Talking Therapy With Kim - Counsellor

20/06/2023

It's holiday time and I will be out of the 'office' for my annual leave.

22/02/2023

Wouldn't it be great if we all had the time to travel across town to meet our therapist?

Life can be demanding or maybe we don't drive or have access to affordable or timely public transport.

Counselling over the phone (landline or other!) can often mean that those unable to travel can access therapy without the hassle. It has become normal to have phone therapy and counsellors often take training to ensure they can work safely with clients this way. Research shows that it can be as effective for some as in-person therapy.

It can also be a way of seeking help at a time that is more convenient to you especially when time is precious.

Video calls are great but not everyone has a device to do this or, if like me technology can seem too much to bother figuring out. The phone can be the easier, less frustrating way to communicate.

And communicating is all therapy is about.

06/02/2023

With more business thinking about how to keep their staff mentally and emotionally well, counselling can become a useful benefit to offer. For small businesses, linking with a local counsellor can make it easier for all involved. For employees having a safe space to talk without being judged can reduce stress especially as stress, anxiety and depression remain big causes of absence in the workplace. https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/dayslost.htm https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work/taking-care-of-your-staff/
Why not find out what counselling packages I can offer?

30/01/2023

Us humans can be very good at coping. We get asked “how are you?” and we say “fine.” But what’s the real story? It doesn’t matter how much we are struggling; we are doing ok! What would it like to share that load, the heavy weight that sometimes takes more than the spring out of our step?
Talking helps, we often forget that even that shared cuppa with our friends makes our worries lighten a little. If we don’t feel able to talk to those close to us, therapy can help. Often the ears of a counsellor can help us discover why or even who gave us this heavy emotional load to carry and what we can do about it.

03/01/2023

One thing that draws people to counselling is a chance to change how or who they are. As a counsellor I can't do this, I'd love a magic wand. However, through reflection and self-awareness we can develop a life that is more authentic, one that meets our needs in a way that honours and embraces our wonderful uniqueness.

Unlike the kissing the frog scenario, change takes time. It is often challenging, and we have to face what we fear, these can be patterns we are familiar with even if we don't like them. It can mean taking the time to be honest with ourselves and it can take time especially if our habit of being is firmly entrenched. But it can be done and counselling helps.

Kissing our own frog might not be easy but with support we do find the courage. What's underneath is often 'sort of known' and our kiss frees it.

How do you feel about kissing your frog....?

09/09/2022

Be Curious

What is it like to be me? How do I experience my world? Where do my patterns of being come from? Who am I? When and how did I become this way?

Some questions can, at times seem impossible to answer. However a little bit curiosity can help open the doors to our inner world and all our ways of being. Curiosity can be gentle, allowing us to start to take a peek at our ‘self’.

A counsellor will stay with you as you do this, they won’t push you to see what’s hidden under the bed but they will kneel on the ground with you and shine the torch. If the light is too bright we can always turn the torch down or off or try again another day. A counsellor will trust that you know how best to find your way.

And often we do, be brave, find your courage, be curious.

08/09/2022

No picture will ever capture her beauty and glamour.
No words will ever fully express the love so many people felt for her.
My heart is with her family whose mum, granny, GREAT GRANNY and all the other special roles she held so dearly.
My thoughts are with those who have dedicated their service to her wellbeing over the past few days.
She will live on with us, we have been blessed by her presence and will treasure her memory.
I have chosen this picture as it's her in her full glory; human, affectionate and having fun.

07/09/2022

A bit of a stormy view from my room in Poole. Our own internal weather can be thunder and lightning. What's yours this very moment?

02/09/2022

My end of summer blog is out and it's all about self-care

For many of us, warm long days can allow us to meet up with friends, family, take a welcome break from work and enjoy life. For counsellors this can often be a quiet time and that's ok - we like long warm days in the sun (or shade) too. We all need time to recharge our batteries and in the UK summer...

28/08/2022

Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan. We miss out on a place at the uni or college we wanted to study at. Our grades aren’t what we were hoping for or what others were dreaming of. The apprenticeship offer doesn’t materialise.

These broken dreams can knock our confidence and self-worth. Everyone around you seems to be going places. Our dreams not coming true is a type of loss and we can grieve, it’s natural.

Finding ways to make sense of our emotions can help us, it’s ok to feel sad, disappointed, angry or even happy (especially if those dreams weren’t yours!). Talking with someone who won’t judge or give advice can help us process our feelings in a way that allows us to find our way through a difficult time and evaluate our ‘what happens next’.

19/08/2022

If you are heading off to 6th Form, College or Uni next month:

Congratulations.

It's a massive step which is potentially exciting and scary. It can be easy to get cold feet and think 'Am I doing the right thing?' That's a big question. Who do you talk to? School is out for summer, your parents are working and you don't want to worry them.

Counselling can help us work out what are our options are, how we feel about such a big change and what we would like to do with our life.

I offer reduced rates for younger people (for 16-18 years olds it can be as little as £16.50 for 30 minutes online).

Getting stuff out of our heads helps.