Reflection of happiness Recently a fellow colleague helped me out with my BACP accreditation by taking the time to read it and provide some critical feedback. I did not know this person very well but was grateful and happy that they had given me their time. When I found out that I had been awarded my […]
My happiness box makes me feel happy Read More »
Do you find that you get angry so easily and feel your anger gets out of control? You are not alone. However, you must remember that anger can be both a positive and negative emotion. We all have angry feelings now and again. Anger is a normal emotion and in itself it is not a
I get angry so easily! Read More »
Wrapping Christmas presents early, putting up decorations and being actively involved in Christmas has only become part of my life since I have had children. This year as I prepared for my children’s advent countdown activities, I noticed that I was becoming swept along with all the excitement and the commercialism. This made me stop
Depression at Christmas Read More »
In order for a counsellor to remain focused on the client, self-disclosure during a session is not encouraged. Self-disclosure is sharing information with your client that they would not know about you. It is generally felt that self-disclosure of a counsellor may get in the way of the client’s journey. The counsellor’s past and issues,
Self-disclosure of a counsellor Read More »
With the sad passing of Linda Bellingham this week we are reminded again of the heartache and destruction that cancer brings into people’s lives. Linda was remarkable in allowing us to get a glimpse of her cancer illness showing us her strength and determination to die with dignity. It feels as though she was trying not
Psychological effects of cancer Read More »
We all have a running commentary of thoughts going on in our head in every situation we are in. These thoughts can be positive and therefore helpful to us. On the other hand if our thoughts are negative they will be become unhelpful to us. Negative thinking can lead to greater stress and unhappiness. It
Negative Thinking Habits Read More »
Anxiety often leads us to start thinking negatively. We react without thinking and before we know it we are more anxious and the negative thoughts start to flow through our mind. This can then affect our feelings, behaviour and body reactions. In our anxious state our thoughts tend to be exaggerated and contain some distortion.
Positive self-talk for coping with anxiety Read More »
Empty nest syndrome My friend’s (who I will call her Pippa) daughter (Chantal) is leaving home next week for university. In the last year Pippa has been counting down the days with dread. On one hand she is excited for Chantal as she steps out into her new adventure but on the other hand Pippa
What is empty nest syndrome? Read More »
It is often confusing hearing about different counselling models that counsellor’s use – Person-centred, psychodynamic, Transactional Analyse, integrative counselling etc. Which one will work and how do you choose? I personally feel each model has its own value and can work for all types of different problems. The important part is that the counsellor is
What is integrative counselling? Read More »
Mental stigma often stops people from admitting that they are receiving counselling or have had counselling. What about if the counsellor admits they had counselling? Is that self-disclosing or reassuring for clients to know that their counsellor has been through the counselling process and believes in his or her heart that counselling can help?
Counselling process and me Read More »