Calanthia Lilburn - Counsellor

09/07/2022

🥳🌱❤️So much work went into this accreditation process and I’m delighted to have achieved it!
🌱I keep saying it, but I love what I do and always aim for excellence, people deserve it
🌱Thankyou to everyone who has put their trust in me❤️🌱.

05/07/2022

Hiya! It’s been ages since I’ve posted anything! Social media and me 🙃.
🌱What has been happening? It has been a full on year so far, new training, EMDR counselling and lecturing. I feel immensely blessed to do what I do 🌱❤️
Currently taking some time out with family I haven’t been able to see since the pandemic at the stunningly beautiful
This place is like a slice of paradise for all the senses.
🌱There has been so much change for me and more to come which I’m embracing (sometimes it’s scary though). Change totally pushes us, sometimes to the ‘limit’. But shows us how we can adapt, how to think of unique approaches and move towards accepting who we are, beautiful works in progress❤️ 🌱.

11/03/2022

🌱Incredible night of celebration at the Merchant hotel.
Thankyou to for inviting me to celebrate international women’s day. What a wonderful atmosphere of women coming together to uplift and support one another.
It was nourishing to hear and relate to so many stories, to meet friends I haven’t seen in years and to make new friends on the dance floor.
Not gonna lie, those heels 👠 were a killer and by 10pm I lost 4 inches in height, as slippers (wonderfully donated by the Merchant) were donned! Next year I’m wearing slippers😆.
Here’s to all the women who have supported me in my life, accepted me, encouraged me and rooted for me (even on the crap days ) Thank you ❤️
-For me, in the world of psychology and counselling, I stand as a mixed race, neuro divergent women and Counsellor. It was a hard road as I studied the theories so often based on western, male orientated, privileged values and concepts. The more I studied, along with life experience, I saw how counselling needed to bring culture and identity to the centre of its practice to open the doors to inclusivity, difference and equity. Thankfully it’s shifting!
So here I stand and I am privileged that I get to teach the next generation of counsellors and also to support so many people who invite me into their life as a counsellor. It takes strong people to ask for support and I’m always blown away by people and their ability to thrive, to not give up and be the person they want to be, despite what life throws at them.
You all inspire me ❤️🌱

01/02/2022

It’s been an incredible nearly 4 years as a well-being officer. All the feels today as I leave the office for the last time 😭. So many incredible people and what a privilege it’s been ❤️.
What’s next on the journey?….🌟I’m delighted to share with everyone that I’ve been appointed as associate lecturer on the integrated counselling degree! 💥🙌🏾❤️.
I’m super excited and can’t wait to get started! It’s going to be busy lecturing and running an EMDR private practice. I’m up for the challenge 😊.

27/10/2021

🤓I finally published my BOOK📚🎉!! (Only took me a few years and a pandemic).
I never thought I would get round to it, but it’s available to download now on Amazon.
♥️📣📣link in bio 📣📣♥️
🌱 These stories have formed part of the workshops I’ve been delivering over the last few months. They were so well received, it gave me the final push to publish them🌱
❤️I believe stories enable us hold space with one another, with empathy and compassion
(even when we don’t agree)❤️.
📚THE BLURB📚
The short stories detail a girl’s life growing up mixed race in Northern Ireland. They build up a picture of how she wrestles with people’s perceptions of her identity and trying to fit in.
I’ve also included a teaching and learning section for self-reflection, for educators and/or community groups🌱
Massive thanks to all my friends and family who have supported this book, especially to
…your literary genius support, dedication and awesome friendship has been invaluable❤️

1 serendipitous ‘knowing’ moment that blossomed into a great friendship❤️ …a new story to be told.
And to .painting for the beautiful front cover illustration. How you nailed it from my description, I’ll never know. Talent.
I’m now taking a massive well earned break 😂❤️🌱

21/10/2021

🤓It’s been a fantastic few months of workshops on ‘Identity and the classroom’. Some awesome feedback from people below. Huge thanks to everyone who took part 🤗.

It’s not always easy to talk about identity and inclusion, but creating spaces for honest talk is powerful.
I look forward to more brilliant conversations and learning round identity and education🤓🌱

02/08/2021

I was gifted a paddle board last year and I’ve been hooked ever since.🏄🏾‍♀️Ive always been a water baby, I’ve always lived on islands 😆. This photo was one of those nights where you couldn’t help but be present and reflect with gratitude. 💗
I haven’t been posting much lately, I’ve been spending less time on social media and more time with nature (and been working on some fab projects too). Trying to find the right balance can be tricky, kudos to the Olympiads who are speaking out about finding balance and prioritising mental health. If you don’t work, nothing else will. Exhale🧘🏾‍♀️.

15/05/2021

🌱❤️Delighted to be part of feature cover for . Thanks to the fab journalists, Audrey Watson and Aine Toner.
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Really proud moment for me. I know I’m quite a private person, but I have a strong desire to see people grow and heal.
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Identity and self esteem are intrinsically linked, visibility and validation key concepts, if you can’t see me, you can’t hear me.
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Thank you to everyone who has and continues to support me on this journey and I hope that all our stories bring about conversations with the aim of getting it right for all. 🌱❤️

12/05/2021

🌱Some key questions to get to the root of anxious feelings 🌱
When anxiety strikes, things to remember are:
1. You can’t change the past or control the future 🔮
2. Test the evidence for your thinking: Where is the evidence for your thinking? Are you catastrophising? Are you giving up because it’s not perfect? Are you trying to mind read?
3. Breathe 🧘🏾‍♀️❤️...make sure your exhale is longer than your inhale and just breathe ❤️

07/05/2021