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Toad Counselling Ltd

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United Kingdom
Bideford
Toad Counselling Ltd

"It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live."

- Mae Jemison

Welcome to Toad Counselling, where our mission is to provide compassionate and effective therapeutic support to individuals and groups. We are professionally trained through accredited courses by the CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body) and the NCS (National Counselling Society), ensuring that we uphold the highest ethical standards and principles in our practice. Our services cater to a diverse clientele, including:

- Individual Therapy: We offer 1:1 sessions for adults, children, and young people, tailored to meet each person's unique needs.

- Specialised Support: Our expertise includes working with individuals affected by ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), as well as those dealing with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), military-related PTSD, and trauma of all forms.

- Couples/Relationship Counselling: We provide a safe space for couples to explore their relationships and overcome challenges together.

- Group Therapy: We facilitate group sessions that promote connection, understanding, and shared experiences.

- Workshops and Courses: We are in the process of developing workshops and courses that focus on various aspects of mental health and well-being. We proudly serve military personnel, veterans, emergency services staff, NHS employees, and school staff, recognising the unique challenges these groups may face. Our goal is to foster a supportive environment where healing and personal growth can occur. For further details about our services, please visit our website at www.toadcounselling.co.uk

You can also connect with us via email at info@toadcounselling.co.uk. Stay updated and follow us on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Google, Tumblr, Pinterest, TikTok!, and our Podcast available on most platforms (Empathy Corner: Conversations with Toad Counselling). We look forward to supporting you on your journey to mental wellness.

30/10/2025

🐾 Day Forty-Two: The Morning Patrol

Because the path to counselling must be secure.

Before the humans even open the doors, I have a job to do, my morning patrol.

I check the path. I check the steps. I check for suspicious leaves, rogue squirrels, and (worst of all) pigeons plotting near the bins. Every blade of grass gets the once-over. No detail escapes me.

Tony says, “Ripley, it’s just the park.”
Just the park?? This is the perimeter, Tony. The line between calm and chaos.

Once I’m satisfied that the coast is clear, I stand guard for a moment, breathing in the morning air, wagging gently, ready to start another day helping humans feel safe and seen. It’s a big job. But someone’s got to do it.

At Toad Counselling, we believe in creating spaces that feel safe from the moment you arrive, whether that’s inside the therapy room or out here on the steps, guarded by one very determined dog.

💚 Affordable, compassionate therapy
💚 No long waiting lists
💚 Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

All clear. You may proceed. (But squirrels, consider this your final warning.)

28/10/2025

🐾 Day Forty-One: Stairway Security

Keeping the building safe… one squeaky ball at a time.

You might think counselling is my only job. Wrong. I’m also Head of Stairway Security here at Toad Counselling.

This is a shared building, lots of humans, lots of mysterious smells, and occasional footsteps that need investigating. So I take my post very seriously, halfway up the stairs, with my ball (standard-issue security equipment).

My duties include:
👃 Sniffing everyone who walks past (just to be sure).
👂 Listening intently for suspicious rustles.
⚽ Holding my ball to look approachable yet authoritative.

Tony says, “Ripley, you don’t need to guard the stairs.”
Tony, please. There are other businesses in this building. We can’t risk an unmonitored hallway situation.

At Toad Counselling, we believe in creating safe spaces, for clients, counsellors, and yes, stairways too. Whether you’re coming in for your first session or just passing by, you’re under my watchful eye (and my very slobbery ball).

💚 Affordable, friendly counselling
💚 No long waiting lists
💚 Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

All clear, humans. You may proceed.

21/10/2025

🐾 Day Forty: The Chocolate Incident

I didn’t eat any. But I wanted to.

Look, I know the rules.
Dogs and chocolate? Big no-no. Very serious. I would never.

But when a beautiful box of chocolates appears on the table — shiny wrapper, heavenly smell, full of mystery and potential — what’s a therapy dog supposed to do?

I just looked. Lovingly. Longingly. Professionally.
Tony said, “Ripley, don’t even think about it.”
Too late, Tony. I’d already thought about it. For several minutes. Intensely.

I didn’t touch it (I’m a good girl). But I did rest my head on the box, just to let everyone know how emotionally attached I was.

At Toad Counselling, we all have our temptations — things that look sweet and harmless but aren’t really good for us. Sometimes it takes everything we’ve got not to dive in. And that’s okay. You don’t have to be perfect — just self-aware (and maybe supervised).

💚 Affordable, friendly counselling
💚 No long waiting lists
💚 Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

I didn’t eat the chocolates. I just loved them… from a safe distance.

20/10/2025

First official blog after a small discussion piece shared a few days ago.

https://toadcounselling.co.uk/blog/f/protecting-childhood-through-compassion-and-understanding

17/10/2025

Can we have an open, respectful conversation about what’s being taught to our children and young people?

This isn’t about politics or division, it’s about safeguarding childhood and ensuring that education remains age appropriate, balanced, and rooted in truth.

Children deserve the space to grow, explore, and form their own sense of identity in their own time. When we introduce complex topics like sexuality and gender identity too early, we risk confusing rather than empowering them. Young minds need simplicity, safety, and clarity, not ideology or adult themes.

Teaching kindness, respect, and inclusion is vital. But these values can (and should) be taught through empathy, fairness, and compassion, without introducing sexual or ideological content that children cannot yet fully understand.

There’s a clear distinction between teaching respect for all people and teaching children to question their own biological reality. From a scientific and biological standpoint, human beings are male or female. This isn’t a belief, it’s an observable fact of nature. Recognising that doesn’t mean rejecting anyone. It simply means staying grounded in evidence while also showing care and understanding for individual experiences.

Protecting childhood innocence isn’t prejudice, it’s protection. It’s about emotional and cognitive development, and respecting the stages of learning that psychology and child development research have made clear for decades.

Children and young people don’t need to be shaped by adult ideologies. They need security, honesty, and space to grow into emotionally strong, resilient, and self assured individuals.

This conversation shouldn’t be shut down or labelled as hateful, it should be welcomed. Because it comes from a place of care, responsibility, and love for the next generation.

We can support inclusion without losing sight of biology.
We can respect individuals without confusing children.
And we can be compassionate without compromising truth.

Those ideas are not opposites, they are the balance we desperately need to restore.

What are your thoughts?

08/10/2025

🐾 Day Thirty-Nine: The Car Park Catastrophe

The mission: arrive calmly for work. The result: chaos.

We pulled into the car park nice and early. Smooth start. Windows down, sun shining, a perfect therapydog kind of morning.

Then… it happened.

Across the car park: a rogue crisp packet.
Blowing in the wind. Dancing. Taunting me.

I froze. I stared. It fluttered closer. Tony said, “Ripley, it’s just litter.”
JUST litter?? That thing was alive. Moving with purpose. Possibly plotting.

I leapt into full alert mode. Huffed. Whined. Gave it my most intimidating growl.
The crisp packet retreated. Victory.

Tony sighed. The client arriving early laughed. I wagged proudly. Toad Counselling: once again, saved from danger.

At Toad Counselling, we know that sometimes the small things, the tiny, fluttery worries, feel huge. And that’s okay. We’ll help you face them, one crisp packet at a time.

💚 Affordable, supportive therapy
💚 No long waiting lists
💚 Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

Another morning, another victory. The car park is safe. You’re welcome.

01/10/2025

🐾 Day Thirty-Eight: The Commute Chaos

The journey to work is never simple.

Most dogs just walk to the garden. Not me. Oh no. I have a commute.

Today started well — car door open, me leaping in like a professional. Then:
🐾 A leaf blew past. Suspicious. Had to bark.
🐾 A dog walked by. Stared at me. I stared back. Challenge accepted.
🐾 A pigeon flew overhead. (We all know how I feel about pigeons.)

Finally, we set off. And of course, I had to supervise from the back seat — ears flapping, nose smushed against the window, keeping the whole of North Devon safe with my watchful gaze.

By the time we arrived, I was already exhausted. Tony said, “Ripley, you’ve done nothing yet.”
Excuse me? I’ve defended this car from leaves, pigeons, AND a suspicious jogger. That’s work.

At Toad Counselling, the journey is part of the process. Sometimes it’s smooth, sometimes it’s bumpy, and sometimes you arrive with biscuit crumbs in your fur. But you always get there in the end.

💚 Affordable, supportive therapy
💚 No long waiting lists
💚 Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

The session hasn’t even started, and I already need a nap.

25/09/2025

🐾 Day Thirty-Seven: The Birthday Hangover

Three years old and already feeling it.

Yesterday was my birthday. 🎉 I turned three. I had biscuits, I had my ball, I wagged so hard I nearly took off. It was glorious.

Today? Different story.

🐾 My tail is tired.
🐾 My bed looks extra inviting.
🐾 I think I might still be full of biscuits.

Tony said, “Ripley, you look a bit sluggish today.”
Sluggish?? Excuse me, sir. I partied hard. Do you know how many zoomies I did yesterday? THREE. That’s one per year of my entire life.

At Toad Counselling, we know what it’s like to feel the after-effects of a big day — whether it’s a birthday, a milestone, or just making it through a tough week. Sometimes the next day is all about rest. And that’s okay.

💚 Affordable, friendly therapy
💚 No long waiting lists
💚 Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

If anyone needs me, I’ll be on my cushion, recovering from being fabulous.

21/09/2025

🐾 Day Thirty-Six: I Am Three!

That’s 21 in dog years. Basically an adult. But still dramatic.

Today — the 21st of September — is my birthday! 🎂🎉
I am officially three years old.

How did I celebrate?
🐾 Woke up early (demanded belly rubs).
🐾 Went for a walk (chased suspicious leaves).
🐾 Had a ball game (won).
🐾 Ate biscuits (also won).

Tony said, “Happy Birthday, Ripley, you’re three now!”
The client said, “Wow, she’s grown up so fast!”
I said nothing, because I was busy drooling on my birthday treat.

At Toad Counselling, birthdays are a reminder that progress is worth celebrating — whether you’re three years old, thirty-three, or just three sessions into therapy. Every step matters. Every year counts. And it’s always okay to pause for cake. (Or biscuits.)

💚 Counselling for children, young people & adults
💚 Affordable, supportive, and safe
💚 No long waiting lists
💚 Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

Here’s to another year of wags, naps, and guarding the building from hoovers and postmen. Being three looks good on me.

18/09/2025

🐾 Day Thirty-Five: The Pigeon Situation

Counselling may happen inside. But danger lurks outside.

We’d just finished a session. Tony opened the door. The air was calm, the street was quiet… and then I saw it.

A pigeon.
Strutting across the pavement. Bold. Cocky. Acting like it owned the place.

I froze. The pigeon froze. It became a standoff.
Tony said, “Ripley, don’t even think about it.”
Too late, Tony. I was already thinking about it.

I lunged (professionally). The pigeon flapped. I flapped (my ears). The client leaving the building laughed so hard they nearly forgot their bag.

The pigeon escaped. For now.
But I made it clear: Toad Counselling is protected.

At Toad Counselling, we know life throws unexpected things at you. Sometimes they’re as small as a pigeon. Sometimes they’re a lot bigger. Either way, we’ll face them together.

💚 Affordable, supportive therapy
💚 No long waiting lists
💚 Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

The street is safe. You’re welcome.

15/09/2025

🐾 Day Thirty-Four: Ripley Responds

Because sometimes you’ve just got to set the record straight.

Hi. Ripley here.
Yesterday, Milly decided to write an “advice column.” (Translation: she bragged about sleeping on the sofa while I keep the counselling practice running.)

She said I “just lie on a cushion all day.”
Excuse me? Do cushions protect clients from hoovers? Do cushions guard the door from suspicious postmen? Do cushions wag their tails at children until they giggle?

Didn’t think so, Milly.

The truth is, counselling can be hard work — for humans and for dogs. Sometimes it means sitting with big feelings. Sometimes it means making people laugh. Sometimes it means sighing dramatically so the client feels less alone.

And yes, sometimes it means… this pic.

At Toad Counselling, we make space for it all — the hard stuff, the silly stuff, and even the nap stuff. Because rest is part of the work too.

💚 Affordable, supportive counselling
💚 No long waiting lists
💚 Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

Now, if you’ll excuse me… I’m clearly busy.

10/09/2025

🐾 Day Thirty-Three: Milly’s Advice Column

Because apparently, Ripley isn’t the only one with wisdom.

Hello. It’s me. Milly.
While Ripley spends her days battling hoovers and guarding cushions, I’ve been running a highly successful sofa-based advice service. Clients: mainly myself.

Here are my top tips for surviving life (you’re welcome):
1️⃣ Nap often. Especially in inconvenient places.
2️⃣ If you stare at humans long enough, they’ll share snacks.
3️⃣ Don’t chase postmen — they always come back tomorrow.
4️⃣ Let your sibling do all the actual work. Saves energy.

Ripley thinks she’s the star of Toad Counselling. And yes, she’s very good at her job (blah blah tail wags, soulful stares, biscuits). But let’s not forget — when she comes home, exhausted from “working,” who’s there to greet her? Me. On the sofa. Looking fabulous.

At Toad Counselling, you’ll get a calm, supportive space with humans who care. Sadly, not me — I’m retired from ambition. But you’ll get Ripley. And that’s almost as good.

💚 Affordable, down-to-earth counselling
💚 No long waiting lists
💚 Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

Now excuse me, I’ve got a nap to attend.

Address

5 Mill Street
Bideford
EX392JT

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 10pm
Tuesday	10am - 10pm
Wednesday	10am - 10pm
Thursday	10am - 10pm
Friday	10am - 10pm

Website

http://www.toadcounselling.co.uk/

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