Know Your Own Mind

28/04/2026

Accessible counselling matters — more people need it than we realise. In my new blog, Nikki explores what truly accessible therapy looks like for disabled and neurodivergent (“neurospicy”) clients: step-free access, sensory-friendly rooms, understanding of chronic pain and fluctuating needs, permission to take breaks or stim, and more. Read practical tips and why these adjustments change outcomes for clients. https://wix.to/z0LDPwK

For many clients, the process looks like this: • Searching for a counsellor who offers step‑free access • Checking if the room is sensory‑friendly (lighting, noise, smells, seating) • Wondering if the therapist understands chronic pain, fatigue, mobility needs, or fluctuating health • Ho...

21/04/2026

When overwhelmed becomes to much.

Do you ever get those days where everything feels like too much? When life and work pile up at the same time, and you’re trying to hold it all together while your brain is quietly whispering, “I can’t keep doing this”?

The to‑do list keeps growing, the pressure keeps building, and even the small things start to feel heavy. You’re still moving, still showing up, still doing your best — but inside, it’s overwhelming.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Yep… that’s me,” please know you’re not the only one feeling this way. So many of us are carrying more than we admit.

And if you’re tired of feeling like you’re constantly catching up, I’m here to help you slow everything down, make sense of what’s going on, and find ways to feel more in control again. You don’t have to untangle it all on your own.

13/04/2026

Your Past Does Not Have to Be Your Future.
​Healing isn't about "getting over it"—it’s about reclaiming the parts of yourself that were lost to pain.
Whether your wounds come from a difficult family dynamic, childhood instability, or the persistent shadow of bullying, those experiences leave a mark on how you see yourself and the world today.

​Why the Past Still Feels Present
​Our brains are wired for survival. When we experience trauma, our nervous system can get stuck on "high alert." You might find yourself:
​Always waiting for the "other shoe to drop" (Hyper-vigilance).
​Struggling to trust, even when people show you kindness.
​Feeling "small" or powerless during conflict, just like you did years ago.
​It Wasn’t Your Fault
​If you’ve spent years feeling like you’re "too much" or "not enough," please hear this: The resilience you used to survive back then is incredible, but you don't have to live in "survival mode" anymore. You are allowed to set boundaries, you are allowed to feel safe, and you are allowed to heal.
​Let’s Rebuild Together
​At know your Own Mind Counseling, I'm here to help you unpack these heavy chapters.
I work with the brain and the body to help you move from simply surviving to truly thriving. Trauma is part of your history, but it doesn’t have to be your identity.
​🌿 You deserve a safe space to heal. Your journey matters.
Get in contact with me and let's see how your next chapter in your life will start.

27/03/2026

Feeling overwhelmed? Know Your Own Mind offers empathy and healing for your mental wellbeing. My counselling services support you through anxiety, stress, Trauma, PTSD, loss and life transitions with compassionate, professional care. Discover how we can help you build resilience and find balance. Book a session or learn more: https://wix.to/Wfy9eeK

Welcome to Know Your Own Mind Counselling: Compassionate support for trauma, PTSD, anxiety & neurodivergence. Book now!

17/03/2026

Anxiety isn’t “just worry.” For many people, it’s a response to past trauma — the body staying on high alert long after the danger has passed. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, on edge, or constantly waiting for something to go wrong, it might be your nervous system trying to protect you.
You don’t have to manage it alone. With the right support, anxiety can ease and life can feel safer again.
Contact me for more information on how we can work together

03/03/2026

Experiencing the sudden loss of someone, or living through a traumatic event, can profoundly disrupt your world. You may feel numb, overwhelmed, angry, guilty, or as though you’re simply moving through each day on autopilot. Trauma affects the mind, the body, relationships, sleep, and your sense of who you are.
When a person dies unexpectedly - through an accident, crisis, or traumatic incident - grief can feel chaotic and confusing. It often brings unanswered questions, shock, fear, or guilt, and many people feel isolated because others don’t always understand the depth of what they’re carrying.
You deserve a space where your experience is heard without judgement.
I offer a calm, compassionate environment where you can talk at your own pace, make sense of what has happened, and begin to rebuild a sense of safety within yourself. Whether your loss is recent or something you’ve been holding for years, your feelings are valid and important.
I support individuals navigating traumatic loss and the emotional aftershocks that follow. Together, we can work gently toward grounding, understanding, and finding moments of steadiness again.
If this resonates with you, reach out when you feel ready. Support is here.

12/02/2026

Trauma doesn’t only come from the experiences people often imagine. It can come from a frightening event, a vehicle accident, an operation that went wrong, a traumatic birth, r**e, assault, or any moment where someone felt unsafe, powerless, or overwhelmed.
No two people respond the same way.
No story is “too small” or “not bad enough.”
If it shook your sense of safety, it matters.
Trauma can leave people feeling anxious, disconnected, on edge, or unsure why certain memories, sounds, or situations trigger such strong reactions. These responses aren’t weakness — they’re the body trying to protect itself after something overwhelming.
Healing begins with understanding, compassion, and having someone who listens without judgement. You don’t have to explain everything at once. You don’t have to have the “right words.” Your experience is valid, and support is available.
If you’re carrying the weight of something that changed you, you don’t have to carry it alone.

02/02/2026

What Counselling Isn’t
A lot of people come to counselling with ideas shaped by past experiences, TV, or things they’ve been told. Before I talk about how I work, it helps to be clear about what counselling isn’t.
Counselling isn’t being judged, analysed, or told what you “should” do.
It isn’t being fixed, corrected, or pushed to talk before you’re ready.
It isn’t someone sitting in silence while you struggle to fill the gaps.
It isn’t a quick fix, a lecture, or a list of instructions.
And it definitely isn’t about pretending, performing, or being the “polite” version of yourself.
Counselling isn’t about having everything together — it’s about having a space where you don’t have to.

What Counselling Is to Me
To me, counselling is a steady, supportive space where you can talk openly without pressure. You don’t need the right words or a clear plan — you simply come as you are.
It’s a space where you can explore the parts of your story that feel heavy, confusing, or forgotten. A space where you can reconnect with your voice, your needs, and the parts of you that got lost along the way.
I’m not here to fix you or rewrite your story.
I’m here to walk beside you while you make sense of your experiences and rediscover the path that feels like yours.

I listen so you feel heard. You hold the pen; you narrate the story — I walk beside you as you rediscover the path that feels like yours.

27/01/2026

It’s mad how stress can hit you out of nowhere.
Like today… I’m just popped to the shop, and on the way home driving along, and boom — hit a pothole, tyre bursts, day instantly derailed.
And of course, it never stops at one thing.
I take the tyre to the garage hoping they can just patch it up… only to find the sidewalls split more than a teabag that’s been squeezed too hard.
Then taking the bags i the house and the handle on my bag decides it’s had enough of life, the sugar in the bag has leaked everywhere… and when I try to fold the bag, I tip the rest of the sugar out like some kind of budget snow globe.
It’s those moments where you just stand there thinking, “Really? Today? All of this?” and the list from that poit kept growing.

But stress doesn’t always arrive in a big dramatic scene.
Sometimes it creeps in slowly, quietly, building up bit by bit until something tiny tips you over.
Neither version is easy. Neither has a quick fix. And neither means you’re doing anything wrong.
It just means you’re human, carrying a lot, doing your best.
So if today’s been a pothole‑burst‑tyre‑split‑broken‑bag‑sugar‑everywhere kind of day… you’re not alone.

Stop step back and take a breath. Be gentle with yourself. Tomorrow is a new one.

And if you need help navigating through your stress, you’re welcome to contact me for 1‑2‑1 counselling — you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

15/01/2026

When someone you love is gone, life doesn’t “go back to normal”
Grief isn’t something you “get over.” It’s something you learn to live alongside.
For many people, the world keeps moving while they feel stuck between heartbreak, numbness, anger, confusion, and moments of unexpected calm. It can feel impossible to make sense of life when the person who mattered so deeply is no longer here.
You don’t have to navigate that alone.
💛 How I support people living with loss
- A space to say the things you can’t say anywhere else
Whether your grief feels heavy, complicated, or hard to put into words, you’re welcome exactly as you are.
- Understanding the emotional waves
Sadness, guilt, anger, relief, disbelief, loneliness—grief rarely comes as one feeling. We explore these shifts without judgement.
- Making room for your story
Your relationship with the person you’ve lost matters. Their impact, your memories, your questions, your pain—all of it has a place.
- Support for the “after”
The world often expects you to carry on. I help you find your footing in a life that has changed, even when you didn’t choose that change.
- Gentle, steady guidance
We move at your pace. No pressure, no timelines, no expectations to be “strong.”
🌱 You’re not failing at grief
You’re human. You’re hurting. And you deserve support that honours the depth of your loss.
If you’re living with grief and need a safe, compassionate space to talk, reflect, or simply breathe, you’re welcome to reach out. I offer in‑person sessions in Northamptonshire and online support across the UK.

07/01/2026

The festive season isn’t joyful for everyone. For many, Christmas and New Year bring up grief, stress, family conflict, or the heartbreak of a relationship ending. It can feel like the world is celebrating while you’re just trying to get through the day.
If you’re missing someone, feeling overwhelmed, arguing with loved ones, or facing separation or divorce, please remember you don’t have to cope alone.
I’m here to offer a safe, compassionate space where you can talk, process, and feel heard. Whether you need one conversation or ongoing support, you’re welcome exactly as you are.
If this resonates with you — or someone you know — please reach out. No one should struggle in silence, we all deserve to feel heard

26/11/2025

What is SAD?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is sometimes called “winter depression”. It’s more than just feeling low when the days get darker — it’s a recognised condition that can significantly impact wellbeing.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent low mood and loss of interest in everyday activities
- Irritability, feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Fatigue, oversleeping, and difficulty waking up
- Cravings for carbohydrates and changes in appetite
- Difficulty concentrating and reduced motivation
For some, symptoms ease in spring and summer, while others may experience SAD during warmer months.

How SAD Impacts People
SAD can affect every part of life:
- Work and study: Concentration and productivity often drop.
- Relationships: Irritability and withdrawal can strain connections.
- Physical health: Changes in sleep and appetite may lead to weight gain or lethargy.
- Mental health: Feelings of despair or hopelessness can become overwhelming.
It’s important to remember that SAD is not a weakness — it’s linked to biological changes such as disrupted circadian rhythms, reduced serotonin, and vitamin D deficiency.

How Know Your Own Mind Can Help
At Know Your Own Mind, support is tailored to meet people where they are, with warmth and understanding. Here’s how counselling can help:
- Safe, non-judgemental space: To talk openly about how SAD affects your life.
- Exploring coping strategies: Together we can look at ways to manage energy, routine, and self-care.
- Understanding triggers: Identifying how seasonal changes impact mood and finding personalised approaches.
- Trauma-informed support: Recognising how past experiences may intensify seasonal struggles, and working gently towards resilience.
- Flexible access: Sessions available face-to-face in Higham Ferrers, or online/phone for convenience.
AD can feel isolating, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Know Your Own Mind, you’ll be met with empathy, clarity, and practical support to help you navigate seasonal changes and reclaim your wellbeing.
📩 Reach out today to begin your journey towards balance and brighter days.

Contact Nikki
07507176719
www.knowyourownmind.co.uk