ELM Counselling Services

18/03/2026

Please do share this. Quiet abuse is insidious and so damaging.

18/03/2026

Useful advice. We so often allow others judgement of ourselves to impact our lives, how we think and act and it's heartbreaking.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18fQQcTWLb/

04/12/2025

This is a really important message especially at this time of the year.

With Christmas so close now, it can be expected that we go to gatherings to keep the peace and keep up the false narrative that all is ok.

The reality is it is totally ok to say no and put yourself first.

If this resonates with you then do please contact me to arrange some counselling. This can really help to manage the trauma and to support you in making what may seem like hard decisions for your future happiness and well being.

23/11/2025

This is so well explained. If any of this resonates with you then please do contact me for some sessions.
Booking sessions with some one who understands is an incredibly positive first step to recovery.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Bq7futaF2/

26/04/2025

24/04/2025

Being scapegoated in families is incredibly painful. Does this resonate with you?

24/04/2025

Does this resonate?

13/03/2025

01/03/2025

Dysfunctional family systems can create scapegoats.

It's easier to place the blame on the scapegoat as the one with the issue rather than accept the issue with the dysfunctional system.

Counselling can help you recognise this pattern or system and your place in it. Painful but rewarding work.

Please do get in touch if this resonates with you.

When a dysfunctional behavior has taken place for so long that it becomes the "norm" in a culture (a family culture, a work culture, a religious culture), the first person who calls that dysfunction out-who brings it into the light and demands that it change-is often scapegoated as "the problem."

Not just by the perpetuator of the problem behavior, but by all those who have silently accommodated it up till this point.

"Could you not make a fuss?"
"You're being so sensitive."
"Don't rock the boat."

These situations can be particularly challenging because they make us question our reality.

It takes an incredible amount of courage to be the one who dissents. If you can relate to this, remember: sometimes people are accustomed to upholding systems-even systems that harm them-because they're familiar, and they're all they know.

If you speak the truth and you're met with backlash, dismissal, and scapegoating, you're job isn't to convince or strong-arm. Your job is to create safety for yourself with boundaries KNOWING you stood in your integrity.

30/12/2024

I stumbled across this picture and it really resonated. Grief for whatever reason has no time limit and nor should it.
Grief, as with all deep emotions, is unique to the individual..
Anyone who feels they need to 'get through' grief or 'just get on with it' are, in all likelihood, suppressing that emotion.
Grief and loss, whatever the reason, needs to be heard and felt. Grieving is hard work and there are no shortcuts.
If you are struggling with your grief please get in touch. Counselling can help. I offer a safe, non judgemental space for you to explore that grief and loss, whether recent or not, and whatever else it may have triggered.
Please get in touch. I am here to sit with you on this journey. Confidentially and with empathy and understanding.

03/11/2024

This is really poignant x