Jane Jiggens (MBACP, MNCS Accred., FD(Open) - Willowside Counselling

Has your 'emotional suitcase' become too heavy to lift?

If it has life may feel something like this:

• Overwhelming
• Relationships have become strained or are breaking down
• It has become difficult to voice what you need
• You feel depressed, anxious or your self-esteem feels low
• You feel like you have lost your way

Sometimes communication within our relationships breaks down, which creates conflict and distance.  Or everything may seem jumbled, our worries may feel like they are growing bigger and unmanageable by the day.  Our past experiences may be nagging at us again, or it may be about something that is new and in the present.

So, you may need some help to:

• Unpack that case
• Sort through the contents
• Find clarity

From birth human beings have a drive to belong.  Therefore throughout life relationships are really important to us.  Our relationships can bring us happiness and fulfilment, but when things go wrong it can feel like everything is falling apart.

We can have relationships with everything and everyone, including ourselves.  Our life events, stress and even the way we think about ourselves can affect our relationships.  Sometimes when these become difficult, break down or we lose someone, we may feel confused, lost, angry, or sad.  We may feel anxious or depressed and we may not understand our thoughts, feelings or behaviours.

Sometimes it may be very difficult to talk about this with family or friends for fear of being judged or a burden, or maybe we just don’t want to.

If any of this resonates with you, then you are in the right place…….

So what is counselling?

It is your time to work through what may be keeping you stuck, so that you can then move forward in the way you want to.  It is a place where we learn about ourselves and others around us.  In our busy lives we may not have the time to think or to process anything, we may be rushing from one thing to another.  Maybe we have a demanding family or job or maybe we just need a trained therapist to be with us becuase things feel difficult to face alone.  In counselling you will have this space, free from interruptions, to focus on you.  It’s your time for self care.

So, if you have decided that counselling is something that you would like to try, you may be feeling anxious about opening up to someone you don’t know.  This is a big first step and if you haven’t had any counselling before it may feel really difficult.  So, apart from looking for a counsellor who holds the right qualifications, it is important that you feel comfortable with them.

If you would like to read more about me, please head over to www.willowsidecounselling.co.uk, or give me a call and I will answer any questions you may have.

Jane