Authentic Minds Counselling

02/01/2026

Are you okay?

Really, are you?

We often respond with a quick "I'm fine" or a simple "OK" when someone asks how we are.

If you recognize yourself in this, take a moment to genuinely check in with how you're feeling.

Maybe you're not doing so well—feeling down, overwhelmed by anxiety or intrusive thoughts, or trying to cope with something significant like grief or the end of a relationship.

Remember, therapy provides a safe, non-judgmental space where you can unload, be heard, and perhaps find some clarity.

Are you truly okay? ❤️

31/12/2025

I would like to take a moment to wish all current and past clients a Happy and Healthy New Year. It is truly a privilege to hold space for whatever you bring. Wishing everyone—old and new clients—a transformative and sincerely hopeful 2026.

28/12/2025

A reflection for over Christmas

Stepping back or away is an essential part of self-care and emotional healing, not a sign of weakness or avoidance. Taking space allows the mind and body to reset, offering clarity that is often impossible when we remain overwhelmed or overextended. In therapy, stepping away can create room to reflect on boundaries, identify needs, and reconnect with a sense of balance. This intentional pause nurtures support for healthier decision-making, emotional regulation, and self-compassion. By honouring the need for rest and distance, individuals give themselves compassion and permission to heal, grow, and return with renewed strength and fresh perspective.

07/12/2025

Carrying your past, especially trauma, can feel really heavy at times. Therapy offers a gentle way to handle this—bit by bit. Imagine the burden as a sack full of rocks, and with each session, you take out one rock, process it, understand it, and gradually let it go. Over time, the sack becomes lighter, and you start feeling better and less weighed down. Therapy really can help, and it all begins with a simple conversation!

20/11/2025

Raising awareness about men's mental health is more important than ever.

From a young age, men are often told that big boys don't cry, encouraging them to suppress their feelings and hide any signs of vulnerability.

As a result, many men may experience anxiety, depression, and feelings of being overwhelmed or unable to cope.

Every woman has a relationship with a man—whether a brother, partner, dad, cousin, or son—and asking if they are okay, talking to them, and letting them know it's okay not to feel okay can make a difference.

Let's work together to remove the stigma around men's mental health and create a more supportive and understanding environment.

13/11/2025

Break free from the cycle of toxic behaviors passed down through generations. Choose to do things differently for a better future—take a step back, work on yourself, and make the change today.

03/11/2025

25/08/2025

The “frog in boiling water” metaphor is often used in therapy to describe how people sometimes adapt to unhealthy or harmful situations without realizing it, because the change happens so gradually.
The story goes like this:

If you drop a frog into boiling water, it will immediately jump out.
But if you put a frog in cool water and slowly heat it, the frog won’t notice the danger and will stay until it boils.
In therapy, this is used as a metaphor for situations like:
Staying in toxic relationships or jobs because the stress or mistreatment escalates little by little.
Ignoring mental health struggles because the symptoms increase gradually over time.
Adapting to unhealthy coping mechanisms without recognizing how harmful they’ve become.
The lesson is that small, incremental negative changes can add up to something very harmful—unless you notice the pattern and take action. Therapy often helps people “notice the rising temperature” sooner, so they can step out of unhealthy environments or patterns before damage occurs

24/08/2025

“No one is coming to rescue you. The good news? You already hold the power to change — and counselling can help you unlock it “

Offloading in a safe space with a trained professional may be the answer to moving forward

21/08/2025

“Trauma bonds can keep people trapped; counselling provides the clarity to step free.”
“In therapy, destructive bonds are named, understood, and gently dismantled.”

16/08/2025