Understanding the Five F's: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn, and Flop Responses
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

Understanding the Five F's: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn, and Flop Responses

When we face stress or danger, our nervous system automatically activates one of five survival responses: fight, flight, freeze, fawn, or flop. Through the lens of Polyvagal Theory, we can understand why these responses happen, recognize our own patterns, and learn to build a more flexible nervous system that can return to safety and connection.

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Body Liberation Therapy: Healing Beyond Body Image
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

Body Liberation Therapy: Healing Beyond Body Image

This blog explores Body Liberation Therapy as a transformative, justice-oriented approach that helps individuals unlearn body shame, reject diet culture, and reconnect with their bodies through self-compassion and embodiment. It outlines the core principles, who it’s for, and how this therapy offers an alternative to traditional body image treatment by centering autonomy, inclusivity, and healing beyond appearance.

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Breaking Free from Anxiety: How CBT and Mindfulness Can Transform Your Mental Health in Burnaby
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

Breaking Free from Anxiety: How CBT and Mindfulness Can Transform Your Mental Health in Burnaby

This comprehensive guide explores how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based approaches can effectively transform your relationship with anxiety through evidence-based techniques and practical strategies. Learn about powerful tools for managing anxious thoughts and cultivating present-moment awareness, plus discover how our Burnaby-based team can support your journey to greater mental wellness and peace of mind.

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A Guide to Attachment-Based Therapies: Healing Through Connection in Burnaby
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

A Guide to Attachment-Based Therapies: Healing Through Connection in Burnaby

This blog post offers a comprehensive overview of attachment-based therapies, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Somatic Attachment Therapy, and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), as practiced at Being and Becoming Counselling and Wellness Services. It explores how these approaches support healing from early relational wounds and promote emotional safety, self-compassion, and secure connection for individuals seeking attachment-based counselling in Burnaby.

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What Is Oppression-Based Trauma? Understanding the Impact of Systemic Harm
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

What Is Oppression-Based Trauma? Understanding the Impact of Systemic Harm

Oppression-based trauma is the ongoing emotional and psychological harm caused by systemic discrimination and marginalization, distinct from traditional trauma which stems from acute, individual events. Healing requires affirming, justice-oriented care that acknowledges the impact of systemic harm and supports collective recovery.

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Navigating Love Multiplied: A Guide to Relationship Counselling for Ethical Non-Monogamy
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

Navigating Love Multiplied: A Guide to Relationship Counselling for Ethical Non-Monogamy

This blog dives into therapy for people in ethical non-monogamous relationships, covering the tricky stuff like dealing with jealousy, setting boundaries with multiple partners, and handling judgment from society. It gives you practical tips on finding a therapist who actually gets non-monogamy and won't try to "fix" your relationship style, plus shows how the right counselling can help make your multi-partner relationships work better.

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Incorporating the Body in Therapy: A Holistic Approach to Mental Health in Burnaby
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

Incorporating the Body in Therapy: A Holistic Approach to Mental Health in Burnaby

The growing field of body-integrated therapy recognizes that mental health challenges live in our bodies and require somatic approaches alongside traditional talk therapy. Learn about various evidence-based methods including Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Polyvagal-informed therapy, and Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, and their many benefits including improved emotional regulation, trauma resolution, and reconnection with embodiment.

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Affordable Counselling Now Available with Doctoral Practicum Therapists in Burnaby
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

Affordable Counselling Now Available with Doctoral Practicum Therapists in Burnaby

At Being & Becoming Counselling and Wellness, we offer high-quality, lower-cost therapy with Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) completing their doctoral training in a CPA-accredited program. Supervised by a Registered Psychologist, our practicum therapists provide compassionate, trauma-informed care for youth, adults, and couples—available in English, Japanese, and Korean, both in-person in Burnaby and online across BC.

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Breaking Free from Perfectionism: How Therapy in Burnaby Can Help You Thrive
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

Breaking Free from Perfectionism: How Therapy in Burnaby Can Help You Thrive

Perfectionism may look like high achievement on the outside, but it often comes with anxiety, burnout, and self-doubt. This post explores the hidden costs of perfectionism and how therapy at Being and Becoming Counselling and Wellness Services in Burnaby can help you break free. Learn how our compassionate, evidence-based approach supports self-acceptance, reduces overwhelm, and helps you live a more balanced, fulfilling life.

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Top 5 Signs Your Teen Might Need Therapy
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

Top 5 Signs Your Teen Might Need Therapy

Is your teen struggling with mood changes, school avoidance, or emotional withdrawal? This post outlines the top 5 signs that your teen may benefit from therapy—plus how Being and Becoming Counselling & Wellness Services in Burnaby can help support their mental health journey.

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Trauma Therapy in Burnaby: Your Complete Guide to Healing and Recovery
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

Trauma Therapy in Burnaby: Your Complete Guide to Healing and Recovery

A comprehensive guide to trauma therapy services in Burnaby, BC, covering the neurobiological effects of trauma, various types of trauma (acute, complex, historical, and vicarious), and evidence-based treatment approaches including EMDR, somatic therapy, and IFS. The article explains what to expect in trauma therapy, how to recognize when you might need help, and provides guidance on finding the right therapist in Burnaby and surrounding Lower Mainland areas.

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Embodiment: The Missing Link in Mind-Body Wellness
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

Embodiment: The Missing Link in Mind-Body Wellness

Embodiment is the practice of reconnecting with the body to support emotional balance, nervous system regulation, and overall well-being. By tuning into physical sensations and inner states, individuals can cultivate greater self-awareness, reduce stress, and foster deeper connection in daily life.

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The Essential Role of Dietitians in Eating Disorder Treatment in Burnaby, BC
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

The Essential Role of Dietitians in Eating Disorder Treatment in Burnaby, BC

Dietitians are essential in eating disorder treatment, providing specialized nutritional rehabilitation, meal planning, and therapeutic support. This post explores evidence-based approaches like Health at Every Size and intuitive eating that help individuals heal their relationship with food. Registered Dietitians provide collaborative, individualized care for anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder recovery.

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Play Therapy in Burnaby: Healing Through the Language of Childhood
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

Play Therapy in Burnaby: Healing Through the Language of Childhood

Play therapy uses children's natural language of play to address emotional and behavioural challenges. Through toys, games, and creative activities in a safe environment, children can express complex feelings and process difficult experiences more effectively than traditional talk therapy allows.

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Gentle Nutrition Support in Burnaby: A Kind and Sustainable Approach to Eating Well
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

Gentle Nutrition Support in Burnaby: A Kind and Sustainable Approach to Eating Well

Gentle nutrition is an approach to eating that honours your health without rigid food rules. Instead of focusing on perfection, gentle nutrition encourages nourishing your body with a variety of foods while still enjoying what you eat. It’s the final principle of Intuitive Eating, promoting balance, flexibility, and self-compassion. Whether you're looking to support long-term health or reduce food guilt, gentle nutrition offers a sustainable, stress-free path to well-being.

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Therapy for Youth in Burnaby: Supporting Teen Mental Health
Maggie Brennan Maggie Brennan

Therapy for Youth in Burnaby: Supporting Teen Mental Health

Teen therapy helps adolescents navigate emotional challenges like anxiety, depression, and identity struggles by offering a safe space to build coping skills and resilience. This blog outlines how therapy supports mental health and offers tips for parents to guide their teens toward healing and growth.

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