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When Conflict Feels Too Heavy: Why Many Couples Avoid Family Mediation, and Why It Might Be Exactly What You Need
Separation is never easy, but avoiding the hard conversations can keep families stuck in conflict. Mediation offers a compassionate path forward — one where healing, communication, and cooperation take center stage. At NJCCS, we help couples move from tension to understanding, creating space for calm, connection, and healthy co-parenting. Because choosing mediation isn’t about winning — it’s about choosing peace for yourself and your children. 💙

Nada Johnson
Oct 14, 20253 min read


The Space Between Who You Were and Who You’re Becoming
There are moments in life when you’re no longer who you were, yet not quite who you’re becoming. This in-between space can feel uncertain and lonely, but it’s also where transformation begins. At NJCCS, we help you slow down, reconnect with yourself, and find meaning in the waiting. Growth takes time, and healing unfolds gently — one step, one breath, one new beginning at a time. 🌿

Nada Johnson
Oct 9, 20253 min read


When Life Shifts: Why Ignoring Difficult Transitions Can Hurt More Than You Think
Life transitions such as career changes, loss, or new beginnings can quietly unsettle your sense of balance. Many people try to push through, but unprocessed emotions often return as stress, tension, or disconnection. At NJCCS, we help individuals and families explore the feelings beneath change, develop healthy coping tools, and rediscover stability. Healing begins when you stop pretending everything is fine and allow yourself to grow and find peace through life’s transition

Nada Johnson
Oct 7, 20253 min read


Between Two Worlds: The Silent Struggles of an Indian Immigrant Mother Studying Abroad
When she took her flight to Canada, she wasn't simply taking textbooks and aspirations along; she was taking the burden of distance. Her five-year-old son hugged her in the airport terminal, not realizing how long "a few months" was. She had taken the tough choice of getting a master's abroad, believing in creating a better life for both. But then came a period of isolation, not simply one of intellectual hardship, but also of deep social and cultural loneliness.

Nada Johnson
Sep 15, 20254 min read


The Glass Ceiling and the Sticky Floor: Immigrant Women's Struggle in the Canadian Workforce
When she arrived in Toronto, she brought more than baggage; she bore a decade of experience as a civil engineer, a university degree, and the unassuming self-assurance of one who had constructed bridges, literal and figurative. But in Canada, it did not count. She was now an immigrant woman of color. And everything was different.

Nada Johnson
Sep 15, 20254 min read


The Silent Goodbye: When Mom Leaves to Build a Dream
When a mother takes a journey across oceans to work or study, the sacrifice becomes currency for the family as a whole. The child also pays a price, one that is usually silent, not understood, and profoundly shaping.

Nada Johnson
Sep 14, 20255 min read


Apologizing as a Mother: How Owning Past Mistakes Can Transform Your Relationship
Apologizing as a mother doesn’t erase the past—it transforms it. When moms own mistakes with sincerity, daughters feel seen, validated, and safe. Research shows that genuine apologies rebuild trust and model accountability, creating stronger bonds. Healing begins with simple, heartfelt words: “I’m sorry.” At NJCCS, we help mothers and daughters break cycles of silence and build relationships rooted in openness, compassion, and connection. 🌿

Nada Johnson
Sep 11, 20253 min read


Learning to Listen Without Fixing: A New Way for Mothers and Daughters to Connect
Mothers often want to protect their daughters by offering quick solutions—but sometimes, advice can feel like dismissal. True connection grows when we listen without fixing. By creating space for emotions to be heard and validated, mothers build trust, strengthen bonds, and empower daughters to find their own voice. Healing conversations start with presence, not problem-solving. 🌿

Nada Johnson
Sep 9, 20253 min read


The Link Between Racism, Anxiety, and Depression
Racism doesn’t just wound in the moment—it leaves lasting marks on mental health. Subtle remarks, unfair treatment, and systemic barriers often translate into anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. For many racialized people, the daily weight of microaggressions and exclusion chips away at self-worth and belonging. At NJCCS, we offer racial trauma therapy to help you process these experiences, rebuild confidence, and begin healing.

Nada Johnson
Sep 4, 20253 min read


When Family Favors Lighter Skin: The Hidden Wounds of Colourism at Home
Colourism often begins at home—when lighter-skinned siblings are praised while darker-skinned children are overlooked. These unspoken messages create hidden wounds that last into adulthood, shaping self-esteem, beauty standards, and worthiness. At NJCCS, we help clients heal from the racial trauma of colourism, rebuild confidence, and reclaim their true value beyond skin tone. 🤝

Nada Johnson
Sep 2, 20254 min read


Why Family Mediation Matters: Creating Parenting Plans That Work
Family mediation gives parents a safe, respectful space to create a parenting plan that works without court. At NJCCS, I help you build clarity, reduce stress, and keep your child’s best interests at the center. 🌟

Nada Johnson
Aug 22, 20253 min read


When Your Child Pulls Away: Rebuilding Connection With Teens
When the child who once shared everything suddenly grows quiet, it can leave you feeling shut out and unsure. Strong parent-child bonds are vital for emotional health and resilience, but they can weaken over time. At NJCCS, I help parents and teens reconnect in ways that feel safe, supportive, and lasting. 🌿

Nada Johnson
Aug 20, 20253 min read


Why Self-Care Is the Best Gift You Can Give Your Child
Neglecting your own needs doesn’t make you a better parent—it often leaves you drained, impatient, and less present for your children. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s a powerful way to model healthy boundaries, emotional regulation, and balance. When you rest, ask for help, and make space for joy, you teach your child that their needs matter too. At NJCCS, we help mothers embrace self-care as a gift to themselves—and to their families.

Nada Johnson
Aug 14, 20254 min read


My Intentions Behind the Charm
He seemed perfect at first — charming, attentive, and quick to talk about a future together. But that speed wasn’t love; it was control. This blog, told from the perspective of the abuser, reveals how love bombing and hot-and-cold behavior hook you in, blur red flags, and keep you chasing the man you thought he was — and why it was never your fault.

Nada Johnson
Aug 13, 20255 min read


When Your Children Don’t Get Along: Supporting Sibling Relationships Without Losing Yourself
When your children fight often, it can leave you feeling drained, guilty, and worried about their future relationship. Sibling rivalry is common, but constant conflict can impact your emotional health too. At NJCCS, we help mothers set boundaries, reduce tension, and protect their own wellbeing while guiding children toward healthier connections—because your peace matters as much as theirs.

Nada Johnson
Aug 12, 20254 min read


What No One Tells You About Parenting a Neurodivergent Teen
Parenting a neurodivergent teen is a journey filled with deep love—and quiet grief. At NJCCS, we see the emotional weight mothers carry: the guilt, the fear, the isolation. You advocate, manage, and give your all—but who checks in on you? This blog explores the unseen toll of caregiving and reminds you that your needs matter too. You deserve a space to feel, to breathe, and to be supported. 💛

Nada Johnson
Aug 7, 20254 min read


How Trauma Affects the Way You Love (and How You Can Heal)
Trauma doesn’t just live in the past — it can shape how you see yourself, connect with others, and experience love. Whether it’s people-pleasing to avoid conflict, doubting your instincts, or blaming yourself for what happened, these patterns often start as survival strategies. The good news is, with awareness, self-forgiveness, and healthy boundaries, it’s possible to break the cycle and build relationships that feel safe, mutual, and empowering.

Nada Johnson
Aug 6, 20255 min read


They’re Struggling, and So Are You: Why moms of neurodivergent teens deserve a safe space too
Parenting a neurodivergent teen can feel like carrying the world — appointments, advocacy, and emotional overload. But while all eyes are on your child, who’s checking in on you? At NJCCS, we offer a safe, supportive space for mothers who are tired, overwhelmed, and ready to be heard. You don’t have to do this alone. Your wellbeing matters too — and you deserve care just as much as your child does. 💛

Nada Johnson
Aug 5, 20254 min read


Why Apologies Don’t Fix Abuse: Love Bombing & the Cycle of Violence
In abusive relationships, apologies can feel like hope—but often, they’re just part of the cycle that keeps you stuck. Love bombing, empty promises, can cloud your judgment and make it harder to see the truth: real love shouldn’t hurt, confuse, or control you.
In this blog, we break down why apologies can be so convincing, how the cycle of violence works, and what it means to hold on to the good times—even when they were part of the harm.

Nada Johnson
Jul 29, 20255 min read


Why They Didn’t Believe You: The Silence Around ‘Credible Victims'
There’s no “right way” to survive. This blog breaks down why so many survivors are disbelieved and why you never have to prove your pain to deserve support.

Nada Johnson
Jul 26, 20253 min read
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