Types of Distress

Abortion

Abortion is the medical process of ending a pregnancy so that it does not result in the birth of a child. There are many reasons as to why a women may choose not to continue with her pregnancy, from risks to her own health right through to personal...  more about abortion »

Abuse

"Is my relationship abusive?" is a question often asked in couple counselling. The answer is quite complex. Many relationships have the potential to be abusive, it is not class or age related, so how would you know? There may be periods where one person...  more about abuse »

Addiction(s)

Addictions can allow people a temporary escape from their problems, and can develop from many activities; alcohol, drugs, eating, gambling, shopping, sex and use of the internet. Stigma surrounds the word 'addiction' which is an inability to stop...  more about addiction(s) »

Adoption

Whether you are an adoptee, an adoptive family, or the birthparent of a child who was adopted - the emotional impact of the adoption process is likely to be life-long. Though the experience of each individual involved is likely to vary, for many the journey...  more about adoption »

Anger Management

Anger is a basic emotion which has allowed us to survive as a species. When a baby screams because it is hungry, too hot or too cold, it is displaying its raw anger. Anger is the emotion of not having our needs met. We are programmed with the ability to...  more about anger management »

Anxiety

Anxiety is a simplistic blanket term which covers a wide range of problems from the temporary effects of stress to panic attacks, compulsions, phobias or debilitating nervous illness previously known as ‘nervous breakdown’. Common in all these complaints is...  more about anxiety »

Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger (or Asperger’s) Syndrome is a form of autism. Asperger's Syndrome makes it hard to read signals from others, signals that many people understand without a second thought. This can include facial expressions, tone of voice and general social...  more about asperger's syndrome »

Bereavement

Everyone’s experience of grief and loss is unique. It is normal to feel sad and even angry when a person close to us dies or leaves. People can experience similar feelings when a relationship ends. Mourning is a ‘cycle of loss’ which often includes...  more about bereavement »

Bullying

Bullying has three main features; deliberate aggression, unequal power and pain or distress. It usually involves repetitive intimidation by a person in a more powerful position to cause distress. Bullying is not restricted to the playground, and operates...  more about bullying »

Cancer

Cancer is a disease of the cells in the body, and there are over 200 different types. Normally, cells gradually age and die, so they reproduce by splitting themselves and dividing. However, this process can get out of control, and the cells develop a lump,...  more about cancer »

Career Counselling

Career counselling is sought when an individual needs confidential guidance and help about areas of study and possible career movements or changes. If an individual experiences a personal issue about their future and wants to discuss or discover opportunities...  more about career counselling »

Child Related Issues

Sometimes children and young people (and their families) may need extra support if they are finding it difficult to deal with or understand their emotions and/or behaviour. Schools often provide professionals to help young people and their families, such as...  more about child related issues »

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition which is also known by several other names including myalgic encephalomyelitis/encephalopathy (ME), Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS). Despite the various...  more about chronic fatigue syndrome/me »

Couples Counselling

Couples Counselling, previously known as marital therapy or marriage guidance, addresses the problems arising from adult sexual or intimate relationships. The relationship, rather than the two individuals, is the 'client'. Our very closest relationship: a...  more about couples counselling »

Debt Management

Financial problems often cause stress, anxiety and depression, and when these problems become severe it's natural for the individual to feel that debt is taking over their life. Unmanageable debt can lead to breakdown of relationships and affect all areas of...  more about debt management »

Dementia

Dementia is a progressive brain dysfunction that gradually leads to an increased restraint of daily activities. It is not a specific disease and there are many disorders that can cause dementia. The most familiar types are Alzheimer's disease and...  more about dementia »

Depression

Depression is a common condition that will affect one in three people at some time in their life. It is a complicated illness with many different symptoms and causes. Changes in eating habits and sleeping patterns and overwhelming feelings of despair are...  more about depression »

Disabilities

The World Health Organisation defines the term ‘disability’ as a term which covers a huge spectrum of impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions. An impairment is classed as a problem in body function or structure. An activity...  more about disabilities »

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence, or domestic abuse, is a pattern of abusive behaviour by one or both people in a relationship. It can be any form of close relationship, such as marriage, family, friends or cohabitants. There are many different forms the abuse can take,...  more about domestic violence »

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are extremely common, however can be serious and even life threatening if not treated appropriately. Millions of people are affected by eating disorders every year and unfortunately thousands of sufferers die because their disorder has gone...  more about eating disorders »

Gender Identity

Gender identity, gender dysphoria, gender incongruence or core gender identity refers to the gender that a person identifies themselves as. This does not necessarily refer to their biological gender. Gender Identity Disorder is when an individual feels...  more about gender identity »

HIV/AIDS

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a result of the development of the HIV virus into a more serious condition. AIDS was first recognized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...  more about hiv/aids »

Infertility

Infertility is when a couple is unable to have a baby naturally. After two years of trying without conceiving, a couple is considered infertile. There are many different reasons for this, and the problem may be with the man or the woman. It is undoubtedly a...  more about infertility »

Learning Difficulties

A learning disability is described as: a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind significant impairment of intellectual functioning significant impairment of adaptive/social functioning Someone who has learning disabilities or learning...  more about learning difficulties »

Low Self-Confidence

Self-confidence is about trusting your own judgement and feeling comfortable with your abilities and powers. It is the means to realise your full potential and be the person you want to be.  Self-confidence allows you to feel secure in the world and...  more about low self-confidence »

Low Self-Esteem

Self –esteem is how you think and feel about yourself; this may be positive, negative or move between the two points.  This usually dictates how you live your life and the decisions you make – and how you view others too. The more positive...  more about low self-esteem »

Mental Health

A mental illness is a brain disorder that causes an individual to think, act and feel differently to other people. It is quite common for the disorder to disrupt a person's whole life and prevent them from going about their day normally without thinking these...  more about mental health »

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

People whose lives are dominated by compulsive hand-washing or having to re-check the locks in their home often suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It usually involves obsessions (intrusive thoughts or impulses) and compulsions (repeated behaviours)...  more about obsessive compulsive disorder (ocd) »

Personality Disorders

Personality is described by a set of traits, behaviours and patterns that build character and individuality. Thoughts, attitudes, feelings and perceptions of the world all define someone's personality. Those with healthy personalities are able to cope with...  more about personality disorders »

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

When terrible things happen like accidents and natural disasters, individuals react in different ways and have diverse perceptions of the incident and events. Responses can change as their symptoms heighten or the impact lessens. PTSD, and related symptoms,...  more about post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) »

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Pregnancy: A Time of Anxiety Never is a woman more in need of emotional and psychological support than when she discovers she is pregnant. Pregnancy and the prospect of childbirth are most often, of course, an occasion for happiness, if not joy. However,...  more about pregnancy and childbirth »

Relationship Issues

Relationship Counselling can help improve the way we relate to the people around us and break free of old patterns to realise our potential. It is usually an integral part of personal or individual work. To address problems in our intimate relationship it...  more about relationship issues »

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder, affecting the sufferer's ability to think clearly and decipher fantasy from reality. The disorder may develop gradually and it may therefore take a while for the individual, or their family, to realise anything is...  more about schizophrenia »

Self Harm

Self-harm is defined as a self-inflicted physical injury that damages body tissue, in an attempt to alter mood or physiological state. Damage to body tissue is regarded as tears, bruises or burns to the skin. Self-harm is also known as self-injury’,...  more about self harm »

Sexual Issues

Relationship problems can arise from sexual difficulties, but sexual problems may also be an indication of deeper problems in the relationship. Sexual difficulties can emerge at any time, but especially in times of stress and change. Sex essentially is fun...  more about sexual issues »

Sexuality

Sexual orientation indicates whom an individual is sexually and emotionally attracted to. This can mean males or females of the same or opposite sex. A person's sexual orientation is not the same as a person's sexual actions because not everyone expresses the...  more about sexuality »

Spirituality

Spirituality involves experiences of a deeper sense of meaning and purpose, and a sense of belonging and a connection with the universe. Spirituality can help to achieve inner peace and happiness. It relates to the human spirit, and discovering the ‘true...  more about spirituality »

Stress

Stress is the pressure under which you are placed by daily life. It can be positive and spur you into action to meet a deadline; but too much stress can put your health at risk and leave you unable to function. It is the second major cause of illness at...  more about stress »

Tourettes Syndrome

Tourettes Syndrome is a neurological illness, which usually begins during childhood. This disorder is distinctive due to quick, sudden movements that an individual makes but is unable to control. The earliest signs of Tourettes Syndrome are small, recurrent...  more about tourettes syndrome »

Trauma

Psychological trauma occurs as the result of a traumatic event. Traumatic experiences make us question our beliefs about safety and destroy our assumptions of trust. A traumatic event involves an experience or enduring event(s) that completely overwhelm our...  more about trauma »

Work Related Issues

On average we spend almost a quarter of our adult life at work. It can give us a sense of purpose, structure and satisfaction – and enables us to finance our daily living. Sometimes however, work can cause stress and frustration and our health and...  more about work related issues »