Mary-Ann Pascoe, Counsellor

13/03/2022

Relationships can be tricky at times, especially when we encounter conflict. All healthy relationships have some form of conflict, and happy couples know how to manage conflict so their relationship stays strong. Communication is key and how you start a conflict conversation is often a predictor of how that conversation will go.
A gentle start-up, according to Drs John and Julie Gottman, is helpful and effective when embarking on such a conversation. Use "I" statements and start with what has happened (your complaint), state how you feel "(emotion) and tell your partner what you need.

16/02/2022

16/02/2022

Learning to love yourself starts with forgiveness and compassion.
Can you let go of that which no longer serves you?

16/02/2022

We all mess up sometimes, make mistakes, get it wrong, forget or prioritise something else. Sometimes this can hurt the ones we love the most. Do you know how to make a heartfelt and genuine apology?

16/02/2022

Wednesday inspiration!

06/01/2022

According to renowned researcher and therapist Dr. Kristin Neff, self-compassion is acting the same way toward yourself as you would a friend when you are having a difficult time, fail, or notice something you don’t like about yourself. She even describes it as “healing ourselves with kindness.” Dr. Chris Germer, in another body of research, refers to self-compassion as the “warmhearted attitude of mindfulness when we suffer, fail, or feel inadequate.”

While compassion focuses on how we relate to others, self-compassion focuses on the inner relationship with ourselves and the desire to alleviate our own pain and suffering instead of putting our own needs on the back burner.

01/01/2022

Why is acknowledging emotions important?
It helps us build better relationships with ourselves and others. That's because being aware of our emotions can help us talk about feelings more clearly, avoid or resolve conflicts better, and move past difficult feelings more easily. Some people are naturally more in touch with their emotions than others, however this is definitely a skill we can learn. Start by increasing your awareness of how you feel, and next time you feel an uncomfortable emotion, acknowledge it and sit with it. Like waves on a beach, emotions often rush in, and naturally subside.