What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm

Michelle Jean Counselling

Home
United Kingdom
Ashford
Michelle Jean Counselling

▫️Qualified Therapist MBACP
▫️In person sessions ~ Ashford, Kent
▫️Online - International

25/01/2026

Whatever January was, it was enough.

January can be a tough month. It’s winter. It’s dark. Energy is lower. Motivation is lacking. Perhaps being human feels a bit heavier and a bit messier this time of year. That's more than OK.

January can also bring space to notice things. Maybe it's thoughts we’ve been carrying, patterns we keep returning to, or the internal narratives...“I should have..."

Sometimes it can help to reframe the "should's" to “I would like to…" or "next time I might try..." This small adjustment in the way we talk to ourselves can move away from judging yourself for the past, and actually care for yourself moving forward.

Perhaps January has made you curious about why certain thoughts keep showing up, or you would like a softer, kinder relationship with yourself. Therapy can be a gentle place to explore that, at your pace. It's an invitation to understand yourself a little more...

self-acceptance | being human | gentle reflection | self-compassion | therapy as support

If this resonates with you then I'd love to hear from you...

Michelle 🤍

20/01/2026

A lot of people have been talking today about the Brooklyn Beckham stories and the Beckham family conflict.

While the details and facts aren’t entirely ours to know, public celebrity media based family tension can often stir something up.

Whether it's reassuring to know there are others out there we can relate to or we have an opinion on the situation.

Family conflict rarely exists in isolation. It can reopen old wounds. Unhealed parts of us. Unspoken hurt.
Triggering past experiences of rejection, criticism, or emotional neglect. Often leaving you feeling vulnerable, and overwhelmed.

The focus of much of my work with clients involves relationships. Whether it's family, romantic or friendships. Therapy can be a space to gently process the hurt, grief, and trauma that these relationships can bring up, especially when the pain feels longstanding or unresolved.

It's not about choosing sides or labelling anyone as “toxic”. Sometimes it’s not about fixing the relationship but understanding your response to it, learning how to protect yourself emotionally, without losing yourself to guilt or self doubt.

| Family conflict | Emotional wounds | Old patterns | Nervous system | Boundaries | Guilt | Relational healing

If the media narrative resonates with you right now don't feel you're overreacting. Your nervous system remembers more than your mind does.

Michelle 🤍

30/12/2025

A completely unaesthetic Twixmas.

No highlight reel, no perfectly cosy moments orchestrated for a instagram reel.

Just real days, running errands, finishing jobs, watching movies,small snacks, drives and evenings that didn’t ask anything of me.

It wasn’t special in an eventful sense but it has been steady, human, and slow. Amongst the ordinariness of it all I found myself appreciating this time more than I expected to. It really has been lovely and I'm very grateful for the time.

| slow days | ordinary moments | being human | time to notice |

I hope that you have had moments like this too? Even small ones count. I'd love to hear...

Michelle

28/12/2025

Starting the year slowly is not falling behind...

As January approaches, there can be a sense of pressure to feel ready, motivated, clear headed, full of plans or up for a challenge.

But January is winter, the days are darker, colder, shorter and everything is a little slower.

If you're start to 2026 pulls more towards calm, low key or just "as you were" energy then I totally get it. There’s nothing wrong with easing in, listening to your intuition, and taking things one step at a time.

A slower beginning doesn’t mean you’re behind.
It just means you’re moving in a way that fits you and the season. For some new year doesn't begin until April as the seasons change and we step into the light and optimism of Spring. Why do we force ourselves to be raring to go in January when it's freezing and we naturally seek warmth.

I'm so interested to hear your thoughts on the "new year new me" hype and the pressure that generate in us. How are you approaching New Year? What is feeling good for you?

Michelle ♥️

26/12/2025

Hello...how are you? I've been reflecting about how Christmas brings out all the childlike excitement in me.

The build up, the lights, the food and the getting together. I'm also aware that everyone's Christmas looks different and I'm very privileged to feel this way.

I've also learnt something about myself over the years: I need rest woven in, not afterwards.

This will be my 7th sober Christmas and since doing my own inner work, I’ve become much better at noticing when my nervous system needs a pause. A couple of days of socialising is often followed by a quieter day for me. No plans. No expectations.

It’s not because anything went wrong or I'm ungrateful...it's because I've learnt to understand what my mind and body needs.

If over the coming days you feel a little flat, tired or emotionally vulnerable know it's not you. If you’re looking ahead to more socialising and feeling a bit wobbly about it, that makes sense too.

Rest isn’t a failure of resilience...it's part of how we stay well.

When can you schedule some downtime? it’s okay to enjoy connection and a need for recovery afterwards.

Both can exist guilt free!

I hope you find the downtime that you need over the coming days. I hope you get the walk in, the nap, the time you deserve.

Michelle 💫♥️

22/12/2025

Hello...how are you doing? How are you feeling?

I'm really noticing more than ever how December has a way of pulling us in lots of directions. Family, plans, expectations.

The pressure to keep everyone else comfortable and happy whilst sometimes putting ourselves last. Perhaps it's family plans, feeling like we are "doing it all" or just feeling spread too thin.

If you’re feeling over stretched and overwhelmed please remember you’re not doing anything wrong. Maybe this is a sign or reminder to understand what it is you need over the coming days. Where can you find time to meet your needs. Whether it's an extra hour in bed, an afternoon walk or just a check-in with yourself. A quiet moment for you. What would it be?

It's natural to want to make others happy this time of year but you also count. You deserve to feel those moments in time.

I'd love to hear if this resonates and what would be your go too...Michelle 💫

14/12/2025

Hello ... how are you doing? 🤍

I am noticing more than ever that December is bringing up such a strange mix of pressure and expectation.

We are fed a narrative of joyful, cosy, meaningful…yet many people are exhausted, overwhelmed, and stretched thin.

Juggling end of year deadlines, financial pressures, sick children or family members, social expectations all mixed up with the sinking expectation that we "should" be coping better.

If everything feels more difficult right now, it's completely understandable. December asks us to do everything we would normally and then more! Ultimately draining us emotionally, mentally, financially.

Be kind to yourself....you're allowed to release the expectations, say no more often and do less than you planned.

You don’t need to do December perfectly. Make sure you prioritise your needs amongst everyone else's.

Michelle 🤍

10/12/2025

Hello ... well, we’re very much in that time of year again where the sense of obligation can speak louder than our actual needs.

Do you find yourself slipping into people pleasing without even noticing it? Saying yes when you mean no… stretching yourself thin… agreeing to plans or events that leave you exhausted, burnt out, or even resentful instead of connected?

If you’re feeling the pressure building already, I wonder how it might feel to pause and gently check in with yourself about what you would like this holiday season to look like.

I know how hard it is to shift patterns that have felt “safe” for years, even when those same patterns leave you exhausted. The worry about letting others down is real.

But here’s the reminder you may need today:

You don’t need to justify what you want YOUR Christmas to look or feel like. You don’t need to justify or earn your rest.

What’s one thing you’d like to do differently this Christmas that’s just for you? I’d really love to hear your thoughts…

Michelle ♥️

Address

Ashford
TN26

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm

Website

https://michellejeancounselling.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Michelle Jean Counselling posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Ashford?