Morrell Counselling

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Morrell Counselling

I’m Rebecca, a BACP Accredited Counsellor and Supervisor with 15 years of experience. I work with adults on a wide range of issues.

I offer face to face sessions from my private office in Meltham or telephone/online appointments. Sometimes when going through a difficult time it can be easier to talk to someone who doesn't know you, won’t judge you or tell you what to do. The counselling relationship is confidential and gives you the space to say things you may not usually feel comfortable saying for fear of being judged or upsetting loved ones. You may not completely understand the way you are feeling, and you may find it useful having someone to guide you through an exploration of your feelings and thoughts. It is important for you as the client to feel safe, in a trusting, honest and supportive relationship with your counsellor. The strength of the relationship itself is essential for the counselling process and for this reason it is really important that you find the right counsellor for you. Counselling can help with: relationship problems, anxiety, depression, bereavement, low self esteem, eating disorders, self harming, work related worries, stress, trauma, divorce, poor health, anger. Counselling is not just about listening, or about giving advice. The counselling relationship provides a secure base from which you can explore difficult feelings, experiment with different ways of being and start to make changes or work towards goals. I started training as a counsellor at Leeds Metropolitan University where I completed the CertHE in Interpersonal and Counselling skills. I completed my training with the DiplomaHE in Therapeutic Counselling, also at Leeds Metropolitan. The core approach I work from is the Relational Approach which maintains that the relationship between client and counsellor is of key importance. I may use other tools or theories where I deem it may be of use in a session. I’ve found working creatively in particular has been beneficial with a number of different clients. I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and therefore I work to their ethical standards. I am working towards BACP accreditation. In addition to my private practice I have gained over 3 years experience from working at Bradford Counselling Services. A project in Bradford City Centre offering counselling for all ages and various issues. Other courses I have completed include but are not limited to: Bradford Bereavement Support training course, Transactional Analysis (TA101), Basic Awareness in Domestic Abuse, CAMHS Introduction to Children and Young People, Self Management Coaching for Long Term Health Conditions, Working with Problem Gamblers and Affected Others

12/03/2026

As a counsellor I talk about boundaries fairly frequently with clients.

As practitioners we need to be acutely aware of the boundaries we hold to maintain the therapeutic relationship. Ending sessions on time, limiting outside of session communication, not befriending each other on social media to name a few.

We all need to be aware of our limits - how much time do I have? How much energy can I spend? What is worthy of my attention?

As a society we’ve got so used to normalising running on empty that we don’t have a positive alternative word to “selfish” which has such negative connotations.

It’s good to take care of ourselves. We need boundaries to keep ourselves healthy and safe.

10/03/2026

More flowers! 🌷🌷🌷

Just had a lovely ending with a client who brought me some gorgeous sunshine yellow tulips. I nipped to the local charity shop to pick up a vase for them so I could have them in the office for the clients who come in today.

I really wish I could fill my office with plants but they’d all die on me and that wouldn’t look very good when clients come in trusting me to support them 😂

*disclaimer* presents for ending sessions are always appreciated but never expected or required!

09/03/2026

It finally feels like Spring is in the air 🌷

I took this photograph a few years ago at Harlow Carr. I’m really looking forward to being able to enjoy the outdoors more with the lighter and warmer weather!

06/03/2026

Many women enter their 40s and 50s anticipating physical changes, but few are prepared for the profound impact perimenopause can have on their mental well-being. It’s not just hot flushes; it’s an invisible storm that can leave you feeling lost at sea.

During perimenopause, fluctuating hormone levels – particularly estrogen – can directly affect brain chemistry, influencing mood regulation and stress responses. This often leads to new or intensified experiences of:
• Anxiety: A sudden onset of panic attacks, persistent worry, racing thoughts, and a feeling of being constantly on edge, even in situations that never bothered you before.
• Depression: Low mood, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, irritability, feelings of hopelessness, and difficulty concentrating can emerge or deepen. It’s often mistaken for clinical depression, making diagnosis and support crucial.
• Irritability & Rage: Uncharacteristic outbursts or a constant feeling of frustration that seems disproportionate to external events.
• Cognitive Fog: Difficulty with memory, focus, and verbal recall, adding to feelings of overwhelm.

Why is this happening? Your brain is adapting to a significant hormonal shift, and it’s a big job! These symptoms are real, they are physiological, and they are not “just in your head.”
You are not alone, and you are not “going crazy.” Understanding that these experiences are often linked to perimenopause is the first step towards finding effective support.

How Counselling Can Help:
While counselling won’t change your hormone levels, it provides invaluable support by:
• Validating Your Experience: Helping you understand that what you’re feeling is real and common.
• Developing Coping Strategies: Learning tools to manage anxiety, regulate mood swings, and navigate cognitive challenges.
• Processing Emotional Shifts: Creating a safe space to explore the identity changes and grief that can accompany this life stage.
• Advocacy & Empowerment: Helping you articulate your needs to medical professionals and loved ones.
If you’re finding yourself overwhelmed by these changes, please reach out.

There is support available, and you deserve to feel understood.

02/03/2026

Working Mum Life = trying to do multiple things at once and feeling like you’re not doing quite a good enough job at any of them!

Snapshot of what I’m doing right now:

1. Catching up on emails
2. Teaching my daughter to sew to keep her occupied whilst her brother is in his tennis lesson
3. Trying to enjoy a nice coffee as a small practice of self care
4. Thinking about what I need to do when I get home - tea, kids baths, bedtime routine etc etc

I’ve been having lots of conversations of late with women in particular feeling like they are carrying far too much. The world expects a lot of us doesn’t it? We’ve got to work like we don’t have children, and take care of our children like we don’t work. The impossible task!

Are you asking your partner or other adults for help? Are you getting enough time for YOU to replenish the energy you give to everyone else? Are the expectations you have of yourself reasonable or unrealistic?

09/02/2026

Is it just a bad week, or is it burnout?

You’re waking up tired even after 8 hours of sleep. Your body feels heavy, or you’re getting frequent headaches/tension.

You feel detached from your work, or your loved ones. Tasks that used to feel meaningful, now feel like a burden.

You’re struggling to focus, making small mistakes, or feeling like you’re ‘faking it’ through the day.

Burnout is your body’s way of saying “I’ve been running on empty for too long”

Burnout isn’t a badge of honour for working hard - it’s a clinical state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It happens when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Let’s find your way back to balance ⚖️

Rest alone doesn’t always fix burnout. In counselling we can look at your boundaries, expectations, and the systems that got you there in the first place. This helps create sustainable long term change instead of a rest, rinse and repeat situation.

Email me if you’d like to set up an initial chat.

26/01/2026

You might have said this to yourself many times. We live in a culture that prizes being independent, but truthfully we weren’t designed to carry everything alone.

We don’t expect ourselves to fix our own leaky plumbing or perform our own dental work - why do we treat our mental/emotional health differently?

Counselling isn’t there to “fix you” - it’s about having a skilled partner to help you navigate the map of your own life. I know the bravery it can take to reach out for help when you’ve been telling yourself “you should be able to deal with it by yourself” for a lifetime.

You don’t have to keep doing it alone.

20/01/2026

Why the “Fine Print” is the Kindest Part of Therapy

When we think of “boundaries” or “contracts”, we often think of rigid rules or cold paperwork, and may feel uncomfortable delivering them or adhering to them when our main aim is to support a client seeking our help. A clear contract, with firm boundaries, is one of the most therapeutic tools we have, and that’s why it’s something we must repeatedly turn to during our work.

As a counsellor and supervisor, I view the contract as the “container” that holds our work together.

It creates safety: When you know exactly what to expect regarding confidentiality, cancellations, and contact, your nervous system can relax. There are no “hidden surprises.”

It protects the work: Boundaries prevent the relationship from becoming blurred. By keeping the focus purely on your growth, we ensure that the space remains entirely yours. This is a professional relationship, not a friendship, and it can be difficult to return to the former if the boundaries are broken.

It models healthy relationships: For many, the counselling room is the first place they experience a relationship with firm, respected, and consistent boundaries. This is powerful practice for life outside the room, and helps to model what we should be expecting in other healthy relationships.

It prevents burnout: For us as practitioners, a solid contract ensures we stay healthy and present, allowing us to give our clients our very best without overextending.

A boundary isn’t a wall to keep people out; it’s a gate that defines where the safe space begins.

To my fellow therapists: How has tightening your contract changed your practice lately?

To those considering therapy: Does having a clear agreement make you feel more or less at ease?

Let’s chat in the comments. 👇

15/01/2026

“Do you ever talk about me after I leave the room?”

It’s a question I’m sure many clients wonder about, especially after sharing something deeply personal during a session.

The honest answer?

Yes!

Here is why (and how) it happens:

• Supervision is essential: To be the best therapist I can be, I meet regularly with a supervisor. We’ve worked together since my training, and that trust allows me to be open about my work. I share your story and my reactions to it so that an objective professional can help me support you more effectively.

• Preventing Burnout: Counselling can be an isolating profession due to it being a confidential service we offer. Having a safe, professional space to discuss my work ensures I stay mentally healthy and supported as your practitioner.

• Teaching & Solidarity: As a supervisor to other counsellors myself, I sometimes share “anecdotal evidence” to explain a theory or help another counsellor feel less alone.

The Golden Rule: This is never “gossip.” It is always done with care, purpose, and strict confidentiality, and will usually be an amalgamation of multiple clients in one story rather than one specific example.

I talk about our work because I care about the quality of care you receive - talking about it is beneficial for the both of us.

13/01/2026

Choosing to start counselling before a “breaking point” is an act of proactive self-care, much like seeing a doctor for a persistent ache rather than waiting for a medical emergency. It is common to fall into the trap of comparing your struggles to others, mistakenly believing that because someone else has it “worse,” your own pain doesn’t qualify for professional support. However, mental health isn’t a competition, and you don’t need to be “broken” to deserve a space to heal. Accessing support early allows you to build resilience and develop tools while you still have the emotional energy to do so, ensuring that your challenges remain manageable rather than becoming a crisis.

Why early intervention matters:

• Preventative Maintenance: Addressing patterns now prevents them from becoming deeply ingrained habits.

• Emotional Capacity: It is easier to learn coping strategies when you aren’t in a state of constant survival mode.

• Validation: Your internal experience is valid regardless of how it looks compared to the outside world.

08/01/2026

❄️ Winter is for Rest, Not Just Resolution

The world tells us that January 1st is the time to “hit the ground running,” but the season is telling us something very different.

Outside, the trees are dormant. The days are short. The earth is resting. Yet, we often feel this immense pressure to overhaul our entire lives, hit the gym daily, and “find a new me” while it’s still dark at 4:30 PM.

If you’re feeling more like hibernating than hustling, that isn’t a failure—it’s alignment.

How to protect your peace this month:
• Audit the “Shoulds”: Are you starting that habit because you want to, or because you feel like you should? If it doesn’t add energy to your life, let it wait until Spring.
• Gentle movement over exhaustion: If a high-intensity workout feels like a chore, try a slow stretch or a walk in the crisp air. Balance is about listening to your body’s current capacity.
• Focus on addition, not subtraction: Instead of “cutting things out,” try adding things that feel cozy and nourishing—a warm tea, an extra hour of sleep, or a good book.
• The “Slow Start” Rule: You don’t have to have your whole year figured out by January 31st. Life isn’t a race, and your “new me” is allowed to emerge slowly.
Remember: You don’t need to be “new” to be worthy. You are allowed to grow at your own pace, even if that pace is a crawl right now. 🕯️✨

06/01/2026

Back in the office for the first time in 2026 today. I’m so glad the snow has melted this afternoon - it can be so disruptive and makes getting out and about that bit more stressful!

My shelves need a bit of a tidy, a couple of cobwebs have appeared in my absence and it might be finally time to replace one of my (many!) heating devices in this space. I think 2026 might be the year I give this room a bit of love and attention, she’s served me well for the last nearly 10 years but it might be time to give her a bit of a glow up!

Do you change anything in your environment when we reach winter? I love the twinkly lights of festive season, maybe I could put some in here to make it more cosy? I’ve been meaning to get a blanket or two to have draped over the chairs, and maybe it’s time to update these now rather bobbly cushions. I definitely need to bring back my Himalayan salt lamp, I love the rosey warm glow it gives.

I’d love to have more plants in here to make it feel more fresh and alive…but that’s precisely the problem…I might be able to support people to grow but plants are a different story 🤣

Just some inner brain waffling as I sit here waiting for my next appointment to arrive….

Address

Morrell Counselling, Carlile Institute Business Centre, 54 Huddersfield Road
Holmfirth
HD94AG

Website

http://www.morrellcounselling.com/

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