Solace Counselling Services: Professional Counselling Leicestershire contact by email or phone: 07734000257
Nestled down a quiet and charming village lane in a grade ll listed building Solace Counselling Leicestershire offers a peaceful, confidential sanctuary; a place of safety where you can feel at ease to talk openly in a supportive, relaxed environment about any difficulties or distress you are currently experiencing.
19th February 2019
Helpful tip: Simple technique which you can use to deal with anxiety, feelings of panic or distress. Sometimes when feeling worried or scared we take shallow breaths and this can make you feel dizzy. Deep breathing is a really quick technique which can be used to bring about a state of calm – it slows down the heart rate.
Deep Breathing Exercise
Take a deep breath in counting up to four seconds. Hold the breath for four seconds and then gently open your mouth and sigh out slowly (SOS) completely exhale, then repeat the process.
This exercise is used to reduce tension in our bodies and is an excellent calming technique, try using this technique 4 times a day for 4 minutes.
1st September, 2018
Counselling for Men
Statistics show men are at high risk of suicide across all age groups but particularly men under 50, this is a compelling reason why men should be encouraged to talk through their concerns with a professional counsellor. I find I am now seeing a much higher percentage of men seeking counselling which is good news as it means men are no longer struggling alone in silence; they are beginning to recognise the benefits of talking through the problems that are affecting their ability to function in their normal day to day routines. Gentlemen if you are reading this article it’s important you know that Counselling provides you with the opportunity to explore your thoughts and feelings in much greater depth and it helps you develop a clearer understanding of your problems. Counselling provides you with strategies for overcoming negative thoughts and develops your resilience to manage your emotions in a more positive way. It helps build your confidence, can be motivating and uplifting and is a real tonic for your mental well-being. Talking to someone who shows you empathy, does not judge you and whose aim is to help you work towards a more hopeful and optimistic future is the first step towards making changes that may transform your life.
20th May, 2018
What is counselling and how can it help you?
As a qualified professional with a considerable amount of experience of working with people in distress, I can provide you with tools that will be effective in improving your mental wellbeing. These can be particularly helpful if you are having difficulties with memories constantly replaying or if you are feeling anxious, experiencing low mood and having difficulty sleeping. We will look at what is stopping you from functioning in a way that you would normally have managed before and I will help you to recognise what it is that is making you feel so vulnerable.
In our counselling sessions we will explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviour to help you identify what changes you can make to help you in your recovery. Counselling is your chance to talk about the things that make you sad, anxious and generally unhappy. Talking with a counsellor to help you understand yourself better can be quite liberating and life changing; it can empower you to feel so much more confident and able to deal with the pressures and uncertainty of everyday living.
There is a growing body of evidence for the effectiveness of Counselling it can make a difference to stress, anxiety and burn out so if you would like to make improvements in your life and resolve the issues that are troubling you take that first step towards change and make an appointment today.
20th April, 2018
Relationships
Using counselling to talk through relationship issues provides the opportunity for a person who comes with their own agenda, values and belief systems to learn ways to communicate more openly whilst staying more connected with their partner during difficult times. As your counsellor I will assist you to work through your differences by looking at how external factors such as family values, lifestyle and culture may be affecting the relationship, I may also help you to explore and reflect on the past and how it operates in the present. During counselling we will work on how you can learn to communicate in a more effective way and develop an understanding as to why your arguments escalate and how you might resolve these conflicts. The task of therapy is to explore the possible explanations for why a relationship is failing to thrive; I will work collaboratively to build a supportive emotional environment where you feel able to work through your difficulties and grow positively towards a successful outcome.
11th February, 2018
Our brain: a complex network
There are billions of neurons in our brains, but what are neurons? Just cells: The brain has no knowledge until connections are made between neurons, all that we know, and all that we are, comes from the way our neurons are connected.
Neuroplasticity: sculpt your brain the way you want it
For over a decade, neuroscientists have been trying to figure out how neurogenesis (the birth of new neurons) and neuroplasticity (the flexibility of neural circuits) work together to reshape how we think, remember, and behave. Through neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, it may be possible to create new pathways for your thoughts to travel upon. This process opens up the possibility to reinvent yourself and move away from or overcome past traumatic events that cause anxiety and stress.
So how can you create new pathways?
Using positive psychology - changing your thinking can cause brain architecture to shift -it can actually cause your brain to change and create new pathways, one example of positive psychology is through Mindfulness; Research shows a connection between long-term mindfulness practice and a decreased size of amygdala (a key stress-responding region in our brain associated with depression and anxiety). By practicing mindfulness, we can change how we react to stressful situations and improve our mental and physical well-being. Our bodies and our minds are closely connected; calming our minds can help us to keep our bodies relaxed. The more relaxed you are the more you can develop good feelings and thoughts. So start today it’s important we all understand that learning to relax and be in the moment; not thinking about what has been or is to come, just being present in the moment can create a new pathway in your brain one that takes you to a place of inner peace.
Memories consist of a series of communication networks between neurons, change your thinking and create new pathways, talking therapy can help you establish new firing patterns, this will help with decreased rumination (dwelling on negative thoughts), better control of emotions, reduced anxiety and increase positive emotion. Training your mind to focus on what’s in front of you helps you become more aware of opportunities to help others and yourself and to appreciate how precious life is – So do it today sculpt your brain the way you want it engage with talking therapy and learn about mindfulness and progressive relaxation exercises.
Happiness
Achieving genuine happiness does not happen with a switch of a button, life is a fluid process, a flowing sea of change, we are always learning moving and growing, one day life may feel like a warm summer breeze and other days can transform into dark stormy seas. Learning how to overcome these fluctuating changes takes time it requires a new way of thinking. Happiness is a process, it requires you to make positive changes, it is achievable and well within your reach. The mind is not rigid it is like clay and can be shaped and remoulded you can create a new life through transforming your ways of thinking and opening the door to new experiences – if you would like to discover where your key to happiness lies and which doors are waiting to be opened in your life contact me and start the process.
Depression and Anxiety
Depression and Anxiety: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence make recommendations for talking therapies drawing particular attention to CBT which is solution focused and goal orientated, this may not work for everyone and other types of counselling such as person centred therapy can be helpful. Research is currently at the forefront of counselling and psychotherapy to develop evidence based practice.
People can be rather blasé with regards to using the term depression though not quite so when referring to mental illness, which many consider is a stigma. The question of whether a diagnosis of depression or anxiety is helpful is debateable, some people describe it as ‘a relief of the mind’ however others don’t like the label especially when it comes to filling in applications forms for a new job. Clearly labels of ‘Depression’ and ‘Anxiety’ as a diagnosis and subsequent treatment are not straight forward these are complex issues that cannot be clearly defined and will continue to cause controversy. The current options for available treatment recommend talking therapies; the drawback is there can be long waiting lists if you choose to go through the IAPT route – Independent access to psychological therapies. If you are in a position to pay privately it offers you choice and flexibility.
Awareness of when you are starting to struggle with life can be a key factor in the way forwards. Knowing your options will help you to make an informed decision, enabling you to work towards an individual plan of action, which may include taking more exercise, eating more healthily and talking openly to someone to address your problems to prevent your mental health from deteriorating.
New Years Resolutions!!!!
Looking at New beginnings – out with the old and in with the new.
What do you want to leave behind - what are your hopes, goals or dreams for the coming year?
"When the past comes knocking - don't answer- it has nothing new to tell you" - anonymous
Remember - Mindfulness is being present in the moment, not attaching past baggage, allowing the mind to be like the ebb and flow of the tide, letting thoughts arise and drift away, rather than allowing them to stick or pull one along. The mindfulness philosophy advocates learning a different way of being, by recognising all things are impermanent and will end and accepting difficult situations will pass rather than dwelling on them and letting them fester.
So dispel those January Blues, look to the future and realise your hopes, goals and dreams!
BEREAVEMENT
Bereavement is likely to be encountered by us all. At the time of suffering it is a bewildering and often very lonely and frightening experience.
A good counsellor will create an environment in which grief can be expressed and sorrow shared, in which the mourner feels it is safe and acceptable to sob, to be angry, to shout, to reminisce or sit in mournful silence.
Sometimes just being there is the most helpful way of sharing grief, neither curbing or encouraging tears or words, interfering not at all with what is going on within the mourner’s heart, simply offering a caring presence and a listening ear and accepting that there may be little more one can do.
Sharing stories of your loved one and talking through your loss with your therapist as a witness, and companion on your journey can offer you Solace and Aid Healing.
POSITIVE THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - AFFIRMATIONS
My positive thought for this week is to help you think more optimistically and these affirmations are offered in the hope that you may find one that you can focus on - I have highlighted mine!!!
Affirmation – A positive thought or statement affirming that a desired goal has been reached or is within reach.
A positive statement or declaration of the truth or existence of something
Affirmations help us to think more optimistically and develop self-worth
I will enjoy life
I will value myself
I will think positively
I will do my best
I am worthy of love
I am a valuable person
I will not give up
I will believe in myself
I will move forward
I will take one step at a time
I will be mindful
I will transform negative thoughts into positive ones
I decide my self-worth
I have inner strength
I will focus on my achievements
I will count my blessings each day
I will make new friends
I will help others
I will look towards the future and not dwell on the past
I will focus on what is in my control and not dwell on what is out of my control
I will accept Life’s challenges
I will treat myself as well as I treat others