Latest articles on counselling and therapy

We are created to be loved, as love is based on the foundation of human existence, so be encouraged and assured that there is nothing wrong with wanting to be in a relationship. Being in a relationship is exciting and enjoyable when you are with the right person. However, problems arise when you are afraid of being on your own, to the extent that you jump from one relationship to another to prevent having a relationship with yourself. There are many reasons which may influence you to desire a...

At the weekend I was lucky enough to attend an amazing fundraising event full of music and food and fun!As I looked around I found myself being fascinated by the mix of people who were present and that was only in our small table. If this curiosity was expanded to the whole room it would have been easy to see people from a range of professions, ethnicity, culture and age.How on earth did this range and expanse of people come together then? The answer was in order to support a cause about which...

Since launching in 2013, the highly endorsed Reading Well scheme has helped over 778,000 people across the country. With titles available to borrow, free of charge, from 98% of England’s libraries, discover the latest books chosen by health experts, those living with mental health conditions, their relatives and carers.

Each year, health professionals, library staff and users are surveyed on their experiences with the Reading Well programme. Combined with book sales and borrowing data,...

We live in a 24/7 world where much is visual - so it is not surprising we often place more value on our bodies than we do our minds. Because our minds are not on show, they tend to get forgotten. Feelings of rejection, abandonment and loneliness get worse if we choose to ignore keeping our mental health, well, healthy. Loneliness is a big problem in today's modern world, affecting all ages and all stages of life. If we allow loneliness to dominate our thinking then we risk creating deep...

The effects of loneliness are considered as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Understanding loneliness, and especially who it affects, is important if we want to tackle the problem.

At the start of 2018 the Prime Minister announced the government’s plans to tackle loneliness in Britain, part of this strategy involved an investigation into who was affected and what the risk factors for loneliness are.

Using data from the Community Life Survey (2016 - 2017), the Office...

So many men on the outside seem as though they have everything figured out; a good career, a loving partner, possibly children who adore or loathe them (depending on age and the child) and a home that is comfortable. Naturally you spend more time with your family or partner than you would your friends that you have acquired along the way as you get older. Then something happens and talking to your partner isn’t what you want or need and you find yourself longing for your friends of old...

If you are going though a breakup, separation or divorce, you might be feeling sad, distressed, angry, or perhaps numb, lost and confused. If the decision to end the relationship wasn’t yours, there might be feelings of rejection, insecurities, low self-esteem, low self-confidence and vulnerability. Going through a breakup is experiencing real loss, and the bigger the love, the connection and the intimacy, the bigger the pain and suffering. This loss can take over your thoughts and...