Counselling Topics

Behaviour that is intended to harm, threaten, control or intimidate another person. Abuse can take many forms including physical, psychological, sexual, financial, etc. Bullying (i.e., threatening, harassing, humiliating, embarrassing, or tormenting another person) is a form of abuse.

High levels of distress related to changes in one’s personal or work environment. Adjustment challenges often include culture shock, homesickness, and loneliness (see definitions below).

Persistent feelings of worry, uneasiness, fear, or apprehension. Symptoms of anxiety often include physical tension and mood swings. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a form of anxiety which typically occurs after a traumatic or stressful life event (e.g., loss of loved one, car accident, rape, combat, etc.) Social Anxiety is characterized by constant feelings of embarrassment and self-consciousness, particularly in social settings.

An individual’s self-perception about his or her own physical appearance. Negative body image is closely associated with problems of self-esteem.

Feelings of frustration, anxiety, isolation, sadness, anger, and confusion that often occur when a person is adjusting to a new culture and new surroundings.

Characterized by a loss of interest or pleasure, low self-esteem, sadness and mood swings (lasting 2 or more weeks). Depression is often accompanied by changes in sleep, weight, or appetite and can negatively affect a person’s family, work or academic life. Severe depression may be associated with thoughts of suicide.

May involve a combination of physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional, or developmental impairments that restrict an individual’s performance or interfere with activities of daily living.

Characterized by disturbances in eating behaviour (e.g., eating too much or too little, vomiting after eating, etc.)

There are many different kinds of family problems including: separation, divorce, remarriage, alcoholic or drug addicted parent(s), abused or abusive parent, overprotective parents, conflicts with siblings, etc

An emotional response to the loss of something or someone to which a bond was formed. (e.g., death of relatives or friends, loss of home)

Feelings of sadness or anxiety associated with being separated from all that is familiar and/or missing one’s home or home culture.

Difficulty sleeping (i.e., falling asleep, staying asleep or poor sleep quality.) Insomnia (inability to sleep) is a common symptom that can accompany various types of mental illnesses.

A desire to be perfect, fearful of imperfection, always striving towards unrealistic goals and unable to feel satisfaction from one’s work.

A prejudice is a negative belief about a group of people based on their religion, ethnicity, race, gender, handicap or any other factors. It involves passing judgment on a large group of people regardless of their individual qualities. Prejudice which causes unfair treatment is called discrimination, and in many cases discrimination can be illegal.

Habitually putting off important tasks to a later time or replacing high-priority tasks with less important ones.

Troublesome differences and repeating patterns of distress in a relationship. The relationship may be between members of a family or a couple, employees or employers in a workplace, or between a professional and a client.

A type of mood disorder where depressive symptoms are associated with changes in season (winter, spring, summer, fall).

Self-esteem is the way a person thinks and feels about themselves. People with low self-esteem often experience feelings of worthlessness and anxiety about what others think. Those experiencing low self-esteem often feel the need to look good and receive positive feedback from others in order to feel worthwhile. Low self esteem is often associated with depression, anorexia, body image issues, anti-social behavior, and numerous types of addictions.

The act of deliberately harming your own body. For example cutting or burning yourself in order to cope with emotional pain, intense anger and feelings of frustration.

Sexual assault is defined as any sexual behaviour that makes a person feel uncomfortable, frightened or threatened. It is sexual activity to which a person does not consent. Rape refers to penetrative sex with another person against their will. This includes vaginal, anal and oral penetration.

Thoughts about or preoccupation with death, in particular self-inflicted death.