Blog | Halifax Donna McLean MSW Ocean Tides Counselling & Therapy

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Feb 17
2 min

Three Tips for Countering Pandemic Anxiety through Social Connection

When we become anxious about a situation that is beyond our control, such as the pandemic, we can want to pull into ourselves, and this...

Pandemic Anxiety: Accepting Our Thoughts and Emotions Can Help!

donnamcleanocean

Feb 2
1 min

Pandemic Anxiety: Accepting Our Thoughts and Emotions Can Help!

We are in the middle of a pandemic and don’t know when it will end, and we’re uncertain about how life will look in the future. This can...

Eight Things You Can Do to Reduce Anxiety in a Pandemic

donnamcleanocean

Jan 22
1 min

Eight Things You Can Do to Reduce Anxiety in a Pandemic

In the middle of pandemic, there is a lot of uncertainty and fear, and we can become overly anxious. Here are a few tips to help prevent...

What’s the Difference between a Social Worker and a Psychologist?

donnamcleanocean

Oct 30, 2020
2 min

What’s the Difference between a Social Worker and a Psychologist?

In my practice as a social worker doing therapy with individuals and couples, I often get asked about the difference between a social...

Five Ways to Manage Anxiety in Uncertain Times

donnamcleanocean

Oct 20, 2020
2 min

Five Ways to Manage Anxiety in Uncertain Times

These are uncertain times. We are in the middle of rapid changes with a pandemic and don’t know when it will end, and we’re uncertain...

Five Things You Can Do to Support Your Resilience in Difficult Times

donnamcleanocean

Oct 6, 2020
3 min

Five Things You Can Do to Support Your Resilience in Difficult Times

When I was a student, I heard a very loud and desperate cry in my boyfriend's farm yard. While investigating, I almost stepped on a...

With COVID 19, a Sense of Belonging is More Important Than Ever!

donnamcleanocean

Sep 24, 2020
2 min

With COVID 19, a Sense of Belonging is More Important Than Ever!

We all have the need to have a sense of belonging and to be socially connected to others. In early childhood, we have the drive to attach to

World Suicide Prevention Day: What Can You Do?

donnamcleanocean

Sep 10, 2020
1 min

World Suicide Prevention Day: What Can You Do?

September 10 is World Suicide Prevention day. According to statistics from the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, every day in...

Covid-19 and Collective Trauma: Can This Tragedy be an Opportunity for Healing and Growth?

donnamcleanocean

Sep 4, 2020
2 min

Covid-19 and Collective Trauma: Can This Tragedy be an Opportunity for Healing and Growth?

Collective trauma is the reactions shared by a group of people who experience a cataclysmic event. In order to fully embrace the opportuniti

Being Vulnerable: Is it a Sign of Weakness or of Courage?

donnamcleanocean

Aug 28, 2020
2 min

Being Vulnerable: Is it a Sign of Weakness or of Courage?

In our relationships with our intimate partner, vulnerability can help us build trust with each other. When we are willing to be vulnerable

How Showing a Little Appreciation Can Go a Long Way in Your Relationship

donnamcleanocean

Aug 13, 2020
2 min

How Showing a Little Appreciation Can Go a Long Way in Your Relationship

This week, I met with my colleague to sign a lease on a new, bigger office for us in our same location. She thanked me for finding and...

donnamcleanocean

Aug 7, 2020
2 min

Let's Talk- Assertive Communication

Assertive communication is about expressing our point of view clearly and directly, and in a way that is respectful of the other person.

Active Listening-Could it be the Secret Ingredient for Great Communication?

donnamcleanocean

Jul 30, 2020
2 min

Active Listening-Could it be the Secret Ingredient for Great Communication?

Do you ever get frustrated when you are trying to talk to someone, and they have that "look” that tells you they aren’t really listening?

What’s the Secret Behind the Healing Power of Nature?

donnamcleanocean

Jul 22, 2020
2 min

What’s the Secret Behind the Healing Power of Nature?

I recently spent four days in Cape Breton at a friend’s wilderness retreat. I soaked in the beauty of the natural world around me-the...

How Does a Sense of Meaning Make a Difference in Our Lives?

donnamcleanocean

Jul 15, 2020
2 min

How Does a Sense of Meaning Make a Difference in Our Lives?

It seems to be human nature to want meaning and purpose in life. The idea of meaning in life can be broken down into three areas:...

Being Grateful: Great for Our Mental Health

donnamcleanocean

Jul 8, 2020
2 min

Being Grateful: Great for Our Mental Health

A few years ago, I was hit by the door of a truck while bicycling, and thrown from my bike onto the street, resulting in broken bones and...

donnamcleanocean

Jul 2, 2020
1 min

Our Values as a Compass

When was the last time you stopped to think about what was important to you? To think about the kind of person you want to be?

donnamcleanocean

Jun 25, 2020
2 min

Accepting Our Thoughts and Emotions

Can we accept difficult thoughts and emotions, like a grandmother lovingly holding her grandchild? Practicing acceptance means learning how

donnamcleanocean

Jun 18, 2020
2 min

What’s Up with Stressed Out?

We’re stressed out! Never before has there been more sources of stress for us, given all the unknowns, losses, fears, changes and...

Self-Compassion: A Gift for Us and the World

donnamcleanocean

Jun 11, 2020
3 min

Self-Compassion: A Gift for Us and the World

Last week in my blog I talked about the benefits to ourselves and others when we do kind acts. I challenged you to do a kind act every...

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Tel 902-430-3137

Ocean Tides

Counselling & Therapy

Donna McLean, MSW

Three Tips for Countering Pandemic Anxiety through Social Connection

Pandemic Anxiety: Accepting Our Thoughts and Emotions Can Help!

Eight Things You Can Do to Reduce Anxiety in a Pandemic

What’s the Difference between a Social Worker and a Psychologist?

Five Ways to Manage Anxiety in Uncertain Times

Five Things You Can Do to Support Your Resilience in Difficult Times

With COVID 19, a Sense of Belonging is More Important Than Ever!

World Suicide Prevention Day: What Can You Do?

Covid-19 and Collective Trauma: Can This Tragedy be an Opportunity for Healing and Growth?

Being Vulnerable: Is it a Sign of Weakness or of Courage?

How Showing a Little Appreciation Can Go a Long Way in Your Relationship

Let's Talk- Assertive Communication

Active Listening-Could it be the Secret Ingredient for Great Communication?

What’s the Secret Behind the Healing Power of Nature?

How Does a Sense of Meaning Make a Difference in Our Lives?

Being Grateful: Great for Our Mental Health

Our Values as a Compass

Accepting Our Thoughts and Emotions

What’s Up with Stressed Out?

Self-Compassion: A Gift for Us and the World