Jan Scoones Counselling & Psychotherapy

Jan Scoones Counselling & Psychotherapy MBACP (Accred)
Do you feel stuck, overwhelmed or sad. Perhaps counselling can help.

Shame keeps addiction hidden. Courage brings it into the light.Speaking up is not a weakness. It is the bravest thing yo...
09/03/2026

Shame keeps addiction hidden.

Courage brings it into the light.

Speaking up is not a weakness. It is the bravest thing you can do.

Recovery begins the moment you stop carrying the secret alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling, know that you are not alone, and help is always available.

Healing isn't about fixing what's broken. It's about nurturing what's been neglected.So many people carry the belief tha...
06/03/2026

Healing isn't about fixing what's broken.

It's about nurturing what's been neglected.

So many people carry the belief that something is fundamentally wrong with them.

But what I more often see is someone who never had their needs met, and quietly learnt to survive without them.

That's not brokenness. (Is that even a word?)

That's adaptation.

What does nurturing yourself look like for you right now?

If you only watch one film this month, make it I Swear. This BAFTA-winning British gem lands on Netflix UK on 10 March a...
04/03/2026

If you only watch one film this month, make it I Swear.

This BAFTA-winning British gem lands on Netflix UK on 10 March and it is absolutely not to be missed.

Based on the remarkable true story of John Davidson, a Scottish man with severe Tourette syndrome, it follows his journey from a misunderstood teenager in 1980s Britain to a tireless advocate who changed public perception of the condition forever.

Robert Aramayo's performance is genuinely extraordinary, winning him Best Actor at this year's BAFTAs, and the supporting cast (Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson, Peter Mullan) are all on top form.

It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will make you think.

A 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes says it all.

Clear your schedule for the 10th.

Ever wondered why willpower alone rarely seems to be enough when it comes to addiction?There's often something deeper go...
02/03/2026

Ever wondered why willpower alone rarely seems to be enough when it comes to addiction?

There's often something deeper going on.

Trauma and addiction are more closely linked than most people realise, and it's a connection that doesn't get talked about nearly enough.

When our nervous system gets stuck in survival mode, substances and addictive behaviours can become a way of coping with emotions that feel completely unmanageable.

It makes sense, even if it doesn't feel that way from the outside.

The problem?

Most recovery approaches focus on stopping the behaviour without ever asking why it started in the first place.

I've written about this in one of my blogs, including what's actually happening in your brain, the patterns that might feel familiar, and why addressing trauma alongside addiction changes everything.

If any of this resonates with you, it might be worth a read.

The Trauma Tree is a powerful reminder that healing goes deeper than managing symptoms.We can work on the leaves, things...
27/02/2026

The Trauma Tree is a powerful reminder that healing goes deeper than managing symptoms.

We can work on the leaves, things like anxiety, flashbacks, dissociation, and panic attacks, but until we address the roots, the tree keeps growing. Trauma doesn't just disappear on its own, especially when it's being fed by stigma, lack of support, and misdiagnosis.

The roots of trauma run deep: abuse, neglect, loss, adverse childhood experiences, and so much more. The tree channels itself into conditions like PTSD, depression, and conversion disorder. And the leaves? They show up in our daily lives in ways we don't always connect back to what we've been through.

Real healing means getting to the root.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support. You don't have to carry this alone.

Your feelings don't vanish just because you push them away. They tend to resurface in other forms like depression, anxie...
25/02/2026

Your feelings don't vanish just because you push them away.

They tend to resurface in other forms like depression, anxiety, or physical symptoms.

Learning to feel them is a skill, and it's one worth building.

What does that look like for you?

Your reality is shaped entirely by the lens you choose to look through. Two people can stand in the same place, hear the...
23/02/2026

Your reality is shaped entirely by the lens you choose to look through.

Two people can stand in the same place, hear the same words, and experience the same moment, yet walk away with completely different truths.

That is the power of perception. It is not the world that limits you or lifts you, it is the way you interpret it.

When you learn to observe your thoughts, question your assumptions, and consciously choose how you respond to what life places in front of you, everything begins to change.

The noise becomes music.

The obstacle becomes the lesson.

The ordinary becomes extraordinary.

You are not a passive witness to your life.

You are the creator of your experience.

So the next time the world feels heavy, ask yourself not "what is happening to me?" but "how am I choosing to see this?"

That single shift in perspective can change absolutely everything.

Growing up in an unstable home leaves marks that can follow us into adulthood, often in ways we don't immediately recogn...
20/02/2026

Growing up in an unstable home leaves marks that can follow us into adulthood, often in ways we don't immediately recognise.

If any of these resonate with you, know that what you experienced was real, and healing is possible.

I've been listening to 's Therapy Works podcast for a while now, and this episode with  is one of those you'll want to s...
18/02/2026

I've been listening to 's Therapy Works podcast for a while now, and this episode with is one of those you'll want to save and come back to.

Elizabeth opens up about her journey through fertility struggles and childlessness, finding peace through creativity, and her new book One of Us. She and Julia explore what it really means to belong, how failure shapes us, and why genuine human connection is so central to our wellbeing.

As a therapist, I find conversations like this so valuable. Elizabeth has a real gift for talking about vulnerability and self-acceptance in a way that feels honest rather than polished, and that's exactly what so many of us need to hear.

If you're on a journey of self-understanding, this one is well worth your time. 🤍

Is communication breaking down in your relationship? You're not alone.Active listening, assumptions, defensiveness, and ...
16/02/2026

Is communication breaking down in your relationship?

You're not alone.

Active listening, assumptions, defensiveness, and unresolved conflicts can all create distance between partners.

But here's the good news: healthier communication patterns are possible.

In my blog, I share the most common communication pitfalls I see in my couples counselling practice in Reading, and the practical strategies that can help you reconnect with your partner.

Whether you're struggling to be heard, finding yourselves in the same arguments, or simply want to strengthen your bond, this is for you.

Read the full post on my website and discover how to nurture the communication your relationship deserves.

Which mask do you wear most often? 🎭We all have them. Those roles we slip into without even realising. The perfectionist...
13/02/2026

Which mask do you wear most often? 🎭

We all have them. Those roles we slip into without even realising.

The perfectionist who can't rest. The people-pleaser who can't say no. The optimist who won't let themselves feel sad.

These masks protected us once, but sometimes they stop us from being truly seen.

Swipe through and be honest with yourself.

Which one feels familiar? Drop it in the comments 👇

(No judgement here. Awareness is always the first step.)

Procrastination isn't about being lazy or lacking willpower. It's often a complex response to anxiety, perfectionism, ex...
12/02/2026

Procrastination isn't about being lazy or lacking willpower.

It's often a complex response to anxiety, perfectionism, executive dysfunction, or overwhelm.

When we can't start a task, there's usually something deeper happening beneath the surface.

Maybe it's fear of failure, uncertainty about where to begin, or our brains struggling with focus and organisation.

Understanding what's really driving your procrastination is the first step towards being kinder to yourself and finding strategies that actually work.

Address

Milestone Avenue
Reading
RG109TN

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+447522467471

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