As I reflect on my years in the therapy room, one thread runs through every piece of work that genuinely helps: the relationship. Long before techniques or tools, it’s the quality of the therapeutic alliance—the felt sense of safety, trust and collaboration between us—that makes change possible. Research consistently shows that this relationship is a […]
The Therapeutic Alliance: The Heart of Counselling Read More »
As therapists we’re taught to reflect, yet it’s easy to slip into fault-finding — replaying a session, feeling cross with ourselves, and then repeating the same patterns. Reflective practice offers a kinder, more useful alternative: notice what happened, learn from it, and make a small change next time. One simple exercise I return to is
Reflective practice in counselling: using the Kolb Cycle Read More »
How many clients should a counsellor see in a day? Short answer: there isn’t a one-size-fits-all number. Our ethical duty is to safeguard the quality of therapy and our fitness to practise. The BACP Ethical Framework doesn’t set a fixed limit; instead, it asks us to ensure our wellbeing is sufficient to sustain the quality of
How many clients should a counsellor see in a day? Read More »
Today is – a gentle reminder of the power of putting pen to paper. In a world full of texts, emails, and quick messages, it can feel old-fashioned to sit down and write a letter. Yet, in therapy, letter writing continues to be one of the most powerful tools for reflection, repair, and healing. When
Letter Writing Day: How Letters Can Heal in Therapy Read More »
Clinical Will for Counsellors (UK): What It Is, Why It Matters, and a Free Template If you became suddenly ill or died, who would contact clients, safeguard notes and close your practice? A concise clinical will protects clients, colleagues and your loved ones. What is a clinical will? A clinical will is a short written
Clinical Will for Counsellors (UK) Read More »
When life feels knotty—anxious thoughts on a loop, mood dipping, or relationships feeling strained—it can be hard to know where to start. Individual counselling offers a calm, steady space to work things through at your pace. I’m Hazel Hill, an integrative counsellor in Sheffield (S7). My approach is centred around you: respectful, collaborative and practical
Individual Counselling in Sheffield: Space to Steady, Make Sense, and Move Forward Read More »
Pacing is essential when living with chronic illness. This blog post will help you learn how to find balance in your energy levels and what you do.
Importance of pacing when living with a Chronic Illness Read More »
Our thoughts have a powerful impact on our emotions, and negative thought patterns can be particularly detrimental to our well-being. While we can’t completely prevent negative thoughts from arising, we can learn to manage them effectively. The key lies in recognising these thoughts for what they are—biased, intrusive, and negative—and then changing how we respond
Negative Thought Patterns Read More »
Gaslighting is a word we hear more often, especially on social media platforms. You might have come across phrases like “You’re gaslighting me!” But what does it truly mean, and why is it so concerning? How do we use the word correctly? What is Gaslighting? Gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation that aims to
What is Gaslighting? Read More »
The past is a realm of memories, experiences, and lessons that have shaped us into who we are today. However, dwelling on the past can become a hindrance to our personal growth and overall happiness. We forget to live in the here and now. We need to change out thinking and learn to live in
Learn to live in the here and now Read More »