I want to approach a challenging topic with you today—what long-term undiagnosed ADHD can feel like for adults. It’s a journey that can feel overwhelming, but understanding it is the first step toward healing and growth.

Many adults with undiagnosed ADHD experience long-term unemployment or find themselves juggling multiple jobs, often not staying in one place for too long. The weight of this can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression, leaving you feeling like nothing seems to help. 

Have you ever looked at your child mid-meltdown and thought, “Why does it feel like I’m arguing with a tiny dictator?”

The tantrums, the blaming, the “my way or the highway” attitude—it’s enough to make you wonder:

“Is my child a narcissist?”

The term "woke" has become a pivotal part of today’s conversation, often stirring passionate debates about its meaning and implications. Originally rooted in a powerful call for social awareness, "woke" represents a deep commitment to love, acceptance, and protecting everyone in our diverse society. In this blog post, we’ll explore the origins of "woke," its current interpretations, and how political figures like Pierre Poilievre and Donald Trump have shaped its usage for their own agendas.

This reflection is adapted from Chapter 14 of my upcoming book, The Narcissism Recovery Project — a heart-forward guide for anyone navigating narcissistic dynamics in themselves or others. Whether you’re a therapist, a coach, a family member, or someone waking up to your own emotional immaturity, this chapter is for you.

Discover how couples therapy at Online Therapy Ontario helps you reconnect, heal, and communicate with love. Written by Darren Elliott, RP, this guide explains our kind, clear, and relational approach to online counselling for couples.

Emotional intelligence isn’t something we’re born with—it’s something we learn and practice over time. As a parent, you have the opportunity to help your child develop these skills by modeling emotional awareness, empathy, and healthy communication. Let’s explore how you can build emotional intelligence in your family and why it’s one of the greatest gifts you can give.

If you come from a narcissistic or emotionally immature family system, then you already know the storm I’m talking about. The one that shows up around holidays, hospital visits, family dinners, or even text threads. It’s that invisible tripwire that sends your nervous system into chaos—making you feel like a powerless child again.

That’s why I created the Family Triggers Recovery Map. It’s not about fixing your family. It’s about staying rooted in yourself, even when the chaos erupts around you.

Narcissism, often marked by grandiosity, a persistent need for admiration, and a lack of empathy, can significantly affect how individuals experience life and interact with others. 

While overcoming narcissistic traits can be a daunting journey, coaching provides a supportive and empowering framework that facilitates meaningful growth and transformation. 

That’s why we use therapy and coaching when working with emotional processes that need nurturing to mature. We humans do grow with our role models, if that didn’t happen fully during the youngest years, then it takes awareness, intention, and support to foster change as an adult. 

I’m Darren, a therapist and fellow traveler on the journey of living with ADHD. As someone who has navigated the ups and downs of this experience, I truly understand the unique challenges and strengths that come with it. My personal journey has shaped my professional approach, allowing me to create a safe, empathetic environment where we can explore your thoughts and feelings together.

In my practice, I often reflect on the insights I’ve gained living with ADHD, and I want to share them with you. 

As a therapist working with trauma, emotional development, and relational healing, I often reflect on how large systems — political, cultural, and spiritual — affect our mental health and our capacity for connection.

This reflection was inspired by the audio edition of On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder, powerfully narrated by John Lithgow. Listening to these lessons read aloud adds a deep emotional resonance that is both sobering and motivating. Highly recommended.

Narcissism hides in plain sight—sometimes as charm, sometimes as sacrifice. Here’s how to recognize it and begin the journey back to truth.

Narcissism often looks like charm, success, or victimhood. Learn how to recognize it in daily life and begin your healing journey.

ADHD traits can resemble narcissism—but they come from pain, not power. Here’s how to tell the difference and begin healing.

ADHD traits can mimic narcissism and make abuse harder to leave. Learn how compassion, awareness, and support open pathways to healing.

Narcissism isn’t vanity—it’s an attachment wound. Healing begins by repairing the mirrors that once distorted our worth.

Narcissism is not vanity but an attachment wound. Explore how early caregiving shapes defenses, and how connection repairs what was lost.

Narcissism isn’t cruelty—it’s stunted emotional growth. Healing begins with compassion, co-regulation, and safe relationships.

Narcissism often grows from emotional immaturity, not malice. Discover how healing happens through safety, empathy, and relational repair.

Narcissism isn’t just ego—it’s an adaptation to pain. Here’s how we all carry it, and how recovery begins with compassion, not shame.

Trust is essential to meaningful relationships, but narcissism can disrupt the ability to trust others—and even oneself. This article explores how narcissistic patterns, often rooted in fear and insecurity, erode emotional connection and self-trust. Learn how therapy can help individuals break the cycle and build relationships grounded in authenticity, empathy, and emotional safety.

Psychology Today highlights how narcissistic behaviors are often linked to deeper emotional wounds, including fear of vulnerability and challenges with self-trust. These issues can create significant barriers to forming authentic relationships. With the support of therapy, individuals can begin to understand these patterns, foster empathy, and rebuild trust in themselves and others—paving the way for more meaningful connections.

Intentional living is about making daily choices that nourish your mental and emotional well-being. This blog offers 10 simple habits—from setting intentions to limiting screen time—that can help you feel more present, connected, and grounded in your everyday life.

As discussed in Psychology Today, intentional daily practices like gratitude, mindfulness, and compassionate action can significantly improve emotional well-being. These small steps help reduce stress, build resilience, and promote deeper relationships. Therapy can support this journey by helping you align daily habits with your deeper values and goals.

Many people still believe outdated myths about mental health. These misconceptions can keep you or someone you love from getting the help they need.

This article breaks down five of the most common myths—like “only people with serious issues need therapy” or “mental health struggles mean weakness”—and replaces them with facts that support healing, self-awareness, and emotional growth.

We also address cost concerns, explain what therapy really looks like, and highlight why your feelings deserve space and care.

Psychology Today continues to shed light on how myths like these prevent people from seeking support. Articles from Psychology Today emphasize how therapy, emotional regulation, and mental wellness are for everyone—not just those in crisis.

Trust is essential to meaningful relationships, but narcissism can disrupt the ability to trust others—and even oneself. This article explores how narcissistic patterns, often rooted in fear and insecurity, erode emotional connection and self-trust. Learn how therapy can help individuals break the cycle and build relationships grounded in authenticity, empathy, and emotional safety.

Psychology Today highlights how narcissistic behaviors are often linked to deeper emotional wounds, including fear of vulnerability and challenges with self-trust. These issues can create significant barriers to forming authentic relationships. With the support of therapy, individuals can begin to understand these patterns, foster empathy, and rebuild trust in themselves and others—paving the way for more meaningful connections.

Avoiding emotions and pretending everything is fine takes a toll on your mental health. How you feel matters—and ignoring it only delays healing.

This post explores male depression through I Don’t Want to Talk About It by family therapist Terry Real. The book reveals how many men suppress feelings due to stigma, turning instead to overworking, anger, or substance use. These patterns can damage relationships and deepen personal struggles.

Real offers tools for emotional honesty, challenging outdated beliefs about masculinity and encouraging healthier ways to cope. His insights support healing for both men and their families.

Psychology Today regularly highlights the effects of suppressed emotions in men. Similar to Terry Real’s message, their articles stress the value of vulnerability, connection, and breaking generational patterns of emotional avoidance. Combining expert advice with real-life examples helps more men seek support and take steps toward lasting change.