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Nathan MacRae
MSW, RSW
All Posts


What Is EMDR Therapy? How It Works, Benefits, and What to Expect
If you're considering EMDR therapy, you may be wondering what it is, how it works, and whether it's the right approach for you. EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people process traumatic or distressing experiences. It was originally developed to treat trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but research has also shown it can be effective for anxiety, panic, phobias, grief, and other ex

Nathan MacRae
Jul 83 min read


How to Prepare for a Hormone or Surgical Readiness Assessment: 5 Tips for Success!
If you're preparing for a hormone readiness assessment or gender-affirming surgical readiness assessment, you may be wondering what to expect. Whether you're seeking HRT (hormone replacement therapy), top surgery, or a gonadectomy procedure, taking some time to prepare can help you feel more confident going into your appointment. Here are five ways to prepare for your readiness assessment. 1. Think About Your Goals You don't need to have everything figured out, but it's helpf

Nathan MacRae
Jul 32 min read


How to Start Hormone Therapy (HRT) in British Columbia: A Step-by-Step Guide
For many trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people, starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an important step in affirming their gender. While the process can feel overwhelming at first, accessing hormone therapy in British Columbia is often more straightforward than many people expect. I frequently hear clients and prospective clients say they aren't sure where to start or what assessments are required. Because of this, I wanted to create a simple guide explaining h

Nathan MacRae
Jun 223 min read


How to Access Gender-Affirming Top Surgery in British Columbia: A Step-by-Step Guide
For many trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people, accessing top surgery is an important step in affirming their gender. While the process can feel confusing at first, it becomes much more manageable when broken down into clear, practical steps. I often hear clients and prospective clients describe the process as overwhelming or difficult to navigate. Because of this, I wanted to put together a guide that explains how to access top surgery and what to expect along the way

Nathan MacRae
Jun 193 min read


How to Find a 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapist in BC and Ontario (LGBTQ+, Queer & Trans Therapy Guide)
Finding a therapist can feel overwhelming. Finding a therapist who truly understands your experiences as a queer, trans, non-binary, gay, bisexual, two-spirit, or gender-diverse person can feel even more challenging. While there are more 2SLGBTQIA+ (LGBTQ+, queer, and trans) affirming therapists available today than ever before, not every therapist who describes themselves as LGBTQ+ friendly has the training, experience, or clinical understanding that many clients are looking

Nathan MacRae
Jun 183 min read


Why Choose Somatic Therapy?
In a world that often encourages us to disconnect from our bodies whether through stress, trauma, or cultural conditioning, somatic therapy can offer a powerful invitation to come back home to our bodies and ourselves. Somatic therapy, like EMDR, helps clients process trauma by engaging the body and nervous system, offering an alternative to traditional talk therapy that supports deeper emotional integration and long-term healing. Unlike talk therapy alone, somatic therapy br

Nathan MacRae
Oct 2, 20254 min read


How to Regulate Your Nervous System: 5 Grounding Techniques for Anxiety and Stress
When emotions feel intense, anxiety spikes, or the nervous system goes into overdrive, it can be difficult to think clearly or respond in the way you want to. Nervous system regulation is about learning ways to support your body and mind in returning to a more settled state after stress or overwhelm. These are some of the nervous system regulation techniques and grounding tools I use personally and in my work as a therapist. They are not quick fixes, but simple practices that

Nathan MacRae
Sep 17, 20253 min read
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