Anne Richardson Psychotherapy

07/04/2026

Something to help understand where those powerful "be strong" messages come from - and what the impact might be.

Why always being the 'strong one' can lead to burnout, and how to rebalance responsibility, boundaries, and emotional well-being.

04/12/2025

For anybody grieving...

01/12/2025

It’s the 1st of December — the month of cosy lights, busy calendars, and… complicated family dynamics.

If this time of year feels overwhelming rather than festive, you’re far from alone. Many people find the pressure of gatherings, expectations, and old patterns incredibly draining.

Therapy offers a calm, grounding space to unpack those feelings — without judgement, without “shoulds,” and without the noise of everyone else’s opinions.

Whether you’re navigating difficult relationships, setting boundaries, or simply trying to stay centred this month, support is available.
You don’t have to carry December on your own. ✨

If you’re ready for a gentler, steadier winter, I’m here when you need me.

26/11/2025

ADHD burnout is a unique kind of exhaustion. 🤯
It’s not just needing a holiday; it’s a deep, chronic depletion from the constant effort of masking, managing emotional intensity, and fighting executive dysfunction (often called the ADHD Tax).
If your focus has completely failed, your irritability is through the roof, and even your special interests feel draining, you might be experiencing ADHD burnout. Swipe through this carousel to recognise the signs and learn the first steps toward recovery.

Remember: Recognsing burnout is the moment you need to listen to yourself and reach out. You are not lazy, you are depleted.

Ready to understand and heal your neurodivergent brain? DM me to discuss starting your therapy journey. I offer online counselling and in-person sessions in Leicester.

24/11/2025

Why Christmas feels heavy (even when it looks happy)

It’s the season of matching pyjamas, perfect family photos, spotless houses, and ‘making everything magical’…
But behind the smiles, many people feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or are quietly struggling.

Christmas can feel heavy because:
✨ You’re carrying the emotional load of keeping everyone happy
✨ You feel pressure to create the “perfect” day
✨ Old family dynamics resurface the moment you walk through the door
✨ Money stress makes every decision feel harder
✨ You’re trying to meet expectations you never agreed to
✨ You’re masking how you really feel to avoid conflict or disappointment

On the outside, it all looks joyful.
Inside, your nervous system might be exhausted.

If Christmas feels heavier than it looks, you’re not alone — and nothing is wrong with you.
Sometimes the pressure to make everything perfect leaves no space for how you feel.

If you’d like a calm, supportive space to talk things through, I offer online therapy for individuals who want to understand themselves more gently.

🌿 Online therapy available or in person therapy in Leicester
DM me if you’d like to book a free consultation.

Are you dreading Christmas this year?

21/11/2025

Ever laid in bed and suddenly your brain decides to review every awkward moment, every tiny mistake, every conversation from 2014?
�You’re not broken — you’re overwhelmed.

Here’s what’s actually happening:
✨ Your brain switches into “processing mode.”�When everything is quiet, your mind finally has space to process emotions you didn’t have capacity for during the day.

✨ You’re trying to correct something that felt unsafe.�If you grew up in environments where getting things “wrong” had consequences, your brain learned to scan for danger — even years later.

✨ It’s a sign of emotional overload, not overthinking for fun.�Your nervous system is tired, so it grabs the thoughts that feel unresolved.

✨ Your mind is searching for closure.�Not because the moment was huge… but because you didn’t feel heard, understood or safe at the time.
You’re not overreacting.�You’re not “too sensitive.”�Your brain is doing what it thinks it needs to help you feel safe again.

If this happens often, therapy can help you make sense of these patterns with compassion — not criticism.

🌿 Online therapy available in Leicester & across Europe. �DM me to book a free consultation.

20/11/2025

If you’ve been wondering why working with a qualified online therapist feels so different from talking to friends — this is for you.
These are the small, quiet ways therapy helps you heal, feel supported, and finally breathe again.
The parts of therapy most people never see… but always feel.

A good therapist doesn’t just listen.
They help you feel safe, understood, and steady — even when life feels overwhelming.
If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy, or you’re unsure whether it’s the right time, these are the signs that working with a professional can make all the difference.

If therapy has been on your mind lately, take this as your sign to start.

I offer both online therapy sessions and in-person therapy in Leicester for adults looking for real support — without pressure or judgement

✨ DM me to book your free consultation.

18/11/2025

If you’re using humour as a defense mechanism, you are not alone. And no, you aren’t “broken.”

Just like the legendary Chandler Bing, cracking a joke when things get tough is often your brain’s sophisticated way of dealing with overwhelm and emotional distress. It’s a fast, brilliant form of cognitive reframing that instantly makes a situation feel less threatening.

We dive into the psychology behind the “humour defense mechanism” and why it’s a powerful survival tool.

➡️ Ready to understand your coping mechanisms?
If you want to move from using humour to avoid your feelings to using it to process them constructively, I can help.

Book your first therapy session with me, either online or in-person at my practice in Leicester. Let’s talk about the real stuff behind the jokes.

Do you use dark humour to deflect?

15/11/2025

Starting therapy can feel uncertain, especially if you’ve never had a session before.
You might wonder what to say, how much to share, or whether you’ll “get it right.”

The truth is: your first session isn’t a test.
It’s simply a starting point.

We go at your pace.
You can share as much or as little as feels comfortable.
There’s space for questions, clarity, and exploring what you might need support with.

If you’re curious about whether therapy could help, you’re welcome to book a free 15-minute consultation — a calm, no-pressure way to see if we’re the right fit.

✨ Book via the link in my bio.

14/11/2025

When you grow up carrying responsibilities that weren’t meant for you, it becomes a habit you take into adulthood — always coping, always managing, always being “the strong one.”
You deserved support then.
You deserve support now.

If you’re ready to let some of that weight go, I’m here.
✨ Book a free 15-minute consultation

25/08/2025

I was so pleased to read this testimonial from a former client, explaining how much working with me helped him make big impactful and important changes in his life. Get in touch if you'd like to know more about how therapy could help you.

07/08/2025

"This matters, and you matter." How low self esteem can stop people from feeling able to ask for help.

Low self-worth can make asking for help feel hard. This guide from counsellor Insiya Maonah gently explains why your feelings are valid and how to find the right support. 💭 http://ow.ly/CWjI106hTLr