Conversations with Safe Harbour Therapy

Safe Harbour’s founder Julie Long has moved to Minnedosa, Manitoba and has decided to pass the harbourmaster keys to her colleague, Carmen Okhmatovski. Carmen has been a Safe Harbour clinician for the past few years, and now owns and directs the therapy centre. Tune into this podcast to learn about how Safe Harbour Therapy was created, how this transition came to be, and what the future holds for both Safe Harbour and Julie Long.

In this conversation, Julie and Nan explore the world of Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS Therapy). We discuss the healing power of being capital S, SELF Led, using the 8 C’s of Connection: curiosity, creativity, courage, compassion, confidence, clarity, and confidence to gently and effectively change our relationship with the parts of us that have been our constant companions: anxiety, inner critics, perfectionists, managers—even addictions, and other forms of self-harming.

You are strong and resilient in taking this first step to care of yourself. You may be tired of feeling the way you do and are ready for change. You want to enjoy the life you live and the key to this is to enjoy the relationships you have, including the one with yourself. You might notice recurring patterns such as the same fears or reactions, but anything you try to do differently only temporarily helps. I can help you find the strength to create lasting and meaningful changes in your life. My approach is client-centred and holistic and I feel honoured to encourage you as you embark upon this journey of healing and growth.

When we are in distress either temporarily or chronically, we tend to shut down that connection. This break in our body-mind connection can lead to further pain and suffering. Our emotions take over; we dwell on thoughts in an attempt to control them. The resulting distress may be seen in such symptoms as anxiety, depression, addiction etc. However, if we are able to find ways to maintain our body-mind connection even in times of distress, we can open the door to so many more possibilities that in turn can help us whether its acceptance, taking action, seeking help from others, building resources etc. I have experienced success in finding ways to achieve and strengthen this connection using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and trauma informed yoga.

“What we resist persists.” Are you anxious, sad, feeling emotional? Are there challenges in your life that you want to sort out, approach directly or put behind you and don’t know where to start? Are you seeking new opportunities, relationships, employment or career changes? Have you experienced negative adverse events or trauma that may be impacting your life today? Counselling is an opportunity to talk to a trained professional who can help you make sense of difficult feelings and emotions; help resolve complicated issues or find ways to manage them.

You’ll eat to feel better, physically and emotionally. Scarfing down a box of chocolates on the couch because you’re sad, lonely, mad or tired just won’t make sense anymore. What will make sense is figuring out what that craving and urgent need to eat and only eat is really telling you. Finding the space in the urgency to figure out what you really need to find peace again. This is how that chocolate bar doesn’t turn into three and a bag of chips to boot.

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others.You need to accept yourself.” –Thich Nhat Hanh Most of us are so kind to others and yet the sound track in our own minds is so mean. Being as compassionate to ourselves as we are to others will continue to […]

NeurOptimal is considered by many to be the most highly evolved form of neurofeedback available today. After more than 40 years in the neuroscience field and related disciplines, Drs. Susan & Valdeane Brown, have developed a technology that gives feedback directly to your brain allowing it to regulate itself more efficiently.

Most folks have experienced the feeling of being overwhelmed perhaps you have too. RAIN is a tried and true mindfulness practice that can help you move through the feeling of overwhelm - let’s give it a try shall we?

Diagnosing concussion remains controversial because the brain is a complex. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.