A First Hello.....

So… I’ve decided to start a blog.......

Even typing that makes me smile a little. As a counsellor I spend most of my working life listening, not writing. But over the years I’ve realised there are things I want to say outside the therapy room too, things I hope might reassure, encourage, and maybe even bring a bit of relief to anyone who finds their way here.

My website already tells you the practical stuff: what I offer as a counsellor and supervisor, the courses I run, the reading lists and all the sensible professional information. But a website can only ever show one side of a person. This blog is my chance to be a bit more human.

And I am very human.

I work mainly with people who have been through trauma, particularly abuse, and the long-lasting effects it can leave behind, anxiety, PTSD, intrusive thoughts, self-harm, and that heavy sense of shame that so many people carry quietly on their own. These are topics I feel deeply passionate about, not just professionally but personally as well.

One of the things I see again and again is how hard it is for people to admit what they’re going through. Many worry that if they say the words out loud, they’ll be judged, blamed, or even “sectioned.” Others believe that their struggles are somehow their fault, or that they should be able to cope better on their own.

If there’s one message I want this first post to carry, it’s this:

You are not strange. You are not broken. And you are definitely not alone.

Intrusive thoughts don’t make you dangerous. Needing support doesn’t make you weak. And finding things hard after painful experiences is not a personal failure, it’s a very normal human response to very difficult events.

In the counselling room I bring my training, my experience, and yes, myself. I believe therapy works best when it’s real. There’s space for tears, for honesty, and absolutely for laughter too. Humour can be a surprisingly good companion on the road to healing.

I also know that getting help isn’t always straightforward. Building trust takes time. Finding the right counsellor can take time. Healing takes time. But the right support really is out there, and you deserve to have it.

Through this blog I hope to talk openly about the kinds of issues many people are afraid to mention. I want to share thoughts, reflections, and hopefully a bit of reassurance along the way. If something I write helps even one person feel a little less alone, then it will be worth it.

If anything you’ve read here resonates with you, you are very welcome to get in touch. Whether you have questions about counselling, want to explore working together, or simply aren’t sure where to begin, I’d be happy to hear from you. Reaching out can feel like a big step, but it can also be the first step toward things feeling different.

Thank you for being here and taking the time to read my very first post. More to come soon probably with the occasional cup of tea and a dash of humour included.