Q: What steps does a counsellor use in getting to the bottom of a child being bullied? How do you go about getting the child to open up to you? A: Counsellors first establish a relationship that includes support, understanding, and above all — safety. Children who are being bullied are not only frightened of [...]

Q: I hope you can provide some insight into a confusing situation. I’m 45. My older brother was convicted of soliciting sex from an underage girl and will be going to prison for 8 years. I’ve wondered for years if he was hypomanic (our mother is bipolar 1); except for a few times in his [...]

Q: My 15-year-old son, other than being very shy, pretty much glided through life as normal. Even his shyness did not really interfere with his life, as other children always seemed happy to initiate the first contact; once past that he would be at total comfort. Separation from me was never a problem, he was [...]

Q: Another cheer mom and her daughter are spreading lies about myself and my own cheerleader daughter. My daughter had been friends with this other daughter, but the other girl was quite a jealous person and was quite mean to my own daughter. As a result, my daughter couldn’t continue the friendship. The mom is [...]

Q: How do you cope with bullying bosses (I have 4 bosses) when they own the company and you are the only employee? I need some coping skills in the meantime before I find a new job. I feel anxious every morning, and it’s like I am fearing that they will physically attack me (even [...]