Women's Issues
Women's Issues Counselling
When you've gone with the flow of everyone else's day long enough to lose track of your own needs, that's worth taking back.
When you have stopped taking stock of your own needs
Many women reach a point where they realize they have stopped taking stock of their own needs. Between work, family, and the people who rely on them, it can be easy to keep going with the flow of the day and lose track of what they themselves want or believe.
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What this can look like
Women often become “pleasers,” defining themselves mainly through the roles they hold (as a partner, parent, sibling, or employee) while their own sense of self goes underdeveloped. Alongside this, strong emotions can sometimes get in the way, making it harder to hold your ground with an assertive boss, partner, or teenager without feeling like you are sabotaging your own success.
How counselling helps you reconnect with your own needs
Counselling offers space to explore your own thoughts and feelings so you can get clearer on what you actually want, rather than only responding to everyone else’s needs. A therapist can help you build skills to manage strong emotions without personalizing every conflict, and to step more fully into the person, partner, or professional you want to be, at home and at work.
You might recognize some of this
You can start where you are.
- Feeling like a "pleaser" who puts everyone else first
- Losing track of your own wants and needs
- An underdeveloped sense of self
- Strong emotions that feel hard to manage
- Taking things personally in conflicts with a boss, partner, or teenager
- Defining yourself mainly through caregiving or nurturing roles
- Difficulty asserting yourself
This is a description of experiences, not a self-diagnosis checklist.
It may be time to talk to someone
You don't need to be in crisis to deserve support.
Consider reaching out if:
- You realize you have stopped taking stock of your own needs
- You feel like you are always the one accommodating everyone else
- Strong emotions are getting in the way of speaking up for yourself
- You feel you have lost sight of who you are outside your roles
- Conflict with a boss, partner, or teenager leaves you feeling undermined
You don't need a crisis or a clear diagnosis: losing sight of your own needs is reason enough.
Approaches a therapist may draw on
We match the approach to you, not the other way around. Your therapist may draw on one or several, depending on what fits.
Steadier, more assertive ways of responding.
Helps identify the thought patterns behind people-pleasing and emotional reactivity, and builds steadier, more assertive ways of responding.
Therapists who work this way: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)Space to explore your own thoughts, without judgment.
Gives you space to explore your own thoughts and feelings without judgment, helping rebuild a sense of self outside your caregiving roles.
Therapists who work this way: Person-Centered TherapyA therapist who fits your situation
Our registered therapists have real experience helping people through what you are facing.
Dr. Cathryn Harris
Registered Psychologist
PhD, C.Psych.
Couples, Families, Individuals
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Cathy Penny
Registered Social Worker
BA, BSW, MSW, RRP, RSW
Couples, Families, Individuals
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Rev. Chad Tomlinson
Registered Psychotherapist
MTS, MEd, MA, OCT, RP
Couples, Families, Individuals
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Gretchen Savery
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
MA, BA, RP (Qualifying)
Families, Individuals
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Lisa Bynoe-Stevens
Registered Psychotherapist
BASc, MDiv, CSFT, RP
Couples, Families, Individuals
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Michelle Hodgson
Registered Social Worker
SSW, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW
Couples, Families, Individuals
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Michelle Pennells
Counsellor and Art Therapist
HBA, DTATI (Thesis Pending)
Families, Individuals
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Rebecca Billings (Rosenblat)
Registered Psychotherapist
PhD, RP, CSAT, CST, CLC
Couples, Individuals
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Common questions
This can include losing track of your own needs while caring for others, becoming a "pleaser" at the expense of your own sense of self, difficulty managing strong emotions, and working through the pressures of the roles women often carry: at home, at work, and in relationships.
Women are often focused on responding to the needs of bosses, families, children, and friends, and go with the flow of the day rather than taking time to check in with themselves. Having traditionally been the nurturing anchor of the home, many women come to define themselves mainly through that role, leaving an underdeveloped sense of self.
A therapist gives you space to explore your own thoughts and feelings so you can get clearer on what you actually want and believe, rather than only responding to everyone else's needs. Counselling can also help you learn to manage strong emotions so they do not undermine your own successes or get in the way of standing your ground with an assertive boss, partner, or teenager.
You do not need a crisis or a clear diagnosis to reach out. If you have noticed yourself pushing your own needs aside or feeling unable to speak up, that is reason enough to talk to someone.
Care you can lean on
Sessions with our registered therapists are covered by most extended health and workplace benefit plans. Not sure what yours includes? We're happy to help you check before you book.
Sessions typically start at $150 and vary by therapist. Not sure where to begin? Our Intake Specialists can talk through fees, coverage, and which therapist fits what you are facing. Call (905) 319-1488 during business hours.
Ready when you are. We're here to listen.
Browse our registered therapists and reach out when you're ready. We'll usually reply within one business day.