Andrew Lochhead

Consult a Counsellor: Recognize communication traps in relationships

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Consult a Counsellor: Striving for honesty in family relationships

I am not sure what to do. Some of my family members seem to have a lot of difficulty just being open and honest with me...

Homelessness is a Valley-wide issue

Why should Courtenay residents stand alone in dealing with homelessness?

What to do when playtime among siblings turns nasty

They want to play together and are great friends a lot of the time but then out of the blue the gloves come off and they are arguing...

Child’s meltdown could be call for help

Your daughter's behaviours and reactions are both a response to, and attempt at coping in, a moment when she is overwhelmed...

‘Flat’ feelings assessed

As we leave the Christmas season and all of its craziness and hype I have come to the realization that my experience of it was totally flat

Effective communication more than exchanging words or ideas

Effective communication is something that counsellors are asked to assist with on a daily basis...

Differences in parenting during separations often source of conflict

He spends time in each home and we have very different approaches to how we manage things...

Strategies to stop bedtime battles

It seems like many evenings of the week it is a constant battle to get our kids into their pyjamas, brush their teeth and get into bed.

Dealing with aggression in your children

It is often a surprise for many to hear that the incidents of aggression and the frequency of its display peaks around the age of two.

Multi-player online video games, addictive?

He has been playing the game online with his friends almost non-stop since he got it...

Parenting in a world of tech-saavy children

All parents have to struggle with how to manage ever changing and faster developing technology than ever before.

The ups and downs of relationships and how to get out of the downs

Three traps appear with some regularity in the couples who arrive in Andrew Lochhead's office for counselling

Stressed about family visiting this holiday? Focus on positive thinking

Rest up, and practice thinking positively about family visits to reduce stress and anxiety this holiday season

Manage conflict properly

Dear counsellor,

We all experience grief and loss in a different way

Each one of us experiences grief and loss in unique and individual way. Grief is sometimes described as a number of stages that we progress through, and this may be true for many people, but it is not always experienced in this way. Regardless, individuals often experience a host of confusing and challenging thoughts and feelings that can be difficult to cope with at times.

How can I stop the cycle of depression?

Depression is debilitating and overwhelming for many people, and when you are in the middle of it there does not seem like there is anything you can do. There are, however, a wide variety of strategies that others have found helpful.