The arrival of a new year can bring excitement and a sense of a fresh start. But for many people, it also brings low mood, tiredness, and a noticeable dip in motivation. There are lots of reasons why this time of year can feel heavy. The comedown from Christmas can play a part (even when Christmas itself has been difficult), alongside the return to work, shorter days, and the impact of winter weather. Taken together, it’s not surprising that many people feel a bit flat. You m

As a counsellor, the stressful side of Christmas is something that I’ve noticed regularly comes up as a theme, often from as early as September, as the pressure to create the “perfect” Christmas can lead to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety and dread.   Bereavement, loneliness, family tensions or financial worries, can also make this time of year feel less than joyful. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. It’s completely normal to feel this way during such a busy time and

Men’s mental health is an important issue, yet discussions around it can be hard to start, which is why last month I hosted a panel event to coincide with Men’s Health Awareness Month. After the event I caught up with one of the panellists, Adam Whittaker of Admia, to explore how he finds running his own business, the pressures men face, and how men are represented in media. Adam Whittaker So, can you firstly tell me a little bit about yourself and Admia? I've been in marke

The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is “Access to services – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies.” It can feel as...

If you’ve ever searched for support, it can be difficult to know whether you need to see a counsellor or a psychotherapist - or even to...

The summer holidays are over, the children are back at school, and the mornings already feel cooler. September can bring with it a sense...

Over the years, I’ve worked in various ways; self-employed, employed, and a mixture of the two. Each one comes with its own set of...

Whether we like it or not, social media has become a routine part of daily life, which brings with it both positives and negatives. It...

Since 2001, Mental Health Awareness Week has been opening up important conversations, reducing stigma, and encouraging people to seek...

When I was a solicitor, I dealt with a number of neighbour disputes, most commonly over boundaries and they were often tricky and...

When thinking about starting therapy, it’s natural to have questions and so this blog will give you a clearer idea of how I work, what to...

February is often associated with love - grand romantic gestures, flowers, chocolates, and secret admirers. While Valentine’s Day...

The Christmas decorations have been taken down, your relatives have (finally) gone home, it’s time to go back to work, and your bank...

This month it is 12 years since I qualified as a counsellor and during that time I’ve found that I learn just as much from the work as my...

In today's fast-paced world, work-related stress has become all too common. As the demands of our jobs continue to increase and the lines between work and personal life blur, the after-effects of work-related stress can linger long after we've clocked out for the day. As someone who's worked in the high-pressure environment of law, I know firsthand how vital it is to find effective strategies for managing stress and maintaining a sense of balance. In this post, we'll explore

Death and grief can still be taboo subjects however opening up conversations around grief and loss is one of the aims of National Grief...

Life can be stressful and from time to time we may all feel worried, nervous or tense but when these feelings become prolonged then you...

Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event that was started by The Mental Health Foundation 21 years ago, which aims to encourage...

Getting a good night’s sleep is not always easy, however sleep is important not just to our physical health but also our mental health....

Women’s rights have come a long way since the first International Women’s Day back in 1911 but there is still a way to go, especially as...