Welcome to the Westmeria Counselling blog, where our counsellors and expert contributors share valuable insights about the challenges that matter most, from managing anxiety to coping with loss.
Each month, we publish thoughtful articles designed to offer guidance and practical tools for emotional well-being. Whether you’re currently in counselling or looking for ways to support your mental health, we hope you find these blogs helpful and reassuring.
Feeling the Pressure This November? 5 Small Ways to Ease Stress
November can bring extra pressure as the days get shorter and the festive season approaches. Discover five small, practical ways to recognise stress, look after your wellbeing and find support when you need it.
Counselling isn’t just for ‘other people’….it’s for all of us
Author: Helen T When I first sought help from a counsellor, back in the early 2000s, I remember feeling daunted, afraid and desperate. It felt like a last resort. I had tried everything I could think of to try to get my life back on track and feel like my normal...
Why men aren’t asking for help: Shah’s story
Why do some men find it difficult to ask for help? Trainee counsellor Shah shares his experiences of stigma, faith and the importance of building trust, exploring the barriers facing men, particularly Muslim men, when seeking mental health support.
Turning Insight into Impact: Highlights from our First Mental Health Summit
Almost 100 mental health professionals came together for Westmeria’s first mental health summit, ‘Turning Insight and Learning into Impact’ on World Mental Health Day last Saturday. The one-day CPD event featured leading clinical experts examining trauma, perinatal...
Why your business should make Westmeria Counselling its Charity of the Year
Discover why Westmeria Counselling is a great Charity of the Year choice for Bromley businesses, and how your support can make a difference to local mental health services.
What KPop Demon Hunters can teach us about Shame
I never expected a Netflix animated KPop film to leave me thinking about one of the most difficult emotions we experience as human beings. As an integrative person-centred counsellor, I am often reminded that some of the most powerful lessons about being human come...
Celebrating Our First Graduating Counsellors at Westmeria College
We were delighted to recently hold our very first student graduation ceremony at Community House in Bromley, and it was a day none of us will forget. The Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Christine Harris, joined CEO and college founder Sue Doughty, our course tutors, and...
The Season of Change: Why September Can Feel Harder Than It Looks
Summer ends quietly. There's no single moment where it happens — just shorter evenings, a return to routine, and a slow shift back into "normal life." But for a lot of people, that shift brings something with it: a low-grade unsettled feeling that's hard to put a name...
Mindfulness Day: 5 practical ways to bring mindfulness into everyday life
Life can feel incredibly busy. Between work, family, relationships, responsibilities and the constant stream of notifications competing for our attention, it can sometimes feel as though our minds never really switch off. Mindfulness is one way we can create a little...
Silverwood Financial Solutions Announced as Headline Sponsor of the Westmeria Mental Health Summit
We're delighted to share some wonderful news: Silverwood Financial Solutions has come on board as Headline Sponsor of our Mental Health Summit, taking place on 10th October. Bringing Professionals Together The Summit exists to do one simple thing well — bring people...
Westmeria Counselling Services Hosts First Mental Health Summit, Turning Insight & Learning into Impact
One-day CPD conference in Bromley features leading clinical experts examining trauma, perinatal anxiety, addiction, single-session therapy, and survivor-led care. Westmeria Counselling Services will host its inaugural Mental Health Summit on Saturday, 10th October...
Knitting Through Grief
Finding Peace in the Rhythm of My Needles By Kelly C In 2024, my life changed in ways that I could never have imagined. My younger brother died suddenly at just 48, and only eight weeks after his funeral, I lost my dad. Losing two of the most important men in my life...
A Check-In as Summer Winds Down
August has a funny way of sneaking up on you. The evenings are still light, the holidays might not be over yet, but there's usually a small shift somewhere in the back of your mind — school runs starting again, routines returning, that sense of "back to normal"...
Our First Half of the Year: What 200 Referrals Tell Us
We've just sat down and gone through our numbers for the first half of the year — and while every statistic represents real people taking a real step, one figure stood out to us more than the rest. The headline number Between January and June, 200 new people reached...
What Lies Within
Modern life can leave us feeling emotionally, physically and mentally overwhelmed. Through necessity, we learn to skilfully juggle our careers and family life whilst struggling to find a balance between the two. By and large, this was me, some twenty-five years ago,...
Breaking down the barriers for men around counselling – Oli’s story
At Westmeria Counselling Services, we know that reaching out for support can be one of the hardest steps a person takes. For many men, long-standing attitudes around masculinity, vulnerability and mental health can make that step feel even more difficult. In this...
Welcoming Phil Greenaway as Our Second Men’s Mental Health Ambassador
We're delighted to announce our second Ambassador, Phil Greenaway, building on the momentum of January's announcement of our founding Ambassador, Francis Duku. The appointment continues our drive to support men's mental health. Our team supports up to 500 clients each...
The Urge to Fix: What Illness Taught Me About Validation
I met a friend for coffee recently. As we chatted about our lives and families, my friend shared some parenting frustrations. Eager to help, I suggested various techniques and strategies to help manage her unruly primary school children’s behaviour. We then shared a...
Finding my way to the counselling room – Richard’s story
An honest and deeply personal reflection on masculinity, mental health, and counselling, exploring why so many men struggle silently and what finally helps them seek support.
Understanding Loneliness: When Withdrawing Feels Easier
Loneliness isn’t always about being physically alone. For many people, it develops more quietly, often alongside low mood, stress, or depression. During Loneliness Awareness Week (15–21 June), the conversation often focuses on reaching out or staying connected. While...