Jane Aylward Counselling, Dip.Couns, MBACP

Jane Aylward Counselling, Dip.Couns, MBACP I am a fully qualified counsellor working from Basingstoke, Hampshire

13/03/2026

Do you feel your stomach drop when you look down from a balcony, staircase, or hill? Maybe your legs feel shaky, your heart races, or you avoid certain places altogether. Fear of heights—also known as acrophobia—is more common than many people realise.

Our brains are wired to keep us safe, so a degree of caution around heights is natural. But when that fear becomes overwhelming, it can start to limit everyday experiences—travelling, sightseeing, climbing stairs, or even looking out of a window.

The good news is that fears can be worked through. With the right support, people can learn to:
• Understand where their fear comes from
• Manage the physical sensations of anxiety
• Gently build confidence around heights at their own pace

Counselling offers a safe space to explore these fears without judgement. Small steps can lead to meaningful change, helping you regain confidence and freedom in situations that once felt impossible.

If fear of heights is affecting your life, you don’t have to face it alone. Support is available, and change is possible.

09/03/2026

Feeling constantly tired… even after rest? You’re not alone.

Fatigue isn’t always just about lack of sleep. Sometimes it’s your mind and body responding to prolonged stress, emotional strain, or simply carrying too much for too long.

Many people experiencing emotional fatigue might notice:
• Feeling drained even after a full night’s sleep
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Low motivation for things that once felt easy
• Irritability or feeling overwhelmed by small tasks
• A sense of being mentally “foggy”

Your body has a way of telling you when it needs care and attention. Fatigue can be a signal that something deeper needs space, understanding, and support.

Small steps can help:

Slowing down and allowing yourself proper rest
Setting gentle boundaries around your time and energy
Talking about how you’re feeling with someone you trust
Being kinder to yourself on difficult days

If fatigue is affecting your daily life, exploring what’s underneath it in a supportive space can make a real difference.

04/03/2026

Quote for the day.
“Time is the only currency you spend without knowing its balance. Use it wisely”.

01/03/2026

Reframing Negative Thoughts

Not every thought you have is a fact. When a negative thought shows up, try this:

✨ Notice it – What am I telling myself?
✨ Question it – Is this 100% true?
✨ Reframe it – What’s a kinder, more balanced way to see this?

❌ “I always fail.”
✅ “This is hard, but I’m learning.”

You don’t have to force positivity—just aim for compassion. Small shifts in thinking can make a big difference 💙

27/02/2026

One of the quieter hurts I see — and feel — is the disappointment that comes when people let us down.
Not through big betrayals, but through absence. Forgetting. Not showing up in the ways we hoped they would.

It can leave you questioning your worth, when really it’s about capacity, awareness, and priorities — not your value.

Today is a reminder to notice who does show care, to allow yourself to feel the sadness without minimising it, and to be gentle with yourself when expectations aren’t met.

You’re allowed to feel hurt and grateful at the same time. Both can be true.

I am a BACP registered member. Here is some information about the standards I achieve to provide professional counselli...
24/02/2026

I am a BACP registered member. Here is some information about the standards I achieve to provide professional counselling.

24/02/2026

Do you have a question about mental health?

I’m planning to create some clear, supportive information and practical guides around common mental health concerns — the kind of resources you can come back to when things feel confusing or overwhelming.

I’d love to hear from you:
• What topics would you like more information about?
• Are there questions you’ve always wanted answered?
• Is there something you wish people understood better about mental health?

💬 You’re welcome to comment below.
🔒 If you’d prefer to respond anonymously, please feel free to message me privately instead — your privacy will always be respected.

Your input will help shape resources that are genuinely helpful and relevant. Thank you for being part of this space.

21/02/2026

Grief doesn’t move in straight lines. Some days you may feel steady, and other days the weight can return without warning. This is normal. There is no “right” way to grieve and no deadline for healing.

You might notice changes in your sleep, mood, energy, or relationships — not because you’re weak, but because loss touches every part of us.

Counselling offers a gentle space to honour your loss, speak the unspeakable, and learn how to carry your grief without carrying it alone.

💙 You are allowed to miss them
💙 You are allowed to feel joy again
💙 You are allowed to ask for support

If you’re navigating grief and need a safe place to talk, I’m here.

08/02/2026

Returning to work after mental health leave can be one of the hardest steps.

Not because you’re weak — but because you’ve been carrying more than most people can see.

You might be managing:
• Anxiety about coping again
• Fear of judgment or being “found out”
• Pressure to prove you’re better
• Guilt for needing time off in the first place

Mental health leave is not a failure.
It’s a response to something that mattered.

Going back to work isn’t about pretending nothing happened — it’s about learning how to support yourself now, with the insight you’ve gained.

Counselling during this transition can help you:
✨ rebuild confidence after burnout or breakdown
✨ manage anxiety and emotional fatigue
✨ navigate workplace expectations and boundaries
✨ return in a way that protects your mental health

If returning to work feels overwhelming, support can make it feel steadier and less lonely.

06/02/2026

Weekend Reminder: Self-Care Is Not Selfish

As the weekend arrives, take a gentle pause.
You don’t have to earn rest. You don’t have to be productive to be worthy.

Self-care can be simple:
✨ saying no without guilt
✨ slowing your pace
✨ checking in with your emotions
✨ doing one small thing that brings you calm

This weekend, choose what nourishes you — not what drains you.
Progress isn’t always about doing more… sometimes it’s about being kinder to yourself.

💛 Be proud of how far you’ve come.
💛 Be patient with where you are.
💛 And remember: taking care of yourself is part of the healing.

02/02/2026

“Others have it worse, so I don’t deserve support.”

This is something I hear often.

Pain is not a competition.
Struggle doesn’t need to be “bad enough” to matter.
You don’t have to justify your feelings by comparing them to someone else’s.

If you’re hurting, that’s enough.
If you’re tired, overwhelmed, numb, or struggling to cope — that’s enough.
You are allowed support simply because you are human.

Someone else having it worse does not mean you have it easy.
Your pain still counts. And you still deserve care.

Appointments available now in Basingstoke or via Zoom.

30/01/2026

🐾 How Can a Cat Be Therapeutic? 🐾

Cats offer more than companionship—they can be quietly powerful supports for emotional wellbeing.

✨ Calming presence: The gentle rhythm of a cat’s purr has been shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
✨ Emotional grounding: Sitting with a cat can bring us into the present moment, easing anxious or racing thoughts.
✨ Non-judgmental connection: Cats offer affection without expectations—no explaining, no fixing, just being.
✨ Routine and purpose: Caring for a pet can provide structure, motivation, and a sense of responsibility during difficult times.
✨ Comfort in silence: Sometimes healing doesn’t come from words. A cat curled beside you can say enough.

In therapy, we often talk about regulation, connection, and safety. For many people, animals—especially cats—naturally support all three.

If you’ve ever felt calmer simply by having a cat nearby, you’ve experienced this therapeutic effect firsthand 💛

Address

Derwent Road
Basingstoke

Telephone

+441256354682

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