Nicola Mucklow Psychotherapy & Counselling Services MBACP Accred.

21/05/2025

Why in-person and online therapy still matter more than AI for mental health support?!

In a world increasingly shaped by technology, it's tempting to turn to AI for quick answers—even when it comes to our emotional and mental well-being.
But while AI can offer information or even a sense of companionship, it cannot replace the depth, nuance, and healing power of real human connection.

Here's why in-person and online therapy with a qualified mental health professional still remain the gold standard in therapeutic care.

1. Empathy can’t be programmed!
Therapists bring something no algorithm can: genuine empathy.
Whether you’re in a cozy office or connecting via video chat, a trained therapist is tuned into your emotions, non-verbal cues, and your unique life context. They respond not just with answers, but with understanding, compassion, and encouragement that grows from human interaction.

2. Real support, not simulated conversation!

AI tools may simulate conversation, but they lack the emotional intelligence to adapt to your evolving needs, recognize trauma responses, or guide you through complex feelings.

Therapists, on the other hand, are trained to notice what you’re not saying, ask the right questions, and guide you at a pace that respects your readiness and resilience.

3. A safe space to be truly heard!
Therapy provides a confidential, judgment-free environment where 'your' story & experience really matters!

It’s a space to be seen and heard—something AI, built on patterns and prompts, simply can’t provide.

Healing often begins when you feel truly understood, and that’s where human therapy shines!

4. Personalized & ethical care.
Mental health isn’t and can never be, a one-size-fits-all.

Therapists develop personalized plans which are grounded in evidence-based practices.
They will consider your past, present, relationships, culture, and goals—something AI cannot holistically understand or ethically navigate.

5. Growth through the relationship.
The therapeutic relationship itself is part of the healing process.
Working with a therapist helps you build trust, set boundaries, and learn healthier ways of relating to others, all skills that flourish through human connection, not coding!

In-person or online therapy will meet you where you are!
Whether you're more comfortable sitting face to face or prefer the convenience of secure online sessions, therapy offers flexible, personalized care.

No matter the format, you're working with a professional who’s trained to walk alongside you—not ahead of you, not above you—but 'with' you.

Please remember that whilst AI may offer quick responses and replies, genuine healing and growth takes time, presence, and human connection.👥️👣

09/04/2025

11/02/2025

19/01/2025

Shared from The Counselling Directory

08/12/2024

https://www.cruse.org.uk/understanding-grief/managing-grief/christmas/

Grieving over Christmas can be incredibly painful. We're here to help you make sense of how you're feeling.

16/09/2024

Why Online Therapy?
Since the Coronavirus Pandemic, online working has become much more mainstream, indeed it is estimated that over 38% of the British work force either work from home exclusively or hybrid work, (a combination of home working & office-based contact) to suit both business needs & personal circumstances.
Online Therapy is regarded as a highly effective way of accessing counselling which is meaningful yet flexible for all.
As life becomes more complex & busier, accessing regular therapy/counselling can be difficult. This is where Online Therapy can help.
Six proven benefits of Online Therapy
• Flexibility- you can take part in online therapy from almost anywhere. All you need is a safe space and access to the Internet, whilst many clients are able to find a quiet room in their home, you can be more creative engaging in online therapy from the comfort of your car or similar spaces.
• Confidentiality- whilst there is more awareness around mental health issues, some people still experience embarrassment and might be reluctant to seek help.
• Accessibility- online therapy is far more accessible than traditional face to face counselling, it may well be a lifeline for those struggling with illness, injury, those who might be differently abled or those who find it difficult to get out of the house.
• No need to commute- which means you can save time and money if you don't have to commute to see your therapist, there are no concerns regarding train times, bus timetables, traffic or parking leaving you more relaxed and able to take part in therapy.
• Anonymity- Whilst many people prefer to see a counsellor close to their home, online therapy means you don't have to, you can work with someone from a different area meaning you will never need to meet in person.
• Non-geographical- It doesn't matter where you are in the world as long as you have Internet connection or smartphone you can have Online Therapy.

11/09/2024

Id like to inform all my followers on Facebook that I am shortly relocating north & from now on, I'm able to offer online or telephone contact for those considering therapy, either in Cannock or Whitby. 🚛🚛🚛🚛🚛
Please call or email for an initial no obligation Introductory chat.
https://www.facebook.com/nmpsychotherapy/

26/03/2024

Relationships ending is a sign of growth. It means you’ve become more clear on who you are and what you want. We have a tendency to think of all endings as bad— or even hostile. Where we have to blame someone. But the reality is the ending of a relationship doesn’t mean anyone is in the wrong. Sometimes it just means our vision of life is completely different. That if we stayed in that friendship or romantic relationship, we would be betraying ourselves. Letting people go can be an act of courage and a way to say: “I respect you (and myself) enough to end this before we both end up resentful”

HAVE YOU HAD TO SAY GOODBYE TO SOMEONE SO YOU DIDN’T BETRAY YOURSELF?

13/07/2022

Ali is 24. Her father was a violent man who kept to him self most of the time. You didn’t want to anger him— there would be a physical price to pay. Her mom coaches her daughters on not upsetting dad. She spends the majority of the time calming him down from his constant cycles of angers. Ali has never had a relationship with a safe man.

One night out with friends she meets Rory. He’s mid rant about how heartless women are. How they use men + get away with it. There’s an intense anger in his words. Ali immediately notices him. When they lock eyes a surge of excitement goes through her whole body. She doesn’t see his anger or beliefs about women as a red flag, instead she sees him as an innocent victim. “He’s really been hurt.” She has to help him. Immediately + unconsciously she must prove that she’s not like ‘those women.’ She’ll win his love + prove to him that she’s a special, different type of woman. They talk + flirt all night— the chemistry is palpable. She’s fit for this role.

6 months later they’re living together. While he’s not violent with her, his anger erupts almost daily. Through road rage— where Ali will beg him to stop or slow down. Through turf wars with the neighbors. Through watching the news + calling people ‘idiots’ + morons.’ When he gets fired for an explosive issue at work, he comes home enraged blaming his managers. Ali always has dinner ready for him + talks him down from his eruptions. She’s been coached on how to do this since she was little.

One day a friend comes over + tells her she saw Rory out with another woman. Ali confronts him. Rory is emotionally immature + immediately goes into a rage. “what other stories are your friends going to come up with? “You seriously believe your friend over me? You’re crazier than I thought.” He slams his fist on the dinner table. Ali’s body goes into freeze. She’s right back in childhood + she’s terrified, shaking. That will be the last time she asks Rory about other woman.

She believes he will change, eventually. And keeps trying harder + harder to show him she’s the woman he’s always been looking for. Then, she will finally be loved

22/06/2022

When I was fortunate enough to be asked to contribute to Lisa’s book, I had no idea that it would become so popular, and now named ‘2021 Outstanding Book Awards across Humanities, behavioural sciences and education publishing’ by Routledge.

Getting the message out there that we need to look after ourselves and each other is the central, vital and pivotal part of our message at SelfCare Psychology.

So, in addition to me being ‘jump up and down excitedly’ pleased for Lisa, the award for her book means that this message along with all of the others, will reach further and further through the contributory conversations she has collected.
It means we continue to have conversations with and through different learning routes, training, roles and sectors. It means actively and curiously learning from each other, and carrying this learning through into practice, and therefore those we work with!

Lisa talked to me about my research, ‘Looking Through a Lens of Terribleness” which centres Social Workers, IDVA’s and Counsellors in their roles of working with trauma.
I asked them what impacts on you, how does it impact on you, and what helps you, to cope and manage working with, and listening to, trauma on a daily basis.

This research, together with my amazingly gifted and knowledgeable CoFounder Kates initial training as a Social Worker, and her limitless knowledge around practice and learning and development in the domestic abuse sector, led to SelfCare Psychology.

Our umbrella term of Profession Trauma and Fatigue, encompassing stress, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and burnout, and our ‘Five Pillars’ model, now represents what the wider literature, our personal and professional experience and most importantly the research participants experience said made a difference!

Keep spreading and sharing, we must continue to nurture a culture of caring for ourselves and each other as professional practitioners when we work with trauma and distress!

19/06/2022

Many of us are stuck in relationship patterns of: fixing, saving, or enabling.

HERE’S SOME REMINDERS AS WE HEAL:

1. Supporting someone looks like helping them with things they’re not capable doing. Or helping them *to become* more capable. Rescuing or enabling keeps people from facing the consequences + allows them to continue hurting themselves and/or others.

2. We are not responsible for the emotions or choices of other adults.

3. When we rescue other people from the consequences of their choices, we teach them that their behavior is acceptable + that they can continue treating us/themselves this way.

3. When we rescue or enable others it isn’t (actually) about them. It’s about us + our deep desire to feel love or connection. Many of us attempt to get our own needs met in this way, then wonder why we feel so disconnected or angry.

4. Authentic love is two equals coming together to help each other grow, heal, + evolve. With patterns of rescue, there is an unequal power dynamic. That’s why resentment is almost always a part of relationships where rescuing is the theme.

5. If we learned to be responsible for a parents emotional state, we inherit a sense of “over responsibility.” This leads us to re-create these patterns as adults.

6. Boundaries can feel scary if we were raised in this dynamics. Learning to set + hold boundaries are key in healing from these patterns.

7. Empathy does not mean you abandon yourself or allow someone’s harmful behavior. That’s a *lack* of empathy towards ourselves.

8. Some relationships will require you to choose yourself + your own well-being. This is a sacred act of loving care to your inner child.

9. Our society glamorizes self sacrifice as love. Authentic love does not require us to sacrifice ourselves. It actually helps us to meet our *true* selves