# Fresh Hope Counselling > Helping You Find Hope & Healing! ## Posts - [How to Find and Increase Hope](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/how-to-find-and-increase-hope/): ✨ Why Hope Matters There’s a reason we’re called Fresh Hope Counselling. Hope is a necessity. Hope has been described as “an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of desirable outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one’s own life, or the world at large.”[1] 📊 What the Research Tells Us Research shows us that people with higher hope levels: 📈 Cope better when under stress (Carver & Scheier, 1998). 🎓 Achieve more academically or professionally (Snyder et al., 2002). 💙 Maintain better physical health and have a lower depression risk (Chang, 1998). 🌱 Even in... - [When You're Not Enough](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/when-youre-not-enough/): [vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] 💭 When You’re Not Enough Ever felt like you weren’t enough? It’s a very common problem in our world — that, and the belief that we aren’t good enough. The flaw in this thinking is ‘according to who?’ Or ‘when are we good enough?’ The word ‘enough’ means that something is sufficient or adequate. If we operate under... - [Internal Locus and Why You Need One](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/internal-locus-and-why-you-need-one/): [vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] 🧭 Internal Locus of Control — and Why You Need One Locus of control can be understood as the centre hub of a bicycle wheel. When you have an external locus of control, the people, forces, and situations around you flow inward and dictate who you are. You look outward to define your identity — almost asking, “What... - [Why We All Need Hope](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/why-we-all-need-hope/): [vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] 🌅 Why We All Need Hope Hope is an essential part of human life. It allows us to face uncertainty, endure hardship, and move forward when circumstances feel overwhelming or unclear. More than simple optimism, hope is a powerful inner resource that helps us imagine possibilities beyond present distress. At its core, hope fuels perseverance. It encourages growth,... - [What's Your Relationship Like With Yourself?](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/whats-your-relationship-like-with-yourself/): [vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-1-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color=”#f4f4f4″ background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] 🌱 Learning Self-Compassion and Emotional Wellness Think about the most important relationships in your life — your partner, your family, your friends. When those relationships are going well, how do you show up for those people? You likely make time for them, speak with kindness, and treat them with care and respect. But here’s a... - [Why am I so Anxious?](https://freshhope.ca/anxiety/why-am-i-so-anxious/): Anxiety is a feeling of worry, tenseness, or fear, particularly related to things which we think may happen in the future. It is something most people will experience during their lifetime, but it can become a problem mentally when it impacts a person’s ability to function and have a good quality of life. During COVID, anxiety levels increased to just over 25% of the population. Since then, levels have decreased but not to pre-COVID levels (18%) — averaging now around 22%. Although everyone experiences anxiety or fear as an emotion, it can lead to problems when fear breeds panic or anxiety... - [Broken Dreams](https://freshhope.ca/relationships/broken-dreams/): As we head into the holiday season, this Christmas time can be challenging for some. Life is filled with broken dreams. Things don’t always turn out the way we pictured they would. If they have, that’s wonderful! When it hasn’t, we can really struggle. Whether it’s grief, the breakdown of a relationship, the impact of addiction or mental health on a loved one, or the loss of what could have been. So what do we do with the broken dreams?  Acknowledge. Start by looking at what you’ve lost and validate how you feel about it. “This isn’t what I planned! This... - [You Are Valuable and Lovable. No more shame.](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/you-are-valuable-and-lovable-no-more-shame/): Each person is valuable here and now, just as they are. Period. We often struggle with feeling valuable or lovable based on things from the past. Mistakes and bad choices, harm done to us, and other aspects of life can leave us living in shame. Shame is not meant to be a destination! As renowned shame researcher Brene Brown states shame is “the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging – something we’ve experienced, done, or failed to do makes us unworthy of connection.” There is a powerful diagnosis that... - [Why Relationships Matter](https://freshhope.ca/relationships/why-relationships-matter/): Life gotten too busy? No time or energy to connect with friends and family? This society makes it easy to become disconnected and isolated. The demands of work, family, finances, and more can drain our tanks pretty quickly. Social media doesn’t help as it lulls us into scrolling through unrealistic expectations put forth through advertising, posts that only show the best, and a plethora of misinformation. In the midst of all this, it becomes easy to forego the time, thought and energy it takes to nurture and grow our relationships. We may even convince ourselves that we just don’t have time... - [Keeping Joy in Your Life](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/keeping-joy-in-your-life/): Feelings come and go like waves. They are emotional responses to what we are thinking about, believing and experiencing. Emotions are neither right or wrong. For example, there is no right way to feel in any given situation. Some emotions are painful and some are pleasant. When I worked inpatient we had a list of core emotions — fear, anger, shame, guilt, hurt, sad, lonely and joy. Only one pleasant emotion?? That’s because every pleasant emotion pretty much fits under the umbrella of joy (insert silly arm gestures representing an umbrella). There are so many more painful emotions listed because we... - [Dealing With the Unknowns](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/dealing-with-the-unknowns/): As humans we don’t like unknowns! In fact, some of us hate them and really struggle if things are unknown. Yet life has so many unknown components. When we get new information, our brains want to figure things out. If we have very black and white thinking, it’s even worse — with a tendency to go to the worst case scenario. Thankfully there are ways to help deal with the unknowns. Identify that you are dealing with an unknown. This may sound redundant but often we get caught up in a bunch of anxious thoughts without assessing if it’s an unknown.... - [How to be Hopeful](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/how-to-be-hopeful/): First, let’s differentiate between hope and optimism. “Hope focuses more directly on the personal attainment of specific goals, whereas optimism focuses more broadly on the expected quality of future outcomes in general.” In other words, optimism is the belief that things will turn out all right; hope makes no such assumption but is a conviction that one can act to make things better in some way. (Arthur C. Brooks). Research has shown that hope is propelled by feelings and action — making it different than a wish. We can do something about hope! Research has also documented the impact of hopefulness... - [You Can Do Hard Things!](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/you-can-do-hard-things/): Have you been dealt some unfair blows lately? Has your life been impacted by grief and loss? Has trauma blown your life apart? If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions you have been through hard things. This also verifies that you CAN do hard things. It’s almost a year since my Dad passed away from pancreatic cancer. That was a hard thing. Watching him deteriorate, go in to hospice and die was one of the hardest times I’ve gone through. During such times we can wonder if we’ll make it through. Or whether or not we can... - [Still Experiencing Anxiety?](https://freshhope.ca/anxiety/still-experiencing-anxiety/): We all felt a certain amount of anxiety when the COVID 19 pandemic started. So many unknowns were infiltrating our lives. What was going to happen next? What if… Now that we are in a less restricted phase of pandemic response, many people are still finding they continue to have higher degrees of anxiety than previously. This is not abnormal. Anxiety is an emotion created when are bodies are in the nervous system state of activation, often referred to as ‘fight or flight.’ When we live in this nervous state we are essentially in survival mode. Between our physical reactions and... - [Mental Illness Can be Deadly (Warning: triggering language/suicide)](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/mental-illness-can-be-deadly-warning-triggering-language-suicide/): Many of us were shocked and distressed to learn of the death of Naomi Judd one day before her induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. To quote her daughters Wynonna and Ashley “We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness.” Mental illness can be lethal. We don’t often hear mental illness listed as the cause of death. The means of death was suicide but the cause severe long, standing mental illness — depression, anxiety and a mix of complex trauma. It saddens me deeply to think that the precursor to this desperate act was to avoid receiving one... - [Importance of Mind Management](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/importance-of-mind-management/): It’s interesting how many people have a workout program for their bodies but no focus on managing their mind. Why is it that we can prioritize physical fitness and not mental fitness? In her book, “Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess” Dr. Caroline Leaf presents five steps to change and improve the health of your mind. It takes daily work though — anywhere from 7-30 minutes day for weeks to install a new thought (21 days) and then turn it into a habit. Through her 30 plus years of research, Dr. Leaf purports that it takes at least 63 days to create... - [Not So Happy Holidays](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/not-so-happy-holidays/): Although this is known to be a joyous season it doesn’t mean that it is. The Holidays can cause a sore spot to fester even more. Perhaps you are experiencing grief or loss, or enduring a time of illness/chronic pain. You might be walking through a time of broken dreams or fractured relationships. These points of pain tend to inflame during the Holidays, whether your situation is fresh and raw or old and aching. Here are some tips for helping to navigate the Holidays when they’re not so happy. Feel However You’re Feeling. Don’t try to be ‘jolly’ when you’re not.... - [Do You Have Impostor Syndrome?](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/do-you-have-impostor-syndrome/): I keep hearing about people having ‘impostor syndrome.’ I guess it’s become a thing. Actually it was first referenced in 1978 followed by research done in 1985 by Dr. Pauline Rose Clance and the first measurement scale: the Clance impostor phenomenon scale (CIP). The scale measured impostor syndrome across six dimensions: The impostor cycle The need to be special or the best Characteristics of superman or superwoman Fear of failure Denial of ability or discounting praise Feeling fear and guilt about success Impostor cycle describes the circular nature of impostor feelings. It starts with tasks being assigned, followed by self-doubt and... - [Are You Living a Distracted Life?](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/are-you-living-a-distracted-life/): Our world has become a place of distraction. The internet has shortened our attention spans and trained us to distract and detach. All these ‘time saving’ inventions have left us feeling more busy and hurried than ever before. The problem is we are not meant to live a life of continual distraction. T.S. Eliot wrote about ‘this twittering world’ where people are “distracted from distraction by distraction.” It takes away our ability to root deeply and breathe deeply. Distraction doesn’t just harm our emotional and mental health — it impacts relationships, spirituality, physical health and meaningful living. John Ortberg once said,... - [Am I a Narcissist?](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/am-i-a-narcissist/): If you are wondering if you are a narcissist, here’s a simple test put forward by Scott Barry Kaufman, Writer and Psychologist: Step 1: Take a moment to think about yourself. Step 2: If you made it to Step 2, you are not a narcissist. Narcissism is a personality disorder (Narcissistic Personality Disorder — NPD) that has the following features — a sense of grandiosity, need for attention/admiration, lack of empathy and having superficial relationships with others. All of us have a degree of narcissism at times but NPD is a much more significant issue and often accompanies other psychiatric disorders. ... - [Finding Yourself Depressed?](https://freshhope.ca/depression/finding-yourself-depressed/): The pandemic has caused a tsunami of mental health impacts, including a huge increase in depression. Whether or not it is clinical depression, it doesn’t feel good. Depression is a multi-faceted condition which impacts the body, mind, soul and spirit. Which requires a holistic approach to feel better. Here are some keys for dealing with the blues/depression that you might be experiencing: Don’t Wait ‘Til You Feel Better — it’s common to get stuck in depression and lack motivation to do anything different. However the depressed feelings get created by what we are thinking about and how we’re behaving so we... - [I Can Do This!](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/i-can-do-this/): Restrictions, lockdowns, frustrations galore…but you know what? I can do this because I am! This is a statement I learned many years ago during my Graduate Studies. I hit points of utter exhaustion and discouragement where I thought ‘I can’t keep doing this!’ As I spilled this out to my mentor she looked me in the eye and challenged me. (Which by the way, is not what I was hoping for! I was thinking some nice sympathy — a hug and maybe even a Starbucks gift card for my troubles!) But no, she just said “You can’t?” I felt a little... - [How to Break the Restrict - Binge Cycle](https://freshhope.ca/eating-disorders/how-to-break-the-restrict-binge-cycle/): In most eating disorders there is a pendulum that swings from restriction (not eating enough) to binging (eating a large quantity of food in a short period of time). Although there is no simple quick fix to breaking this cycle, there are some practical tips that can help you eradicate the restrict/binge cycle.  People often struggle with trying to eat enough but then feel like they’ve “all of the sudden they’ve eaten too much.”  When this occurs, all or nothing thinking often kicks in and the person feels like they’ve blown it, so might as well keep going. “What’s the point... - [Fresh Hope Welcomes Annika Schaefer](https://freshhope.ca/news/fresh-hope-welcomes-annika-schaefer/): We are very pleased to welcome Annika Schaefer to our Fresh Hope Counselling team. With all the stress, uncertainty and struggles intensified by the pandemic, requests for counselling help have increased significantly. We want to be able to help meet the needs of those who are struggling. In order to do so, we are expanding our staff team to include Mrs. Annika Schaefer, a Psychotherapist with 20 years counselling experience. She began her work primarily in residential and church settings in pastoral care and eventually returned to Germany with her family. In 2015, she completed advanced training and was issued her... - [Moving Into Retirement After 50 Years of...](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/moving-into-retirement-after-50-years-of/): Retirement is a definite transition time, especially in the age of COVID-19 and it’s impact on social interactions. When you have worked most of your adult life, the work you do often becomes a big determinant of your identity. You’re the Truck Driver, Doctor, Financial Advisor, Teacher, Admin. Assistant who works for… It can be a hit to one’s sense of self when that identity changes through retirement (or death/loss/disability). Thankfully there are some helpful ways for us to deal with times of transition. Give yourself lots of grace! Transition and change are difficult. In fact, for highly sensitive people, change/transition... - [Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings to You!](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/merry-christmas-and-seasons-greetings-to-you/): Most of us are glad to see 2020 coming to an end! This has been quite the year — full of unpredictable dynamics and lots of things that have been, or at least felt, out of our control. For some people it has even resurrected trauma. As we consider why that is, the theme of most trauma is ‘being helpless or powerless.’ If you are like most of us, your mental health has been challenged this year. That doesn’t mean it is going to stay bad or have lasting negative consequences. One of the best things we can do these days... - [Healthy Habits and Daily Rituals](https://freshhope.ca/eating-disorders/healthy-habits-and-daily-rituals/): Healthy habits and daily rituals are two ways to help overcome emotional/mindless/stress eating. Unfortunately the term ‘healthy’ has even become an eating disordered term on some occasions. Foods are not inherently good or bad, healthy or unhealthy, etc. Healthy habits however (say that ten times really quickly) are helpful. Here are a list of multiple things you can implement into your daily rituals: Eat at the table. It is very tempting to sit on the couch in front of the television but this is known to promote mindless eating which is very problematic with eating concerns. If we eat at the... - [Welcome Daisy Lee, Registered Psychologist!](https://freshhope.ca/news/welcome-daisy-lee-registered-psychologist/): We are excited to bring on another Registered Psychologist to Fresh Hope Counselling’s  West End location, Ms. Daisy Lee! Daisy is a transplant from Calgary but don’t hold that against her, she’s renounced her allegiance to the Flames just as I did when marrying an Edmontonian. Daisy is a graduate of Yorkville University with a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. She believes in hope as an essential element of life, making her a perfect fit for our Fresh Hope team. In her studies, Daisy embraced the integrated nature of treating the whole person — mind, body and soul. What happens in the... - [How to Unmask When Everyone is Putting on Masks](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/how-to-unmask-when-everyone-is-putting-on-masks/): Wearing a mask is highly recommended these days due to this unprecedented pandemic we are experiencing. I thought I’d take advantage of the whole mask thing to talk about the problem with putting on a non-physical mask. The other day I saw a woman whose mask covered her face right to the point where her bangs came down to her eyebrows and all I could see of her actual face was a couple of eyes peeking over the top of the mask. As I spoke with her I received very little non-verbal communication. Her eyes did have some expression so that... - [How to Have New Growth](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/how-to-have-new-growth/): New Growth is something most of us would like to have. This is our Christmas cactus, Six Fingered Sam. He was left in a vacant office for months with no water or care. Forgotten and neglected. We weren’t sure if Sam was going to make it. I decided to water him anyway. I think Sam may have just been thirsty and in need of some care. Surprisingly he perked up and showed some signs of life. My Mum is the Plant Whisperer, I am not! So we took Sam out to her beautiful sunny plant ledge.  There were two cacti in... - [Registered Dietitian and Eating Disorders Specialist Joining Fresh Hope!](https://freshhope.ca/eating-disorders/registered-dietitian-and-eating-disorders-specialist-joining-fresh-hope/): We are so excited to have found a Registered Dietitian who is an Eating Disorders Specialist, joining our team at Fresh Hope Counselling. Kathleen McDavid is one of the leading Eating Disorders’ Specialists in the province of Alberta — she literally wrote the book/manuals on treating eating disorders! As some of you know, it has been extremely difficult to find a Registered Dietitian who has experience, training and education in the specialized world of eating disorder treatment to refer our clients to. That is why we are so thrilled not only to have found Kathleen but to be able to provide... - [Are You Just "Done!"?](https://freshhope.ca/covid-19/are-you-just-done/): After months of dealing with a global pandemic and navigating these uncertain times, many people are just ‘done!’ COVID-19 and the economic hit that has followed, is effecting us in ways that most of us never imagined. The clients that we’ve been seeing are having heightened stress reactions, increased anxiety and depression, and reactivated trauma (after all, what doesn’t reactivate the theme of most trauma — ‘I am powerless!’ like a global pandemic?) I tend to think of us having a fill-switch that kicks in when the liquid in the tank gets too full — similar to the alarm that goes... - [Featuring Heidi Marchand!](https://freshhope.ca/news/featuring-heidi-marchand/): I decided it’s time to feature our therapists and give you a little more information about our staff, starting with Heidi Marchand. Heidi is a Registered Psychologist who has been working with us now for several years at our South Edmonton location. Heidi Marchand graduated from Gonzaga College in 2001 and has been working actively in the field of Counselling and Psychology since then. Her experience is varied and includes working in Community Agencies, Private Practice and at the Grey Nuns and University of Alberta Stollery Hospitals. She has years of professional training and experience with children, adolescents, and adults of... - [NEW LOCATION for Fresh Hope Counselling!](https://freshhope.ca/news/new-location-for-fresh-hope-counselling/): It was the last day of December that we closed on the purchase of the new and growing home for Fresh Hope Counselling Ltd.!  We are so excited to have a larger, more efficient layout for Fresh Hope Counselling to grow into for our West End Office. Our new location is more accessible by transit — right on 100th Avenue and directly south of Stony Plain Road. We are very pleased that our new space is fully accessible with counselling offices and a washroom on the main floor. Ample free parking is located directly out in front. Our new address, as... - [COVID-19 Coping Tips](https://freshhope.ca/covid-19/covid-19-coping-tips/): If you are literally anywhere in the world right now you are probably aware of the COVID-19 pandemic. In speaking with clients, we are seeing an increase in stress, anxiety, suicidal ideology (thinking) and depression. The reasons include: the amount of uncertainty, the health implications/fears of the COVID-19 virus, the economic fallout from businesses being closed/job loss,  and many other stressors. Whenever we face unknowns, we typically go into an anxious thought process — what will happen next? Will we be okay? What if…? This is normal. However, we don’t want to stay in those anxious thought loops and may have... - [We Could All Use Some HOPE Right Now!](https://freshhope.ca/covid-19/we-could-all-use-some-hope-right-now/): In the midst of a global pandemic, we certainly could benefit from having hope! I am not going to focus on COVID-19 as you can find numerous resources online about that. Instead, I want to look at hope — the very thing that can help us navigate this unprecedented challenge. As I was thinking about how to best encourage and support the readers of this post I came up with an acronym from the word HOPE. H = Helpful Thoughts and Behaviours. This is a time where we can choose really destructive or detachment-driven options or we can choose helpful, effective... - [Why We Need Hope](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/why-we-need-hope/): With all that is going on in this world around us, hope is a necessity! The wisdom writer Solomon said “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” Hope is a powerful force and being without it damages our entire being. Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines hope as “desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment.” It also means “to expect with confidence: trust.” One of the best predictors of recovery from life’s blows is the presence of hope. I love the saying that hope is like the bird that starts to sing just before the break of dawn expecting the day to... - [Holiday Survival Toolkit](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/holiday-survival-toolkit/): Some people love the Holiday season and enjoy every aspect of it. Other people dread this time of year, whether it brings up painful memories, heightens loss or causes more struggle with an addiction. Regardless of what the struggles or reasons are, we can prepare a Holiday Survival Toolkit to help navigate this time of year as effectively as possible. The Toolkit requires physical, mental and emotional resources and coping skills. Physically — Make sure you are getting enough sleep. Running on empty leaves you vulnerable to getting sick and it also lessens your ability to cope. Sleep deprivation is known... - [What Are You Trying To Say? How to Improve Communication](https://freshhope.ca/relationships/what-are-you-trying-to-say-how-to-improve-communication/): Ever felt like what you are trying to say feels like you are speaking a foreign language? Or that you are talking but clearly not being heard or understood? Problems with communication are some of the biggest issues in relationships, workplace stresses and family problems. Most communication courses are related to becoming a better leader or more effective teacher. However, having poor communication skills can really harm one’s ability to get his/her needs met, feel heard, and have rich relationships. Let’s look at a few common blockages to effective communication. Not actually listening to what is being said/lack of attention or... - [The Problem of Hidden Illnesses a.k.a. "But you look fine..."](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/the-problem-of-hidden-illnesses-a-k-a-but-you-look-fine/): Suffering from a hidden illness can be frustrating and depressing. This can include mental illnesses like high-functioning depression/anxiety, PTSD and bulimia — just to name a few — to chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and a variety of other illnesses that deeply impact daily living while presenting a fairly ‘fine’ exterior. It’s almost easier to have a cast or bandaged body part that clearly reminds us, and those around us, that there is something wrong. If there is no external evidence, we can tend to forget that a person is struggling or potentially needing some form of help. Here are some of the... - [When You Feel Stuck](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/when-you-feel-stuck/): Feeling stuck is not a nice place to be, especially if you have been there for a long time. Cambridge dictionary defines stuck as ‘being unable to move from a particular position or place or unable to change a situation.’ As you can imagine feeling like you are unable to change a situation takes a toll on a person’s mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. What can you do when you are weary from the ‘stuckness?’ Here’s five tips: ASSESS the Situation HONESTLY. Over time we can filter our perceptions about what we are experiencing. We use defence mechanisms to help... - [New Spaces and Faces at Fresh Hope Counselling!](https://freshhope.ca/news/new-spaces-and-faces-at-fresh-hope-counselling/): As many of you know, we have two offices for Fresh Hope Counselling, one on the West End at 17321 108 Avenue NW and one on the South Side, which is changing from the old location to a beautiful new space! Heidi Marchand, our Registered Psychologist on the South Side is in the midst of building out some brand spanking new office space right on Argyll Road. Here are some construction pictures! We are so excited for Heidi’s new office with the big windows, lovely space and great location up on the second floor of a new office building (and don’t... - [But I have to lose weight!](https://freshhope.ca/eating-disorders/but-i-have-to-lose-weight/): Weight loss. Diets. Bootcamps and fitness. Clean eating. Intermittent fasting. Keto. Paleo. Keto Paleo Clean with intermittent fasting… Oh my goodness, make it stop! Diets are all the buzz, have been for decades now. The sad part is they don’t work. Research has proven it, our bodies have proven it, and the industry that supports it is ecstatic because they have a guaranteed repeat business model in a multi-trillion dollar industry that is expanding. The “Wellness” industry is the diet industry. Their goal is to create and enhance dissatisfaction of our bodies so we spend an inordinate amount of time, focus,... - [Defeat Depression!](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/defeat-depression/): On June 1st, Fresh Hope Counsellors and staff will be participating in the 3rd Defeat Depression Walk in Edmonton. I am actually getting quite excited about this campaign. Not just because I will be getting some exercise with friends, because there is more and more movement to rid the stigma regarding mental health issues like depression. Depression is a treatable mental health condition! In fact, every one of us has a propensity towards depression or anxiety. There are two forms of depression that impact Canadians each year. The first kind is situational depression. This happens when something in our life goes... - [The Problem With Hating Yourself](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/the-problem-with-hating-yourself/): Hating yourself might seem like an inconsequential thing. Who does it really hurt besides you? The problem with hating yourself is that it not only hurts you but those around you. You might argue that you don’t actually ‘hate’ yourself — after all that’s a strong word. Maybe you just don’t like yourself and you definitely don’t love yourself (that sounds rather narcissistic or arrogant anyway)! The flaw in this theory is that we need to feel and know that we are loved. It’s a basic human need. Perhaps you’ve heard it said that you can’t actually love someone else unless... - [How Do I Restore?](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/how-do-i-restore/): In this stressful culture we often reach a place of overwhelm and need to restore. Many people turn to things like video games and Netflix to relax, yet it doesn’t seem to be working. So why aren’t we getting refreshed and restored? Reported levels of depression, anxiety and stress are higher than ever. According to the American Psychology Association’s annual “Stress in America” poll (2017) results showed individuals were more likely to report symptoms of stress including anxiety, anger and fatigue than in previous years. Statistics in Canada are similar as we are seeing more inquiries for depression and anxiety treatment.... - [Investing in Your Relationship](https://freshhope.ca/relationships/investing-in-your-relationship/): Investing in anything requires time, thought, effort, energy and resources, especially if you hope to profit from the investment. The same is true of relationships with close friends and especially in marriage. Let’s look at a five simple steps to help enrich your relationships. Value the Relationship. If we consider something to be of value we are more motivated to take care of it (or we ought to be). Reinforce the fact that you do value the relationship you have with this person. Let the person know that you value your friendship/relationship/marriage. Don’t play the ‘if they don’t know I’m not... - [How To Make Change That Matters](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/how-to-make-change-that-matters/): Entering a new year is always a time to think about resolving to make change in one’s life. However, most New Year’s Resolutions don’t last very long! Recent surveys say that 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February. Why is that? Are we such creatures of habit that we can’t actually change anything? This is partially true. If there isn’t a big enough payoff to do something differently, we will rarely put the effort into change. Another hinderance can be the change process/transition. Some people don’t do change well and find it quite unsettling to go through transition.... - [Jesus Had A Blended Family](https://freshhope.ca/relationships/jesus-had-a-blended-family/): Before the cries of ‘heresy’ are yelled out during this Merry season — bear with me! Reality dictates there are a lot of step-parent living situations and blended families in this day and age. If we take a look at Jesus we see that he was actually raised by his step-father, Joseph. Joseph thought about ditching Mary and not going through with the marriage when he found out that his virgin fiancee was pregnant with child. Thankfully, God accounted for Joseph’s normal human reaction and trying to get out of the relationship quickly and quietly. He actually sent in the big... - [Is it Clinical or Situational Depression?](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/clinical-situational-depression/): This is a very important question to determine when it comes to depression. Situational depression is something that most of us face at some point in our lives. It is a short-term form of depression that follows a traumatic disruption to life or a series of losses. Often a situational depression has layers to it and can begin with a trigger like a job loss, divorce, the loss of a spouse or good friend, major life changes, physical illness or a transition into the ’empty nest.’ Whether a depression is situational or clinical, they feel the same and both are real.... - [Feeling Stuck?](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/feeling-stuck/): Are you feeling stuck? That’s odd because stuck isn’t a feeling, it’s more of a state! However, feelings that occur around being stuck include apathy, depression, helpless, frustrated and so on. Apathy is a bad one because we don’t care when we’re apathetic. Problem being that we have to care when we’re apathetic or we won’t do anything different. Let’s take a look at some ways to get out of the rut you might be stuck in. Just as a physical rut can make us immobile, so can a sense of feeling stuck. Most often we start to feel down and... - [Aren't Boundaries Rude?](https://freshhope.ca/relationships/arent-boundaries-rude/): Putting boundaries in place can feel like you are being rude but they are actually a self-protective, defensive move. Sometimes we need to put a boundary or limit into place in order to preserve a relationship or transform one into a more healthy relationship. “What is the difference between a wall and a boundary?” That’s a good question! A wall keeps people out completely — it’s solid and permanent. A boundary is more like a fence around our property that has a gate. Boundaries are permeable and allow a person to open and close the gate as they choose to. It helps to... - [Navigating Thanksgiving When You Have an Eating Disorder](https://freshhope.ca/eating-disorders/navigating-thanksgiving-when-you-have-an-eating-disorder/): Thanksgiving is a wonderful day to celebrate gratitude and all the good things that we have in our lives. However, Thanksgiving can also be a chaotic and difficult time for someone who has an eating disorder — or for anyone who has difficult family situations. Thanksgiving invites are usually based around food. Turkey, pies, stuffing, potatoes, etc. Food, food and more food! When food is so prominent, it can wreak havoc on a person’s recovery from an eating disorder. Here are five tips to use to help navigate the weekend AND stay in recovery. Get in the driver’s seat. You are... - [Believe It or Not!](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/believe-it-or-not/): What we believe directs how we live our lives. Our core beliefs function like a filtering system that looks for evidence. If the core beliefs are positive and effective, reflecting truth about ourselves, the evidence we look for is positive and supportive. They also help us filter the negative incidents that take place in our lives and to filter them correctly — say for example, I get the flu. Catching the flu is something that can happen to anybody and therefore a healthy belief system allows us to see that it is not something personal or negative about us that has... - [How to Actually Change](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/how-to-actually-change/): Change is a great idea but sometimes that’s as far as it goes. Alcoholic’s Anonymous is believed to be the source of a great quote “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.” This is something that we seem to struggle with as human beings. Why do we keep falling into the same holes as we walk down a familiar road? There is an anonymous poem that I found years ago and it sums it up best — I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall... - [The Problem with Process](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/the-problem-with-process/): Our world has become quite intolerant of process. We like quick fixes and things to be ‘easy-peasy.’ We stand by microwave ovens tapping our feet, wondering why it’s taking so long. We’ve become a society of Instant Gratification Junkies. Instagram. Snapchat. Texts that travel from one device to the other side of the world in microseconds. In some ways, this ease of ‘quickness’ should be the best thing ever yet we are some of the most stressed out people ever! Research is showing that we have some of the highest levels of anxiety ever. So what does that have to do... - ["I'm Just a Perfectionist!" What's Wrong with That?](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/im-just-a-perfectionist-whats-wrong-with-that/): What’s wrong with being a perfectionist? I just like to push myself. I just have high expectations. Shouldn’t we all aim for perfection? These are some fairly rational thoughts and arguments in defence of perfectionism. The problem with perfection as the expectation is 1. that it is not attainable 2. it’s not sustainable.So even if you do something to the level of what you consider perfect it is not something you will be able to do again and again. If your expectations are consistently out of your reach, they will do a few things that aren’t helpful. Perfectionistic Expectations Cause Procrastination.... - [Become More Resilient](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/become-more-resilient/): Becoming more resilient is a good investment of time and energy. We often don’t stop and think about resiliency as something that we can influence or build. Have you ever heard a story about a family where one person rose above the overwhelming, negative odds to make something wonderful of their life while the others did not? What is the difference between that one sibling and the rest? I love reading biographies of people like that! What did they do differently to overcome? How were they able to deal with the negatives and not get destroyed by them? A common thread... - [Couples Counselling 'Cause Cr*p Happens](https://freshhope.ca/relationships/couples-counselling-cause-crp-happens/): Couples counselling is often viewed by many as an ultimatum thrown out at the end of a heated argument. “WE need to get couples counselling!” It kinda gets a bad rap, like giving someone a gift card for a root canal or a “date night” suggestion of getting a colon cleanse. What if it was preventative — dare I say, a proactive way to make a relationship better? Isn’t it interesting that we don’t suggest oil changes or tire rotations at the end of a vehicles’ suspected life yet the idea of doing upkeep on your relationship/marriage is viewed as weird?... - [Recovering From an Eating Disorder -- Possible?](https://freshhope.ca/eating-disorders/recovering-from-an-eating-disorder-possible/): The concept of recovery from an eating disorder is vast and at times, controversial. It ranges from the idea of learning to manage the eating disorder, all the way to ‘complete recovery.’ Learning to manage an eating disorder sounds a bit like trying to nail jello to the wall. How exactly does one learn to manage the very thing that is out of one’s control in the first place? If you can ‘manage’ the eating disorder do you actually have one? In my experience, having worked both inpatient and outpatient for almost 20 years, I have come to believe in and... - [Easter Eating. Looking Forward or Dreading it?](https://freshhope.ca/relationship-with-food/easter-eating-looking-forward-dreading/): Easter eating.  the very thought of it brings excitement as you anticipate the celebratory time with friends, family and food or it makes your stomach churn as you fret about how to navigate the many food laden events. Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy your life and not have to think/worry about what you will eat? Or perhaps you are obsessing about when you will eat or who you are comfortable eating in front of? If your response to the thoughts about Easter eating are not celebratory-driven you may be struggling with an unhealthy relationship with food. These days our lives... - [The Problem With Stuffing Emotions](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/problem-stuffing-emotions/): Many people are quick to stuff their emotions or deny them. Sometimes this is a long standing behaviour, a habit that a person has developed or a defence mechanism. I’ve even heard people say ‘if I were to ever go there I would lose it!’ Indeed, that is what a person may feel like if they have stuffed their emotions/feelings for a long time. This is actually a misbelief about how feelings work and it keeps people from moving through these pile-ups toward healing and freedom. Let’s look at some of the negatives that come from stuffing emotions or denying them.... - [How Your Inner Monologue Impacts Your Outer Life](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/inner-monologue-impacts-outer-life/): Ever found yourself singing along to a song you didn’t even realize you knew the words to? We have an amazing ability to retain what we hear throughout the day. Songs. Words. Messages.  If the messages are positive then we tend to feel pretty good and our mood is pleasant.If the monologue (or dialogue) is harsh and critical, we tend to go downhill mood wise. Think about hearing words like ‘idiot, pathetic, disgusting, fat, stupid, failure, loser…’ throughout the course of your day. How do you think that is going to impact you? The scary part is many people don’t even... - [Holiday Seasonal Affective Disorder](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/holiday-seasonal-affective-disorder/): Holiday Seasonal Affective Disorder for real?? Okay no but you may feel like it’s real! After all the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are having less energy, trouble concentrating, poor sleep, fatigue, greater appetite/weight gain, etc. It sounds like it just might fit for this Holiday Season too! (By the way, I am not making light of SAD, it is a very real disorder that does affect numerous people in the winter months and more so in the Edmonton region.) I am however, wanting to give some insight to dealing with the Holiday Season in a way that allows you... - [How Our Words Impact Our Mental Health](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/words-impact-mental-health/): Words are so powerful! Whether we speak them to others or run them over and over in our head, what we tell ourselves affects how we feel and what we believe. If we hear the words again and again, or the messages they represent, we can end up rutting on those thoughts and believing them to be true. Depending on the negativity in those words/condemning nature of them, we can actually make our lives better or worse. A good mentor/friend once told me, ‘you either speak life or you speak death.’ That sounds so extreme. So dramatic! But true. Even if... - [What Makes Something Traumatic?](https://freshhope.ca/trauma/makes-something-traumatic/): Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, is a fairly well-known condition in our world, yet some people go through horrific things and don’t develop PTSD. What makes something more likely to be traumatic or give us trauma symptoms? Why can thousands of people go to combat but only a portion of them return with full-blown trauma reactions? The greatest predictor of PTSD occurring as a result of combat is actually based on a history of childhood abuse, that is previous trauma, most likely untreated. In a recent conference I attended on trauma, we spent some time working through this issue of ‘what... - [Coping When Life Goes Sideways](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/coping-when-life-goes-sideways/): Life has a way of throwing us curveballs. Life happens, catching us off guard and knocking us down hard on our backsides. Sigh. It isn’t fun! In fact, sometimes the throes of this life can be overwhelming. How do you keep a positive attitude when life throws a curveball? Coping becomes a real challenge. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “Time is lost when we have not lived a full human life, time unenriched by experience, creative endeavour, enjoyment, and suffering.” That leads us to point #1 – Expect Suffering. Don’t live in fear of it or sabotage life to create it. But... - [Eating 'Til It's Gone. Why Don't I Stop?](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/481/): Eating when I’m not even hungry any more! This blog is dedicated to a question sent in from one of our subscribers about over eating: “What is the reasoning behind the need to finish something so it is gone? As in this evening I found a half box of cookies and needed to finish it off so it was gone and I would not have to deal with it anymore.”  First of all, let me assure you that you are not the only one who has struggled with this! With respect to eating, many people fall into an ‘all or nothing’... - [Five Horsemen of the Marital Apocalypse!](https://freshhope.ca/marriage/five_horsemen_of_the_marital_apocalypse/): Marriages are under attack! It’s hard enough keeping a relationship healthy and strong without the many pressures that face us in this society. Let’s take a look at FIVE top issues that impact marriages today and some ideas on how to defend your relationship. Busyness. When someone asks you how you are doing, does the answer tend to be: ‘busy!’? If so, this first issue is one you definitely need to guard against. Busyness is often touted as some kind of virtue as though it automatically means we are doing something productive. Due to the many stressors we face from one... - [Deck the Halls! Gonna Deck Somebody?!](https://freshhope.ca/relationships/deck-halls-gonna-deck-somebody/): Sometimes the Christmas/holiday season is not a festive time for some people. People struggling with eating disorders and addiction find this season especially triggering and difficult. People who have gone through a major loss or facing a tough season of life, find that the celebratory parts of the season reinforce loneliness, loss and sadness. So how does a person navigate these seasonal waters when they seem increasingly unfriendly? FIRST — for those who have an addiction or eating disorder: Make a plan. Waiting to see is never a good idea when it comes to recovery! If you have an event or... - [Fresh Hope has Expanded!](https://freshhope.ca/news/fresh-hope-expanded/): We are so pleased to see our practice grow over the past year and a half. Last summer, we had Dr. Cath Thorlakson, Registered Psychologist and Cathy Murray, Master’s Level Social Worker and Therapist join us. As the year has gone by, there has been an increased need for counselling and to bring another Therapist on board. Our search has been successful! As of mid-August, we have brought Heidi Marchand into the fold. Heidi is a Registered Psychologist with a wealth of professional and clinical experience. Heidi is well-versed in children’s issues, and counselling couples, individuals and families. She has recently... - [B.E. BE AUTHENTIC!](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/b-e-authentic/): Thought it was time to do a little bit of cheerleading for the promotion of authenticity. In a world where media bias is constantly presenting us with a skewed agenda, we can become disillusioned with this world of ours. If you are a highly sensitive person, or even moderately high, you will probably be very aware of fake and find it hard to tolerate. Why is there such a tendency towards fake and lacking in authenticity? I believe it is born from insecurity and fear. It causes people to wear masks and present a false image of who they really are. So... - [How's Your Mental/Emotional Fitness?](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/hows-your-mentalemotional-fitness/): So much talk about physical fitness! We have a culture that is obsessed with food, fitness and thinness. Hardly a conversation goes by where somebody doesn’t bring up their weight, someone else’s weight or what they are eating. So much judgment and obsession! Next time you find yourself in one of these conversations, try re-directing it to the topic of mental, emotional and spiritual fitness. Ask the person what they are doing for their workout in THESE areas. How are they taking care of these very important areas of the self? Share what you are doing about your mental or spiritual... - ["I hate my body!! And what am I supposed to do when it's summertime?!"](https://freshhope.ca/eating-disorders/i-hate-my-body-and-what-am-i-supposed-to-do-when-its-summertime/): I hear these words frequently as I work with clients who have eating disorders — even more so if they have BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder). ‘BDD is characterized by a preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in appearance, which is unnoticeable to others. Sometimes the flaw is noticeable but is a normal variation (e.g. male pattern baldness) or is not as prominent as the sufferer believes.’ It is now included in the DSM V. In years of working with eating disordered clients, I have often encountered BDD, along with distressing body image issues. These tend to worsen during... - ['How do I turn My Brain Off??' Is Your Thinking Obsessive?](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/how-do-i-turn-my-brain-off-is-your-thinking-obsessive/): Have you ever felt like your brain was being run by a hamster on a wheel…rutted thoughts circling around and around as your mind continues to spin? This is normal at times but if thinking becomes too rutted, it might be an indication of obsessive thinking. Obsessive thoughts are different than our normal thoughts as they feel like they are out of control and our minds seem fixated on them. When these thoughts become intrusive, and potentially, distressing, it is time to seek help. ‘How do I turn my mind off?’ Firstly, why does a mind get stuck in the ‘on’ position?... - [Crisis! What to do?!](https://freshhope.ca/trauma/crisis-what-to-do/): Our hearts go out to the tens of thousands of people who have been displaced by the forest fires in Fort Mac. Many friends and some family members have been directly impacted by this devastation. Dealing with times of crisis and trauma are difficult! People tend to experience a number of mental and emotional symptoms, including disbelief and shock. There is often fear and anxiety, especially with all the unknowns that people are facing. Sometimes people will have flashbacks and nightmares related to what they witnessed. This can cause trouble sleeping, mood swings, tearful outbursts, and lack of focus and concentration.... - ["How can I reduce my anxiety? Or at least manage it better?!"](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/how-can-i-reduce-my-anxiety-or-at-least-manage-it-better/): Even the question makes some people anxious! Anxiety. Blurg! We all have it at times. Anxiety is just a feeling but for some people it develops into an intrusive thought problem. This can cause frustration and disruption to our daily living. Anxiety doesn’t need to cripple you! So how can a person reduce his/her level of anxiety? Let’s start by looking at some of the physical manifestations of anxiety: sweating more than usual rapid heart beat clammy palms/hands fidgety behaviour (urge to fidget and inability to remain still) rapid, shallow breathing flush of heat/red to the upper body/chest clenching of the... - [How do you know if your relationship is healthy?](https://freshhope.ca/relationships/how-do-you-know-if-your-relationship-is-healthy/): In the early days of coal mining, the canary served as a low-tech gas detection device.  The miners carried a cage into the mine with a bright yellow canary perched in it.  The canary has a high sensitivity to methane and carbon monoxide gases.  If the canary began to pitch and weave on his perch (and inevitably drop dead), it signalled that the poisonous gases in the mine were too high and the miners needed to get out.  In some ways, I wish relationships came with such a device – a dating canary!  Not that it would have to die but... - [Workplace Wellness](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/workplace-wellness/): Breaking the Silence: Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace Overall in society, the stigma of mental illness is lessening yet many employers and employees are still in the dark. In a recent article in the “Corporate Health, Wellness and Rejuvenation” section of Business in Edmonton, this alarming statistic leapt off the page. More than 4,000 Canadians commit suicide and more than 500,000 miss work because of a mental health challenge.” The cost of untreated mental illness is extremely high when we consider how it impacts the business sector, family life, relationships and quality of life. I heartily agree with Bruce Baker,... - [Are you Facing a Blue Christmas?](https://freshhope.ca/relationships/are-you-facing-a-blue-christmas/): The sound of the jingling bells when you walk into the grocery store. The holiday music playing on the radio. There is certainly a lot of festive reminders that we are heading into the holiday season. Christmas. Boxing Day. New Years. They aren’t necessarily happy days for everyone. Holidays have a way of being poignant reminders because they serve as date reminders and potentially triggers for painful past events or grief waves. Even when we aren’t intentionally remembering something from the past, the dates associating with birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, etc. can serve as spring boards into waves of grief or loss.... - [Thank Goodness!](https://freshhope.ca/gratitude/thank-goodness/): Thank Goodness indeed! That pretty much sums up the powerful effects of gratitude. Thankfulness brings goodness. It is a good time to think about gratitude as we head into Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend. The turkey, the stuffing and cranberries, the smell of pumpkin pie cooling on the counter, and the gathering together of family and friends. Why? Because we want to celebrate the practice of a key virtue — to remind ourselves of how grateful we are for all that we have. Thanksgiving celebrations in Canada have involved an acknowledge of our harvest bounty, especially in the farm and rural communities. The... - [What's with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)? Why do it?](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/whats-with-cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt-why-do-it/): Cognitive behavioural therapy, CBT, is one of the most frequently recommended therapies in the counselling realm. CBT is often suggested for recovering from motor vehicle accidents, dealing with depression, managing chronic pain and many other mental health issues, including eating disorders. Research shows that CBT is actually one of the most effective treatments for anxiety. It is also proven to help with anger issues, addiction recovery and low self-esteem. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment. It is very hands-on and practical, helping a person to develop skills they can use as they learn to problem solve more effectively. The goal... - [Exciting News!! New Counsellors Joining Fresh Hope!](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/exciting-news-new-counsellors-joining-fresh-hope/): Fresh Hope Counselling has served Edmonton and area (and throughout the world by Skype and FaceTime!) for over eight years. Prior to that, Beth Murray has been involved in counselling for close to a decade — giving you 18 years of experience with counselling and psychological services. In the past few years, we have been referring clients out to other counselling services for things like marriage counselling, adolescents and children, along with times when Beth was just booked solid. Well, no more! Instead of sending you elsewhere, Fresh Hope Counselling has secured a large, welcoming office space in the West End... - [Inertia is Killing Me!!](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/inertia-is-killing-me/): Inertia is not a serial killer or a form of cancer, but it is killing a lot of people in our world. Here’s how Merriam-Webster defines inertia: it is “lack of movement or activity especially when movement or activity is wanted or needed; or ‘a feeling of not having the energy or desire that is needed to move, change, etc.” Inertia looks a bit like this picture to the right, if we were to put it into an image form.  The proverbial ‘head in the sand’ way of dealing with life. Note the biggest area of exposure that would be vulnerable... - ["What if I Make a Mistake?" Paralyzed Decision Making](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/what-if-i-make-a-mistake-paralyzed-decision-making/): Are you in the middle of making a decision? Is it a big one?! We face multiple decision each and every day. ‘What am I going to do next? How will I get that done? What am I going to wear? Where am I going to get the resources? Which way do I go?’ Yet when we face a major decision, some people get paralyzed by the fear of making a mistake. ‘What if’…that paralyzing phrase that keep many souls from forging ahead — ‘what if?’ What if I make a mistake? What if I make the wrong choice? Did you know... - [Now for the Swing!! All or Nothing?!](https://freshhope.ca/moderation/now-for-the-swing-all-or-nothing/): Monday morning after Easter weekend. Many of us indulged in a bit of extra food over the weekend — potentially a lot of extra food depending on how the holiday went! So what now? Our society breeds diet mentalities and ‘all or nothing’ thinking. If you add the two together, dieting mentality + all or nothing thinking = restriction followed by a swing into over eating/binging. After a weekend of social eating (eating more than normal because of celebration and being with friends/family) many people grab onto the pendulum and swing to the other side. No breakfast. Light lunch. Salad for... - [Who's to Judge? The Problem with Self-Judgment](https://freshhope.ca/mental-health/whos-to-judge-the-problem-with-self-judgment/): Have you ever heard someone be very gracious towards a friend but turn around and be intolerant and condemning towards herself? Self-judgment is no less problematic than judging others, in fact, it can be more damaging to a person’s confidence and ability to have a satisfied and fulfilling life. In counselling sessions where I inquire as to why there is such a double-standard between how a person treats a friend vs. one’s self, I get responses like “It’s just different for me” or “I should have known better.” Ahhh, there’s the rub! The Problem of Should When I speak about shame,... - ["What are Boundaries and How am I Supposed to Put Them in Place??"](https://freshhope.ca/relationships/what-are-boundaries-and-how-am-i-supposed-to-put-them-in-place/): ***Please take a moment to subscribe to our blog on the left hand side under META, that way you’ll get our updates! Thanks!! Understanding boundaries is probably the best starting point. Boundaries are about self-protection, they are not “offensive” or meant to hurt another person. They are like borders — picture your life as a physical property, like a yard with a house on it — boundaries are like a fence around your property. A fence protects your property from people who would take advantage of you or violate you. If there is no fence, people can drive across your lawn,... - ["How Do I Put Boundaries into Place? Especially When Someone Needs Me??"](https://freshhope.ca/relationships/how-do-i-put-boundaries-into-place-especially-when-someone-needs-me/): *Please take a moment and sign up for our blog so you get regular blot updates! Understanding boundaries is probably the best starting point. Boundaries are about self-protection, they are not “offensive” or meant to hurt another person. They are like borders — picture your life as a physical property, like a yard with a house on it — boundaries are like a fence around your property. A fence protects your property from people who would take advantage of you or violate you. If there is no fence, people can drive across your lawn, back up and dump their garbage in... - [Let's make Eating Disorder's Awareness longer than a week](https://freshhope.ca/eating-disorders/lets-make-eating-disorders-awareness-longer-than-a-week/): Last week was National Eating Disorder Awareness Week in the U.S. (1st week in February in Canada). To see some good articles regarding this, visit our Facebook page – Fresh Hope Counselling. Unfortunately, eating disorder awareness doesn’t necessarily reduce the number of eating disorders. Statistics show that they are on the rise and spreading from anorexia and bulimia to binge eating disorder and orthorexia — a fixation with ‘healthy eating/exercise.’ I’ve had people ask me if eating disorders are a new thing that has just now become a problem. The short answer is no. Unfortunately our culture’s obsession with thinness and... ## Pages - [Accessibility Statement](https://freshhope.ca/accessibility-statement/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”360″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Accessibility Statement [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none”... - [Terms & Conditions](https://freshhope.ca/terms-conditions/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”360″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Terms & Conditions [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default”... - [Website Disclaimer](https://freshhope.ca/website-disclaimer/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”360″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Website Disclaimer [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none”... - [Cookie Policy](https://freshhope.ca/cookie-policy/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”360″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Cookie Policy [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none”... - [Privacy Policy](https://freshhope.ca/privacy-policy/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”360″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Privacy Policy [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none”... - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://freshhope.ca/resources/frequently-asked-questions/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”360″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Frequently Asked Questions [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”75px” bottom_padding=”75px” top_padding_phone=”40px” bottom_padding_phone=”40px” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self”... - [Eating Disorders](https://freshhope.ca/services/eating-disorders/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”352″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Eating Disorders [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”75px” top_padding_phone=”40px” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″... - [Christian Counselling](https://freshhope.ca/services/christian-counselling/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”165″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Christian Counselling [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”50px” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”75px” bottom_padding=”75px” top_padding_phone=”40px” bottom_padding_phone=”40px” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”50px” bottom_margin=”50px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none”... - [Anxiety Therapy](https://freshhope.ca/services/anxiety-therapy/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”356″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Anxiety Therapy [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”75px” bottom_padding=”75px” top_padding_phone=”40px” bottom_padding_phone=”40px” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default”... - [Depression Treatment](https://freshhope.ca/services/depression-treatment/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”355″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Depression Treatment [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”50px” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”column_reverse” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”75px” bottom_padding=”75px” top_padding_phone=”40px” bottom_padding_phone=”40px” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”50px” bottom_margin=”50px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none”... - [EMDR and ART](https://freshhope.ca/services/emdr/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”167″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] EMDR and ART [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”50px” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”75px” bottom_padding=”75px” top_padding_phone=”40px” bottom_padding_phone=”40px” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none”... - [Family Counselling](https://freshhope.ca/services/family-counselling/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”162″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Family Counselling [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”50px” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”75px” bottom_padding=”75px” top_padding_phone=”40px” bottom_padding_phone=”40px” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none”... - [Marriage & Couples](https://freshhope.ca/services/marriage-couples/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”125″ bg_position=”right center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Marriage & Couples [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”50px” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”75px” bottom_padding=”75px” top_padding_phone=”40px” bottom_padding_phone=”40px” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”50px” bottom_margin=”50px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″... - [Contact](https://freshhope.ca/contact/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”360″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Contact Us [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”50px” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”75px” bottom_padding=”75px” top_padding_phone=”40px” bottom_padding_phone=”40px” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”10px”... - [Blog](https://freshhope.ca/blog-and-news/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”360″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”150px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”125px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#776149″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”]      Blog & News [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”75px” bottom_padding=”75px” top_padding_phone=”40px” bottom_padding_phone=”40px” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none”... - [Resources](https://freshhope.ca/resources/) - [Services](https://freshhope.ca/services/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”360″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Services [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”75px” top_padding_phone=”40px” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/3″... - [Fresh Hope Counselling Staff](https://freshhope.ca/edmonton-counselors/): [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”357″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”250px” bottom_padding=”150px” top_padding_tablet=”225px” bottom_padding_tablet=”125px” top_padding_phone=”100px” bottom_padding_phone=”100px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”page-title” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”50″ shape_divider_bring_to_front=”true” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=”fan”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”] Fresh Hope Counselling Staff [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”75px” bottom_padding=”75px” top_padding_phone=”40px” bottom_padding_phone=”40px” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none”... - [Home](https://freshhope.ca/): [vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” video_bg=”use_video” video_mp4=”https://freshhope.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/waterfall.mp4″ background_video_loading=”lazy-load” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”325px” bottom_padding=”325px” top_padding_phone=”125px” bottom_padding_phone=”125px” left_padding_phone=”25px” right_padding_phone=”25px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” color_overlay=”#332d26″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” centered_text=”true” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default” max_width=”600″ el_class=”hero-content”] Discover fresh hope in your life! Fresh Hope Counselling exists to help you, no matter what your circumstances are. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” left_padding_desktop=”50px” right_padding_desktop=”50px” left_padding_phone=”0px” right_padding_phone=”0px” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column... ## Optional - [Agent (MCP protocol)](websites-agents.hostinger.com/freshhope.ca/mcp) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)