When our article ‘Surviving Lockdown’ was published in December 2020, we did not anticipate that we would still be in lockdown well into 2021. As we are looking forward to the day when all restrictions will be lifted, and we rejoice at the thought of some kind of normality returning to our lives, surveys are emerging revealing the impact lockdown is having on our mental health. Post lockdown anxiety is a real issue and people have been affected in different...
This past year has been extraordinarily taxing for almost every one of us. Prior, life, for many of us, ticked along, and then suddenly as coronavirus took hold it appeared that life as we knew it came to a halt; followed almost immediately by a profound change in how we live our daily lives. There have been dreadful events worldwide, some covid-19 related and some not, and, while some people may have seen life improve in some ways as the...
Having successfully provided psychotherapy and counselling within the NHS, charitable services and now the private sector for the past 20 years, one of the things I have noticed, is the trepidation and nervousness that can occur in clients around getting started. Many of the clients I have worked with have come requesting anxiety counselling, stress counselling, counselling for depression, trauma counselling and workplace counselling, and these issues have meant that people can often come along feeling vulnerable and anxious, even...
To say 2020 has been a strange and challenging year for most is an understatement. We have all been disrupted by COVID-19 and unfortunately some people, families, businesses, and countries, have suffered devastating losses, and still face an uncertain future. Victor Frankl, Psychiatrist and holocaust survivor, in his book ‘Man’s search for Meaning’, expressed ‘everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedom – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of...
With the Covid19 pandemic upon us, many people are contained with loved ones of other people where they get opportunities for touch. It’s been suggested that a growing phenomena of skin hunger was already emerging prior to Covid19, especially in western cultures. So, what do you do if you’re quarantined alone, or contained in close quarters with those where there may already be a lack of touch? ‘Touch starvation’ or ‘skin hunger’ are some of the common terms used to...
Thinking about having counselling or psychotherapy, but not sure where to start? Here are 5 tips to help you get started. 1. Recognise if you need help. Starting therapy can feel daunting, especially if you’ve not been before. It’s not uncommon for people to worry that they are weak or ‘crazy’ for needing help. However, seeking out therapy help is commendable and it’s a sign of real strength to recognise limitations, and to get help when you need it. 2....
Trauma is an emotional, psychological and physiological response to high levels of stress and fear that occur as a result of a distressing life event, such as a threat to life (real or perceived), natural disaster, rape, abuse, or an accident, etc. Trauma can be acute (resulting from a single event), chronic (where trauma is repeated and persistent) or, complex (where trauma is from multiple and varied, often invasive and interpersonal, traumatic events). What can happen after a traumatic event...
Some level of stress in life is natural and is even thought to have a positive effect at times, allowing us to develop and grow. However high levels or prolonged stress can feel overwhelming and can have a detrimental effect on physical, emotional and psychological health. The causes of stress are very personal and varied and what one person may find challenging, another may not. Causes of stress can include bereavement, divorce/separation, moving home, money problems, having a baby, relationship issues, work etc....
We aim to help as many clients as we can, however, unfortunately clients require different support to what can offer. If you need additional, or specialist support, here are some resources below. Name Description Coronavirus support? Contact Details AA For problem drinking Virtual/online meetings available for problem drinking during Covid19 alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk ABA Help for Anorexia/Bulimia Virtual/online meetings available for problem eating during Covid19 aba12steps.org Albert Kennedy Trust Supports LGBTQ people aged 16-25 who are homeless or living in a...
Relationship problems Relationships are a central and vital part of lives and it can be difficult when we experience issues with others such as partners, family members, friends, communities/groups, or work colleagues, etc. If you are having relationship problems - talking through these challenges in counselling - (both individual psychotherapy or group counselling) can be helpful in supporting you to gain clarity, work through feelings, and help you to make lasting change which can lead to more meaningful and satisfactory relationships. Some of...
