The Counselling Nook

03/03/2026

Low self-esteem can be caused by many things, and hold us back from fully living life. If you don’t value yourself enough, you might take less care of yourself or stop yourself doing that thing you always wanted to try for fear of failure. Interesting article around it and how counselling can help below.

Struggling with low self-esteem? Discover 9 common myths and what’s really true – plus how counselling can help you build self-worth. 💭 http://ow.ly/vUaA106v96T

03/02/2026

I’ve been pondering over how to explain the things that counselling might help with and came up with a long list of things, but it didn’t seem to capture the spirit of the work we do here. Then I started reading a book called The Enchanted Life by Sharon Blackie and it clicked! When we’re struggling, it’s all too easy to lose the connection with the good things around us, while the negatives run round our head. In counselling, I often talk about rediscovering the ‘nano’ joys, like the snowdrops that are just appearing or even just pulling your favourite socks out of the drawer! The things that give us meaning in life or just a quick smile and it’s good for us all to look out for them. When it’s hard to lift your head up and find those moments though, that’s when counselling can make a difference and help you find moments of magic, however tiny, that help you heal. Do get in touch if you would like to find out more, using Messenger in the link below or through my directory listing (where you’ll also find the long list!) https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/eileen-calveley

20/01/2026

… or maybe just not as bad as you thought 😊

16/01/2026

💙 We’re approaching Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year as urban myth tells us. Even if life is good, it can be a gentle reminder that your wellbeing matters - slow down, reset, and focus on what supports you.

If it feels heavy, you’re not alone. Take a breath, be kind to yourself, and remember feelings pass, seasons change. Some things you can do which might help are:
• Send a message to someone you care about
• Step outside for 5 minutes
• Organise a treat for yourself over the weekend
• Drink some water
• Celebrate “enough” instead of “perfect”
If the thought of the new week stops you enjoying some weekend time off, you can check out some of the relaxation techniques on my website at https://thecounsellingnook.com/managing-your-stress.
And of course, if Blue Monday gets you thinking that you might need some help with working out the things that are stopping you enjoying life to the full, just get in touch and we can talk about how counselling might be of help. Together we can make it Reset Monday instead!

15/12/2025

Some useful advice on managing social anxiety at this busy time of year.

25/11/2025

🎄 Feeling anxious about the Christmas holidays? You’re not alone. 🎄

For many people, the festive season brings pressure, overwhelm, and expectations that feel hard to manage. In my counselling work, I often use Brief Solution-Focused Therapy (BSFT) to help clients move from holiday stress toward small, meaningful moments of calm in just a couple of sessions.

✨ How BSFT can help with Christmas anxiety:
✔️ We focus on what’s already helping, even in small ways
✔️ We explore what a calmer holiday would look like—and identify doable steps
✔️ We highlight your strengths, not your stress
✔️ We work toward realistic goals, not perfect holidays

A helpful BSFT question is:
“If this Christmas felt even 10% more peaceful, what would be different?”
Often, that small vision opens the door to practical, manageable changes.

Remember: you don’t need a “perfect Christmas.” You just need a Christmas that feels safe, steady, and workable for you.

If holiday anxiety is showing up for you this year, get in touch and I’m here to support you. 🌿

23/11/2025

26/10/2025

This is such a sweet video and definitely for adults too. For anyone heading into a heavy week, hope this helps lighten the load a little....
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15p6gcQeAE/

06/10/2025

Reframing Monday!

03/10/2025

Storm chaser or battening down the hatches? With the weather looking a bit wild today, will you be watching the trees dancing in the wind or staying cosy indoors with the curtains closed? Being in a storm can make you feel unsafe and chaotic, but it can bring space to grow again and often has its own beauty. Hope you can bend into it and find the calm that follows.

01/10/2025

Did you know that October is Mental Health Month? May not be a coincidence as many of us begin to struggle with the shorter days, so a chance for us all to reflect, support, and raise awareness about the importance of mental wellbeing. Whether you’re checking in on a friend, taking time for self-care, or becoming more aware about mental health challenges, remember that every small step counts. If you or someone you know needs help, don’t hesitate to reach out to see if we can help at The Counselling Nook in Drymen. Together, we can make a real difference.

18/05/2025

Not 100% sure of the ethics of broadcasting real therapy sessions, but the BBC programme on what happens in therapy does look pretty accurate. Interesting to reflect on the need to properly process grief and trauma, something we Brits are not always very good at!
Inside the therapy room: BBC watches as three lives change

The BBC has been given access to talking therapy sessions. What it reveals is striking - how managing the mind can transform lives.