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For many people, Christmas brings comfort, warmth and celebration. But for others, it quietly magnifies what — or who — is missing.
The season’s talk of joy, family and togetherness can be a painful contrast when you’re grieving, recovering from a relationship ending, or simply feeling alone. It’s important to remember that loss takes many forms. […]

Understanding the Emotional Landscape of Father’s Day While Father’s Day is often depicted with cheerful images of family gatherings and celebrations, it can ironically be one of the most emotionally challenging days of the year for many. As a counsellor, I frequently encounter individuals for whom this day brings a profound sense of sadness, longing,

Just as the first shoots of green emerge from the earth and the promise of new life fills the air, springtime offers a powerful metaphor for renewal. Easter, with its themes of resurrection and fresh beginnings, amplifies this sense of hope. But this spirit of starting anew isn’t limited to nature; it can also blossom

Valentine’s Day. The air is thick with the scent of roses, chocolates and declarations of love. While many revel in the romantic festivities, this day can feel like a stark reminder of loneliness, heartbreak or unfulfilled desires for some. If you’re not in a happy place this Valentine’s Day, know that you’re not alone. It’s

Christmas, often idealised as a time of joy, peace and togetherness, can be a particularly challenging period for many. For those struggling with mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, the pressure to conform to societal expectations of happiness and perfection can exacerbate symptoms. Understanding the Emotional Toll The festive season can trigger a

  Gaslighting: Recognising and Responding to Manipulation Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse where someone seeks to undermine your sense of reality. This harmful tactic can erode self-confidence, distort your perception, and leave you questioning your own sanity. Common Gaslighting Tactics Coercion: Using emotional, verbal, physical, or financial pressure to force you into a

One of the main ways one-sided relationships can be noticeable is around who initiates things.If you are the only one striking up a conversation, or instigating plans to meet up, it can feel like you are the only one invested in the relationship. We all want to feel wanted, but it’s important to remember that

It is important to be honest and open from the start. It is easy, especially with an older child, to underestimate their depth of feeling, their ability to conceal it (often to protect their parents and loved ones) and their unexpressed need for detailed information about what happened. Very young children may not understand that

Growing around grief is a model created by Grief Counsellor Lois Tonkin in 1996. The visual metaphor; a circle representing grief, initially overwhelming and central in a person’s life, remains constant in size. However, another larger circle representing the individuals life gradually grows around the grief. Overtime, although grief stays constant, it becomes a smaller

If you are in a relationship with someone who is emotionally unavailable, relationship bliss isn’t necessarily doomed. Both people need to develop goals for healthy intimacy and connection, and both must be equally invested in the process. If so, then a wonderful opportunity for two people to grow within the relationship is possible. Equally invested