequately fueled my body prior to eating this treat?

If all else fails, consider if the treats need to leave the house. Do they need to be thrown out, given to an organization, given to a family who would love to have them, etc.? However you celebrate, I hope that the ideas presented might offer an opportunity to manage the highs and lows of the season with greater ease and victories.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think. Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in trying any of our services, working with any of our amazing practitioners, or are simply wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact the Plattsville Natural Health Clinic by calling 226-232-7665 and book your appointment today! 

7 Tips to Stress-Less through the Holidays

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ornamentThe holidays can be a very happy time, but it can also be very stressful. Many times we have such high expectations for ourselves and others, and over book and stretch ourselves thin that we are left feeling not so great. It is my hope that these tips would come to mind in those stressful moments during the holidays and help you work through them.

  1. Pace Yourself

Many times we are rushing to get so many tasks done in a certain amount of time. If you are lucky, you get all of those tasks done, but find yourself feeling physically and mentally wore out. This can even lead to pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and ultimately stress. To avoid this, focus on one task at a time, take your time, and take breaks. I find it easier if I make a list of everything that has to get done (this may not work for everyone), and focus on the main things that need to get accomplished. I also consider what things I could realistically not do if it is going to compromise my own care.

  1. Focus on what you Can Control

Let’s face it, control is such a nice thing to have. When everything works out exactly how we want and everyone says exactly what we want them to, then we are calm, cool and collected. Life seldom works like this though. What I often work on with patients is the piece of control. It is a good thing that you do not have control over everything. You have enough things on your plate, you do not need to control more things. So, focus on the things you can control, and leave the rest and let it go. An example of focusing on something you can control is, if you are stressed out, do some deep breathing and focus on your breath. You can control your breath, you can control your actions, you can control your words, and you can control your thoughts. Please note that deep breathing is not for everyone and you should consult your health care provider to get instructions on how to perform it as it may aggravate certain situations.

  1. Don’t Over-commit

Part of the stress of holidays can come from promising to be at certain events and promising to make more than we can really afford time-wise. Make a plan as to where you need to go, space out travelling when possible, and opt for simpler things to bring for food. If you know you are going to have to travel multiple times in one day, opt for a food item you can purchase at the store, for example a veggie tray. Another option is to offer your time or a service if making something or bringing something is too much. It is also okay to say “No”. You are not saying “No” to the task, but you are saying “No” to wearing yourself too thin.

  1. Self – Care

Often during this season we justify that, “If I can just make it through Christmas, then I will start eating better and exercising again”. It is best to do the self – care as per usual and make sure to incorporate it as often as possible to prevent burn out or stress. Self-care also provides an opportunity to check in with yourself and make sure you are following the rest of the tips on this list.

  1. Make Realistic Expectations

This is not just for yourself, but for others as well. When we keep expectations to ourselves and expect people to hold up to that expectation, we can often set them up for failure and potentially cause an argument. With this being said, I do not mean you need to simply just tell everyone that you expect a 5 course meal that only Martha Steward would approve of. What is does mean is to be realistic and to acknowledge that we are all human and trying our best. This mind set is important when considering your own to-do list as well. You are human and trying your best. Set some more realistic expectations for yourself and check in, “Why am I stressing out? Is this a realistic expectation? Is it worth the stress?”.

  1. Budget

As soon as I mention budget, I know that some people are rolling their eyes or running for the hills. Budget does not just mean money, but also time. Again, be realistic with your time, and budget it accordingly. In addition, financial stress is one of the biggest stressors out there; so budget for the holidays, plan for it, save for it, and stick to your budget. Discuss financial decisions as a family, and do not make outrageous purchases without discussing with your spouse if that fits with both of your expectations and plans.

  1. Moderation

As always, moderation is important. Too much or too little of something may not be the best thing. Moderation can dive into the areas of meals, exercise, time, and even the amount of get-togethers. With meals in particular, make sure to portion yourself and not stray too much from your normal eating patterns. If you do, you may feel less than comfortable and this can even contribute to stress. When considering exercise, consider when we discussed self – care and making sure to incorporate that time for you. For time, again pace yourself, do not over-commit and say no when necessary.

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!