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Setting boundaries should not leave you feeling guilty, yet many people question whether they are “the bad guy” when they begin prioritizing their mental wellbeing.

In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, hosts Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore several “Am I the Ahole?”-style scenarios**, where people are left wondering whether setting a boundary makes them selfish.

Scenario 1: Stepping Back From Wedding Duties

A bridesmaid experiencing burnout feels she needs to step back from wedding responsibilities. Tina and Michelle discuss the difference between self-care and perceived selfishness, and how guilt can sometimes cloud our judgment when we begin setting healthier limits.

Scenario 2: Grief After Miscarriage

A woman grieving a miscarriage feels unable to attend her sister’s baby shower. The conversation explores the complexity of pregnancy loss, the shame that can surround it, and the challenges that arise when grief intersects with family expectations.

Scenario 3: Therapy Before Moving In Together

A relationship ultimatum raises an important question: is asking a partner to attend therapy before moving in together unreasonable? Tina and Michelle discuss the stigma around mental health support and how therapy can be reframed as an investment in personal and relational wellbeing.

Throughout the episode, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken reflect on how to communicate boundaries clearly, recognize emotional limits, and navigate the reactions of others when those limits are expressed.

Together, they explore how boundaries can protect wellbeing while still leaving space for compassion and connection in relationships.

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

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In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken sit down with Tina Mongeon, founder and CEO of EnviroPure Environmental Group, to explore the often-overlooked relationship between mental health, trauma, and our living environments.

Through years of working with families across Ottawa, Tina Mongeon has seen how life’s most difficult moments—such as grief, illness, divorce, addiction, or job loss—can quietly reshape the spaces people live in. When someone is navigating overwhelming circumstances, everyday tasks like maintaining a home can become nearly impossible. Over time, this can lead to living environments that no longer feel safe, calm, or supportive.

Tina shares how these observations led to the creation of the Healthy Home, Healthy Mind Initiative, a not-for-profit program that provides deep cleaning services to households experiencing significant life challenges. The goal is not simply to restore physical spaces, but to help individuals regain a sense of stability and dignity during periods of recovery.

Throughout the conversation, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken discuss how the condition of our homes can influence sleep, stress levels, and social connection. They also explore the feelings of shame and isolation that many people experience when their environment reflects the weight of trauma or mental health struggles. By addressing both the emotional and practical aspects of these situations, programs like Healthy Home, Healthy Mind can create an important starting point for rebuilding wellbeing.

Together, the conversation highlights a powerful but often underestimated truth: healing does not only happen internally. Sometimes restoring the spaces around us can also support the process of moving forward.

Guest Bio

Tina Mongeon is the founder and CEO of EnviroPure Environmental Group, an Ottawa-based company specializing in environmentally responsible residential and commercial cleaning. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, she is widely known for her commitment to creating healthier indoor environments using non-toxic cleaning methods. Tina is also the founder of the Healthy Home, Healthy Mind Initiative, a not-for-profit program that provides deep cleaning support to households facing significant life cha

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

Listen on

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Social media has reshaped how we see ourselves and one another. In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken explore the psychological impact of today’s digital landscape and how it intersects with mental health.

The conversation traces the evolution of social platforms—from early connection-focused spaces to algorithm-driven systems that amplify comparison and curated identity. Tina and Michelle discuss how “highlight reel” culture can influence self-esteem, expectations, and relationship dynamics, particularly when online presentation and lived reality feel misaligned.

They also address the growing trend of mental health language circulating on social media. Terms such as PTSD, narcissism, and OCD are more visible than ever, which can increase awareness. At the same time, simplified explanations may blur important clinical distinctions. The episode reflects on how to approach online information thoughtfully, without dismissing lived experience.

Another emerging topic is the use of AI platforms in mental health conversations. While digital tools can offer information and reflection, Tina and Michelle discuss the importance of human connection, nuance, and accountability in therapeutic work.

Rather than framing technology as inherently harmful, this episode invites mindful engagement. Small experiments, such as setting the phone aside for an evening, can increase awareness of digital habits and their effect on mood and attention.

The goal is not avoidance, but discernment. In a rapidly changing information environment, intentional use supports steadier wellbeing.

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

Listen on

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In this episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken speak with Yvonne Burwash, Registered Psychotherapist and Director of Neurofeedback at MindSpa Mental Health, to explore how neurofeedback can support regulation and mental wellbeing.

Yvonne explains neurofeedback as a non-invasive approach that measures electrical activity in the brain and provides real-time feedback to support self-regulation. During sessions, clients sit comfortably while the system responds to their brainwave patterns, encouraging the brain to gradually shift toward more balanced states. The process is quiet, structured, and grounded in the brain’s natural capacity for neuroplasticity.

The conversation explores how neurofeedback can complement traditional psychotherapy. Many clients find that once regulation improves, therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy become more accessible. Rather than replacing therapy, neurofeedback can help create conditions that support deeper therapeutic work.

Tina Wilston, Michelle Massunken, and Yvonne Burwash also discuss who may benefit from this approach, how sessions are structured, and what clients can realistically expect. The focus remains on education, clarity, and informed choice.

At its core, this episode offers a hopeful message: the brain retains the capacity to adapt across the lifespan. With appropriate support, regulation and change remain possible.

About the Guest: 

Yvonne Burwash is the Director of Neurofeedback at MindSpa Mental Health. She is completing a Master’s in Counselling Psychology (MACP candidate) at Yorkville University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience and Mental Health from Carleton University. Yvonne is board-certified in neurofeedback (BCN) and works with both children and adults to support brain regulation and mental wellbeing.

Connect With Yvonne Burwash

Website | Instagram  | LinkedIn

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

Listen on

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

Send us Fan Mail

In the first episode of The MindSpa Podcast, Tina Wilston and Michelle Massunken introduce the heart behind the show: thoughtful, grounded conversations about mental health.

Together, they reflect on their own non-linear paths into the field. Tina began her career in law before discovering a deeper pull toward psychology and clinical social work. Michelle shares her journey into social work and the experiences that shaped her clinical perspective. Their stories highlight that growth in this profession often unfolds gradually, through lived experience, curiosity, and commitment.

This episode sets the foundation for what listeners can expect: clear conversations that demystify therapy, address common misconceptions, and respond to the growing influence of mental health content online. Tina and Michelle discuss how social media trends can oversimplify complex psychological concepts, and why nuance matters when speaking about wellbeing.

They also share what led them to co-create MindSpa Mental Health, their interest in approaches such as neurofeedback, and their intention to bring expert guests into the conversation to spotlight community resources.

Alongside the clinical depth, listeners will also get to know them as people,  parents, partners, and individuals navigating life beyond the therapy room. Between them, Tina and Michelle are raising seven children, grounding their professional insight in everyday lived experience.

This opening conversation sets the tone for a podcast rooted in clarity, steadiness, and meaningful dialogue about mental health.

The MindSpa Podcast

Thoughtful conversations about mental health, relationships, identity, healing, grounded in clinical expertise and steady human insight.

Hosts

Tina Wilston, M.Ed., Registered Psychotherapist 

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Michelle Massunken, MSW, RSW

Co-Owner, MindSpa Mental Health Centre

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

MindSpa Mental Health Centre

Ottawa - Kanata & Gloucester

themindspa.ca

LinkedIn, instagram

Listen on

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube