WhitesideWellbeing

18/12/2025

14/12/2025

A very important lesson to learn in life (and sometimes through counselling!) is boundaries. Boundaries in all relationships are needed to protect our mental health & emotional wellbeing. Poor or non-existent boundaries can lead to the unhealthy & unhelpful co-dependency, or, as the picture says - disrespect of you….

10/12/2025

What is Assumptive World Theory?

Assumptive World Theory is the idea that we all carry deep, often unconscious beliefs about how the world works—such as the belief that life is generally safe, predictable, and fair, and that we ourselves and the people we love are secure. When someone experiences loss or grief, especially a sudden or traumatic loss, these core beliefs can be shaken or shattered, leaving them feeling unsafe, confused, or questioning the meaning of life. In counselling, this theory helps explain why grief can feel so overwhelming and disorienting, and it guides the healing process by helping people make sense of what has happened, adjust their worldview, and gradually rebuild a sense of meaning, safety, and trust in the world again.
If you need help and guidance with making sense of loss, contact me sam@whitesidewellbeing.com 💜

03/12/2025

Why is this counselling making me feel worse?

Yes, counselling can make you feel worse before it makes you feel better.
If there have been thoughts, feelings and emotions that you have, either consciously or subconsciously, been ignoring or avoiding - you may have felt like you were doing quite well.
But once you start talking about them, the full realisation of what they are, and why they are, can be daunting, or worse, overwhelming.
Do keep going at this stage if you want to make progress, putting a lid on a boiling pan is not easy! It’s better to let the pressure out.
Let me know how you’re feeling and I can guide you and keep you safe.
It will be worth it.

26/11/2025

Well something very exciting (and nerve wracking!) just happened, but was made a whole lot easier by the professionalism of Pennie (Latin) Stuart of Adventurous Audio. All will be revealed when Pennie has worked her magic!

21/11/2025

Well, that’s me & the dog logging off for a cosy weekend 😊 For those of you that subscribe to the newsletter, it was sent out yesterday - with this months focus being what blood tests to consider when you have peri-menopausal mood symptoms & information about my new Mood & Mind Mentor service. If you’d like to receive the monthly email newsletter, simply email ‚subscribe‘ to sam@whitesidewellbeing.com and i’ll pop you on the list for December onwards! Have a lovely weekend ladies 😊

19/11/2025

🌟 Introducing my NEW Mood & Mind (peri)menopause Mentor service! 🌟

As of 12th November, I closed my online medical menopause clinic due to increasing regulatory and administrative demands that made the model unsustainable.

However… this change has opened the door to something even better — a service that is more accessible, and more cost-effective for women seeking support in mid-life, incorporating the breadth and depth of my trainings and experience.

Within the first week of launching, sessions are already being booked!

💛 The Mood & Mind (peri)menopause Mentor

A redesigned service offering support for mental health and emotional wellbeing, alongside the (peri)menopause transition. You’ll receive:

• Emotional support for mood changes, anxiety, overwhelm, irritability, low mood or suicidality
• Practical coping tools, stress management, and self-care planning
• Evidence-based (peri)menopause and HRT information and guidance where appropriate
• Help making sense of symptoms and navigating conversations with your GP
• Support with life transitions, identity shifts, and mid-life pressures
• In-person or online sessions
• A more affordable alternative to a regulated medical clinic model

My counselling and coaching services continue as normal — and this new mentoring offer combines emotional wellbeing support with clear, trustworthy menopause information.

Full details and FAQs are available at www.whitesidewellbeing.com

12/11/2025

Loss& grief can come in many situations; death of a friend, relative, pet, ending of a relationship, loss or change of job, even a house move. Some of the feeling comes from loss of what was your 'assumptive world', the way you thought things were going to be, or the way you wanted your life to be. Approximately 50% of people manage their grief themselves, others gain help & support from families, friends and religious/spiritual guidance. About 10-15% of people access counselling to work their way through these losses. If you're asking yourself if counselling could help, ask yourself if the answer to any of the following questions is 'yes', six months after the loss.
If the answer to any of them is 'yes', then counselling may be able to help you.... do get in touch if you'd like my help.💜

- has the change significantly affected your daily life, routines and tasks?
- has the change left you struggling to make sense of what is happening to you?
- has the change led you to feel a loss of purpose? Do you feel less needed, or less valued than before?
- have you lost someone or something that you had an emotional attachment to? (this is different to love)

Information paraphrased from the book 'The Plain Guide to Grief' by Dr John Wilson

Call now to connect with business.

09/10/2025

Every so often I will recommend a book that I have found useful for clients. Today is one of those days. The book below has been very useful for a number of my clients, with a wide range of situations covered, such as; 'Reduce automatic stress', 'Calming your alarm system', 'Extreme Anxiety: Panic Attacks' and ' Lifting the curse of perfectionism' to name just a few. Well worth a read if you are a sufferer of worry. If you wish counselling to have a safe, confidential sounding board for your worries, do give me shout.