Notes from real conversations, sessions, and patterns we're seeing
Millions of people buy blind boxes without thinking of it as gambling. But look closely at the community building, influencer marketing, and psychological design behind these products, and the similarities become hard to ignore.
A 1971 psychology study found that paying people to do what they love quietly kills their love for it. Decades later, the creator economy is running the same experiment at scale, and creators are starting to feel it.
Pride Month is a time for celebration, but it's also a moment to talk honestly about mental health. Here's what the latest research tells us about the unique pressures facing LGBTQ+ people and what actually helps.
Many parents approach internet safety the same way they learned it: watch out for strangers, don't share your address, limit screen time. That advice still matters. But the internet has been quietly and dramatically rebuilt around systems that are far more sophisticated. In the previous article, I talked about how parents should moderate social media use with children, and here is something to start with.
Rebecca Yang, founder of Music for Mental Health, shares her lived experience with ADHD, burnout, and building a non-profit while completing her Master's degree at McMaster University.
Social relationships are among the most consistently identified risk factors for problematic media use. Children may struggle to connect with peers in person due to shyness, social anxiety, bullying, or simply not fitting in. Thus, they may turn to online environments as a substitute. Games, social platforms, and online communities offer a sense of belonging that feels more accessible and less threatening than face-to-face interaction. These platforms also provide a shared context for communication, particularly for children with niche interests who cannot easily find peers in their immediate surroundings, and social media can be their only peer support.
Anger is a universal human emotion, yet its mismanagement can have serious consequences on individual well-being, relationships, and society. Understanding how anger works and how to effectively manage it has become an increasingly important focus in psychological research. Three meta-analyses disclose something maybe counterintuitive and provide a better idea of how anger management works.
People often imagine toxic parenting as extreme or obvious, but in reality, it can show up through repeated patterns that slowly damage a child’s confidence, emotional safety, and sense of self. From withholding support during important moments to dismissing a child’s opinions or constantly placing blame, these behaviors can leave lasting psychological effects that continue into adulthood. While no parent is perfect, recognizing unhealthy dynamics is an important first step toward breaking generational cycles and building healthier relationships.
ADHD misinformation is everywhere, from “just fix your diet” advice to claims that social media is creating an entire generation with ADHD. These myths can delay diagnosis, increase shame, and stop people from accessing proper support. In this article, we break down four common ADHD myths and what current research actually says about diet, adulthood, diagnosis, and the impact of social media on attention and mental health.
Men's mental health in Canada is worsening, with rising rates of stress, depression, and social isolation. Many men still avoid seeking help due to stigma, cultural expectations, and the pressure to appear strong. This article explores the state of men's mental health in Canada, barriers to therapy, culturally specific challenges, and affordable mental health resources available across the country.
PMOS (formerly known as PCOS) affects millions of women worldwide, yet its connection to anxiety and depression is often overlooked. Research shows people with PMOS experience significantly higher rates of mental health challenges, including chronic stress, low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. In this article, Purple Lotus Mental Health explores the link between hormonal health and emotional wellbeing, common symptoms of PMOS, and how therapy and mental health support can help individuals navigate the condition more holistically.
In our recent conversation with Will Lee from Strive Counselling, we went beyond surface-level advice and talked about what actually happens when therapists start working with real clients. From pricing anxiety to the pressure of finding consistent bookings, this is the side of therapy that often gets left out.
