#online therapy canada

[sumiz]

 Family Therapy

Fostering understanding, settling disputes, and creating enduring connections all depend on effective communication in the family. Active listening is essential for this, in which each participant pays close attention, doesn't interrupt, and validates the thoughts and feelings of others. Everyone feels appreciated and understood in a supportive workplace when empathy and respect are shown.

Establishing a specific time slot for family conversations helps avoid misunderstandings and promotes candid communication. It's critical to speak openly and honestly throughout these exchanges, expressing sentiments with "I" statements rather than assigning blame. This method lessens defensiveness and promotes a cooperative attitude towards problem-solving.

It can be very helpful to apply family therapy concepts. Communication may be improved by using strategies like reflective listening, in which each participant paraphrases what they have heard to make sure they have understood. Setting limits and guidelines for communication also aids in the constructive resolution of disputes.

Last but not least, having frequent family check-ins or meetings gives everyone the chance to talk about issues, acknowledge accomplishments, and reaffirm family values. Families may create a nurturing environment where everyone feels heard and valued by regularly putting these methods into practice. This will enhance family ties and foster emotional well-being.Therapy offers a safe space for self-exploration, healing, and personal growth through professional guidance and support.

[benja-min]

Online Therapy Canada: Accessible Mental Health Support Nationwide

Need professional mental health support? Online therapy Canada provides easy access to licensed therapists across the country. Get help for anxiety, depression, and other concerns through secure virtual sessions. Start improving your well-being with convenient, confidential therapy tailored to your needs.

[canadiancounsellingcenter]

Online therapy canada

The Canadian Counselling Center is dedicated to providing compassionate and professional mental health support through convenient and accessible online therapy in Canada. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges, our licensed therapists are here to help you from the comfort of your home. With a focus on personalized care, our online therapy sessions are designed to meet your unique needs, offering flexible scheduling and a safe, confidential environment. Get the help you need, when you need it, with the Canadian Counselling Center's trusted online therapy services in Canada.

[sidneycounselling]

Sidney Counselling & Psychotherapy

Website: https://www.sidneycounselling.com/

Address: Sidney, British Columbia

Sidney Counselling & Psychotherapy, led by Phil Enns RCC, offers adult individual counselling and therapy services with a specialization in treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief, and loss issues, among others. With over 35 years of experience in both public mental health clinics and private practice, Phil employs various treatment methods including EMDR, Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Notably, services are currently provided exclusively online, ensuring accessibility for individuals seeking supportive and certified therapeutic services without geographical constraints.

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[instituteofchildpsychology1]

Breathing Coach Certification - Institute of Child Psychology

How to become a certified breathing instructor?

Becoming a certified breathing instructor involves acquiring the necessary knowledge, skills, and credentials to teach breathwork techniques safely and effectively. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Research Breathwork Styles and Techniques

Different certifications focus on specific types of breathwork, such as:

Pranayama (yogic breathing techniques)

Wim Hof Method

Buteyko Method

Holotropic Breathwork

Transformational Breathwork

Choose a style that aligns with your interests and goals.

2. Choose a Reputable Training Program

Look for programs accredited by recognized organizations or led by experienced instructors. Consider:

In-person or online options: Some programs are available fully online.

Duration: Programs may range from a few weeks to several months.

Cost: Costs vary widely; be clear on what’s included (materials, mentorship, etc.).

Certification validity: Ensure the certification is recognized and suitable for your needs.

Examples of popular programs:

Breath Mastery with Dan Brulé

The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown

Wim Hof Method Instructor Program

Yoga Alliance Certification for Pranayama

3. Meet the Prerequisites

Some programs require prior experience in:

Yoga, meditation, or fitness instruction

First aid or CPR certification

A personal practice in breathwork

4. Complete Training and Certification

Training programs typically include:

Theoretical learning: Anatomy, physiology, and the science of breathing.

Practical application: Learning and practicing various breathing techniques.

Teaching methods: How to structure and lead breathwork sessions.

Assessment: Written exams, practical demonstrations, or case studies.

5. Gain Practical Experience

Start by practicing on friends, family, or small groups.

Offer free or low-cost sessions to build confidence and refine your skills.

6. Obtain Liability Insurance (Optional but Recommended)

If you plan to teach professionally, insurance can protect you from legal issues.

7. Start Teaching and Marketing

Offer group classes, one-on-one sessions, or workshops.

Collaborate with yoga studios, wellness centers, or fitness trainers.

Use platforms like social media or a personal website to attract clients.

8. Continue Learning and Maintain Certification

Attend advanced workshops, retreats, or ongoing training.

Stay updated on new research and trends in breathwork.

Renew certifications if required.

Would you like recommendations on specific programs or advice on setting up your breathwork business?

[pragyacareeradvisor]

Launch your fulfilling career in Therapeutic Recreation and create a positive impact in the lives of individuals and communities! At Edison College, our dynamic program blends theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience, equipping you to promote well-being through recreation and leisure activities.

Join us for exciting practicum opportunities where you’ll develop vital skills and expand your professional network. Discover how you can be crucial in enhancing health and wellness while enjoying a vibrant and rewarding career. Your journey starts now!

Call us to enquire about the program.

[pratanumindpowerdevelopment]

Role of Music Therapy for Physically and

Music therapy is a professional and evidence-based health care discipline that uses the transformative power of music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages. It involves the use of music and musical activities by a qualified music therapist to achieve therapeutic goals and promote overall well-being.

Key Elements of Music Therapy:

Clinical Practice:

Music therapy is a clinical and therapeutic practice conducted by certified and trained music therapists. These professionals have a strong foundation in music and are equipped with the knowledge of psychological, physiological, and therapeutic principles.

Individualized Approach:

Music therapists tailor interventions to meet the unique needs of each client. The individualized nature of music therapy allows for personalized strategies based on the client's goals, preferences, and therapeutic requirements.

Wide Range of Techniques:

Music therapy incorporates a diverse range of musical techniques, including listening to music, singing, playing instruments, songwriting, and improvisation. The specific techniques used depend on the therapeutic objectives and the client's preferences.

Multidimensional Impact:

Music therapy addresses a broad spectrum of human experiences. It can impact physical health by improving motor skills, aiding in rehabilitation, and promoting relaxation. Emotionally, it provides an outlet for expression and helps manage stress, anxiety, and depression. It also has cognitive benefits, such as enhancing memory, attention, and problem-solving.

Clinical Settings:

Music therapy is practiced in various clinical settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, psychiatric facilities, schools, nursing homes, and community organizations. Music therapists collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to complement and enhance the overall care provided to clients.

Evidence-Based Practice:

The field of music therapy is grounded in research and evidence-based practices. Ongoing studies contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of music therapy across a range of conditions and populations.

Goals of Music Therapy:

Emotional Expression:

Provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to express and process emotions through music.

Physical Rehabilitation:

Enhance motor skills, coordination, and physical functioning through rhythmic and movement-based interventions.

Cognitive Stimulation:

Improve cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, and problem-solving, through engaging musical activities.

Communication and Social Skills:

Foster communication and social interactions by encouraging verbal and non-verbal expression within a musical context.

Stress Reduction:

Utilize music as a tool for relaxation and stress reduction, promoting overall mental well-being.

Quality of Life Enhancement:

Improve the overall quality of life by addressing holistic aspects of health, including emotional, physical, and social dimensions.

Benefits of Music Therapy:

Emotional Expression:

Music provides an outlet for emotional expression, allowing individuals to convey feelings that may be challenging to express verbally. Cognitive Stimulation:

Engaging with music can stimulate cognitive functions, aiding in memory recall, attention, and problem-solving. Physical Rehabilitation:

Rhythmic elements in music can be incorporated into physical rehabilitation programs to improve coordination and motor skills. Stress Reduction:

Music has the potential to reduce stress and anxiety levels, promoting relaxation and overall well-being. Enhanced Communication:

For non-verbal individuals or those with communication challenges, music can serve as a powerful means of communication. Music Therapy in Different Countries:

Music Therapy in the USA: Organizations: The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) oversees music therapy practices in the USA. Settings: Music therapists work in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, and mental health facilities. Training: Board-certified music therapists undergo rigorous training to ensure competence.

Music Therapy in the UK: Organizations: The British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT) is the professional body overseeing music therapy in the UK. Settings: Music therapists work in healthcare, education, and community settings. Training: Music therapists typically hold a master's degree and are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Music Therapy in Canada: Organizations: The Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT) is the national body for music therapy in Canada. Settings: Music therapists work in healthcare, mental health, and special education settings. Training: To become a certified music therapist in Canada, individuals typically complete a bachelor's or master's degree in music therapy.

Music Therapy in Australia: Organizations: The Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) oversees music therapy practices in Australia. Settings: Music therapists work in hospitals, aged care facilities, schools, and mental health settings. Training: Music therapists in Australia usually complete a bachelor's or master's degree in music therapy. Cities in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia: USA: New York City Los Angeles Chicago Houston San Francisco Washington, D.C. Boston Atlanta Miami Seattle UK: London Manchester Birmingham Glasgow Liverpool Bristol Edinburgh Leeds Newcastle Cardiff Canada: Toronto Vancouver Montreal Calgary Ottawa Edmonton Winnipeg Quebec City Halifax Victoria Australia: Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Perth Adelaide Canberra Gold Coast Newcastle Hobart Darwin Different Types of Mental Diseases: Depression:

Characterized by persistent sadness, lack of interest or pleasure in activities. Anxiety Disorders:

Conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Schizophrenia:

A severe mental disorder characterized by distorted thinking, hallucinations, and delusions. Bipolar Disorder:

Involves mood swings, alternating between depressive and manic episodes. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

Involves recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

Develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Eating Disorders:

Conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Role of Music for Body and Mind:

Emotional Regulation:

Music can evoke and regulate emotions, promoting emotional well-being and stability. Stress Reduction:

Listening to calming music or engaging in music-making activities can reduce stress levels. Cognitive Benefits:

Music has cognitive benefits, including improved memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Physical Rehabilitation:

Rhythmic auditory stimulation in music can aid in physical rehabilitation and motor skills development. Social Connection:

Music brings people together, fostering social connections and a sense of community. Mood Enhancement:

Upbeat and joyful music can enhance mood and provide a sense of positivity. Expressive Outlet:

Playing or creating music allows individuals to express themselves creatively and artistically. Therapeutic Tool:

Music is used as a therapeutic tool in various clinical settings to address mental health challenges. Music therapy harnesses the therapeutic properties of music to address physical, emotional, and cognitive needs, making it a valuable intervention for individuals facing mental and physical challenges.

**About Pratanu Banerjee - Pratanu Banerjee is a teacher of keyboard, harmonica, flute, Spanish guitar, music therapy, reiki, money reiki, angel reiki, kundalini reiki, angel reiki, reiki grandmaster, holy fire reiki, unicorn reiki, emotional empowerment technique, self hypnosis, french, English, anthropology, hospital administration etc. These are certificate courses by Pratanu Banerjee at Institute of performing art and mind power development affiliated under world art organization. Cal 91–8017517171 **

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Hey, there's this petition to restrict access for minors on the internet. It's called the kosa law and it's rlly bad BC alot of vital resources and services are like present and possible ON the internet (i.e suicide prevention, online therapy, research stuff, LGBTQ infos,etc) and like it's your choice but here's the link for the petition, if you feel comfortable to sign, but I would just like to spread the word https://chng.it/bQwzXqDcLG since this also relates to Canada

KOSA is an American law, but the Internet is very US-centralized, so anything that happens to major US internet sites will likely have a ripple effect worldwide.

It doesn't directly effect Canada, as we are not governed by the US Government, and are not subject to their laws. The Canadian Senate recently put a bill with similar aims, and imo that's where there should be greater focus for Canadians, as it will directly effect Canadians.

Awareness is important, so hoping this can at least help Americans in some way by sharing this.

Sign here if you wish:

[cosmereplay]

Kaladin Didn’t Invent Therapy (And Why That’s Actually Great)

“...You need someone to talk to, Noril, when the darkness is strong. Someone to remind you the world hasn’t always been this way; that it won’t always be this way.” “How do you … know this?” Noril asked. “I’ve felt it,” Kaladin said. “Feel it most days.” - Rhythm of War, Ch. 25 Devotary of Mercy

I’m writing as someone with a background in psychotherapy and peer support, and I'm bursting with excitement about one of my favourite topics. You can imagine why I love Kaladin’s arc in Rhythm of War so much! I actually yelled out loud when I read some of these parts the first time.

I’ve seen people online saying and making jokes that Kaladin invents therapy, and while that could eventually be true, what Kaladin actually invented in RoW is mental health peer support. Psychotherapy as most people would understand it simply doesn’t exist yet on Roshar. However, peer support is a legitimate modality for healing on its own merits. Even more importantly for the story, peer support is something Kaladin would personally really benefit from, and it fits his narrative arc way better than therapy would.

1. Therapy as we know it won’t exist for a while yet.

“We need to study their responses, use an empirical approach to treatment instead of just assuming someone who has suffered mental trauma is permanently broken.” - Rhythm of War, Ch. 25 Devotary of Mercy “Someone needs to talk to them, try different treatments, see what they think works. What actually helps.” - Rhythm of War, Ch. 25 Devotary of Mercy

Obviously, Kaladin has not been educated in battle shock or melancholia or any other diagnosis. In Alethkar there's hardly any knowledge to be had on the subject. Even now in real life, research into effective interventions for various diagnoses is still ongoing, over 100 years after modern therapy was founded.

Building an empirical knowledge base* will take time, not to mention the years it will take to train new therapists across Roshar in how to provide interventions specific to various issues. Therapy as we know it today generally includes time in mentorship with another therapist, so in a way, the first therapist isn't a therapist. 😅 In the meantime, there are people who need help today, including Kaladin.

Peer support can fill that gap because its knowledge base is different. Peers bring their expertise, which is their years of trial and error, successes and failures - their lived experience. Peer facilitators need to know the basics of managing a group, and they have to be willing to share their own experiences and learn from the group. Thus, training peer leaders is relatively quick, and incredibly scalable and adaptable across cultures and many issues/diagnoses.

2. Peer Support is a distinct path to recovery that doesn’t require an expert in therapy.

Kaladin located six men in the sanitarium with similar symptoms. He released them and got them working to support each other. He developed a plan, and showed them how to share in ways that would help...Today they sat in seats on the balcony outside his clinic. Warmed by mugs of tea, they talked. About their lives. The people they’d lost. The darkness. - Rhythm of War, Ch. 33 Understanding “While you can’t force it, having someone to talk to usually helps. You should be letting him meet with others who feel like he does.” - Rhythm of War, Ch. 25, Devotary of Mercy

Kaladin is already positioning himself to align with the values of peer support. Some of these values overlap with therapy, such as dignity, respect, inclusion, hope, and trust. What makes peer support different is a particular emphasis on equal relationships, self-determination, and personal growth (Peer Support Canada, 2022).

In peer support, the group facilitator is not considered an authority like a therapist would be. A peer leader may be further on the road to recovery, but they may not be. They are expected to listen and grow just like any other group member.

Because the leader of the group is also a learner, peer support groups tend to be more collaborative and open-ended. Everyone in the group has something they can take out of it and something to give. Everyone in the group is responsible for managing their own self care, and everyone in the group is responsible for the direction of their own growth. This is different from most therapy groups, which often have a specific focus or goal that the therapist is responsible for implementing. And speaking of responsibility...

3. Peer Support Fits Kaladin’s Narrative Arc Better than Therapy

At his father’s recommendation—then insistence—Kaladin took it slowly, confining his initial efforts to men who shared similar symptoms. Battle fatigue, nightmares, persistent melancholy, suicidal tendencies. -Rhythm of War, Ch. 33 Understanding …he’d learned—these last few months—that his battle shock could take many forms. He was getting to where he could confront it. -Rhythm of War, Ch. 39 Invasion

I think everyone can agree that Kaladin needs to participate in therapy just as much as the other battle-shocked men he finds in the Devotary of Mercy.

However, in therapy, the focus is solely on the needs of the clients. A therapist should not be distracted by their own issues (when this happens, it’s called countertransference). Further, therapy is generally framed such that the therapist is the only expert in the room, which means therapists have a higher level of responsibility for how the clients are doing (which varies depending on the issue, the therapy modality, and the circumstances).

In his own recovery, Kaladin is working on trying to take less responsibility for others, so setting him up as a therapeutic authority could be harmful for him. In a position of authority, he might be tempted to replicate the hierarchical structure he was in before (which would impede his own growth), or try to save everyone (which could impede everyone's growth). He simply doesn’t have the mentorship or knowledge base he'd need to work through those issues before leading as an expert.

In contrast, the point of peer support is the mutual sharing of lived experience. The group facilitator is expected to share their own struggles (as a model of recovery), and allow others to support them. In the context of a more balanced power dynamic, Kaladin can give the other group members the space they need to grow, and he can pursue his own recovery without feeling like he’s letting others down. Also, he will be able to leave the group during KOWT without worrying that the group won't be able to run without him. Everyone in the group carries some responsibility for each other, so group members can come and go with less stress than a change in therapist would cause in group therapy.

This is the beauty of peer support. It can happen anywhere people with similar experiences get together. No formal education is required. What is required is a willingness to know yourself as well as you can; to share your experiences; to listen to others tell their stories; to question your own assumptions as you learn how others handle things differently; to look out for each other's safety; to care.

Peer support creates a place of belonging and a community repository of shared wisdom. Kaladin almost had it on Bridge Four, but his position of authority wouldn’t allow him to grow the way he needed. Peer support is what Kaladin needs - he needs a place where he can take off his armour among people who get it because they're struggling with similar issues, and without having a position of responsibility over them. When he (eventually**) attends the groups, they help him grow!

Anyway, that's why Kaladin didn’t invent therapy, and why I think that's great.

For the men chatting together softly, the change was in being shown sunlight again. In being reminded that the darkness did pass. But perhaps most important, the change was in not merely knowing that you weren’t alone—but in feeling it. Realizing that no matter how isolated you thought you were, no matter how often your brain told you terrible things, there were others who understood. - Rhythm of War, Ch. 33 Understanding

---

*Funny enough, empirical research could lead Rosharan researchers right back to peer support. Empirical research on Earth has shown that modern therapy and peer support have similar levels of effectiveness (for example, for depression and PTSD).

**Look who’s resisting attending the groups he founded…KALADIN!! (shakes fist in the general direction of the sky) (This is the most relatable passage for me in this whole book, by the way, helper types unite lmao):

Kaladin looked down at the table. Had it? Had talking to Noril helped? “He’s been avoiding joining in,” Teft said. “I haven’t,” Kaladin snapped. “I’ve been busy.” Teft gave him a flat stare. Storming sergeants. They always heard the things you weren’t saying. - Rhythm of War, Ch. 38 Rhythm of the Terrors

Peer Support Canada. (2022). Peer Support Core Values. Accessed from https://peersupportcanada.ca/ Jun 27, 2022.

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for being paranoid about US Border Security?

🪤 <- for searching later

Background info: I live in Canada, (relatively) close to the US border. Because of this, when shopping online it can be cheaper to have orders shipped to the nearest American town and then drive down yourself to pick them up. I hadn't done this myself but it's pretty normal to do around here.

This happened at the end of this summer, so the situation is fully over but my (white) friends immediately adjacent to this situation have said that I was basically the only asshole here and I feel that I am, at least, only one of the assholes. I want people's genuine opinions however. I have since stopped talking to this entire group of people, who I'd previously been friends with for 4-5 years, over this issue and a couple others.

My friend (20s, white) had ordered a package to [nearest American town], and because they don't have a car, they were looking for someone who could do a day trip to the states so they could pick it up. I (20s, white-passing, but from a mixed South Asian Muslim family, & I have very recognizably Muslim family names) offered to drive them down with my car, they agreed. We were going to split gas money, the date was set, everything was ready to go.

A few days prior to when we were going to go, my south asian parent reminded me that because I have muslim names, I need to be very careful when crossing the border, because the US Customs is well known for profiling muslims/arabs and pulling them aside for intensive screening. My parent also pointed out that, because my friend smokes weed basically every single day (legal in Canada), I would need to make sure that they were not carrying any weed with them when we went.

I was freaked out by this, and was not thinking super clearly in the moment because it was close to midnight and things my parent had mentioned about previous experiences going through Customs had scared me a lot.

I immediately texted my friend, saying that Customs would find weed on them if they swabbed them, and that it would be "a big problem." They replied that Customs doesn't swab for weed, and that they "failed to see any problem." I replied that Customs is allowed to go through your phone (people have been turned away at the border for admitting to having used cannabis before, but if you tell Customs that you've never smoked weed and they find evidence to the contrary they can ban you from entering the country for lying to border personnel.)

I linked them to an unofficial site that went into detail about what US Customs agents can do if you have weed on you or admit to having smoked previously. My vague intent at this point was for us to get everything in order so that none of the bags/jackets/etc we were taking could possibly have had any weed crumbs/dead old vapes/edible packaging in them , but I didn't get a chance to say this because they immediately replied that even if Customs tested them and found weed in their system, that they wouldn't care because it's legal in Canada. I said that Customs very much would care, and they said that I was insulting them and accusing them of having a criminal record. At this point they sent a further ~10 upset/angry texts in a row, which I didn't open or reply to because I was really upset at this point and needed a minute.

At this point (around midnight), they phoned me, I picked it up and they immediately(!) started yelling at me and saying I was a piece of shit etc etc. I told them they sounded dysregulated and should take a minute to compose themself (I phrased what I said in an aggravating therapy-speak way, bc I had been watching vids about cptsd immediately before they phoned me, but I was extremely freaked out, as I think most people would be when their friend is suddenly yelling at them, and it was the first thing that came to mind). This just made them yell louder, so I told them I refused to let people speak to me that way, said goodnight, they said goodnight, we hung up, and I blocked their calls and texts so they couldn't continue berating me.

After this, I realized that I'd completely neglected to mention that the reason I was particularly scared was because of US Customs' Islamophobic profiling, but I had gone into the interaction assuming (incorrectly) that they already knew implicitly that that was going to be an issue, because we'd known each other for 5 years and I've definitely talked (not recently) about how going thru US Customs is always a pain in the ass because my whole family gets profiled and taken for extra questioning, so right before I went to sleep I briefly unblocked them and sent a text saying that the reason I was so paranoid was because of the extra questioning I was already expecting to encounter at the border, but that it was now irrelevant anyway because I refused to be in a car with someone who was totally fine treating me this way.

I've since stopped talking to this person and, by association, my (white) friendgroup because they sided with them completely. It was a long time coming for other additional reasons I can't get into though.

TL;DR

Planning trip from Canada to US in my car with stoner friend, realized a few days before trip that US Customs can arbitrarily fuck your shit up if they find evidence of weed on you. Got scared and tried to tell stoner friend that it would be a big problem if they had weed on them, they flipped their shit and yelled at me over the phone about it, I blocked them (functionally cancelling the trip).

I believe I was accusatory in a bad way, and that I should have communicated better, but ultimately that my fear had a 100% legitimate basis and should not have been completely and totally dismissed by everyone around me, even though I was too extreme in my paranoia

(They were able to get another ride and pick the package up later)

What are these acronyms?

[canadiancounsellingcenter]

Online therapy canada

The Canadian Center for Counselling and Psychotherapy offers a convenient, confidential, and effective way to access mental health support through their online therapy services. With licensed professionals, flexible scheduling, and a holistic approach, ensures that individuals across Canada can receive the care they need from the comfort of their own homes. Whether addressing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or other mental health concerns, Canadian Center for Counselling and Psychotherapy is dedicated to promoting long-term well-being and personal growth. Choose Canadian Center for Counselling and Psychotherapy online therapy services to take a proactive step towards a healthier, more balanced life.

[kirain]

Saw your comment on a post about Sound of Freedom and I came here to say.....shame on you. Shame. On. You. Since when is child trafficking a political issue? Since when is calling pedophilia bad a political issue? If you have a problem with this movie then maybe YOU'RE the problem. No better than the big Disney fat cats who tried to suppress this movie and keep it shelved. Or theaters messing with the ac and saying seats are sold out when they're empty. Shame on you! God's children are not for sale!

I wish people would do a little more research on this topic. If Hollywood and the "powers that be" didn't want this movie being seen, it wouldn't have been released in over 3000 theatres countrywide. It's being shown in major and minor locations all across America and Canada, and the vast majority of those locations aren't having any problems.

Case and point, my own mother and her friend went to see it last week and everything was fine. No issues whatsoever and the seats were packed. The movie isn't being "suppressed". This is all a marketing gimmick from the production company Angel Studios, a Christian streaming service. The movie is jam-packed with lies and only serves to glorify Tim Ballard, the man the movie is based on, and Christianity as a whole. I truly wish this wasn't political, but it is. They made it political.

Tim Ballard has provably exaggerated or fabricated many, if not most of his "rescues", and his organisation, Operation Underground Railroad, has been widely criticised by professional anti-sex trafficking organizations (including other Christian-based ones) for years. He has accumulated millions of dollars for his so-called "non-profit" organisation, and he runs several for profit organisations on the side. Most of this money is presumably pocketed by Ballard and his cohorts, as millions is unaccounted for and only a sliver goes to OUR. It's not about "saving children", it's about money and spreading Ballard's religious ideology.

This is compounded by the fact that Ballard, before he left the CIA, was almost always the last officer to arrive on any scene where child sex trafficking was involved, yet he somehow has hundreds of stories where he's singlehandedly rescued children. In fact, the "true story" the film is based on, where Ballard apparently saved a five year old boy—who, by Ballard's own account, ran up to him, hugged him, and begged to be taken away—didn't even happen. According to court receipts from the arrest and trial of Earl Venton Buchanan (the pedophile in possession of the little boy), Ballard arrived at the scene long after the boy was rescued and taken into custody, and he was barely involved. The documents can easily be found online under the San Diego incident reports.

Ballard was also caught lying about saving one particular girl named Liliana, the literal poster child for OUR. As it turns out, Liliana rescued herself by escaping her captors when she was seventeen and being trafficked in New York. Even more egregious, every time Ballard told her story, he would lower her age to garner more sympathy ... as if her being seventeen wasn't sad enough. In one instance, he claimed she was 14. In another, he claimed she was 11. Ballard also exploited Liliana's story as a reason for needing stricter border patrols and a better wall, despite the fact that she was being abused in America. There is no evidence to suggest OUR had anything to do with her rescue.

Ballard and his "organisation" have even ruined entire legitimate rescue operations in other countries and put children at risk, like in the Dominican Republic, where he endangered the lives of 26 girls by playing vigilante, being followed around by a camera crew, and causing a shootout that effectively traumatised the children he used as a prop to lure in buyers. His response to the mishap and rightful criticism by the Dominican police was basically, "Well ... you win some, you lose some."

The children were released without receiving any therapy or rehabilitative care, and Anne Gallagher, the leading global expert on the international law on human trafficking, said that OUR has an "alarming lack of understanding about how sophisticated criminal trafficking networks must be approached and dismantled" and went on to call the work of OUR "arrogant, unethical, and illegal". Those children easily could've been shot and killed. This occurred in 2014, but Ballard still insists that his "rescues" be filmed, and he even pitched it as a reality TV show. His reasoning for this, he says, is to "spread awareness", but we all know it's because he loves the spotlight.

Entire law enforcement agencies have actually cut ties with or even condemned OUR, such as Washington State Law Enforcement, as a result of Ballard's proclivity to conflate child sex trafficking with consensual adult sex work. Ballard and OUR regularly set up sting operations and lambasted the men who showed up for kink play, publicly branding them as pedophiles, even though the men in question were under the impression that they were meeting for sex with consenting, adult women. This led to several lawsuits against OUR, all of which they rightfully lost.

Ballard's means of gathering intelligence is also questionable, as he, by his own admission, sometimes consults psychic mediums for information on missing children and asks where they're being held captive. I genuinely wish I was joking about that.

The main actor in Sound of Freedom, Jim Caviezel, also has ties to the Qanon movement, and Caviezel himself is a hardcore conspiracy theorist. He believes that Donald Trump is "the new Moses" and that "liberals [literally] drink the blood of children". This is ironic, considering Caviezel and Ballard both met Trump several times, yet never pressed him for information regarding Epstein's client list. Moreover, Caviezel and Ballard both donate to the Catholic Church, which funds the largest child sex trafficking ring on the southern border and has a history of rampant sexual abuse of children. Even more insane, Caviezel admitted to watching child porn, to apparently "get in character" for the movie. He claimed that if Ballard had to watch it, it only "made sense" that he'd have to watch it, too. To "motivate" him to fight child trafficking.

...Alright, bud.

Surprise, surprise, both men are also outspokenly anti-LGBTQ+, despite the fact that children/teens in that community are statistically more likely to be trafficked. The majority of child trafficking is not the result of random kidnappings, as the movie would have you believe. The majority of children are actually recruited into sexual exploitation by a family member or friend/boss. The majority of those children are also not generally passed around in Mexico, like this racist, white savior-oriented movie would have you believe, but they actually either stay in or end up in America. America is, in fact, the largest consumer of child porn and child sex slaves this side of the globe (and nearly the largest producer), yet the movie depicts almost every pedophile as Mexican or some other non-white race.

At the end of the movie, Ballard comes on screen and asks people to donate/buy tickets for others, so that the movie can spread awareness. This is why so many seats in certain theatres are empty, despite websites saying the seats are sold out. Whether or not Angel Studios is also shadow purchasing tickets to boost sales can't be proven, obviously, but I wouldn't put it past them. These "conspiracies" have all served to market the movie and boost ticket sales.

As for Disney trying to keep the movie shelved, that's also a lie. Yes, Disney did technically shelve the movie when they bought Fox, since it didn't exactly correspond with its family-friendly brand, but they had no problem with the movie being released under a different studio. The actual reason Sound of Freedom was in "production hell" for five years was because Tim Ballard kept trying to milk donations. Despite the fact that filming wrapped up in 2018, he kept asking for more and more and more. He used people's faith and understandably emotional response to something as wicked as pedophilia to rake in millions. That's what Ballard is really about, money and stardom. In the movie, there's even a post-credit message where Jim Caviezel says the movie was held back to "maximize its distribution and raise awareness about child sex trafficking".

Translation: Ballard greedy.

Ballard himself admitted the accuracy of this movie "isn't important", and that he just wanted to get the movie out to "spread the word". By that, he of course means the Christian word—but why should fighting child sex trafficking be tied to religion? At the end of the day, Sound of Freedom is a vanity project, and it spreads incredibly dangerous misinformation. Stranger still, Ballard left the OUR just prior to the debut of Sound of Freedom, a fact he's neglected to mention in every interview regarding the movie. It's not clear why he left, but it seems that he fled after an internal investigation into the organisation began. That's not too suspicious or anything. My guess is authorities are trying to find out were all that missing money went, and Ballard doesn't want to be there when they figure it out.

By the way, that final line you hit me with; "God's children are not for sale", the line from the movie that Ballard claims a fellow agent whispered to him while on a case, as well as the title of the movie, which another agent supposedly said to Ballard after a giant rescue operation—those were lies, too. No agents ever said that to him. The police reports for those cases, as well as the agents Ballard supposedly quoted, all said he was the last to arrive on the scene and those conversations never happened.

Ballard cannot be trusted and Sound of Freedom is based on a lie. It's a scam. Everything he does is a scam. All he cares about is spreading his ideology, making money, and looking like a superhero. And this is only the tip of the iceberg. Look into his other companies, and into the ex-military soldiers and police officers who left OUR because of how poorly trained their people are when it comes to rescue operations.

Every sane person knows pedophilia and human trafficking is wrong, but giving your money to Qanon-adjacent, right-wing leaning, LGBTQ+-hating, Catholic Church-sympathising, fame-chasing, money-hungry, perpetual liar Tim Ballard isn't going to help.

The best way to help out is learning about the signs of child trafficking. Keep an eye out for any children that might be getting abused. If you suspect something, report it, don't be a silent bystander. Volunteer within your community to make sure the children in your area have food and resources, support LGBTQ+ youth, and watch the other adults around you to ensure they're not acting inappropriately. You can also donate to social programs that create safe spaces for children and even apply for jobs that specialise in these fields. Don't go to see a movie just because it aligns with your religious beliefs, feel sad for a little while, then sit on your ass and let Tim Ballard handle everything.

[sickness-stricken]

I think one of my biggest issues with a lot of therapy pushers is that almost every single one I’ve interacted with clearly lives in a large city and it’s very obvious.

“Well if you’re having a bad experience with one therapist just go to another!!!” Yeah I bet that’s real easy for you to say when you live in fucking NYC. Child me in bumpkin-shit nowhere, Canada did not have that option. In my small town, we had two family therapists to my knowledge, and that was it. There was no “other” therapist, because the two we had were working for the same company and thus would have had similar experiences.

“Oh but online therapy!!” Again, this is assuming that everyone lives in a place where they can get good enough internet to hold a video conference, assuming video call therapy even works for them, text therapy even less so.

If your “miracle cure” for all of my issues has such limited accessibility, then it’s not a miracle and I don’t want it.

[truedexxxy]

Things to Keep in Mind During Uncertain Times

Staying strong and resilient is powerful, and while protesting, vocalizing, and contributing politically are essential actions, we also need to plan for our immediate safety. Words of affirmation and support are comforting, and seeking support is important, but moments of crisis also call for action and strategy.

If you’re in a red state, you can start by making a detailed spreadsheet to organize your current expenses. Understand where your money is going, find opportunities to save or increase income, and get a clear picture of where you stand financially. Moving can be expensive, but with careful planning, there are ways to make it feasible. Once you know your current situation, begin modifying the spreadsheet to plan future steps—whether that’s relocating, securing new housing, or adjusting your employment. Planning each piece, even gradually, can give you a sense of control and direction toward a better future. Even if you’re in a blue state but still facing challenges, these steps can provide a foundation for progress.

For some, leaving the country might be necessary. Moving to Canada or another safe region is a valid choice, especially as policies shift. Investigate options for international visas, employment, or family sponsorship. Having these resources ready can make a significant difference if you ever need to act quickly.

If you’re on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or plan to start, now is the time to integrate this into your planning. If you’re already on HRT, consider asking your provider for an extended supply to ensure continued access. If starting HRT isn’t feasible now, add it to your plan for the future, especially if a move is part of your transition goals. Accounting for these needs can ease some of the uncertainty during this time.

If you’re considering changing your legal name and gender marker and can start the process now, take action where possible. Know that this can be challenging in some states. If it’s not realistic right now, add it to your plan for the future, aiming to address it if you move to another state.

Consider seeking mental health support, like therapy, if you haven’t already. This can be a valuable anchor, especially during uncertain times, and there are many resources available, including online therapy options. Support networks are essential, both for mental well-being and for navigating the challenges of relocation.

If you need to defend yourself in a serious situation, make a plan now for how you will protect yourself. This could mean identifying safe locations, learning self-defense, or keeping certain tools accessible. Your safety is paramount, so ensure you feel prepared and confident about your options if you ever face a threatening situation.

This list of considerations is not exhaustive, as everyone’s priorities and needs will differ. These suggestions are here as guidance for those who might need them, so use what applies to your situation.

This message isn’t only for the queer community; it’s also for the rights of women and all marginalized groups who will feel the effects of increased conservatism profoundly. As a neurodivergent trans woman and therian who has lived in two red states, eventually moving to a blue state—and now considers leaving the country—I know firsthand how crucial it is to prepare. A conservative government aligned with figures like Trump will have serious repercussions for marginalized communities, affecting healthcare access, gender-affirming care, basic rights, and protections against discrimination.

If you ever feel overwhelmed or experience feelings of self-harm, remember there are people who care deeply about you and want to help. Reach out to support networks, hotlines, or loved ones. You are not alone, and support is always within reach.

We’re all capable of making these changes, even if the path feels blocked right now. Although there may be many factors preventing a move, there’s still a way forward. It may be hard to see, but getting informed, staying prepared, and finding support can make a world of difference.

The road ahead is long, but resilience and preparation will guide us through. Use every resource, reach out to your community, and envision a future where you can live fully and authentically. Keep planning, keep dreaming, and know that you’re not alone in this. We all support you.