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Last week my best friend, of over 30 years, died. She was one of a kind. Thoughtful, kind, inspirational and genuine. We both knew, no matter where we both were in life, we had each others backs, always. She had moved away a few years ago, and we didn't get to see each other as much as we used to. But when we did, it was like no time had passed between our meetings. I have had bereavements before and I provide grief counselling for many of my clients, but there are some loss

Trauma-informed, pluralistic support for navigating intense emotions, relationships, and sense of self If You’ve Been Given a Diagnosis of BPD Hearing the words borderline personality disorder  can bring up a lot of feelings, confusion, fear, relief, or even shame. You might be wondering what it really means, and what it says about you. Let’s start here: You are not your diagnosis. BPD is a way of describing patterns of emotional and relational experience, often rooted in how

Introduction: The Elephant in the Room You’ve done the hard part. You recognized the need for support, researched therapists, and finally, perhaps with shaking hands, clicked "book." And now, as the date approaches, you might feel a knot in your stomach. What do I say? Will they judge me? What if I cry immediately? What actually happens in that room? First, let me tell you: that anxiety is completely normal. In fact, it's the number one reason people cancel their initial appo

The emotional impact of physical pain and illness – and what can help We are often encouraged to separate physical health from mental health, as if the two exist independently of one another. But in real life, especially for those living with ongoing pain or illness, this separation rarely makes sense. Our bodies and minds are deeply connected, constantly influencing one another. When the body is under strain, the emotional world is often affected too. Living with physical pa

The start of a new year can bring mixed feelings. For some, there’s relief that a difficult year is over. For others, there’s a quiet heaviness that hasn’t shifted just because the calendar has changed. Often, it’s a time when things begin to feel a little more noticeable – the anxiety that’s been bubbling under the surface, the low mood you’ve been pushing through, or the sense that something isn’t quite right. If you’ve been thinking about counselling as the new year begins

Many people describe a feeling they struggle to put into words, a kind of hollow, aching space inside that seems to sit quietly in the background of life. You might call it emptiness, numbness, heaviness, or simply “a void.”And if you’ve ever felt it, you’re not alone. The void often appears after loss. Not just the loss of a person, although that is one of the deepest forms, but also the loss of a pet, a job, routines, roles, relationships, identity, health, or the future yo

Opening Thoughts For many people, thoughts about death can stir up a deep and unsettling fear. Whether it’s worry about our own mortality or anxiety about losing someone we love, death anxiety is something most of us experience at some point in life. Yet, we rarely talk about it openly. What Is Death Anxiety? Death anxiety, sometimes called thanatophobia , is the fear of death or dying. It can manifest in various ways. For some, it might be an ongoing worry about health or sa

As the days grow shorter and the mornings darker, many of us start to notice subtle shifts, a little less energy, a dip in motivation, or that feeling of wanting to hibernate away from the world. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. What you might be experiencing is something called Seasonal Affective Disorder , often known simply as SAD . SAD is more than just the “winter blues.” It’s a recognised form of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, usually appearing in

Many women who have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)  often wonder, is this really a mental illness, or is it a natural response to trauma? It’s a powerful question, and one that deserves compassion, understanding, and thoughtful exploration. Understanding the Label BPD is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)  as a “pattern of instability in relationships, self-image, and emotions, often accompanied by impulsive

This World Mental Health Day, take a moment to check in with yourself. Discover why mental health matters every day, not just once a...

Grief touches every part of our lives. It can feel heavy, confusing, and at times unbearable. Many people wonder: “Is it better to keep...

When we face challenges with our mental health, one of the first questions many people ask is: “Should I seek a diagnosis?”  For some,...

Suicidal thoughts can feel frightening, overwhelming, and deeply isolating. But it’s important to know that you are not alone if you ever...

It’s not unusual to wonder why you’re finding life more challenging than those around you. Maybe you struggle with focus, feel easily...

Many of us have been taught to “hold it together” and see crying as a sign of weakness. Yet, crying is one of the most natural and...

Each year on 26th August, International Dog Day  provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable bond between humans and...

Grief is a universal human experience, but it’s one we often feel ill-equipped to navigate. When we lose something or someone important...

When we hear the word “menopause,” we often think about changes that happen in women’s bodies, usually around midlife. But men can...

We all feel anxious from time to time. That knot in your stomach before a big presentation, the worry about a loved one, or the stress of...

Each year, cities across the world come alive with colour, celebration, and community during Pride. While it may appear on the surface to...