saiya [pronounced: sī-ə / sigh·a]

noun.

shadow

tasha johal

BA | MACP | RCC | CCC

those who score high in defensiveness usually have an internal narrative built on the perception that they are a victim. *while this is not a formal assessment, it can be indicative of how you view interactions in relationships.* if you find yours
a little about my practice as a therapist when working with dysregulation… in my most recent post about the nervous system, i wrote about the 3 needs of a dysregulated nervous system. here’s how I take those needs into account as a ther
avoidant attachment that’s been triggered results in one thing: withdrawal from the relationship. how this withdrawal happens can vary. one may choose to throw themselves into work, be social in any other relationship(s), take a sudden trip, et
the anxious-avoidant trap
sound familiar? protest behaviours are attempts to reestablish connection, often made by the anxiously attached when their nervous system becomes heightened. anything perceived as a threat to the relationship that can’t be resolved with rea
choice: a dysregulated nervous system doesn’t feel like it has a sense of control. communication of context: for a dysregulated nervous system, clarity provides a sense of safety and removes feelings of confusion. if a dysregulated nervous sy
our sense of safety, our personal narratives, and perceptions of the world around us have one thing in common: they all originate in the nervous system. so it only makes sense, then, to address the nervous system in counselling. where your nervou
a dysregulated nervous system can blur the line between fear and anxiety. fear isn’t a state. it’s our warning signal, presenting itself only when we’re in danger. but when a nervous system is affected by trauma, a lot more things i

embrace the parts you have learned to disown

everyone has a shadow side. this side includes the parts that we have been made to feel are not good enough. the parts of us that are attached to pain. ultimately, the parts of us that we distance ourselves from, shun, and ignore the most. while we have learned to disown them, these are also the parts we may be quick to notice in others.

no matter the denial, these parts forever contribute to who we are.

moving through the world in a way that does not allow us to heal the painful chapters of our lives prevents us from being able to begin new ones.

bringing our shadow side into conscious awareness allows us to heal and to own our feelings. ultimately, we are able to step into our whole self.

i welcome clients of all cultural backgrounds, faiths, sexual identities, and orientations. the lowercase text i choose to write in is reflective of my belief that we, as humans, are equal.

connect with me

you may email me directly at tasha@saiyacounselling.ca.