April - 2021

Apr 29, 2021
4 min

"Pain is All in Your Head" ... ugh

By Carla Friesen (Clinical Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Teacher) We can get offended when doctors and practitioners give us the impression that our child's pain is “all in their head.” I think what we are really being offended by is the insinuation that we are “making up” our pain. THAT is definitely not true. Nobody sits at home thinking, “I need attention. I want to lay in bed more. I am going to just pretend that this hurts.” Well ok, maybe we all did that once or twi

Slow and Steady. Consistent and Predictable.

Apr 23, 2021
2 min

Slow and Steady. Consistent and Predictable.

When our kids have chronic pain we can get frantic. Frantic to find the root cause and frantic to find the right treatment, specialist, medication, supplement, or food allergy that relieves the pain. If we are lucky, we find that one thing. But more often than not it remains elusive and we get stuck in that frantic mode. That desperation, that adrenaline, that mama (or papa) bear energy, that determination to not stop until we find something is part of our fight or flight

Apr 19, 2021
3 min

Hypervigilance....sigh.

Hypervigilance. A lot of people with chronic pain (and their caregivers) are hypervigilant. We are constantly scanning the environment for dangers that might set off our anxiety or a pain flare…bright lights, loud sounds, stressful situations, a poor night’s sleep, dehydration, uncomfortable seating, a change in weather…. When our kids are in pain we are always trying to manage their environment, trying to prevent flareups. Should I let my child go for that sleepover? Shou

Apr 12, 2021
3 min

Let Information Flow Through You

We take so much information in…podcasts, tv shows, movies, self-help books, news, motivational speeches and sermons… we can get clogged up. Do you have a balance between the info you absorb every day and the way you use it or pass it along? That balance is kind of important I think. Otherwise we become a little paralyzed with so much information and not enough using the info we absorb. Like eating too much turkey at Thanksgiving and then needing to loosen our belt and nap. In

About the Author

Hi, my name is Carla and I'm a Licensed Psychotherapist, Pain Coach, Life Coach and Teacher. If you are looking for support for parenting, chronic pain, anxiety, relationships, or stress management, click the booking link above for a free 20 min intro call. I work with children, parents, and individuals worldwide, providing support, encouragement and guidance, while creating a warm and non-judgmental environment in which we can explore and resolve the challenges you are facing.
One of the most important things you can do is ask for help when you need it. Help is one click away.

Carla Friesen
Counselling

About the Author

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