Hello, my name is Amy, and it is a great honour to be Hopespring’s Cancer Care Counsellor. On numerous occasions, I will get asked, what does cancer care counselling look like and how might it assist me? My hope is that this will be helpful for you to make a better informed decision.

Before we begin, a little about me, I have been a practicing social worker and therapist for 20 years. I graduated with a masters of social work or M.S.W from Wilfrid Laurier University.  My passion and much of…

As we approach Valentine’s, known as the holiday of Love, it is a time to reflect on our hearts, how we give and receive Love.  Love comes in so many forms and often it is Self Love which receives the least amount of our attention.  In essence Self Love is the most important journey we will take; the journey of loving ourselves We focus so much time and attention on caring for our parents, children, spouses, friends, partners, and colleagues that often our own needs are left out.  Without…

Finding Motivation on your Cancer Journey

What is your motivation? It can be a difficult question to answer when faced with a cancer diagnosis.

After all, motivation – being motivated – sparks a sense of inspiration and action. What spurs you on to tackle the challenges you face? In this sense, finding motivation during a cancer diagnosis is especially important for many patients.

Finding a sense of motivation and hope can help you face what is perhaps one of the hardest challenges you’ll ever…

Preventing Holiday-Related Caregiver Burnout

As we head into this holiday season, it is important for caregivers to ask for and accept help. Not asking for help can cause caregivers to withdraw and avoid celebrating the holidays altogether.  In fact, studies have shown that four in ten caregivers say they can’t manage it all during the holidays.  However, caregivers deserve to celebrate the holidays, too, time to relax, and time to enjoy family and friends.

Even if you don’t normally do so, the…

Deepak Chopra said, “intentions are the starting point of every dream—the seed of creation.”

A well-set intention is a statement of pure, clear, decisive focus that kick-starts the process of aligning your whole being and your whole life to your desire. When you are clear, firm and decisive about your intention for the year ahead, it is a bit like you’ve placed a cosmic order for what you request. 

Intentions contain more commitment than desires. And intentions are less specific—less rigid and,…

A Note from Amy

Finding Our Christmas Spirit in a very different Christmas

When we think of the true meaning of Christmas and the spirit of giving, we are reminded more than ever this year of the importance of what we each cherish and the blessings in our lives: our loved ones, our family and friends, our health and ability to move and exercise, having a roof over our head and food to eat.  This year has asked a great deal of us with the ongoing concern of the pandemic and the need to keep…

A Note From Amy

How Can I Support A Friend or Loved One who has Cancer?

This is a question I am asked often in my clinical practice.  It is often difficult to know what to say, what not to say, and how to best support a friend or loved one who has told you they have a diagnosis of cancer.

It is important to remember that there are no set rules and every friendship is different. Be sure to think about your unique dynamic and let that guide you as you try to support your friend. Keep it…

The importance of making a plan as the pandemic depression interacts with seasonal depression

Here are some important mental health first aid tools to help you during this season.  As we enter November and the darkest months of the year there is less light, longer days and is getting colder outside.  Many will be dealing with the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and with the ongoing second wave of COVID-19, there is more anxiety and depression being experienced by so many.

What can we…

What you can expect when joining a virtual support group at HopeSpring?

Can you believe it has been seven months already of living through the pandemic and physical distancing?  I thought it might be helpful to walk you through what joining and attending one of our virtual support groups looks like.

We continue to offer some wonderful and supportive groups for all our members virtually through Zoom, and we would love for you to attend and feel welcome doing so.

To join visit to our website and…