Selah Counselling & Psychotherapy

24/09/2025

Reminder 📌 Meeting tonight 7 - 9pm Wednesday 24th September.

Laugh, cry, vent or just be. You don’t have to be in crisis to attend, don’t be shy please come join us as and when you like, no expectations friendly women here for you EVERY Wednesday night 7-9pm, rain or shine, all year round.

A FREE, friendly, community safe space invites Women of our town and surrounding areas, who may enjoy some face-to-face positive social interactions with peers. Helping ease loneliness, low mood or lack of opportunity to make new connections.
A Non-judgemental warm, compassionate welcome awaits you.

The Chippendale Centre
Mercury Row
Otley LS21 3AA
(Next door to -
Otley Action for Older People)
*Free hot drink and biscuits provided.
*Wheelchair friendly.

OWG is proud to be actively sponsored by

> Bookshop on the Square
28 Market Pl, Otley LS21 3AQ
https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/thebookshoponthesquare

> Thrive Acupuncture Clinic
https://www.thriveacupunctureclinic.co.uk/

> Selah Counselling Services
https://selahcounsellingservices.com

> Anonymous Sponsor (Faith Charter)

> (Your business name_here)
If you’d like to sponsor OMG please contact us.

Giving thanks to donations from -
Sarah Jackson Community Wish 💫
Olive & Fig Coffee Shop & Kitchen ☕️
Otley Town Partnerships 🏢
Rainbow 🌈 Charity Shop
Hope Charity ❤️

15/09/2025

8 minutes can make all the difference! Do you have 8 minutes today or do you need 8 minutes?

12/09/2025

World Su***de Prevention Day

10/09/2025

🌍💛 World Su***de Prevention Day 💛🌍
Today we raise awareness, break the stigma, and remind one another that hope and healing are always possible.
Su***de is never the answer. Yet too many people suffer in silence, feeling like they are alone in their pain.
You are not alone. Your life matters. Your story matters.
✨ What you can do today:
* Check in with yourself and your loved ones.
* Listen without judgment.
* Share resources that may save a life.
* Remind someone that asking for help is a sign of strength.
If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out.
📞 In the UK, you can call Samaritans at 116 123 (free, 24/7).
💬 You can also text “SHOUT” to 85258 for immediate support.
🌐 For more resources, visit https://www.samaritans.org.
Together, we can create a world where support, compassion, and connection prevent despair from taking lives. 💙
***dePreventionDay

01/09/2025

🚨 Nationwide Emergency Alert Test🚨

This Sunday 7th September 3pm.

The UK’s new emergency alert system will send a loud siren, message, and vibration to every compatible phone even on silent. Survivors of abuse with hidden phones could be put at risk if the device is discovered.

You can opt out in your phone’s settings to protect your safety.
✅ iPhone: Search “Emergency Alerts” in settings → Turn off Severe & Emergency alerts
✅ Android: Search “Emergency Alerts” in settings → Turn off Severe & Emergency alerts (and other threat categories if listed)

Information taken from Woman’s Aid social media

12/08/2025

After , our emotions are wired differently. When we are upset, we can feel upset as a whole-body experience – hot, sweaty, nauseous, faint, shaky. Or we may feel nothing at all. 'Calming down' is easier said than done.

Read more: https://www.carolynspring.com/blog/how-to-calm-down

07/08/2025

Therapists maybe trained professionals. But we are also real humans with snack drawers, weird playlists, 4 different “therapy mugs”, or in my case a new love of colour coding fountain pens with matching inks!

Maybe I need a quill and an ink pot next?? 🤔🤭🤣

It’s okay to laugh with us. We’re not judging — we’re probably overanalyzing that awkward text we sent two days ago.

Let’s normalize that healing doesn’t have to be serious 100% of the time.

06/08/2025

https://www.strangulationthenecklaceoffear.co.uk

Trigger warning ‼️ Post talks about domestic violence and strangulation
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Non-fatal strangulation is more common than people realise within domestic violence and abuse. Campaigners have fort to have it recognised as a standalone criminal offense. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduced specific offenses for non-fatal strangulation and suffocation.

What it is?

It involves the intentional obstruction of breathing or blood flow to the neck, often without visible injuries, and significantly increases the risk of homicide.

Psychological impact-

Non-fatal strangulation, even without loss of consciousness, can have significant and lasting psychological effects, including symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and hyper-vigilance.

Physical impact during and after an event -

Someone can experience one or more of the following: memory problems, breathing difficulties, sore throat, neck stiffness, neck pain, and voice changes. Lightheartedness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blood shot eyes or small red dots in the eyes and around the face and neck. Bruises and or red marks behind the ears and around the neck. Incontinence either of the bladder or bowel or both this would be most likely at the time of the event due to unconsciousness. Hypoxic brain injury and stroke can occur at the time and also days after the event.

Strangulation the necklace of fear is a movement that strives to not only bring awareness, but also lobby for much needed change at a governmental level, to expose systemic failings and advocate for survivors navigating trauma in their pursuit of justice.

Strangulation: The Necklace of Fear is a petition calling for urgent reform to modernise the UK’s Police and Criminal Justice System. We are campaigning for a unified, modern communication system to protect communities and ensure justice is served—regardless of where a crime is committed. Join u...

04/08/2025

** ‼️WARNING‼️ this video could possibly be triggering for individuals who have experienced sexual violence of any kind** The first time I saw this video was a few years ago when I worked for domestic violence & abuse organisation. Consent is something that is explored a lot in the counselling room. This is a great example of what consent does and doesn’t look like !

04/08/2025

It’s such a pleasure to support the essential work of Otley Women’s Group - OWG

Community is not just important it’s essential. Mental health is something we ALL need to be thinking about, simply because we all have a mental state in which we function from. Whether your mental health is good, not so good or indifferent- mental health everyone’s business! Spaces like these not only support those who are struggling but also help individuals who fell like they are beginning to struggle and helps individuals to maintain good mental health. 💚

31/07/2025

What a great investment into our local community The Sarah Jackson Community Wish 💚

30/07/2025

If you hold a valid or are in your training period that when qualified you can hold you qualify for the discount. Don’t forget since 2024 this also includes teachers!