The Albany Centre

24/03/2026

Here's a thought:

For years we’ve been told that wolves are led by an “alpha male”
a dominant animal who fights his way to the top. The idea has spread into leadership culture, business language, even how we think about masculinity. The problem is, it isn’t really true.

When scientists studied wolves in the wild, they found something very different. Most packs are simply families. The so-called “alpha” is usually just the parent.

Leadership, in that context, looks less like dominance and more like responsibility. How many of our ideas about strength are built on misunderstandings like this?

What scientists eventually discovered about wolf packs and what it might say about leadership.

04/03/2026

26/02/2026

26/02/2026

DIFFERENT FROM EVERYWHERE ELSE!

For anyone who's still wavering about whether or not to join our upcoming Counselling Skills course, here's some thoughts from one of our recent students. Helen says this course was "different from everywhere else", "practical" and "exciting". She loved applying the skills she was learning to her own personal development, and getting to know who people really were before she knew what they DID.

Have a watch, and if it sounds interesting, get in touch - this year's cohort starts on Sunday 8 March!

25/02/2026

Last chance to sign up for the Foundation Certificate in Counselling Skills this year. Starting next Sunday 8th March, join us one Sunday a month plus Thursday evenings (term-time only), where we will challenge you and encourage you to explore your interpretation of your own self.

This wonderful course will invite you to delve into your understanding of therapy – and will help you to unpick your own views, patterns and processes. What is your biggest fear? What do you need most in life? From where have your values grown? Could they be changed? So much to learn about yourself, your family and friends and your colleagues.

Come and find out how to improve all of your relationships. If you'e been meaning to do something different this year, now is your chance! Check out the link to find out more and register now: https://thealbanycentre.com/courses/foundation-certificate-in-counselling-skills/

Located in the heart of St Albans Counselling Courses, Therapy Services and Professional Space Hire Check our latest courses Find the right space for you in the heart of St Albans Visit our welcoming rooms for consultations and interviews priced at competitive rates. Full training for professionals....

15/02/2026

TW: Su***de

“There must be something like the opposite of su***de, whereby a person radically and abruptly decides to start living”

This quote from writer Gabe KS highlighted in the Weekender's Substack struck a chord today. The writer (Christian Näthler) went on to talk about how he felt being in Cairo, so nothing to do with mental wellness at all, but - still - it struck a chord.

Because we've seen it happen. When a person who is considering ending their life makes a completely opposite decision, just because someone leans in. When a client makes a meaningful connection with their therapist who's able to hold the space for their emotions. That relationship can transform.

If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless, we can help at Mosaic with low-cost counselling. Get in touch to make a start at feeling better.

11/02/2026

The History teaches us that violence begins long before actual attacks on others. It begins when people are spoken about rather than to. When groups are turned into abstractions. When moral discomfort is managed rather than listened to.

What follows is not usually dramatic. There is no single breaking point. Just a growing sense of unease among people who notice something is wrong but cannot quite name it or cannot quite act without feeling excessive.

That unease matters.

Our director Jon has written more about why in his latest article here: https://jonwilsoncooper.substack.com/p/when-compassion-steps-aside

How harm becomes tolerable without anyone choosing it

09/02/2026

lWe have a few spaces left on our upcoming cohort for the Foundation Certificate in Counselling Skills. Counselling skills are useful in almost any situation, from workplace relations to family conflict (and even in already happy families!) If you - or anyone you know - would like to find out more and sign up, now's the time.

https://thealbanycentre.com/courses/foundation-certificate-in-counselling-skills/

FOUNDATION CERTIFICATE  IN COUNSELLING SKILLS (one year course)  Next course due to start March 2026 (enrolling now) Are you… Looking for a challenge? Wanting to train as a professional counsellor? Wishing to improve your communication skills? Interested in counselling and furthering your knowle...

27/01/2026

Counsellors - if you have clients who might resonate with the issue of being hyper-connected online whilst feeling lonely or disconnected on a personal level, consider sharing Jon's latest article with them - The Empathy Gap.

And if this lands for anyone - you or your clients - do share the Substack page with them and subscribe so as not to miss future insights from Jon.

17/01/2026

I pleased to say that we’ve been consulted in the writing of this important article

School-based anxiety, also known as emotionally based school avoidance, is a rising problem among young people...