Brave journeys

09/02/2026

Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 | Brave Journeys

At Brave Journeys, children come first.
Not because they’re always right, but because they always matter.

We gently help children make sense of big feelings, support them to communicate what’s going on inside, and build strategies that feel manageable and realistic. We don’t rush them. We don’t dismiss them. We walk alongside them through their own brave journeys.

We listen to children, and more importantly, we hear them.

Raising awareness matters more than ever. In Scotland, almost 1 in 4 children aged 8–11 and nearly 1 in 5 children aged 5–7 are likely to be experiencing mental health difficulties. These are not just statistics: they are real children, in real families, trying to navigate feelings that can feel overwhelming at such a young age.

This Children’s Mental Health Week, let’s slow down, tune in, and keep showing children that their feelings make sense, their voices matter, and they don’t have to face things alone.

06/02/2026

I’m really pleased to share that we’ll soon be welcoming a new female therapist to the Brave Journeys team.

Angela be offering sessions on Tuesday evenings, which I know will be a helpful option for many people.

Angela comes with a real wealth of experience and, just as importantly, she aligns strongly with the values that sit at the heart of Brave Journeys and the Thrive setting. Care that is thoughtful, trauma-informed and human. No rushing. No fixing. Just creating a space where people feel safe enough to be themselves.

I’m really excited about what she’ll bring and the support this will allow us as a practice to offer.

Her Tuesday evening sessions at Thrive Ellon are available to book from 17th Feb by using this link below.:

https://brave-journeys.selectandbook.com/

Graham🧡

My name is Angela and I am an experienced, trauma‑informed, Person‑Centred Counsellor with a background in educational and NHS settings. The skills I’ve developed in these environments have strengthened my empathy for those struggling to maintain a healthy work–life balance or working within a high-pressure environment. I support a variety of diverse issues from parenting and family relationships to menopause and self-esteem. I also have extensive experience supporting individuals living with chronic illness, particularly—but not exclusively—those affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Whatever your circumstances, I aim to provide steady support, understanding, and a place to feel heard.

My approach is not limited to specific issues, and I will listen non-judgmentally and respectfully to you whatever you need support with. Taking that first step is challenging and my aim is to make that step as supportive as possible. I offer a compassionate and grounded space where you can explore your experiences at your own pace, supporting recovery, growth, and self‑understanding.

I am open‑minded, genuine, and empathic, with a healthy sense of humour. I value offering balance, sensitivity, and moments to pause. My commitment to working collaboratively, and my belief in the counselling process, continue to make this work deeply rewarding. I look forward to meeting you

05/02/2026

Another wee help out on a dreich and dreary day.
Hope it helps even just a wee bit…

02/02/2026

Sometimes all we need to hear is
“Despite how s**t this gets, I’m here. And I’m going nowhere.”

Not solutions.
Not fixing.
Not being told to stay positive.

Just someone staying.

When life feels overwhelming, when you’re tired of explaining, when you’re not at your best, basic kindness can be the thing that keeps you afloat. Knowing you don’t have to face it alone. Knowing you’re not too much. Knowing you don’t need to earn support by being ok.

At Brave Journeys, I see again and again how powerful it is when someone feels held rather than hurried. When they’re met with steadiness instead of judgement.

Sometimes the bravest thing isn’t pushing on.
It’s letting someone sit beside you and say,
“I’m here. I’ve got you.”

And if you need to hear that today
I am here too
Graham💛

01/02/2026

A little update
Due to increased demand, I’m now offering additional online counselling sessions on a Saturday morning, alongside my Wednesday evening online hours. This is to help make support more accessible for those juggling work, family and busy lives.

I’m also really pleased to share that we’ll soon be welcoming a new female therapist, who will be offering sessions on Tuesday evenings. This will give clients more choice and flexibility, and for some people, the option of working with a female therapist feels important. More details and an introduction soon.

If you’ve been thinking about starting counselling but struggling to find a time that works, these new slots may help.
As always, if you have any questions or want to chat about what support might be right for you, feel free to get in touch.
Graham 💛
Brave Journeys

01/02/2026

40 days and nights of rain (or at least that’s how it feels ☔️) can progressively wear you down.

When the weather drags on, our energy dips, motivation fades and everything can start to feel heavier than it needs to. A sustainable approach to mental health isn’t about pushing through or pretending you’re fine. It’s about small, kind choices you can keep up, even on the grey days.

A few gentle reminders:
• Lower the bar. Winter rules still apply when it’s wet, dark and relentless. Doing less is not failing.

• Protect your work life balance. Long hours and constant availability drain us faster when we’re already low. Boundaries matter. Logging off on time, taking breaks and letting work be just one part of your life is an act of self care, not selfishness.

• Get outside anyway. Even ten minutes of fresh air counts. You don’t need a big walk for it to help.

• Keep your body ticking over. Regular meals, water and sleep routines matter more than motivation.

• Stay connected. A quick message, a shared moan about the rain, a laugh. Connection is protective.

• Be mindful of what you’re feeding your mind. Endless news and scrolling can make the world feel smaller and heavier.

• Rest without guilt. Rest is not a reward for coping, it’s part of coping.

If you’re feeling flatter than usual just now, it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. It means you’re human, living through a long stretch of dreich weather.

And if it all feels like too much, you don’t have to carry it on your own. I’m here.

Graham 💛
Brave Journeys

31/01/2026

When therapy meets theatre

Putting my little to bed is a lovely time to reflect, watching her fall asleep and become so peaceful give me a moment to rest and take stock.

Something I notice again and again in my work is how much courage it takes just to show up.

At Brave Journeys, I sit with people who choose to be brave with their stories. Kids, young people, adults. People dealing with emotional-based school refusal, separation anxiety, relationship struggles, big feelings that don’t switch off neatly at the end of the day. It’s bravery. The kind that happens in a room, in words that are hard to say out loud.

Then there’s my work at HMTS, where young people come together to create something and put themselves on stage. That takes a different kind of courage. To be seen. To be heard. To risk getting it wrong in front of others. Theatre asks for vulnerability and resilience in equal measure, and I’m constantly in awe of what these young people achieve when they support each other and take that leap.

I was never a theatre kid. But I absolutely love all mine.

This week has been full on. From school anxiety to separation worries to relational stuff that feels heavy and complicated. Then rehearsals that inspire and bring out a fun side I love to escape to. Never a quiet moment. But moments like these remind me why I do what I do.

Bravery doesn’t always look loud brash and obvious

Sometimes it looks like turning up, again and again, and giving it a go anyway

Have a great weekend. I really hope the weather breaks soon - I’ve had enough of rain!

Graham🧡

29/01/2026

There’s something I am seeing more and more in the room and it feels quite important to talk about!

Girls with autism often hide it incredibly well…..

They learn early how to mask.
They watch, copy, fit in, keep quiet.
They smile, behave, achieve… and often fall apart later!

Because autism in girls doesn’t always look like autism in boys.

It can look like:
being anxious rather than disruptive
being exhausted rather than “difficult”
people pleasing instead of melting down
holding it together all day and crashing at home

So very often they’re missed!

When the diagnosis comes often in the later teens, it can be a huge emotional hit.
Relief, grief, anger, sadness — all at once.

“So this is why everything felt harder.”
“So this is why I’m always exhausted.”
“So this is why school feels unbearable.”

By that point, many girls have spent years pushing through the overwhelm, sensory overload, social pressure and perfectionism. School has become a place of constant threat rather than safety. (Furthermore school will say there is nothing wrong because “they don’t see any issues” causing parents to question themselves!)

And that’s where emotional based school refusal often appears.

Not because they’re being defiant.
Not because they don’t care.
But because their nervous system is shot.

For parents, this can feel heartbreaking and confusing.
For the young person, it can feel like failure — when in reality it’s survival.

When we understand what’s really going on, everything changes.
Support shifts from pressure to compassion.
From “why won’t she go?” to “what is school costing her emotionally?”

If this sounds like your daughter, or someone you love, you’re not imagining it, and you’re not alone.

With the right support, understanding and pacing, things can get better.
And it starts with seeing the whole child, not just the behaviour.
Please reach out if you need me.

Take care
Graham🧡

27/01/2026

Emotional Behaviour and School Avoidance in Children

School avoidance is one of those things that looks simple from the outside but can be incredibly complex for the child and their family. I see it often in my work, and it’s never just a case of “they don’t want to go” or “they’re being difficult.” For some children, the thought of going to school triggers genuine fear, anxiety, or overwhelming emotions. Their brains and bodies are sending them all kinds of signals they can’t always explain, and the result is avoidance.

In the room, my approach is patient, consistent, and grounded in understanding. I help children identify the feelings behind their avoidance, build coping strategies they can actually use, and gradually reframe school as something manageable rather than terrifying. This isn’t about pushing them before they’re ready, it’s about giving them the tools to face school at a pace that works for them.

For parents, the struggle can be just as intense. Watching your child struggle and feeling powerless is heartbreaking. Parents often second-guess every choice, worry they’re making things worse, or feel guilty about being anxious themselves. I spend time with parents helping them understand the underlying reasons for avoidance, showing them practical ways to support their child without increasing pressure, and helping them manage their own anxiety so they can be calm anchors.

Schools, too, need to step up. Saying “they just have to come” or “everyone else manages” doesn’t acknowledge the emotional reality for some children. Returning to school isn’t a switch to be flicked……
it’s a process that can take time, patience, and understanding. Collaboration between parents, schools, and professionals is key.

I’ve seen children make incredible progress when everyone works together with empathy and strategy. The goal isn’t just attendance; it’s giving children a sense of safety, confidence, and emotional resilience that will carry them through school and beyond.

School avoidance isn’t a failure of the child or the parent. It’s a signal that help is needed—and with the right support, it can absolutely be overcome.

If your child is experiencing emotional based school refusal, please don’t wait until everyone is exhausted and overwhelmed. This is real distress, not defiance, and it affects the whole family.

I work with children, parents, and families to gently unpack the fear, anxiety, and trauma sitting underneath school refusal, and to build a way forward that feels safe and manageable for everyone involved.

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Support early can make a real difference.

👉 Book a session with me today and let me help your family move from surviving to coping, and from coping to feeling hopeful!

https://brave-journeys.selectandbook.com/

Counselling and Mental Health Support I’m based in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, offering in-person and online support to children, young people, adults and famil

25/01/2026

“O wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us.”
Robert Burns

So many of us are far harder on ourselves than we ever are on others.
That inner critic can be loud, unfair,and exhausting.

A wee reminder today: you are likely doing better than you think.

And if things feel heavy just now, you don’t have to hold it alone.
I’m here if anyone needs me.
Happy Burns Day

Graham💛
Brave Journeys

25/01/2026

Today I’m in Tarves helping train local people to use the public defib and provide basic life-saving support if it’s ever needed.

It’s got me thinking about mental health first aid and if we give it the same importance.

Mental health has its own version of basic life-saving support too. And you don’t need specialist skills, training or the “right words”.

Often it’s kindness.
It’s noticing.
It’s staying with someone instead of walking past.
It’s being a human being to another human being.

In moments of distress, that can be what keeps someone going. Sometimes it’s not about fixing or solving anything, just letting someone know they’re not on their own.

Mental health emergencies are just as real and just as important as physical ones. They deserve the same urgency, care and compassion.

We all have a part to play. 💚