http://www.soultoniccounselling.co.uk/

Soul Tonic Counselling, Runcorn (2025)

13/11/2025

Feelings of despair are characterised by a profound loss of hope, often accompanied by a sense of hopelessness & helplessness. These feelings can manifest as intense sadness, irritability, & a lack of motivation or interest in activities. Despair can be triggered by various situations, including personal setbacks, relationship difficulties, or feelings of isolation. It’s important to recognise the signs of despair & seek support.

What are the signs of despair?
😔Persistent sadness or low mood: This goes beyond typical sadness & can be a pervasive feeling that doesn’t lift.
🙄Loss of interest in activities: Apathy & a lack of motivation to engage in previously enjoyed hobbies or social events.
😕Withdrawal from social interaction: Isolating yourself from friends & family & avoiding social situations.
🫩Changes in sleep or appetite: Insomnia, excessive sleep, or significant changes in eating patterns.
😢Feelings of worthlessness or guilt: Negative self-talk & feelings of inadequacy.
🫥Thoughts of death or su***de: In severe cases, despair can lead to thoughts of self-harm or su***de.

Counselling can be a helpful tool in managing feelings of despair by providing a safe space to explore emotions, develop coping mechanisms, & gain a better understanding of the root causes of these feelings. 
It’s important to remember that feelings of despair can be temporary, & with the right support & coping strategies, it is possible to regain hope & move forward. If you are struggling with feelings of despair, please reach out for help 💚

If it feels like the right time for you to focus on you & to explore your feelings & emotions and any challenges or concerns you may have, why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together.

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

06/11/2025

November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month in the UK, its a time to raise awareness about the specific mental health challenges men face, encourage open conversations to break down stigma, & promote seeking help for issues like anxiety, depression, & stress. The month coincides with Movember which also raises awareness for prostate & testicular cancer, su***de prevention, & overall men’s health.

🧑🏻‍🦱Focus: The month focuses on both the physical & mental health of men, aiming to normalize seeking support & encourage early intervention.
👱Stigma: It is a time to challenge the stigma that discourages men from talking about their struggles.
🧔🏾‍♂️Statistics: Men are three times more likely to die by su***de than women, & su***de is the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK, making this month’s focus particularly important.

Addressing men’s mental health requires open conversations, encouraging help-seeking, & recognising that mental health issues like depression & anxiety affect men and it’s ok not to be ok.
There are a number of support groups specifically for men to talk to other men about their struggles, worries, challenges & feelings:

If you are in crisis the Shout Crisis Text Line is available: Text “SHOUT” to 85258 for confidential 24/7 text support.
Text “YM” to 85258 for crisis support if you’re under 19.

Counselling helps men’s mental health by providing a safe space to explore feelings, understand behaviors, & develop coping strategies for issues like stress, anger, & relationship problems. It can challenge traditional masculine norms that discourage emotional expression & help men build self-awareness, emotional resilience, & a greater sense of purpose. This can lead to improved relationships, better stress management, & a higher overall quality of life.

Why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

❤️

22/10/2025

Self-sabotaging is a pattern of conscious or subconscious behaviors, thoughts, or actions that interfere with your goals, wellbeing, & overall success, often stemming from underlying issues like fear, low self-esteem, or unresolved past experiences. Common examples include procrastination, substance abuse, unhealthy eating habits, or creating conflict in relationships, all of which prevent you from achieving your desired outcomes despite the outward desire to do so.

What it looks like:
Self-sabotaging behaviors can manifest in various areas of life, including:
💚 Goals: Procrastinating on important tasks, making careless mistakes, or failing to follow through on commitments.
💚 Relationships: Lashing out at loved ones, starting arguments, or pursuing unhealthy or unavailable partners.
💚 Personal Wellbeing: Comfort eating, self-medicating with drugs or alcohol, or engaging in self-injury.

Counselling helps with self-sabotage by identifying its root causes, such as underlying fears or past trauma, & providing strategies & coping skills to replace negative patterns with healthier behaviors. Therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) teach emotion regulation & how to challenge & change negative thought patterns. Counselling provides a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore your triggers.

If it feels like the right time for you to focus on you & to explore your feelings & emotions and any challenges or concerns you may have, why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

18/10/2025

The purpose of World Menopause day is to raise awareness of the menopause & to improve the health & well-being of those experiencing it.

Menopause is the natural end of a woman’s reproductive years, marked by the permanent stopping of menstrual periods due to a decline in hormone levels, typically between the ages of 45 & 55. This transition is defined as occurring 12 months after a woman’s last menstrual period & can be accompanied by symptoms like hot flushes, mood changes, & sleep disturbances, which may begin years earlier during the perimenopause phase. Menopause can also be caused by surgery, such as a hysterectomy or cancer treatments like chemotherapy.

Menopause affects mental health through hormonal shifts that can lead to mood swings, anxiety, & depression. It also causes other issues like “brain fog,” irritability, & low self-esteem, which can be exacerbated by sleep problems. While menopausal mood changes are common, significant or persistent symptoms like severe depression should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Counselling helps with menopause by providing a safe space to process emotions, developing coping strategies for mental and physical symptoms like anxiety and insomnia, and rebuilding self-esteem.
💚 A safe space to be heard: Counselling provides a confidential and non-judgmental environment to discuss the physical and emotional changes of menopause, which can help you feel heard, validated, and less alone.
💚 Managing emotional changes: A therapist can help you identify and manage triggers for anxiety, low mood, and mood swings by developing coping mechanisms.
💚 Rebuilding self-confidence: It can help you work through feelings of lower self-esteem related to body changes or societal perceptions, and rebuild a positive sense of identity.

Why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

15/10/2025

Baby Loss Awareness Week takes place every October in the UK since the 1st Baby Loss Awareness Day in 2002. The week is a collaboration between a number of bereavement charities & aims to offer support, solidarity & comfort to everyone whose lives have been touched by the impact of pregnancy & baby loss.

It is a time of remembrance for pregnancy loss & infant death, which includes miscarriage, stillbirth, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), terminations for medical reasons & the death of a new born.

Wave of Light 2025 🕯️
Every year, the week ends with the Wave of Light on the 15th October at 7pm - a moment for families & loved ones to light candles to remember their much-loved babies. For some this is a private moment of reflection, while others share photos or videos of their candles on social media to connect with others taking part.

Counselling helps with pregnancy & infant loss by providing a safe, confidential space to process complex emotions, which can alleviate feelings of isolation, guilt & shame. It can help you understand your grief, develop coping mechanisms, & address trauma-related symptoms like PTSD, while also offering support for partners & family members.

It can help with:
💚 Validation: It can validate that your feelings of guilt, anger, or sadness are normal & understandable responses to a profound loss.
💚 Grief processing: It provides a space to safely explore & make sense of your unique grief journey without judgment.
💚 Reduced isolation: It can help combat the profound sense of loneliness that often accompanies loss by providing a neutral, empathetic presence.

Why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

13/10/2025

There’s a lot going on in the world right now such as natural disasters, human suffering, injustice & unrest. And seeing these events happen can affect how we feel, even if they’re not happening directly to us.

It’s important to stay informed about current events. But today’s constant media coverage can cause worry & make you feel hopeless.

Accept the fact that certain things will make you feel upset or worried. This is only natural when we’re thinking about global events. But try not to catastrophise (assume the worst possible outcome). Empathy can be good, but it’s important that you don’t neglect your own mental wellbeing.

Recently a lot of my clients are experiencing worry, concern & anxiety about what’s happening in the world right now & they all feel it’s difficult to get away from seeing & hearing it everyday. So as we are starting a new week, why not scroll through the tips above to see if they can help you too 💚

Counselling offers a compassionate, judgment-free environment where you can explore difficult emotions, build effective coping mechanisms, and reclaim a sense of control during turbulent times. With this support, you can learn to manage anxiety, soothe your nervous system, & concentrate on the aspects of life within your reach—empowering you to stay connected to yourself & the world in a more balanced, resilient way.

If it feels like the right time for you to focus on you & to explore your feelings & emotions and any challenges or concerns you may have, why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

11/10/2025

Focusing on “glimmers” can help your mental health by calming the nervous system, counteracting negative bias, & building resilience. These small, positive moments of joy & safety can soothe your nervous system, helping to regulate your body’s stress response and promote feelings of calm and connection.
By actively looking for & appreciating glimmers, you can retrain your brain to focus on the positive, which improves overall well-being and makes difficult times more manageable.

Glimmers can improve your overall well-being by boosting your mood, increasing feelings of gratitude, & provide a much-needed reprieve from stress, leading to a greater sense of appreciation and positivity.

Examples of everyday glimmers:
* The feeling of the sun on your face ☀️🕶️
* A warm cup of tea or a delicious meal ☕️🍲
* A favourite song 🎵🎧
* A pet’s affection 🐾 🐶
* A smile or kind gesture from a stranger 😊👋
* A beautiful sunset or flower 🌅💐
* A moment of quiet or stillness 🤫😌
* Feeling cozy under a warm blanket or in a bath 🧣🛁

Looking for glimmers is never about covering or ignoring your emotions. But on a bad day, they can offer a reset to your nervous system & provide extra support to help you get through. And on a good day, they can heighten the positive emotions you feel, contributing to an even better day. This will help nourish you when you hit your next inevitable hard day.

When you purposefully notice glimmers, & how you feel when you do, you will naturally begin to see more. This will help you make a long term habit that will boost your mental health and wellbeing.

I task many of my clients to look for the glimmers in their days’ & actively acknowledge them & how they made them feel at the end of each day to reinforce positivity which really helps reframe their general mood and helps promote a calmer mindset 💚

Why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

10/10/2025

World Mental Health Day

Mental health is more than a small part of our lives.
💚 It’s every moment of every day.
💚 It’s a hard day’s work & a catch-up with friends.
💚 It’s when you become a parent & the day you lose someone you love.
💚It’s the times you reach out for support & the times you feel isolated & alone.

Mental health matters on the days when everything happens & the days when nothing happens. When life is busy & unpredictable and when it’s quiet & ordinary too.

This years’ theme focuses on the mental health impact of repeated exposure to news coverage of crises & conflicts around the world. The world is going through a tough time right now & even if you’re not directly affected by events, it can still feel like a lot to cope with. (Above are some tips for managing your exposure from the Mental Health Foundation)

💛 Young People
Each year on this day there is the annual campaign organised by the YoungMinds Trust for World Mental Health Day. Why not wear yellow today, to show your support for young people’s mental health, & help them know they aren’t alone. You can find more information & resources at: www.youngminds.org.uk 💛

It’s okay to ask for help, no matter what you are going through. Help & support from the Samaritans is available 24/7, by calling 116 123 💚

If it feels like the right time for you to focus on you & to explore your feelings & emotions and any challenges or concerns you may have, why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

09/10/2025

If it feels like the right time for you to focus on you & to explore your feelings & emotions and any challenges or concerns you may have, why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

07/10/2025

October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🩷

Each year, about 55,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK. It is more common in people over 50, but it can also affect younger people & men too.

Checking your breasts for any unusual changes can help discover breast cancer early. It’s important to recognise when something’s not right.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. But there are still some things you might not know about it. Breast cancer in its earliest stages doesn’t usually have any symptoms. (Scroll above to see other symptoms to look out for)

The Macmillan Support Line is a free & confidential phone service for people living & affected by cancer. If you need to talk, they are there to listen.
Free to call: 0808 808 0000

Counselling helps people cope with the emotional, practical, & personal challenges of a cancer diagnosis by providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, improve coping skills, & find solutions to problems related to their cancer journey. It can address anxiety, depression, relationship issues, & difficulties with everyday life by helping you process emotions, understand your thoughts, & make informed decisions about your life & treatment.

Support groups: Connecting with other people living with cancer & their families through support groups can also offer valuable insights & emotional support.

If it feels like the right time for you to focus on you & to explore your feelings & emotions and any challenges or concerns you may have, why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

03/10/2025

Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go
🍁🍂🍄🌾🌽🥕

If it feels like the right time for you to focus on you & to explore your feelings & emotions and any challenges or concerns you may have, why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

29/09/2025

World Heart Day is a global event to raise awareness & educate people about cardiovascular disease (CVD) & ways to help keep our hearts healthy. Created by the World Heart Federation today is designed to help encourage people to take care of their heart health & control risk factors that may contribute to CVD both for themselves, & for others.

The theme for World Heart Day 2025 is “Don’t Miss a Beat”. This global campaign encourages people to take action for healthier hearts by moving more, connecting with loved ones, & building healthier, more active communities to prevent cardiovascular disease deaths.

What the theme encourages:
🏃🏽‍♀️Movement: Engage in physical activity to protect your heart.
😘 Connection: Spend time with loved ones to improve well-being.
🏘️ Community Health: Advocate for urban spaces that promote clean air, nutritious food, & equitable access to healthcare.

Counselling can help with heart related medical conditions by providing support for the emotional distress, such as anxiety & depression, that often accompanies a cardiac diagnosis or event, leading to improved quality of life, better self-care, & reduced risk of future cardiac problems. It can also help you develop coping strategies for stress, manage social isolation, & identify harmful thinking patterns through techniques like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

If it feels like the right time for you to focus on you & to explore your feelings & emotions and any challenges or concerns you may have, why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

Soul Tonic Counselling

13/11/2025

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13/10/2025

11/10/2025

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29/09/2025

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