A Counsellor’s Perspective on Avoidance, Withdrawal, and the Things We Stop Trying Blog written by Michelle Oppermann, BSW, RSW (SK) October is ADHD Awareness Month, a time to increase understanding of ADHD, challenge stereotypes, and bring greater attention to some of the less visible ways ADHD can affect everyday life. In the last blog, we looked at people-pleasing, perfectionism, and self-abandonment as ways people may try to protect themselves from rejection. Another prot

A Counsellor’s Perspective on the Protective Side of Rejection Sensitivity Blog written by Michelle Oppermann, BSW, RSW (SK) October is ADHD Awareness Month, a time to increase understanding of ADHD, challenge stereotypes, and bring greater attention to some of the less visible ways ADHD can affect everyday life. In my previous blog, we looked at the RSD loop and how quickly a trigger can move through the body, our interpretation of what happened, and the urge to protect ours

Blog written by Michelle Oppermann, BSW, RSW (SK) October is ADHD Awareness Month, a time to increase understanding of ADHD, challenge stereotypes, and bring attention to some of the less visible ways ADHD can affect everyday life. In the first article, we looked at rejection sensitive dysphoria, or RSD, as a term used to describe intense distress around actual or perceived rejection, criticism, exclusion, disappointment, or failure. This time, I want to slow the experience d

When Rejection Feels Like a Physical Wound: Understanding RSD A Counsellor’s Perspective October is ADHD Awareness Month. Awareness is about more than knowing that ADHD exists. It is an opportunity to challenge outdated stereotypes and better understand some of the less visible ways ADHD can affect everyday life. Throughout October, I will be exploring topics such as emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitivity, masking, perfectionism, relationships, and the ways people may

Blog written by Michelle Oppermann, BSW, RSW (SK) I have spent a ridiculous amount of my life trying to carry all the grocery bags in one trip. Not just literally. There was a time when I approached a lot of life that way too. Responsibilities, expectations, unfinished tasks, ideas, and all the things I thought I should be able to manage somehow ended up piled onto the same metaphorical set of arms. Over time, I learned that the answer was not getting better at carrying every

At our clinic, we believe that healing begins with honesty—and that real strength is found in vulnerability. We’re honoured to sit down with two mental health advocates who embody both courage and candour: Joel , a veteran firefighter, and Nate ; a mid-career firefighter with the Saskatoon Fire Department . Joel brings over two decades of experience and a powerful story of survival through PTSD, addiction, and recovery. Nate , newer to the profession but no stranger to tra

Blog written by Michelle Oppermann, BSW, RSW (SK) There are seasons in life when you can juggle everything — appointments, emotions, responsibilities, relationships. You respond to messages, remember the details, show up for everyone, and somehow still manage to hold your world together. You’re “doing life,” even if it isn’t always graceful. And then there are seasons when… suddenly, you’re not. The smallest task feels heavy. The simplest decision feels impossible. Yo

www.pagesofpassion.ca When you walk into Page of Passion, a romance-focused bookstore in Saskatoon, you don’t just step into a cozy shop...

If you’ve ever found yourself blushing at a well-written spicy scene—or proudly sorting your bookshelf by heat level —then you know that...

written by Michelle Oppermann, BSW, RSW (SK) I hit perimenopause at 40—and I have ADHD. Seven years in, I can tell you: this combination...

We’re excited to welcome Alan to the team! With over 17 years of experience helping adults and youth navigate education, employment,...

“Nothing I do is ever good enough.” “You forgot the milk.” “Did I pay that bill?” “I can’t find my keys.” “The paper isn’t due til...

Spring and the beginners mindset. by Angela Navarro I love being a student because it takes the pressure off needing to know...

How significant are relationships? How much do they actually matter? by Angela Navarro (MSW pending) As a student here since January, I...

If the change of seasons impacts your mental health, you are not alone

We have a story to tell. Who are we? How did we get here? We look forward to sharing all this, and more! While we're working on...