Mary Rees Counselling

17/07/2025

How many times do I hear “they are just attention seeking”. Teenagers act out because they have an emotional need that is not being met. They may not know how to ask for help or even what that need is. But pay them attention. Lean in. Find a way to connect. Coffee. Shopping. A walk. Going to the gym together. Make a tik tok. Play pool or darts. Do skincare together . Watch their YouTube faves. Take a drive. Play Xbox. Watch a film. Connection doesn’t have to be big talking.

19/03/2024

Grief. What a weird thing it is. For most people, they get to a new normal where they can function really well and the grief and trauma is a small puddle nearby rather than being a massive scary ocean they are adrift in with no obvious means of getting to the shore of safety and normalcy. Then wham bang it whacks you around the chops out of nowhere. Did that really happen? How did it happen? And then the tears flow. Like it was yesterday. Personally, I think these moments help us feel connected with those we’ve lost. They are uncomfortable and unwelcome, but very powerful connectors. Unsettling reminders of how powerfully we love. 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

20/06/2022

Yeees. But not just for teenagers! How many of us wish we’d worked this out about 30 years ago?!?

19/06/2022

I use this all the time. For myself and with clients. It’s a really simple way to help get anxiety in check so you can get your body and thoughts back under control.

22/05/2022

Learning to reframe is a great skill to acquire whether you are 14, 44 or 74. It takes a conscious effort to turn our thought processes around. Give it a go. Do it for you. Believe.

10/02/2022

I love Betsy de Thierry books. I’ve just read this one on Understanding Shame in Children. They are really readable, with no jargon, and aimed at anyone who cares about children - parents, teachers, counsellors and so on. I’ve also read her attachment and trauma books and they are just as good. Great for understand how we can positively impact children 🤗

21/10/2021

Let’s talk self-care.

For me, I love getting outside by myself when I know I need a pick me up. Spending time recharging, concentrating on the surroundings and watching the dog pootling about in puddles cheers me up no end. This is my go to self-care pick me up when I can feel I’m getting too busy and overloaded.

A bath, candles and a good book to escape into also help no end. 🛀📖🕯

Self-care isn’t selfish or indulgent. It is vital time to check in with yourself and recharge and put you at the centre of your life 🌸🌸🌸.

What’s your favourite self-care?

16/08/2021

How are the summer holidays treating you? For some, not much change other than the roads are quieter! For others, the stress of keeping the children occupied may be creeping in. Especially as holidays are not possible for many of us. I know I’ve been more irritable than usual so I’ve treated myself to breakfast by myself today. What’s your favourite self-care and how’s your summer going?

06/05/2021

20/01/2021

A friend shared this poem today and I found the words really calming.