I have started and deleted this post more times than I can count because there are no words that make this make sense. As Counsellors, we know what Domestic Violence is, in fact many of us have experienced it in one way or another whether that be with our clients or ourselves. Yesterday, my friend Mandy Fackler was murdered in a heinous act of Domestic Violence. She was a mother. A friend. A professional. A woman with plans, people who loved her, children who needed her, and an entire life that should still be happening today. And now she is gone because of domestic violence. Mandy was also an absolute force. We bonded over our mutual love of freedom, liberty, guns, and our very strong opinions about all three. That woman could spend the entire day out shooting and somehow clean herself up and be at the Governor's Mansion that night and tucking the babies in for bedtime. That was Mandy. She could hold her own anywhere, with anyone. She was strong, outspoken, fiercely independent, passionate about what she believed in, and unapologetically herself. She was the kind of woman you noticed when she walked into a room. She was a power to be reckoned with. And maybe that is part of what makes this so incredibly difficult to process. Because domestic violence does not only happen to women who appear powerless. A woman can be strong as hell and still be a victim. She can be intelligent, successful, independent, capable, armed, politically connected, deeply loved, and completely able to take care of herself in every other area of her life and still be harmed by someone she trusted. Strength does not make someone immune to domestic violence. Mandy had previously believed there was something worth saving in this relationship. Earlier this year she publicly wrote about believing they might be able to grow together instead of apart. She wanted harmony for her family. She believed in another chance.

Fellow Addiction Counsellors… this is your reminder. You spend your entire week holding space for chaos, crisis, relapse, trauma, grief, and everything in between. You show up steady, grounded, and strong even when your clients can’t. But here’s the truth nobody says enough: You are not immune to burnout just because you’re trained. If you don’t take time to decompress, reset, and come back to yourself, it will catch up to you. Not maybe. Not eventually. It will. This weekend is not just “time off.”It’s recovery time for you. Step away from the heaviness.Turn off the clinical brain for a bit. Do something that reminds you who you are outside of your role. Because the version of you your clients need next week?That version only exists if you take care of yourself now. You can’t pour from empty and still call it ethical. Take the break. You've earned it! Happy Friday!

Hi Crystal, Just wondering you had said at the very end of the 2 day addiction summit that out certificates would get sent out in 2 to 4 weeks. Should i still be sitting back? Thanks as always for your help.:)

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Investigators confirm deaths involving intimate partner violence (Update) June 25, 2026: The Barrie Police Major Crime/Homicide Unit has determined the deaths of a 46-year-old man and a 45-year-old woman, who resided at a north-end residence, were the result of intimate partner violence. On June 20, 2026, police were called to a home in the area of St. Vincent Street and Osprey Ridge Road for a well-being check and located the deceased individuals. The woman’s death has been deemed a homicide, while the man is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The firearm involved in the incident was recovered from the scene. There are no outstanding suspects, and no charges are expected. Barrie Police will not be releasing the names of those involved, or any further details, out of respect for the family. —– Published on: Jun 22, 2026 The Barrie Police Major Crime Unit continues to investigate the deaths of a man and a woman located inside a residence. The deceased are a 45-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, both from Barrie. At this time, police are not seeking any suspects. Police have cleared the area located near St. Vincent Street and Osprey Ridge Road. —– Published on: Jun 20, 2026 On Saturday, June 20, 2026, Barrie Police officers conducting a well-being check located a deceased man and woman inside a residence in the area of St. Vincent Street and Osprey Ridge Road. The victims are believed to be known to each other, and the incident appears isolated. There will be a police presence in the area as the investigation continues. More information will be provided as the investigation allows.