Expert articles by counsellors and psychotherapists

Living with a disabled child or who has a life changing condition  For some people, the thought of having a disabled child is nothing more than ‘well it’s just one of those things’ But for a lot of people, it is the beginning of a life of never ending trauma, anxiety, depression, isolation, guilt, anger, frustration, sleep deprivation/sleep issues, unhealthy eating habits, denial, dread, grief, overwhelming hopelessness, helplessness and ongoing stress. These parents...

Stigma - what is it and how does it affect people who feel stigmatised?   The stigma around physical disability comes in many subtle ways; it’s not always obvious in-your-face stuff like someone saying ‘People like you aren’t welcome here’. Although that did happen to a woman I once met who, when told she and her wheelchair weren’t welcome in a shop, lowered herself to the floor and dragged herself around the aisles on her elbows, much to the...

Becoming disabled can mean facing up to big changes in how a person feels about themselves, what their lives are all about, their relationships with other people, and with their bodies and sexuality. If you find yourself facing the onset of disability, you may have questions such as:

Am I still the same person I used to be? How can I get over not being able to do the things I could do before? How can I deal with the loss of my independence? Will anyone ever want a sexual relationship...

I have worked as a counsellor for the Multiple Sclerosis Society for about six years. I work with people who are both newly diagnosed and others who have suffered with MS for many years. When someone is diagnosed with an incurable illness that is going to affect their lives physically it often has a dramatic effect on them psychologically. This can affect everything from their self-confidence to how they relate to loved ones and their colleagues in the work place. Depression is a common...