Stephen McFarland Inspired Counselling

21/12/2025

I have a few counselling sessions available Monday and Tuesday this week.
If you want to get your counselling started quickly, now is the time. Contact me to book a time this week.

Then returning after a few days off on 5th January. So if not this week, get booked in online for January.

Stephen

Inspired Counselling Services: counsellor and therapist Stephen McFarland located in Ballymena, County Antrim. A registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, offering one-to-one integrative counselling working from a psychodynamic core.

21/12/2025

What do you see in this video?
What do you hear?
What do you feel, safe?, unsafe?
What are you drawn towards?
What has your unconscious added into this video? (This is hard to know unless you have been to counselling with me...)

This short interesting video, by me, can bring up a whloe range of different feelings, insecurities, fears, happiness, warmth, safety, quietness, wonderings, for each individual person watching, but yet it is the same video.

Did you know, in counselling with me, we may use creative means, like a video, to allow insight into a client's unconscious, in a safe, interesting way.

I use lots of different techniques to help a client find themselves, understand who they are, what they desire etc. This leads to a happier, more content, more fulfilling life.

www.inspiredcounsellingservices.co.uk

05/12/2025

This is inspiration.
I want to say whats stopping you?
But us Bikers dont think right lol

“I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aged 27. The whole process leading up to the diagnosis was pretty tough. That year had actually been one of my best racing seasons. I was leading the British Superstock 1000 Championship and everything felt like it was heading in the right direction. Toward the end of the season, things started to change. I kept quiet about it and convinced myself it would pass. I was so focused on the championship that I pushed through and did my best, eventually finishing 4th.

“Once the season ended, things went downhill quickly. Some days I struggled just to get out of bed, let alone train or carry out day-to-day tasks. I went to the doctor several times but couldn’t seem to get the support I needed. At one point I was told to come back in three months if I still felt the same. At the time, I felt like I could barely last three days.

“I already had plans to head home to Australia for Christmas, and by the time I got there my condition had worsened. It was obvious to my parents that something was seriously wrong. Even though we live in a fairly remote town, they encouraged me to see a doctor. I thought it would be a waste of time, but blood tests were taken and within hours I was being rushed to the nearest hospital. That’s when this whole journey really began.

“Racing after my diagnosis was challenging, and it definitely had its moments. My biggest worry at the time was that I had just signed my first major contract with a factory team, something I had worked toward my entire life. My race licence was revoked after the diagnosis. It felt like everything I’d worked for was slipping away, through no fault of my own.

“Over the following months, I had to quickly learn and adapt, and thankfully I was able to demonstrate that I had my condition under control. My licence was reinstated just in time for the opening round. Since then, much of my approach to managing diabetes while racing has come down to trial and error, figuring out what works best for me and building routines that keep everything as controlled as possible.

“Looking ahead, my main goal is to compete in the World Endurance Championship. Pushing my mind and body to their limits in these races is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the most rewarding. Showing what’s still possible while living with diabetes is a huge motivator for me. Alongside that, I’m still very determined to compete at the highest level in the British Championship. Getting back on the top step as a type 1 diabetic is a major personal goal. I want to use these challenges to reach a wider audience, everyday people living with diabetes, and show that pushing boundaries is possible.

“My message to anyone, with or without type 1, is that it doesn’t have to be seen as a limitation or something that stops you from living your life. Of course, it can be tough and there are challenging moments every day, but it shouldn’t prevent anyone from pursuing their goals. No matter how big or small, no one should let diabetes stop them from making the most of life and chasing what matters to them.”

Brayden Elliott, who lives with type 1 diabetes and races motorcycles professionally, recently shared his incredible story with us. His message of resilience through life’s challenges is totally inspiring, and we hope you’ll enjoy it too!

01/12/2025

Hey everyone, it's another opportunity to have a good day today, and maybe help someone else, even with a smile, a wave, however small or big. If you are struggling today, know there is people that care, it is ok to not be ok, and it is ok to ask for help, however big or small.

You guys out there asked for it so I have increased my hours to three sessions on a Friday morning. But, isn't there always a but lol, these sessions will be booked up quickly so If ya want Friday morning, get tapping on my online booking system, or message me quickly.

I also have other sessions available daytime Monday to Thursday, so get booked in online, or message me.

If you don't see a time to suit you, please contact me as we may be able to agree a different time if available.

Remember I see clients online from most places in Europe (some worldwide), so wherever you are hit me with a message and we will get your therapy started, at a time suits you.

OK, take care and look after each other, in this time when people would like to drive divisions among us, let's show up for each other and help make our little corner of the world a little brighter.

Stephen

09/11/2025

I am rough round the edges, personally, physically, spiritually and mentally. You will notice this when you come to work on your inner world with me. But this actually helps us go to the deeper parts of you, to heal, delete, regain, remold, remake, whatever we need to do.

Therefore starting next year I am delving deeper into your inner world, even though I already see amazing results in my clients. Some clients are still here, alive, some clients are living successfully in life and business/work.

A lot of clients have had babies with their partners because they became a better version of themselves, more caring, loving, which initiated change in their partners and they fell in love again, abd well, I'll not explain here, babies arrived. 🤙🏼😂

With my experience of baby and child loss, the other side of life appeared, deep, dark, lonely, stuck grief, but coming to therapy has helped notice the loss, and find a way to move forward, always carrying this child with them, as we never want to forget our lost little lives. 🌹💖💙

But, as with a universe in the sky, we have inside us, a hugh amount of neurons, endocrines, nerves, and much more that holds memories, not just our brain in the head, but throughout our body.

So coming in the new year I'll be on here helping explain a little bit more, and as we can understand and put into practice more through metaphors, i'll be using all sorts to help y'all.

So, because I'm rough round the edges, we don't need to be perfect, we just need to heal, grow, improve, bit by bit, however we choose to do that.

See you soon, Stephen



www.inspiredcounsellingservices.co.uk

04/11/2025

Part 2 of 2 part quest from the beautiful Gortin Glen.

Following on from yesterdays video, ( watch it first) it is important to then CHOOSE what you fill that hole, void, space, with. If you do not choose, it will be filled for you with probably more negative things.

So in this video, it was a very warm summer day in high 20°,

So you could imagine yourself standing or sitting in this waterfall, feeling the refreshing, cool, clear, water, just washing over you, cleansing you.

With the space from whatever you let go of yesterday, what are you choosing to replace it, them, there, with?

It doesn't need to be replaced instantly, you could enjoy the day in this cool water feeling lighter from yesterday.

What might a new goal be?

What might be one step closer to this goal?

Isn't it a blessing the neurons in our brain are able to be rewired!!

Find out more in therapy with me.

Stephen

www.inspiredcounsellingservices.co.uk

03/11/2025

Part 1 of a 2 part quest from Gortin Glen, Tyrone.

This is a 2 parter, with the 2nd part tomorrow. It takes both parts to make this therapy work.

For today, when you watch this beautiful Tyrone stream flowing past.
Imagine throwing into the stream something or someone that you no longer want, need, feel trapped by whatever.
An emotion, feeling, negative pattern, addiction, or even a person, a place, a job, a school, whatever comes to mind.
Just imagine it bobbling down the stream and away....
You could even close your eyes and just listen to it being washed away....

For today just focus on whatever cand to mind being washed away in this summer stream.

Feel and notice what that would be like to be rid of 'it'.

Tomorrow comes part 2 of your quest....

Y'all come back now, ya hear?

To be continued....

02/11/2025

For this video...
Just notice what you feel,
What do you notice,
Does it bring back any memories,
Can you smell anything watching it.

Our unconscious is always adding in thoughts, feelings, things that others may not see, feel, hear, smell, etc.

Counselling is a great little place to be able to bring them things into your conscious awareness, and understand them, and let them go if needed.

www.inspiredcounsellingservices.co.uk

31/10/2025

🔑Have you been thinking about counselling with me?

🔑Online booking now available, and I have recently opened up a few more spaces, so now is the time.

🔑Get it sorted and we will get started working towards your new future ASAP.

🔑See you soon 😀

30/10/2025

Hey good people, and the rest of us lol
I have been told many times, bring the videos back, so here is the 1st of many coming your way. 😁

White rocks beach, Portrush.

Just take a moment to slow down your breathing, let your shoulders drop, unclench your jaw or fists, allow your body to relax.
Then watch it again in that relaxed way.

Now remember how your body feels relaxed, then throughout your day, check in with yourself, and try to slowly move back to that relaxed body again.

www.inspiredcounsellingservices.co.uk