Caregiving and Care-Seeking: How Imbalance Impacts Mental Wellbeing
Many people who seek counselling describe themselves as the carer, the helper, or the one others rely on. Caregiving can be part of professional roles, family responsibilities, or long-standing relationship patterns. While caring for others can feel meaningful and purposeful, problems can arise when caregiving consistently outweighs care-seeking. Understanding the impact of this imbalance is […]
Navigating Christmas Without a Loved One (Honouring the Loss of a Person or a Beloved Pet)
Christmas is often portrayed as a time of togetherness, tradition, and shared joy. But when someone you love is no longer here, whether that is a person or a beloved animal, the season can feel painfully different. The absence can be loud, constant, and deeply felt, especially during moments that once felt familiar and comforting. Grief does not pause for Christmas. In fact, the expectations that surround this time of year can make loss feel sharper and more isolating. When Someone Important Is Missing Losing a significant person, a partner, parent, sibling, child, friend, or anyone deeply meaningful to you, […]
There’s No Right Time: Navigating Life After the Loss of Your Pet
Losing a beloved animal is a deeply personal and often heartbreaking experience. The grief can be profound, and it’s important to acknowledge that there is no right or wrong timeline for deciding whether or when to bring another animal into your life. It’s common to hear people say things like, “Just get another one,” but […]
Looking for a Therapist? Here’s How to Find the One That’s Right for You
How to Find a Good Therapist: A Friendly Guide Finding a therapist can feel a bit daunting. You might be wondering: How do I know if they’re right for me? I get it, it’s a big step. The good news is, with a few simple steps, you can find someone who really fits you and supports your journey. 1. Think About What You Need Before you start looking, take a moment to reflect • Why you want therapy: Are you dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, or just looking for personal growth? • Type of therapy: I work using […]
What I’ve Relearned About the Grief of Losing an Animal
In this personal reflection, I share what I’ve relearned about grief after losing my beloved soul cat, Bailey. This post explores the profound pain of pet loss, the ongoing nature of grief, and why it’s okay to still miss, cry for, and long for our animals long after they’re gone. It’s a gentle reminder that the love we share with our pets is real, the grief we feel is valid, and healing doesn’t mean forgetting.
What Does Good Trauma-Informed Support Look Like – five key points
This blog explores what trauma-informed counselling means, why safety and trust are at the heart of it, and how a person-centred approach can help you move forward at your own pace.