Healing, Havening & Counselling with Colleen

Healing, Havening & Counselling with Colleen I am a caring, empathic, thoughtful human, with lots of experience of working with adults, children and families.

I help clients to transform their lives with Counselling & Havening, I hold a peaceful, healing space, working creatively with children I have always worked in a caring capacity with children and adults, helping them to help themselves. Two years ago I trained in a revoluntutionary new modality called Havening Techniques, it is truly amazing at shifting stress, triggers, traumas and moving you into a state of healing and growth. "Feel supported, energized, and ready for change! I'm your empathic Counsellor and Havening Practitioner, committed to removing the impact of trauma, guiding you to a revitalised self."

Last post of 7 days for children’s mental health awareness week. What will you take forward for changing the lineage and...
16/02/2026

Last post of 7 days for children’s mental health awareness week. What will you take forward for changing the lineage and your children’s future?
Screen usage is a big one for me, especially young children and time limits, today’s post too, being present.
What is relevant for you right now? Save any that are helpful and share too.

Connection, Repair & Calm Presence
Children regulate through relationships.

Feeling emotionally connected to a calm adult helps children’s nervous systems settle.

This means:
Being present (even briefly, but fully)
Repairing after ruptures (“I’m sorry I snapped let’s try again”), when timing is appropriate it’s not always immediately.

Modelling calm, even when things feel messy
You don’t need to be perfect. Repair builds trust. Connection builds resilience. And your calm presence is one of the most powerful tools your child has.

15/02/2026

Children’s Mental Health Week…
If you are a parent, carer or teacher, then this message is for you.

Www.colleensmith.org

14/02/2026

Model self-kindness when things go wrong.

Make space for play, rest and connection.

Being present is what matters most, no need for perfection, parenting is hard and we cant get it right all the time. But here are a few easy and important suggestions.

If you’re supporting a child who is struggling, you don’t have to do it alone. Reaching out for support is a strength, not a failure.

www.colleensmith.org

13/02/2026

If you or your child are in Survival brain the feelings part, there is a high chance that you cannot reach the logical part the thinking part. So if someone is angry, losing the plot or having a meltdown, this is not the time for conversation! It is the time to pause, walk away, calm yourself, put in strategies to help, perhaps a hug, a hot chocolate, ice cold drink etc.
Do not try to repair or discuss until everyone is calm, this might take some time, I have. More guides available on my website.
https://www.colleensmith.org/resources-1/

Some of the titles available:
Managing stressful holiday situations
Over 111 tips to return your child to calm
Sibling rivalry
Power of routine
Sleep, screens and children’s emotional wellbeing
Feelings scale chart

5. Support Better Sleep Through RoutineSleep is foundational for children’s mental health. Consistent routines help sign...
13/02/2026

5. Support Better Sleep Through Routine
Sleep is foundational for children’s mental health. Consistent routines help signal safety to the brain.

Supportive sleep habits include:
A predictable bedtime routine
Dim lights in the evening
Screens off at least 60–90 minutes before bed
Calm activities like reading, drawing or gentle stretching

Poor sleep can heighten anxiety, emotional reactivity and low mood. Good sleep supports resilience, regulation and learning it’s not a luxury, it’s essential.
out my website in bio for a guide on sleep and screens for children

4. Listen Without FixingWhen children share worries, our instinct is often to jump in with solutions. But what they usua...
12/02/2026

4. Listen Without Fixing
When children share worries, our instinct is often to jump in with solutions. But what they usually need first is compassion and presence.

Try:
Getting down to their level
Reflecting back what you hear (“That sounds really hard”)
Staying curious rather than correcting
Active listening helps children feel emotionally safe.
When they feel heard, their nervous system settles and problem-solving becomes possible later.

12/02/2026

I love to use sage to cleanse my room in between clients
Therapists might light sage between clients for a few different reasons, depending on their beliefs, training, and the kind of practice they run:

1. Spiritual or cultural belief
In many Indigenous traditions (especially some Native American practices), burn sage often called smudging is believed to clear negative or lingering energy from a space. A counsellor who follows or respects these traditions may feel it helps “reset” the room emotionally after intense sessions.

2. Emotional reset and intention setting
Even without a spiritual framework, the ritual itself can be grounding. Lighting sage can mark a clear transition between clients: that session is complete, the next one starts fresh. Rituals like this can help the counsellor mentally let go of what they’ve just heard so they’re fully present for the next person.

3. Stress regulation for the counsellor
Therapy can be emotionally heavy. Sensory rituals, smell, breath, slow movement can calm the nervous system. Sage has a strong, distinctive scent that some people find centering or soothing.

4. Creating a symbolic “safe space”
Some counsellors believe the act contributes to a feeling of cleanliness, safety, or containment in the room. Even if a client doesn’t share the belief, the counsellor may feel it supports the therapeutic container.

You can also follow this practice in your own home and although there are are practices other than sage too.

What do you like to do?

3. Simple Coping Skills (That Actually Help)Coping skills need to be felt, not just talked about. When children are anxi...
11/02/2026

3. Simple Coping Skills (That Actually Help)

Coping skills need to be felt, not just talked about. When children are anxious, their nervous system needs calming first then words can follow.
Helpful tools include:

Slow breathing, longer exhale
Gentle movement or stretching
Havening (self-soothing touch to calm the nervous system). Rub palms together and hum
Somatic exercises like pushing against a wall or squeezing a cushion

Practising these when children are calm helps their body remember them when things feel hard.
Regulation is a skill and skills grow with practice.

11/02/2026

As a counsellor, I often speak about the importance of self-compassion, self-love, emotional healing, and nurturing safe connections.
Rose quartz beautifully symbolises all four.

Known as the “stone of unconditional love,” rose quartz is associated with the heart chakra and is often used as a gentle reminder to practice self-love, forgiveness, and emotional balance.

While it’s not a substitute for therapy or professional support, many people find comfort in keeping rose quartz nearby during reflection, meditation, or journaling.

Its soft energy is said to encourage:
• Self-acceptance and compassion
• Emotional healing from past hurts
• Openness to giving and receiving love
• A sense of calm and reassurance

Whether used as a mindful tool, a symbolic keepsake, or part of a grounding ritual, rose quartz can serve as a beautiful reminder to treat yourself with the same kindness you offer others.

💗

Address

Swindon

Website

http://www.Colleensmith.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Healing, Havening & Counselling with Colleen posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Healing, Havening & Counselling with Colleen:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram