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June 04, 2024

Dear Valued Clients,

Please take note that our office hours have changed (as of June 3, 2024). This is designed to enhance our team's work-life balance.

New Office Hours:

Monday:
⏰ 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM

Tuesday to Thursday:
⏰ 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday:
⏰ 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM

How to Reach Us

Clinic of Applied Psychology Team

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February 06, 2024

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December 20, 2023

Please note that our Clinic will be closed starting at the end of the day on December 22nd, 2023 to January 1st 2024. We will reopen January 2nd at 1:00pm.

Happy Holidays from our entire team!

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June 14, 2023

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June 17, 2022

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June 04, 2022

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May 30, 2022

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January 16, 2022

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January 14, 2022

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November 26, 2021

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March 06, 2021

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January 15, 2021

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July 18, 2020

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May 11, 2020

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May 01, 2020

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April 14, 2020

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January 14, 2020

One of our psychologists, Pierrette Richard, will be offering weekend workshops for couples throughout 2020. "Getting the Love You Want" is a transformative weekend for couples developed by Harville Hendrix, PhD and Helen Hunt, PhD. This internationally respected workshop has been attended by thousands of couples from over 52 countries around the world. Transform your conflicts into opportunities for growth! For more details, click here.

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March 20, 2019

Congratulations to Dr. Jessica McNair, resident in psychology, for having recently completed her 200 hrs yoga teacher training (Certified Yoga Teacher) at the MOVI studio in Moncton.  It is well known that Yoga can be beneficial for our overall mental health. According to an article written by Harvard Medical School, yoga helps modulate the stress response (read article). Furthermore, many principles of yoga can be integrated into the therapeutic process. 

Congratulations Dr. McNair!

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January 12, 2019

We are extremely pleased to announce that our colleague Gino Frenette is joining our team full time, starting February 4th. Gino has been practicing at our Clinic for 12 years on a part time basis and has 20 years of experience in clinical psychology. He is particularly interested in the assessment and psychological treatment of anxiety, trauma, mood and obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as adaptation to life transitions and crises in adults. Welcome Gino!

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November 18, 2018

"Getting the Love You Want" is an internationally respected workshop that has been attended by thousands of couples from over 38 countries around the world. It is a transformative weekend for couples developed by Harville Hendrix, PhD and Helen Hunt, PhD and it is known to help couples transform conflicts into opportunities for growth.

Pierrette Richard, Psychologist and Registered Imago Therapist, along with Roland Bryar, Certified Imago Workshop Presenter will offer a series of this weekend workshop in 2019 (in both official languages). To obtain more information or to register, click here.

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August 24, 2018

Our Acts of Kindness Challenge is still going strong! We continue to collect the wonderful acts of kindness that clients and staff are willing to share with us. Here are some examples that they shared with us recently:

• Gave clothes to a friend.
• Donated clothes, shoes, etc. to the Salvation Army.
• Added to a display outside an apt door (ceramic frogs, rock & little wooden chair)
• I have opened up a private Facebook group for people in my workplace to motivate, to move more/exercise. I volunteer my time on the page, posting motivation and also arranging classes with local studios so we can try them all together.
• Someone listened when I needed them to (they let me talk, they didn’t give me solutions, they gave me suggestions).
• I treated my friend to a free lunch at McDonald’s (I bought her meal) and I felt really good and happy inside.
• When we saw a young couple with 3 young girls walking on the street, we decided to offer our son’s trampoline that he didn’t use.  They came to get it and the girls were very happy.
• Brought/ bought some flowers for a senior a few streets over from my house who always gardens beautifully but one time said he found flowers too expensive and may not continue doing his garden. He is 93 years old.
• Every week for 7 full years, we leave 3 bottles of ice cold water for our garbage men.#beccatoldmeto
• Last night at Walmart I was waiting in the parking lot in my truck a young lady was with a cart full but no vehicle.I put down my window and ask her if she was ok.She said she couldn’t find her boyfriend.  I gave her a ride home to Elmwood area at night.
• Give food to homeless kids
• Playing a game that I did not want to play but my BFF did.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted!

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May 29, 2018

Early intervention refers to getting help early for people showing the early signs and symptoms of a mental health problem. Recent research indicates that early intervention and treatment dramatically impact the course of mental illness. It can help individuals build resiliency, get better more quickly and prevent problems from becoming worse.

Other benefits of early intervention for someone experiencing a mental illness include:

• reduced vocational/developmental disruption
• reduced need for hospitalization
• reduced family disruption
• reduced risk of suicide
• lower risk of relapse

The following video offers additional information regarding the importance of early intervention.

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March 28, 2018

Our Act of Kindness Challenge is ongoing! Clients and staff continue to engage in wonderful acts of kindness in our community. Here are some examples that they shared with us in recent weeks:

• I bought a box of Timbits for the office staff.
• Standing in line at Shoppers Drug Mart, there was a lady in her 30’s paying for some items at the checkout. When advised of the total, she told the cashier to take the last item off of the list. I asked the cashier how much the baby formula cost, which was 21$. I told the cashier I would take care of it. The lady said thank you and I told her #BeccaToldMeTo.
• While in a fast food restaurant, my husband paid for the meal of the people in line ahead of us because he thought they looked poor which made him feel bad.
• My aunt and I volunteered at the Humanity Project serving food to the homeless and disadvantaged.
• I know of someone who kindly donated magazines for a waiting room.
• During the winter storm, I dropped off a couple of coffees for my wife and her co-workers at their place of employment.
• I like to bring soap and hygiene products when vacationing in the South (these products are expensive for the locals).
• Next Sunday, I am hosting a yoga/lunch at my house. I am asking the ladies to bring “bed sheets/blankets for a single bed” for a friend that will be going on a 2-month mission in Colombia. She and her husband will be helping the elderly in the north of Colombia.
• I cleaned the snow off my husband’s car this morning.
• I gave my sheep-wool gloves to a man that was walking in -30°C and brought him to his place of work. His eyes were wet and I thought it was because of the cold but he said “no, they’re tears of joy!”.
• Yesterday, at the medical clinic, I witnessed an act of kindness. A young man gave his appointment to a dad and his sick child that had no appointment. The young man would come back the following day without having an appointment! The dad was very touched and thanked the young man numerous times while shaking his hand. The young man replied that the child seemed to need the appointment more than himself.
• I prepared a soup for an elderly person in my community.

Let’s continue to spread the kindness!

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February 13, 2018

Our Random Act of Kindness Challenge is in full swing! Indeed, this past week, staff and clients have shared some of their kind acts with us and we gladly share them with you below. By doing so, we hope to inspire others to spread the kindness!

• I made a handmade card for a friend to celebrate her achievement.
• I noticed that my elderly neighbors had not cleaned their yard. I knocked at their door and learned that they were both sick. Therefore, I cleared their driveway with my snow blower.
• I saw an adult pick up money that fell to the ground and returned it to the person that lost it.
• I helped a fellow plow his driveway (he is an older guy). I offered to open the front of his driveway. Then, I helped another neighbor and his wife who were stuck in their car ~ I pushed and helped them out.
• I gave my warm mittens to a woman at a street car stop as it was very cold and she had none and seemed without much money. I put all my change (about $10) in one of them and got on street car before she could give it back.
• My colleague’s husband came to our parking lot at work to clean her car since it had been snowing all day. She’s pregnant.
• I bought a coffee and a muffin to a homeless person.
• I open the door for people on a regular basis.
• My act of kindness is to compliment Michelle Gauthier-Belliveau on her excellent support and care towards her clients. You can easily tell that she loves her job. Thanks Michelle for helping us with finding the answers we were searching for!
• My elderly neighbor had eye surgery. So, my husband removed the snow from his driveway to help him out.
• I bought a pair of prescription glasses to a child that needed them but whose parents couldn’t buy them. The optometrist examined the child for free.
• I gave a work-related book to a colleague as a gift.
• My son-in-law bought a used car for one of his employees who needed to travel long distances to make a salary.
• I cleaned out my library and donated personal and professional books to a charitable agency who was preparing for a book sale.
• I bought a $50 grocery to a homeless person.

Thank you to all the contributors!

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January 12, 2018

"Getting the Love You Want" is an internationally respected workshop that has been attended by thousands of couples from over 38 countries around the world. It is a transformative weekend for couples developed by Harville Hendrix, PhD and Helen Hunt, PhD and it is known to help couples transform conflicts into opportunities for growth.

Pierrette Richard, Psychologist and Registered Imago Therapist, along with Roland Bryar, Certified Imago Workshop Presenter will be offering a series of this weekend workshop in 2018 (in both official languages). To obtain more information or to register, click here.

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December 29, 2017

The benefits of random acts of kindness are well documented in the literature. Indeed, research illustrates that being kind to others has positive effects on both our physical and mental health. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation summarizes these benefits in their document called Kindness Health Facts. The Science of Kindness video below also offers a dynamic explanation of the science behind the benefits of kindness.

Given these well-established benefits, the Clinic of Applied Psychology (CAP) sets out to make a small difference in our community in 2018. In fact, we challenge ourselves to increase positive, altruistic, and kind acts not only at the CAP, but also in the community. In addition, we encourage our clients and other members of the community to increase such random acts of kindness. We will share these acts of kindness via our blog and social media sites throughout the year. Stay tuned for more details regarding our kindness project in upcoming weeks.

We wish you all a New Year filled with health and happiness!

Christine Arsenault
Psychologist

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December 08, 2017

The holiday season is upon us, so why not delve deeper into the psychology of Christmas? Many psychological studies have explored Christmas and its related themes. Below I share a few neuropsychological studies that have examined phenomena such as holiday-related olfactory nostalgia as well as the Christmas spirit:

It’s Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas: The Neuroscience of Our Nostalgia

Evidence of a Christmas Spirit Network in the Brain: Functional MRI Study

Happy Holidays!

Mélanie Léger, Psy.D., L.Psych.
Psychologist

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November 07, 2017

Remembrance day represents a day dedicated to remind us to honor those who served for our country. One of the most widely known initiatives to support our veterans is the poppy campaign and the Remembrance Day ceremonies. Are there other ways we could pay tribute to those who have served?

A lot of people associate the image of a veteran with the frail and elderly. Did you know that there are over 600 000 veterans in Canada who have deployed and served in the last 3 decades? This is 9 times the number of veterans who served during the Second World War and the Korean War. This change in demographics means that we may need to look at how we extend our support to veterans. Here are a few simple tips to show our support this year.

1. Wear a poppy: Put a poppy on and wear it all day, even at work from the last Friday of October to November 11th.
2. Spread the word on social media: Social media tends to reach a lot of people. Update your facebook page or twitter account with images from #Canadaremembers. Or simply change your profile picture to an image of a poppy.
3. Personally thank a veteran: You can do this in person, via text or e-mail.
4. Pause in silence: On November 11th at 11am, take a moment of silence to show your gratitude.

Most importantly, take a moment now and again, not just on Remembrance Day, to be thankful for your freedom and peace.

Christine Belliveau
Psychologist

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October 20, 2017

What is empathy and how can it help me in my relationships?  The following short video helps us understand empathy and illustrates its 4 attributes, which are:

• Perspective taking
• Staying out of judgment
• Recognizing emotion in another person
• Communicating the understanding of another person’s emotions

Pierrette Richard
Psychologist

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September 19, 2017

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a condition that was first recognized more than 100 years ago by the medical community.  Unfortunately, many children and adults that suffer from this condition are frequently misunderstood.  To end the stigma and to better support parents and families that live with the challenges of ADHD every single day, we need to begin separating myths from facts. Here is a document prepared by Dr. Thomas E. Brown, PHD., director of the Yale Clinic for Attention and Related Disorders, which explains groundbreaking findings from new ADHD research. Click here.

Manon Melanson
Psychologist

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August 22, 2017

In a world with rapid access to news concerning tragedies and acts of hatred world wide, it becomes difficult to stay grounded and connected to human kindness. Our brain is naturally programmed to capture negative information and this negative bias makes us more attuned to remember and react to negative events in our environments. In fact, our brain was built that way to ensure survival and keep us out of harms way. So the question is, how do we deal with this negative bias so that we do not become cynical?

Many cognitive strategies, typical to most conventional psychological treatments, are helpful in coping with this negative bias. However, random acts of kindness are also known to contribute to immediate positive emotions. Dr. Katherine Nelson-Coffey and colleagues (2016) conducted a research project comparing the effects of pro-social behaviors (e.g. picking up litter, buying a coffee for a stranger, holding the door for someone) and self-oriented behaviors (e.g. buying yourself something, having a warm bath) and the overall perception of happiness. The study found that the group who participated in acts of kindness reported higher levels of overall emotional wellbeing. Acts of altruism are also good for our physical health. Dr. David Hamilton, who studies the effects of stress on cardiovascular health, reports that kindness can release oxytocin, a brain chemical known to lower blood pressure and mitigate the overall impact of stress on our bodies.

Why not try it?  Make a list of 10 simple acts of kindness that you would be willing to try to help better the world and the people around you. Also, kindness is contagious - it inspires us all to be better and do better.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give”  ~  Winston Churchill

Christine Belliveau
Psychologist

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July 17, 2017

“No” is not a bad word. In fact, I believe that it is simply misunderstood. Often, it can be misconstrued as being “negative”. However, when used wisely and respectfully, “no” can become a powerfully positive communication tool.

• “No” can allow us to respect ourselves, including our personal values, principles and standards. “No” can allow us to clarify and reaffirm our standards (i.e., the standards to which we hold both ourselves and others). Caring and respectful people will not invite us to step outside our integrity. On the other hand, people who seek to exploit us, may. We cannot control other people’s requests and demands. However, we are in control of our responses and decisions. Ultimately, we control whether we choose to accept or decline other people’s requests. We are allowed to say “no”; no permission required.
• “Yes” shouldn’t be our default response. In the same manner, “no” shouldn’t become our default response either. Nevertheless, it should, at the very least, be an available option. When people make unreasonable requests, it is unreasonable to say “yes”. Therefore, in certain situations, “no” may be the most, or only reasonable response. When “yes” becomes our default response, we can find ourselves bound to people and situations that violate our personal values, standards and principles. As a first step, we can work to break our automatic “yes” pattern by replacing it with : “let me think about”. This allows us to take some time to think things through and consider important factors such as our schedule, our prior engagements, our current personal needs and available resources.
• We have a limited amount of personal resources (e.g., energy, time, attentiveness, etc.). We are not inexhaustible wells. By saying “no” to certain requests or to people who seek to exploit us, we are left with more energy and resources for those around us who truly care for us and can reciprocate within our relationship. Saying “no” opens up more windows of opportunity to say “yes” to the people and the things that truly matter to us.
• “No”, you cannot pour from an empty cup. Self-consideration and self-care are paramount to a healthy emotional and physical life. Sometimes, we can end up feeling guilty when saying “no” to someone’s request or demand. Yet, we often fail to consider that, by saying “no” to someone else, we are often simply saying “yes” to ourselves! “No” can therefore give us the opportunity to engage in self-care, replenish our energy reserves and therefore “refill our cup”.

Mélanie Léger 
Resident in Psychology

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June 08, 2017

Dr. Thomas Gilovich, psychologist, drew this conclusion after studying the relationship between money and happiness for over 20 years.  His research results indicate that the happiness we feel when we buy a material purchase such as a new phone or a new car do not last as long as the happiness we feel when we spend money on “experiences”.  It would seem that money we spend on “experiences” such as going to a concert, travelling or learning a new ability, will give us a sense of happiness far outlasting the purchase of a physical object.

If you like to learn more on this subject, click on the following link.

Pierrette Richard
Psychologist

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May 13, 2017

« Getting the Love You Want »  will be offered October 14-15, 2017 at the Clinic of Applied Psychology.

All couples want to feel connection, safety and passion in their relationships. Even with our best intentions at heart, loving relationships come with challenges, i.e.: our different communication styles, managing disagreements, rekindling romantic energy, etc. The « Getting the Love You Want » workshop teaches couples specific tools that will enhance their relationship and help them transform challenges in opportunities for growth.

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May 10, 2017

What if I told you that in just 10 minutes a day, you could have a significant impact on your health, well-being and quality of life? Well, the answer is that you can accomplish all of this by simply starting a daily meditation practice! If you are unsure about how to start, may I suggest a simple and easy to use online resource and app called Headspace. It offers you everything you need to begin your journey along with a variety of guided meditations on many subjects, including stress reduction, sleep, work, relationships and sport performance. It is also accessible anytime, anywhere and is intended for both children and adults. Give it a try and experience the transformation!

For more information, click here.

Manon Melanson
Psychologist

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April 08, 2017

With the advancements of modern society, time for fun and laughter is often neglected. Has life become too serious and could this be contributing to the increase in stress related disorders and chronic health conditions? Could the simple act of laughing really have a positive impact on our physical health and mental health?

Laughter is believed to have positive effects on our overall mental health and our immune system. Dr. Annette Goodhearth (1935-2011), psychologist, was the first to create a theoretical therapy framework for the use of laughter during treatment. In her book, Laughter Therapy, she talks about various ways we can include more laughter into our life to enhance our health. Dr. Brian King, a psychologist and stand up comedian, also has published a book that some may find interesting entitled: The Laughing Cure: Emotional and Physical Healing.

Here are a few tips that may help you bring more laughter into your life:

• Make a point to read a joke everyday or watch a funny movie
• Seek out people who are playful and fun
• Play fun board games with your family
• Bring humour into conversations by sharing a funny story about yourself
• Surround yourself with reminders to lighten up (e.g. screen saver on your computer or phone that makes you laugh)
• Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself

Laughter has a way to work really fast to relieve the burden of stress, connect us to people and help us stay grounded. Why not give it a try for a few weeks, what’s the worse that can happen.

Christine Belliveau, Psychologist

"Humor, more than anything else in the human makeup, affords an aloofness and an ability to rise above any situation, even if only for a few seconds."    (Victor Frankl)

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March 13, 2017

In honour of the upcoming Creative Arts Therapy Week, which will occur from March 12th to 18th, 2017, below you will find a few interesting facts about Art Therapy:

• Creating art can be a positive gateway to self-expression, self-exploration and the development of insight.
• Art can allow us to express our thoughts, feelings and experiences in ways that may otherwise be difficult for us to express.
• Art can help us be more present in the moment and can allow us to develop and improve our mindfulness skills.
• Individuals who engage in a daily creative activity (e.g., art journaling, knitting, playing a musical instrument, etc.) report higher levels of creativity and positive well-being.
• Art therapy has shown encouraging results when it comes to the treatment of trauma and specifically, combat-related trauma.

Art therapy is certainly a vast field and this is only a brief glimpse into its many applications and benefits. If you would like more information on Art Therapy, I would invite you to visit the Canadian Art Therapy Association’s website. 

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March 04, 2017

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February 08, 2017

With Valentine’s Day coming near, here are quotes from renowned psychologists-researchers on the subject of love and relationships.  The 3 authors are:

• Sue Johnson (Emotion Focused Couple’s Therapy)
• Harville Hendrix (Imago Relationship Therapy)
• John Gottman (The Gottman Method Couples Therapy)

All three of them devoted their entire careers to promote healthy and enriching couples relationships.  Let’s see what they have to say: 









You can consult our social media sites to obtain more quotes from these expert clinicians and researchers.

Pierrette Richard
Psychologist

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February 04, 2017

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January 21, 2017

How often a day do you check your emails?  Do you feel anxious or a sense of panic at the idea of not being able to access your emails for a few hours?  Recent research has suggested that checking your emails too often could actually be bad for you and significantly increase your stress levels.  Your first reaction to this statement might be that you have no choice in this matter!  The following information might help you change your views on emails.

A study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior (Kostadin Kushlev & Elizabeth W. Dunn, February 2015) has suggested that it isn’t the volume of emails that you handle which is problematic.  What plays a role in causing stress is the frequency with which you check your emails.  Researchers observed a significant reduction in stress when participants checked email less frequently (only 3 times a day). This reduction in stress was significant and about as large as the benefit people get from learning relaxation techniques (e.g., taking deep breaths, visualizing peaceful imagery).  This research also concluded that we can be more efficient with daily tasks by checking less often.  Reducing stress levels and being more productive, now those are two great reasons to start rethinking how you manage your emails!

Manon Melanson
Psychologist

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November 25, 2016

We could all benefit from a moment of calm now and again. I would therefore invite you to have a look at www.calm.com, a website which specializes in relaxation and tranquility. This website offers both structured and unstructured relaxation exercises and, among other benefits, can help to enrich your relaxation exercises, enhance your mindfulness skills, and improve your sleep quality.

Want to carry your new found sense of calm with you? Luckily, calm.com is also available as a smartphone application. So take a deep breath, relax and enjoy a moment of calm.

Mélanie Léger, Psy.D.
Resident in Psychology

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November 23, 2016

The holidays at the end of the year are a time for festivities, reunions and social gatherings. However, it can also be a stressful time that can last from mid-December to the first week of January.  It’s a period of social obligations and gift purchases, which consume a fair amount of energy and money. We rarely have time to accomplish everything we’d wish. The daily routines are always present. James Robinson, psychologist, offers some tips to help us manage this time of the year. Click here to learn more.

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November 05, 2016

Millions of people around the world live with depression. “Living with a black dog”, a short video created by Matthew and Ainsley Johnstone, is a guide for loved-ones and sufferers of depression. It advises partners, those caring for people with depression, as well as sufferers on what to do and what not to do.

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October 23, 2016

This short video tells the story of writer and illustrator Matthew Johnstone’s depression and how he overcame it. It was produced by Matthew, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, to mark World Mental Health Day 2012.

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October 10, 2016

This funny short video illustrates very well the often-repeated message that in communication, listening is more important than finding a solution for the other person.  Enjoy!

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September 21, 2016

Happiness has always been a subject of interest in psychology. However, recently, the issue of happiness has increasingly been placed at the forefront of our minds. With magazines, books and smartphone applications having happiness as their main focus, some argue that we have become obsessed with the concept of happiness. However, this is with good reason. Specifically, some studies have shown that happiness contributes positively to our well-being, as well as our health. Among other benefits, happier people tend to sleep better, have stronger more intimate friendships, and also tend to be in better physical health. This certainly makes the search for happiness alluring. But what actually leads to our happiness? What are the factors and habits that contribute to a fulfilled and satisfactory life? In this article, you will find three factors or practices that, among many others, are said to lead to greater happiness.

Mélanie Léger, Psy.D.
Resident in psychology

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September 21, 2016

Being a parent of a child that suffers from a learning disability or an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be especially challenging during the school year.  The following website can be a valuable resource for you and your child (www.additudemag.com).  It offers practical advice and proven tips that aim to improve school and family life.

Manon Melanson
Psychologist 

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August 31, 2016

As students prepare to return to school next week, it is a good time for parents to discuss sleep habits with their teenagers. A 3am to noon summer sleep schedule will require considerable adjustments to make sure teenagers obtain the recommended 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night to recharge. The early morning wake-up calls will leave most teens short on sleep during the school week. It has been shown that two-thirds of teens fail to get 8 hours of sleep on school nights. This chronic sleep loss can hinder teens’ academic performance. It also increases the risk of health and safety problems among teens. These health risks include depression, suicidal thoughts and drowsy driving.

What can parents do? Here are five tips to help parents promote healthy sleep in teens:

• Promote a consistent sleep-wake schedule. Your body functions best when you keep a regular routine. Encourage your teen to go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time every morning.
• Let in morning light. Open the blinds or curtains in the morning to expose your teen to bright sunlight. This light is a timing cue for the body that helps promote alertness.
• Ban devices from the bedroom. Ensure that your teen’s bedroom is a quiet, relaxing sleep environment. Keep electronic devices such as the TV, video game system, computer and tablet out of your teen’s bedroom.
• Set a communication curfew. Set a reasonable time after which your teen can no longer send text messages, check emails and social media, or talk on the phone. Ensure that your teen silences all communication notifications during sleep.
• Model healthy sleep habits. Parents should emphasize the importance of healthy sleep habits by modeling good sleep hygiene. Consult this document to view a list of healthy sleep habits for adults.

Teens who regularly struggle to fall asleep at night or stay awake during the day may have a sleep illness. Parents can get help for a teen’s sleep problems by consulting a psychologist trained in the assessment and treatment of sleep disorders.

Christine Arsenault
Psychologist

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August 08, 2016

Do you worry excessively? Do you find yourself constantly thinking about the “what ifs”? Are you unable to control your worry? Do you worry about something bad happening in various situations? Are you overly concerned about your health and/or your loved ones' health? Do you feel on edge most days? Does your chronic worrying impact your sleep? If so, you may be struggling with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)!

GAD is one of the most common anxiety disorders. It affects approximately 3% of the Canadian population in a given year. Women are more likely to get the disorder than men. GAD usually begins in childhood and adolescence, but it can also start in adulthood. It can lead to unemployment and/or serious social/family problems. Psychological treatment is available to treat GAD.

The Canadian Psychological Association provides additional information regarding GAD. Click here.

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August 03, 2016

Thousands of people turn to food when they feel stressed, tired, alone, sad, hurt or bored. Emotional eating is a common method that people, especially women, use to reduce or alleviate some rather negative emotions. Food becomes a comfort to these people. However, it is important to note that it is only a temporary solution: the emotion may return to the surface, in addition to feeling remorse or guilt. It is also a coping mechanism that can harm your health as well as increase your risks of obesity and developing an eating disorder.

If you are a person who tends to use food when you experience unpleasant emotions, a psychologist can help you find healthier alternatives to better manage your emotions. Do not be afraid to talk about it and seek professional help. For more information about the relationship between the psychological well-being and obesity, click on this link. 

Dre Nicole Belliveau, D.Psy.
Resident in psychology

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July 27, 2016

Insomnia is described as difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, and/or waking up too early. It can be characterized as being acute (e.g., due to a recent life stressor) or chronic. Insomnia also leads to daytime symptoms, such as fatigue, sleepiness, and poor concentration. Moreover, research has shown that insomnia increases the risk for psychological and physical problems, including anxiety, depression, poor memory, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. About 1/3 of the population will struggle with insomnia at some point in their lives and the ratio is two women for every man.

Psychological treatment is available to help overcome insomnia. In fact, Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i) is a proven and effective psychological treatment for this sleep disorder. CBT-i aims at changing sleep habits and scheduling factors, as well as misconceptions about sleep and insomnia that perpetuate sleep difficulties.

The following YouTube video, prepared by John Hopkins Center for Sleep, offers a more detailed description of insomnia as well as its treatment options.

Christine Arsenault
Psychologist

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July 04, 2016

Esther Perel, psychotherapist, researcher and author of Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence (2006), has studied hundreds of couples around the world (South America, Europe and North America). In the following TED Talk, Esther Perel describes her view on infidelity.  By tracing the historical role of marriage throughout modern civilization, she attempts to explain why, in this day and age, infidelity is often experienced as being traumatic. She also offers suggestions to help couples deal with infidelity by creating a new understanding of their relationship. To view the TED Talk presentation, please click here.

Pierrette Richard
Psychologist

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June 20, 2016

Raising children in our society can be challenging and difficult.  How can we measure our success as parents and educators and raise happy, well-adjusted children and teenagers?  Author and psychologist, Dr. Madeline Levine, offers us precious advice in her book entitled Teach Your Children Well-Parenting for Authentic Success.  She offers us practical advice on how to make parenting choices that will lead to authentic, and not superficial success, which is based on the pressures of performance and leads to children being exhausted, stressed and externally motivated.  According to Levine, real success is based on more than our children’s last report card and extra-curricular achievements, it is always an ‘inside job’. We need to concentrate on enabling academic success as well as developing a sense of purpose, well-being, connection, and meaning in our children’s lives.

Manon Melanson, psychologist

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May 23, 2016

“Slower, it turns out, often means better - better health, better work, better business, better family life, better exercise, better cuisine and better sex.”  Carl Honoré, "In Praise of Slow".

Carl Honoré (born 1967 in Scotland) is a Canadian journalist who wrote the internationally best-selling book In Praise of Slow (2004) about the Slow Movement.  He first explored how the Slow philosophy might be applied in every field of human endeavour and coined the phrase "slow movement".

"It is a cultural revolution against the notion that faster is always better. The Slow philosophy is not about doing everything at a snail’s pace. It's about seeking to do everything at the right speed. Savouring the hours and minutes rather than just counting them. Doing everything as well as possible, instead of as fast as possible. It’s about quality over quantity in everything from work to food to parenting."

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May 06, 2016

The Clinic of Applied Psychology is thrilled to join ARCANB for the first-ever Relay For Life Radiothon, aimed at raising funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. On May 12, 2016, ten Francophone radio stations will be broadcasting live ~ from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. We encourage you to listen, donate, and exercise! Consult this pamphlet or visit www.cancer.ca/arcanb for more details.

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May 05, 2016

We are very pleased to announce that Nicole Belliveau, Psy.D. (resident in psychology) has joined the Clinic of Applied Psychology. She will offer assessment and treatment services to children, adolescents, and adults beginning in May 2016. Welcome Nicole!

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April 19, 2016

Dr. Dan Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson describe a concept in their book “The Whole-Brain Child” that helps us understand the brain in a simple way. They call it the upstairs and downstairs brain. The downstairs brain houses basic functions such as breathing, strong emotions, and innate reactions to danger. The upstairs brain is much more complex. For example, thinking, imagining, and planning come from the upstairs brain.

The literature suggests that attuned parenting is key to building emotionally healthy children. Attunement, in short, is putting yourself in your child’s shoes and then meeting their needs with the wisdom of a parent. Understanding the concept of upstairs/downstairs brain can help parents provide attuned parenting. In the following video, Michelle Kinder coaches parents on how to become more attuned to their child’s emotional needs.

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March 18, 2016

Hundreds of studies suggest that meditation decreases stress, has tangible health benefits, sharpens attention and memory and has been linked to increased happiness and greater compassion.  Exposing our children to these techniques could therefore help them cope better with stress and grow into living healthier lives. 

So how do we introduce our kids to meditation?  One of the most powerful ways is developing a family practice.  Parents practicing meditation themselves may have the greatest impact on their children.  To get started, here is a wonderful introduction to mindfulness meditation for children ages 5 to 12:  Sitting Still Like a Frog, by Eline Snel (2013).  It includes a 60-minute audio CD of guided exercises that help children calm down, become more focused, fall asleep more easily, alleviate worry, manage anger, and generally become more patient and aware. 

Manon Melanson, psychologist

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March 12, 2016

Having cancer can be a distressing and stressful experience for patients and their family members and can lead to a variety of psychosocial difficulties. The "Psychology Works" fact sheet, presented by the Canadian Psychological Association, offers insight into the psychological consequences of cancer in adults. It also provides interventions that can help people with cancer. Click here to learn more.

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February 13, 2016

In this month containing Valentine’s day celebrations, it seems timely to share with you Dr. Gary Chapman’s thoughts on love languages.  In his book, “The Five Love Languages”, he concludes people express love and receive love in 5 different ways, mainly:

• Words of Affirmation
• Quality Time
• Gifts
• Acts of Service
• Physical Touch

When partners share and explain their unique needs, they can better communicate their love for each other and increase their own feelings of being loved.  To discover what is your partner’s love language, as well as your own, you can consult Dr. Chapman’s bestselling book.  You can also view some of his videos available on Youtube.  The link below is a brief video of the author describing the 5 love languages.

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February 10, 2016

Robert Waldinger is the Director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the most comprehensive longitudinal studies in history. In this talk, he presents data on true happiness and satisfaction. Additionally, he shares three important lessons learned from the study on how to build a fulfilling, long life. The following video is a must-watch!

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January 18, 2016

Yoga practice has grown in popularity for the management of stress, chronic pain and many other health conditions. Could it really provide some relief to clients suffering with debilitating symptoms of PTSD?

There seems to be a growing consensus among health professionals who specialize in the treatment of PTSD in regards to yoga as an important adjunct treatment to the more conventional approaches. More recent research studies have demonstrated marked improvements in hypervigilance, a sympathetic nervous system reaction, for clients who practice yoga. Having said this, yoga can be intimidating for some people who may have pre-conceived beliefs regarding the skills required, clothes to wear and even the link to religious practices. The reality is that mainstream programs have a variety of options that can meet the needs of most. 

Yoga may not be your first pick, but when a treatment offers increased wellness, fitness, and flexibility as the list of potential side effects, it may be worth considering.

Christine Belliveau
Psychologist
Clinic of Applied Psychology

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December 03, 2015

The holidays at the end of the year are a time for festivities, reunions and social gatherings.  However, it can also be a stressful time that can last from mid-December to the first week of January.  It’s a period of social obligations and gift purchases, which consume a fair amount of energy and money. We rarely have time to accomplish everything we’d wish.  The daily routines are always present.

A few guidelines:

• Spend some quality time in a pleasant atmosphere. It doesn’t have to be a “big party” every time you get together. It’s precious and free. Get together with family and friends doing activities you enjoy.
• The gifts you offer should not replace the time you couldn’t spend with your loved ones during the year. A gift exchange for a pardon is a pitfall.
• Purchase gifts that suit your budget. It will be easier on you after the holidays.
• Take some quality time for yourself. Even go as far as declining a few invitations. Take advantage of your vacation to relax.
• Family reunions can open old wounds.  This period can remind us of a great loss, a difficult family situation or an ongoing battle with alcohol or drugs.  Avoid conflict-provoking situations. People who are alone feel even more isolated.  Understand your emotions and reactions related to a loss or a conflict. It’s a period of emotional assessment.
• Real life still has its same demands as the rest of the year. We continue to have errands, pay the bills, look after the children, etc…
• Traveling during this period could be rather risky ~ first, because of the road conditions during winter and second, because of the unusual congestion on the roads.  One should never hurry but rather try to leave earlier. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order.
• Make New Year resolutions that are realistic and match your level of motivation so as to avoid a sense of failure if they’re not realized.

James Robinson
Psychologist
Clinic of Applied Psychology

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November 23, 2015

Adult coloring books are becoming increasingly popular. Experts in the field of psychology and art therapy have differing opinions regarding the potential benefits of coloring. Its advocates consider coloring to be a path towards mindfulness, in essence, a path to “living in the present moment’’. According to some, the gentle repetitive action of coloring focuses the brain on the present, blocking any intrusive thoughts regarding the past or the future and thus creating a state of peace. However, other experts consider that the creation of original art, versus the act of coloring preexisting patterns, has greater therapeutic benefits. Further research is necessary in order to establish coloring as an evidence-based tool for anxiety and stress management. However, empirically proven or not, people who color certainly perceive the activity as being relaxing as well as stress relieving. We therefore invite you to de-stress and self-express!

Mélanie Léger, D.psy.
Resident in psychology

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November 07, 2015

The Clinic of Applied Psychology wishes to thank our Canadian veterans for their courage, service and sacrifice!

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/video-gallery/video/11099

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October 24, 2015

The Clinic of Applied Psychology is now on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/cpamoncton) and Twitter (@cpa_cap). Follow us to obtain CAP news and to receive educational information. #capmoncton #psychology #mentalhealth

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October 18, 2015

I’ve just arrived from a week spent at the Imago Relationship Therapy International Conference.  I had the good fortune to participate in a 3-day workshop titled “Despair to Repair”, which focused on helping couples deal with trauma and crisis.  Working with trauma for most of my career, I was very interested to learn how to help couples regain connection after experiencing crises. 

Drawing from relational neuroscience, Imago theory sheds light on how to increase the couple’s ability to regulate emotion by creating safety for each other.  In addition, secure attachment provides the necessary support permitting each partner to do the individual work needed to overcome trauma. 

The conference was informative and has hopefully given many psychologists additional skills to assist couples dealing with crises.  Imago theory is an inspiring body of work, continually evolving and pursuing its mission, which is: “Changing the world one couple at a time.”

Pierrette Richard, Psychologist and Certified Imago Therapist
Clinic of Applied Psychology

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September 14, 2015

On September 18-20 2015, two of our psychologists – Michelle Gauthier Belliveau and Manon Melanson - will attend a workshop with Gurudass Kaur Khalsa in Moncton, New-Brunswick certifying them in the Childplay Yoga Program.  In fact, this yoga teacher training will help these psychologists integrate creative, fun and empowering yoga techniques in their daily practice with children and teens.

childplayyoga.com

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August 21, 2015

The Centre for Studies on Human Stress (CSHS) is dedicated to improving the physical and mental health of Canadians by increasing individuals’ knowledge regarding the effects of stress on the brain and body. Their website’s goal is to increase your awareness regarding everything stress-related! While navigating the website, you will learn to better define, understand and confront your stress. Ensure that you don’t overlook the Mammoth Magazine available for free on the website. This online magazine addresses many different and interesting themes related to stress such as: stress and addiction, stress and perinatality, post-traumatic stress, caregiver stress, sex-related stress differences, stress and children and many more engaging topics! Avoid burying your head in the sand and face your stress starting today by consulting the CSHS website: http://www.humanstress.ca

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June 22, 2015

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June 01, 2015

On June 8 and 9, 2015, three of our psychologists will attend an exciting workshop with Dr. Janina Fisher in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Integrating the neuroscience research, mindfulness-based techniques, and interventions drawn from Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, this workshop will present neurobiologically-informed strategies for integrating trauma treatment and addictions recovery. To obtain more information regarding this conference: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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May 25, 2015

If you are considering Relationship Therapy, you may be interested in reading about Imago Relationship therapy at www.imagorelationships.org.  Below is a citation from Montreal psychologist and Trainer for Imago Therapy, Dr. Sophie Slade.  In this short caption, Dr. Slade really captures the essence of what Imago is all about.

"In IMAGO, a core belief is that couples come to therapy to experience the joyful aliveness of connection. Pain and problems are just things that need to be dealt with sometimes because they get in the way of connection. If we focus all our attention on the problems, that is what will grow. If we focus our attention on the joy that comes from safety and connection and help our couples wallow in that joyful aliveness… then we are doing IMAGO therapy!”

-Sophie Slade, Ph.D., Imago Faculty

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May 21, 2015

We are very pleased to announce that Mélanie Léger, D. Psy. (resident in psychology) has joined the Clinic of Applied Psychology. She will offer assessment and treatment services to an adult population beginning in June 2015. Welcome Mélanie!

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May 22, 2015

The Clinic of Applied Psychology is excited to announce the release of our new website, designed with a fresh new look and user-friendly navigation, updated with the latest information regarding our services. We hope you will enjoy our new site. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please send them our way.