The Holistic Butterfly

05/02/2026

Just a therapist feeling grateful for days like this ❤️

29/01/2026

Grab every moment, not by squeezing it tight, but by showing up for it.

The quiet ones. The messy ones. The blink and you miss them ones.

Life doesn’t usually announce the good parts.
They sneak in while you’re laughing too loud and hard that you cry from happiness, hugging a love one so tight you don’t want to let go, that lazy morning in bed drinking your favourite cuppa☕️ . You might think this is nothing special.

Turns out that was the special part. 🦋

25/01/2026

Things I say NO to as a Counsellor

Fixing or rescuing clients.

Giving advice instead of facilitating insight.

Judging, shaming or imposing my values.

Overworking or neglecting my own wellbeing.

Promising outcomes I cannot guarantee.

18/01/2026

When I was young, I was fascinated by porcelain masks, their beauty frozen and unchanging.
I didn’t realise then that I would spend decades wearing one myself, invisible but heavy, concealing pain, anxiety and loneliness from the world.

This reflection came to me recently while preparing a creative exercise for one of my classes, reminding me how we often learn to wear masks simply to cope and to get through life.

With time, support, and courage, I learned how to gently set my own mask down. What I discovered underneath was not weakness, but humanity, resilience, and the quiet relief of allowing myself to be truly seen.

In my work today, I have the privilege of supporting people as they explore the masks they’ve had to wear to survive. There is no rush and no right way to do this. You don’t have to take everything off at once, and you don’t have to do it alone.

If this resonates with you, know that support is available, and healing can begin exactly where you are.

13/01/2026

Have you ever found yourself thinking, “Why do I keep reacting like this?” 🦋

Often, these reactions are not flaws or failures. They are defence mechanisms.
Ways your nervous system learned to protect you when it needed to.

With time, what once kept us safe can begin to create distance from ourselves, from our feelings, needs, and inner voice.

Healing begins with self-awareness, not self-judgement.
With compassion and curiosity, we can gently explore these patterns and understand what they’re trying to tell us.

At The Holistic Butterfly, counselling offers a calm, supportive space to reconnect with yourself at your own pace, in your own way.

You don’t have to navigate this alone 🤍

08/01/2026

As a counsellor from Northern Ireland, the late Carl Rogers is one of my heroes. He provided an essential framework for counselling grounded in empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard. His peacebuilding work in Northern Ireland, recognised through a 1987 Nobel Peace Prize nomination, makes his legacy more meaningful.

Today in the History of Psychology (8th January 1902), Carl Rogers was born. One of the most eminent psychologists of the 20th century, Rogers was profoundly influential in the humanistic movement towards person centered theory and non-directive psychotherapy. A prolific writer, 'Client-Centered Therapy' (1951), 'On Becoming a Person' (1961) and 'A Way of Being' (1980) ranks among his most influential work.

In the course of a remarkable career spanning six decades, Rogers served as president of the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1947, received the APA Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions in 1956, was named humanist of the year in 1964 and shortly before his death on February 4th 1987 was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Visit: https://www.all-about-psychology.com/carl_rogers.html to learn all about the life and work of Carl Rogers, a profoundly influential figure in the humanistic movement towards person centered theory and non-directive psychotherapy.

07/01/2026

Over a year ago, I started this journey with a lot of heart and intention.

Along the way, life and business required some tough decisions, and I stepped away when my energy just wasn’t there anymore.

Recently, I went back and I finished what I started.

Right now, I’m sitting with it, giving myself space to reflect on what this means and how it fits into what I do next.

Sometimes completing something isn’t about the outcome, but about honouring yourself. 🦋

06/01/2026

As life ramps back up this week and schedules fill fast, it’s easy to rush past the little things. But even in the busyness, quiet beauty is still there, light through a window, a deep breath, a smile from a stranger as you pass each other and a moment of calm. Pausing to notice it can change the whole tone of a day.

04/01/2026

COLLEGE NOTE

Due to current adverse weather conditions, all scheduled classes at NWRC on Monday, 5th January, will be delivered online/remotely.
College buildings will remain open and support services will be available online.
Please check this page for further updates.
Please take extra care if you are out and about over the next period.

01/01/2026

Welcome 2026. This year, I’m choosing something different.

Instead of setting a long list of goals to chase, like I do every January, I’m practicing slowing down. Listening. Allowing space for what wants to emerge, rather than forcing what should happen.

In a world that constantly pushes us to do more, achieve more, and be more, choosing to move gently can feel uncomfortable. But growth doesn’t always come from striving. Sometimes it comes from pausing, noticing, and trusting ourselves a little more.

If you’re feeling tired of the pressure to constantly improve, let this be your reminder, it’s okay to rest, to breathe, and to go with the flow for a while. You’re not falling behind you’re finding your rhythm.

Here’s to a year of presence, compassion, and permission to slow down.

12/12/2025

I’m making my last post of the year a message to each of you reading, because this year has reminded me of something essential, the incredible power we all have within us.

Every day, through my family, friends, clients and students, I am shown that people already carry within them everything they need to rise, grow, and transform.

I have the privilege of watching individuals discover strengths they didn’t know they had, break patterns they once believed defined them, and step into possibilities that once felt out of reach.

It’s why Carl Rogers’ words continue to resonate so deeply with me:
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” (One of my favourite quotes)

When we truly see our own worth, not someday, not when life is perfect, but now potential stops being a distant dream and starts becoming a lived reality.

You have the power within you. I see it every single day. And it’s extraordinary 🦋

Thank you all for another year of support, and for your patience as I’ve adapted the course of the business. Time now to sign off and take a well needed rest to recharge for another year ahead. Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas and new year.

🦋

01/12/2025

This blew me away today. Sometimes people don’t realise the impact a gesture can have on others.
How thoughtful and kind are my students 🥰

I never expected myself at any point of my life to be standing up teaching. There are so many uplifting, compassionate things I would go back and tell my younger self. “You are good enough, smart enough and you most certainly are worthy and capable”. Sometimes I wish I had of believed this back then but I would not be the person I am today without all the growth and learning.

Life takes you on unexpected paths and it’s the people on the journey that make mine worth while always. I love being a small little part of each of the student’s journey and they make it so enjoyable. I don’t do it for validation but it touches my heart and fills me with gratitude that someone took the thought and time to think of me amidst their own busy schedule. This one definitely left me feeling a little emotional and reflective.
Thank you ❤️