Take Time Counselling

Last spaces available at this retreat in Great Malvern at reduced price. PM for details 😊

I have a canvas drawing of this sculpture (which is in the Nevada desert) on the wall of my therapy room.

I absolutely love this reminder that inside all of us is a younger more vulnerable part of ourselves. A part that just wants to be seen, heard, acknowledged and understood. And to connect with others.

Learning to listen to and acknowledge that part of ourselves with kindness and compassion is a large part of the work we do in therapy. It’s certainly one of the most useful and rewarding experiences I have found for myself and in my work with others.

This illustration was shared on a FB group recently and it represents something I talk to clients about a lot. It’s so easy for us to focus on a dip and overlook the overall trajectory of the growth we have made. I often remind clients that even the step of making the decision to reach out for counselling is a huge forward step. We sometimes need a reminder from someone else to help us put our down days and dips into a bigger context. On days like this you could try asking a trusted friend to help you see the larger picture, or think about what you might say to a friend you care about who is forgetting how far they’ve come. , and are what we most need when we feel we have lost all hope. Along with the famous reminder

The start of the New Year is the traditional time for new starts and new resolutions. But how easy are they to stick to?

There are many reasons why we might not be able to maintain our best intentions to eat better, exercise more or whatever else we promise ourselves. It could be a lack of motivation, a lack of discipline or a tendency to procrastinate. It could be any number of different reasons.

Have you considered that one of the reasons they are hard to stick to could be your feelings about yourself?

When we don’t feel fully worthwhile, when our self esteem is low, when we don’t feel good about ourselves it can be hard to stick to anything which will be good for us. Why would we bother looking after someone we don’t really care about?

Our relationship with ourselves is our most important relationship. We live with ourselves 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Even in our sleep we have an unconscious relationship with ourselves. There’s no escape right!

This is why prioritising your relationship with yourself is the best resolution for the New Year you could make. Once this has improved everything else will follow.

If you’re not sure where to start then just drop us an email, text or WhatsApp 07484494106 / [email protected] to arrange a chat.

Today’s headline and story in the Guardian is further evidence of the toll the pandemic is taking on mental health and wellbeing.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jan/01/covid-antidepressant-use-at-all-time-high-as-access-to-counselling-in-england-plunges

Private counselling can be very expensive which is why we offer a service providing fully qualified and affordable counselling. If you or anyone else you know needs help you can email us at [email protected] or WhatsApp 07484394106

Admiring the trees today and reflecting on the seasons of change in the natural world and in our lives too. Trees shed their leaves and are dormant before there is regrowth. What do you need to shed in order to grow? Can you let go of your fear of failure today?

It’s so easy to fall into the mindset of “I’ll be happy when ....” I’ve got / achieved / completed/ moved out of here or whatever. It’s exceptionally easy to adopt this mindset right now as so much seems to be on hold as a result of this pandemic.

Whilst this is entirely understandable and certainly no reason to be hard on ourselves when life is far from easy, we might also gently ask ourselves how long do we really want to put our lives and happiness on hold?

What would it take to be happy right here right now?

This podcast is one of a number exploring this question and “the science of happiness”.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/deliciously-ella/id1428704212?i=1000490406106

Check it out and if you’d like to explore any of the concepts or challenges it represents for your specific situation then reach out to us for a chat on: 077484394106.

It’s so easy to fall into the mindset of “I’ll be happy when ....” I’ve got / achieved / completed/ moved out of here or whatever. It’s exceptionally easy to adopt this mindset right now as so much seems to be on hold as a result of this pandemic.

Whilst this is entirely understandable and certainly no reason to be hard on ourselves when life is far from easy, we might also gently ask ourselves how long do we really want to put our lives and happiness on hold?

What would it take to be happy right here right now?

This podcast is one of a number exploring this question and “the science of happiness”.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/deliciously-ella/id1428704212?i=1000490406106

Check it out and if you’d like to explore any of the concepts or challenges it represents for your specific situation then reach out to us for a chat on: 077484394106.

I was reflecting with a friend this week that I had got out of the habit of a consistent daily practice.

Having some kind of a morning and/or evening ritual as an intentional act of self care has been important for me over the years.

A daily practice might include elements of the following, either on their own or in some kind of combination:

Journaling
Gratitude
Meditation
Prayer
Reading something meaningful/ educational/ uplifting
Positive affirmations
Drinking hot lemon water /apple cider vinegar / celery juice or a turmeric latte
Yoga and stretching
Exercise videos
Morning and evening walks

One example of a daily practice which incorporates elements of the above is the “miracle morning routine” .

My daily practices have changed, evolved and have also lapsed.

Right now I’m exploring the Wim Hoff method which involves some specific breathing exercises and cold showers.
Wim Hof Method by Innerfire B.V. https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/wim-hof-method/id890471578

I’m seeing the benefits already of restarting a daily practice. I’ve also noticed how one act of self care can lead quite rapidly to others. So after starting the day with some beginner level Wim Hoff breathing and short cold shower I felt more motivated to eat healthily and get out for a really good long walk.

Whatever you choose as your daily practice, my advice is not to be too ambitious. Start small and see how one small act of self care can make way for others.