Fundamentally Human

It's fair to be skeptical about something you haven't tried before or something that you don't see results or changes right away. In this episode, Elaine and I share our different perspectives about therapy and we hope to help you decide if it's something that you see as worth it or something you'd like to try.  shirvin.ca | @helloshirvin | @therapywithshirvin | https://linktr.ee/shirvin Musi...

Being a new dad (or parent) is already hard enough but when you mix in a pandemic, looking for work, generational gaps, and countless other challenges, it makes it so much harder. Kenald shares about what it's been like to be a new dad and how his son has taught him the importance of play, communication, and most importantly, taking care of yourself. Check out Kenald here:  https://www.riseab...

One of my goals with Fundamentally Human is to break down barriers to receive support as well as provide more context for mental health challenges to reduce the negative stigma as much as possible. Jason Hsieh of Lakikid shares his personal experiences with ADHD and bipolar disorder and how he navigates parenthood with a son on the spectrum. Check out Jason here:  https://lakikid.com/ | https...

Have you ever had a fantasy about someone you don't know? Maybe you felt connected to a vlogger, streamer, or celebrity. Repeated exposure to media and online figures can develop into a parasocial relationship, where one can develop illusions of friendship, closeness, and even intimacy. As a full-time streamer, Yoojin has had experiences with parasocial relationships within her community. She shar...

If you told me that I would be driving again (and owning a car) nine years ago, I would be laughing in disbelief. But...here we are! This episode documents some of the thoughts and feelings after driving again and how I've been doing my own version of self-imposed exposure therapy. It's a monumental moment in my life to be behind a wheel and I'm glad I can share this with you all! shirvin.ca | @he...

Many of us have probably heard the term "new normal" being used in the last couple of years to describe how the pandemic has shifted our lives. It has changed our expectations and understanding of the world as well as our routines and structure, inadvertently adding even more uncertainties. I explore what "normal" means in this episode to help ground you and develop your empathy muscles even more....

Growing up first-generation Chinese-Canadian was quite confusing for my younger self. Between the strict traditions my parents upheld and navigating the Western world, I was constantly conflicted with my identity. As I got older, I became more aware of what happened to my parents when they were younger and the lessons they learned to shape who they are today. Hollie Ha and I explore these generati...

My first four months as a psychotherapist intern are almost over and this episode explores the common themes I've heard from clients and a reflection of my work.  Check out the blog here:  https://shirvin.ca/blog/reflections_first_months_psychotherapist/ shirvin.ca | @helloshirvin Music: Faithful Mission by Artificial. Music

Have you noticed how the fall and wintertime have impacted your mood? Perhaps you've felt dread waking up to darkness to go to work or school and knowing that you'll be leaving for home in the dark, too. In this episode, I explain the psychological and biological behind-the-scenes of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and explore strategies on what you could do to move through the darker months.&nb...

When we think about staying balanced, we might picture a balance beam and trying to stand on our tiptoes but always live in the constant fear of falling or toppling over. In this episode, I share about what I've been up to and how I've been trying to stay balanced through self-regulation, mindfulness, being disciplined, setting boundaries, and listening to your body and mind. Check out the blog he...

Trauma affects everyone in a different way and often has long-lasting effects that can be visible and invisible. Ovey extends her bravery in this episode by sharing her experience after a car accident and what it means to recover. Ovey's TEDTalk on embracing the unknown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puEJGMeQ6EA Ovey's webinar with Brain Injury Canada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6qhH5IHbAU...

Perfectionism is defined as the need to be or appear to be perfect or even to believe that it’s possible to achieve perfection. It’s usually considered or viewed as a positive trait instead of a flaw. Endlessly and tirelessly striving for perfection can be damaging and self-stabotaging. I explore my own journey with perfectionism and how my OCD and anxiety play a role in this. shirvin.ca | @hellos...

For many Asian communities and households, mental health was on the bottom of the priority list and is usually surrounded by negative stigma and a sign of weakness. Mari lends his knowledge as a Master of Public Health candidate and we explore our own experiences with how mental health looked like in our families. shirvin.ca | @helloshirvin Music: Faithful Mission by Artificial. Music

How many times have you asked yourself, "Why am I doing this?" KoDoRiN, one of the world's top Marth Melee players, explores his why, how he measures and evaluates his growth, and how he overcomes challenges that comes with performing at high levels. Follow KoDoRiN here: https://twitter.com/KoDoRiNSSB Read the blog here: https://shirvin.ca/blog/know_your_why/ shirvin.ca | @helloshirvin Music: Fait...

Trigger warning: This topic may be difficult, intense, and triggering for some individuals. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, I encourage you to reach out to your support system or call a crisis line. Please do what is comfortable and safe for you. Joanne and I explore her journey with suicide and how it has shaped her into the person today, four years later. She shares her new insights, w...

Mood spectrums, mania, clinical episodes, and depression...these are some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder that Julia explores with us during this episode. She shares an experience of a friend with bipolar disorder and combines her own expertise to teach us the different symptoms and treatment options available. Read the blog here: https://shirvin.ca/blog/bipolar_disorder/ shirvin.ca | @hellosh...

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that impacts how individuals feel, think, and behave. They might even feel like they are losing touch with reality. Newvick Lee provides insight from his experiences as a pharmacist working with schizophrenic patients. Read the blog here:  https://shirvin.ca/blog/schziophrenia/ Check out Newvick's Google Chrome extension here: https://chrome.google.c...

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a lifelong neurological disorder that impacts how individuals focus and control their behaviours. Megan Fass and David Kuang speak about their journey with ADHD, treatment options, and how you can accommodate or support individuals with ADHD. While David is not on social media, Megan can be found on Twitter @fass_sea Read the blog here:  h...

Anxiety and depression have become more prevalent through the past decade with the increase of social media use and the constant pressure to compare ourselves with others. Ashley Greensmyth, RCC and I dive deep into the different types of anxiety and depression and provide tangible resources you could tap into or share with others.  Learn more about Ashley here: https://ashleygreensmyth.com/...

Mike Pond, RPN, MSW, and I discuss his lived experience and battle with alcohol use disorder and how it uprooted his life. His story is inspiring, empowering, and provides new perspectives and insights on how we can break the negative stigma surrounding substance use and how to support others. Learn more about Mike here: https://michaelpond.ca/ Read the blog here: https://shirvin.ca/blog/addiction...

Resilience is about coping with situations, becoming tougher, and being self-aware to bounce back. It's an elastic band that sometimes gets stretched thin and might be in danger of snapping. It's also something that can get stronger as you actively build it by practicing healthy coping strategies, having a supportive network, and tapping into what your needs are. Enoch and I explore how resilience...

What is therapy? When should someone go to therapy? What's the difference between a therapist, counsellor, and psychologist? Cam Wharram, a Registered Clinical Counsellor, and I dig through some of the most common questions we get about therapy. If you or someone you know might be interested in having some therapy sessions but have some questions or uncertainty surrounding it, we hope to address s...

How many times have you said "I'm not good enough" to yourself? We often downplay our abilities and competency and fill our minds with self-doubt and thoughts of being a fraud instead. In this episode, ElaineMokk shares about her YouTube journey and how she navigates imposter syndrome. You can find her through YouTube ( ElaineMokk ). shirvin.ca | @helloshirvin Music: Faithful Mission by Artificial...

With the online space becoming more commonly used, it's no surprise that there has been a rise in toxicity and hate. Jean Yoon shares her experiences as a previous full-time Twitch streamer, how she grew her following, and what she is up to now. You can find Jean on Etsy (KireiCraftsCo) and Twitch (kireiautumn). shirvin.ca | @helloshirvin Music: Faithful Mission by Artificial. Music

Do you remember the last time you consciously said something positive to yourself? When you're lying in your bed at night, you're often swimming in negative and critical thoughts compared to positive or neutral ones. Jennifer Lee (RCC, CCC) and I explore negative automatic thoughts and how you can use cognitive reframing to actively work on changing them. shirvin.ca | @helloshirvin Music: Faithful...