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.
A Smile In The Mind – Jonathan P
Earlier in the summer, along the banks of the Thames on London’s South Bank, an outdoor gallery space exhibited 50 large-scale portraits displaying the smiling faces of 50 different people. People of all genders. People of all ages. People with their families. People...
Self-Help Mental Health While You Wait
By Katya J P Being put on a waiting list for counselling can feel frustrating and difficult, so preparing yourself for the counselling process can be one way of helping your mental health before you even set foot in the therapy room. One of the topics that will come...
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, By Anna G
I’ve long been a great believer and advocate for a healthy body leading to a healthy mind and watching the recent Stutz documentary by Jonah Hill on Netflix, re-enforced this further. The film chronicles the life and career of psychiatrist Dr Phil Stutz, Hill's...
Are you sober curious?
If you have ever wondered whether taking a break from alcohol might have a positive impact on your life, then you are not alone. It would be hard to miss the greater prominence of low and no alcohol drinks options available in supermarkets, bars, restaurants, and even...
Support for parents during your child’s exam season
By Claire B Most of us will remember what it was like to sit our exams at secondary school; some of us will have taken them in our stride, whereas for others they will have been a time of worry and stress. For those parents with children currently in Years 10 to 13,...
What to expect when you start talking about mental health
The other day, on the radio, I heard someone say that when you start acknowledging problems and seeking help with your mental health you can lose friends. It is true. The insight gained from working with mental health professionals can make you re-examine your...
‘Bipolar Awareness’ by Richard L
On March 30th, it is World Bipolar Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about bipolar disorder and the impact it has on individuals and their loved ones. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by significant mood swings and changes in energy...
Meditation Techniques by Natalie Kirton
Many of us deal with Anxiety and overthinking, there is no set way to handle these thoughts, feelings, and the inherent behaviours we produce in response but many cultures, individuals, and schools of thought often look to meditation in addition to other techniques to...
Cost of Living: Effect on the Nation’s Mental Health
Written by our Keith Prance of Rehab and Recovery, Cost of Living: Effect on the Nation’s Mental Health blog details the mental health impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Read here
Have yourself a mindful little Christmas…
By K. Jezzard- Puyraud There are two sides to Christmas. There is the one that is full of warmth, fabulous presents and a roast with all the trimmings. Then there is the one with frosty in-laws, thoughtless gifts and someone locking themselves in the bathroom for a...
What is self-compassion?
By Debbie Vaile Self-compassion can be misconceived as being self-indulgent or self-pitying. However, compassion is defined as to ‘suffer with.’ We show empathy in our understanding of whatever difficulties others may be going through. Compassion is, by definition,...
London Marathon Blog By Anita E
The London Marathon 2022. It is difficult to explain what it feels like to run the London Marathon. It is a gift and a privilege rolled into one. The place this year was a deferred place from 2020 and while training back in January 2020 I suffered a terrible slipped...
Challenging the labels of neurodiversity – Different not less
Many of my neurodivergent clients arrive to their first session, weight down by anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, having experienced discrimination, bullying andthe feeling of never fitting in. They have been told they are lazy, stupid and uncaring. They are...
Mindfulness & Meditation for Mental Health By Emma Carey
How often do we look up from our busy lives and consciously live in the present, moment to moment? My own answer to that nine years ago was, rarely, if ever. I suffered from physical illnesses, anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. It was like being trapped in a...
Exploring Holistic Treatments: Reflexology
Blog by Helen Kitcher The most common thing that people say to me when I tell them that I have trained as a Reflexologist is, ‘Isn’t touching someone’s feet a bit gross?’ I always have the same answer: as a Reflexologist I do not see feet; I see a connection portal...
Asking For Help: The First Step
Getting help and support can often be the first step towards getting and staying well. It’s not always easy, especially when you are feeling low. It is important to remember that you are not alone and that you deserve support. Reasons that you might want to get help: ...
The importance of dream work in therapy by Alex Weir, Integrative Counsellor (MBACP)
For as long as I can remember I have always had very vivid dreams. Some nights as a child, I’d long for sleep so that I could return to a favourite dream, where I’d soar across the night sky like a bird, feeling a true sense of freedom and weightlessness. Other times...
Anxiety – What small changes in our lifestyle could help us to feel less anxious?
I would like to share some tips that might help you to reduce anxiety or in other words, some lifestyle changes that I and others have found helpful. Exercise: Any kind of movement you can find closer to your heart! Dancing (for example, ballet class for...
Addiction and Recovery
Addiction recovery is something that can be managed with specialist help and there are agencies in each Borough that can support someone. While Westmeria aren’t a specialist agency in this way, once the addiction is managed and someone is in recovery, talking therapy...
SELF CARE by Laura Minus
I asked myself what self- care means to me? Without long reflection, I came up with primary needs and necessity. It would not have been the same answer 20 years ago as I have learnt it after having some setbacks that required to put myself first. Now I feel that I am...