SJR Counselling

SJR Counselling Hi, I’m Sam, I help children and young people feel empowered and understood through creativity and play, bringing a little sunshine to family life 💛

I’m an author.And this is my second book collaboration, which still feels surreal to say out loud.Just under a year ago,...
09/03/2026

I’m an author.

And this is my second book collaboration, which still feels surreal to say out loud.
Just under a year ago, I joined a beautiful group of women brought together by the amazing alongside 35 other incredible women, each choosing to share their story in their own way.

If I’m honest… at the beginning, I didn’t believe I was “unruled.”
But as I wrote my chapter, something shifted.
There was emotion.
There were tears.
There was pride.
And there was a deep realisation…
Creativity didn’t just help me.

'CREATIVITY SAVED MY LIFE.'

Writing "The Girl With The Green Trolley" brought younger me right to the surface. The girl who kept going. The girl who carried more than she should have. The girl who found ways to express herself when she didn’t always have a voice.
And I realised that was Unruled.

Not loud.
Not rebellious for show.
But quietly choosing to survive. To grow. To rewrite the narrative.

Being part of 'UNRULED, The Women Who Did It Their Way' feels emotional in the best way. I feel grateful. Proud. A little overwhelmed. And so deeply appreciative to stand alongside 35 other brave women who have chosen to share their truth.

I genuinely cannot wait for this to be published on 18.04.26 💛

This one means more than I can put into words.

You don’t need to wait for things to feel “really bad” to reach out. Early support can make a huge difference ☀️
09/03/2026

You don’t need to wait for things to feel “really bad” to reach out. Early support can make a huge difference ☀️

08/03/2026

I've met so many incredible women over the years, especially since I started allowing support from others.
Learning to network, connect with like-minded people and build a business has brought some amazing women into my life… and for that I'm truly grateful.

You know who you are 🤣

But on International Women’s Day, I could not mention the most important women in my life… my beautiful daughters, Kate and Becks ❤️❤️
Through thick and thin we’ve always been there for each other, and I am so proud of the women they are today.
Life gets busy. We don’t always speak every day, or even every week sometimes… but our relationship is strong and always has been.
We support each other through the challenges, celebrate the good moments, and just know we’re there.
My girls have encouraged me to pursue my dreams, work through the self-doubt and reminded me of who I am when I’ve needed it most
And now I have the joy of being a grandma, watching them raise their own families and seeing the next generation growing up surrounded by love and strong women.

Three generations of women… supporting, growing and cheering each other on.
And that, to me, is something really special 💛

Happy International Women’s DayToday offers an opportunity to pause and reflect on the messages children absorb from the...
08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day

Today offers an opportunity to pause and reflect on the messages children absorb from the women in their lives.

Children don’t only hear what we say. They notice how we handle stress, how we speak to ourselves when something feels difficult, and whether we allow ourselves moments of rest and care.

Many girls grow up feeling they need to be capable, helpful and accommodating. Many boys learn to push emotions aside or feel they should be strong all the time. These patterns are rarely intentional. They are absorbed through everyday moments and observations.

International Women’s Day isn’t only about celebrating achievements. It is also about recognising compassion, care, emotional strength and the importance of feeling safe to express how we truly feel.

When adults allow themselves to slow down, acknowledge difficult feelings or show self-kindness, children quietly learn that it is safe for them to do the same.

Emotional wellbeing is often modelled long before it is ever explained. The small moments of kindness we show ourselves and each other at home can shape how children understand their own feelings.

If you’re noticing your child struggling with emotions, changes or simply needing a safe space to talk, you’re always welcome to reach out.

Not every young person feels comfortable in a therapy room and that’s okay.Creative Trails offers a softer approach. A c...
07/03/2026

Not every young person feels comfortable in a therapy room and that’s okay.
Creative Trails offers a softer approach. A chance to talk, move, and simply be in nature.
Calming. Creative. Grounded in connection.
For young people who need space, gentleness, and support that meets them where they are.

I'm so excited for the opportunity to be a guest on ***desuck5 podcast. Have a listen on Spotify where you'll find her o...
07/03/2026

I'm so excited for the opportunity to be a guest on ***desuck5 podcast. Have a listen on Spotify where you'll find her other amazing episodes.

This is my story told by Mick Rowe.....

This episode follows on from our powerful conversation with Sally at self-harm distraction kits and the heart-breaking statistic that around 200 young people die by su***de each year in the UK.

This time, I’m joined by the incredible Sam Rawlings 💛
Children’s creative counsellor. Parent. Grandma. Author. Podcast host.
And someone who truly understands what it means to not be heard.

We talk about:

✨ Growing up with trauma and finding escape in creativity
✨ Becoming a mum at 17 and living in constant survival mode
✨ Why teens often can’t explain how they feel
✨ The signs parents shouldn’t ignore
✨ How creativity reveals what words can’t
✨ Why safety and trust are everything

One thing that really stood out:

If you ask a child “Why did you do that?” when they’re overwhelmed… they often don’t hear a word.

Because when a young person is dysregulated, they can be emotionally 2 or 3 years old… just in an older body.

Sam keeps language short. Clear. Safe.

And instead of forcing words, she uses creativity.

Through sand, play, movement, nature… she observes what their nervous system is saying before they can.

She also shares some of the key signs parents might notice when their child is struggling:

• Suddenly avoiding school or friends
• Dropping hobbies they once loved
• Staying in their room more
• Physical aches and pains
• Withdrawing or going quiet
• That “cocoon” behaviour where everything feels too much

And importantly… it isn’t always your fault.

Anxiety often comes from what’s happening around them.

We also talk about Sam going fully self-employed after 32 years employed, stepping into her niche as a children’s creative counsellor, and finally allowing herself to own her voice.

This episode is honest, hopeful and packed with insight for:

Parents
Carers
Teachers
Anyone supporting young people.

Self-care tip: breathe before you respond. Even one slow breath can change the tone of the whole moment ☀️
06/03/2026

Self-care tip: breathe before you respond. Even one slow breath can change the tone of the whole moment ☀️

Something happened today 💛I've been to a business event in Doncaster 'Women On Top' ran by and . This is not the first...
05/03/2026

Something happened today 💛

I've been to a business event in Doncaster 'Women On Top' ran by and . This is not the first one, so didn't expect anything different. Don't get me wrong, they're always exciting, energy lifting, a space for networking, meeting new women.

So when it was mentioned for three of us to share what opportunity we want, my hand shot up (apparently first 🤣)

I talked with confidence, humour and focus, nervous energy ran through my body. However the tools I support my clients with, helped to settle my nervous system and enjoy the experience.

Since I became fully self employed last year, I've opened myself to new opportunities, change of mindset, energetics and a love for life. I've changed, no longer am I quiet, insecure. I'm strong, confident and lead myself.

This was my first speaking opportunity and I loved it.

Being in a room with powerful women, you never know where it might lead to.

I've come away with new connections, possible collaborations and clients.

Jacqui Taylor is a writer, well being coach and yoga teacher. Her memoir - 'The Space Between: breast cancer & finding ...
05/03/2026

Jacqui Taylor is a writer, well being coach and yoga teacher. Her memoir - 'The Space Between: breast cancer & finding me' - shares her experiences with lobular breast cancer and how a life-threatening illness changes your perspective on the world. Always wanting to share her insights with others, Jacqui coaches clients to take her personal learning, frameworks and principles to support them in their own transformation to get closer to what they want. Jacqui strives to inspire others to be courageous and face their own challenges head-on, helping to guide them to create purposeful space to take care of their body, mind and spirit so they can make the greatest impact on both their life and the lives of those around them. Her career started as an engineer in corporate sales, before making the bold decision to retrain as a physiotherapist. After running her own private practice for 13 years, she sold the business in 2021. Having embraced meditation and discovering how yoga helped her find a way back into her body after multiple surgeries, Jacqui completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training to further her own practice and to incorporate this into her work with others.Married with two children and a dog, she loves to be outside and active. Since her breast cancer, Jacqui has immersed herself in her own health, taking a focused approach to her nutrition, exercise, mental and emotional well-being. She is currently working on her next book.

Sometimes children relax most when their hands are busy and their mind can slow down 💛 Mindful colouring can help them r...
04/03/2026

Sometimes children relax most when their hands are busy and their mind can slow down 💛
Mindful colouring can help them regulate emotions and feel calmer without needing lots of words.
You can download some free mindfulness colouring pages on my website.

High school offer emails have landed this week.For some families, there’s excitement.For others, relief.For many, a quie...
03/03/2026

High school offer emails have landed this week.

For some families, there’s excitement.
For others, relief.
For many, a quiet wave of anxiety underneath it all.

Starting high school is a huge transition.

Even when it’s the school they hoped for.

It’s new buildings.
New teachers.
New routines.
New friendships.
New expectations.

And for children especially, the “unknown” can feel overwhelming. You might see excitement one minute and moodiness or withdrawal the next. That’s completely normal.

Big change often brings mixed emotions.

If today feels wobbly in your house, here are a few gentle ways to support them:

• Keep your response calm and steady, even if you’re feeling emotional inside.
• Avoid over-talking it. Too many conversations can increase anxiety rather than reduce it.

• Visit the school if you can. Walking the route, seeing the gates, noticing small details makes it feel more familiar.

• Make a simple plan together. Uniform shopping, a bag checklist, key dates. Breaking it into steps makes it feel manageable.

• Reassure them that it’s okay not to feel ready yet.

Children don’t need all the answers today. They just need to feel safe.

Transitions are less about “being brave” and more about feeling supported.

If your child is struggling more than expected, or if anxiety is already building, gentle creative work can really help them process what this change means for them.

You’re not alone in this. And neither are they.

I recently introduced a new resource into sessions…A tongue drum.Which I confidently thought was a rain drum at first 🤣A...
03/03/2026

I recently introduced a new resource into sessions…

A tongue drum.

Which I confidently thought was a rain drum at first 🤣

And honestly? That felt like the perfect starting point. Curiosity. Exploration. Not needing to get it “right” straight away.

It’s been beautiful to watch what happens when something new enters the space.

We’ve been:
• Exploring different sounds and noticing how each note feels and differs
• Experimenting with gentleness – tapping softly, harder, faster or slower – and observing the impact
• Noticing the numbers and symbols on the drum, wondering what they mean
• Asking questions about where it came from, how it works and what it reminds them of
• Creating stories, patterns and imaginative ideas inspired by the instrument

There’s no pressure to perform.
No right or wrong way to play.

Just curiosity.

Sound can be such a powerful way for children to express feelings that don’t yet have words. A softer tap might reflect caution. A louder rhythm might release frustration. A slow pattern might bring calm.

Sometimes the most powerful work happens through exploration rather than explanation.

And sometimes, it starts with thinking you’ve bought a rain drum.

Address

Crossgates Chiropody And Therapy Centre, Austhorpe Road Crossgates
Crossgates
LS158BA

Opening Hours

Monday 3pm - 7:30pm
Tuesday 4pm - 7pm
Friday 3pm - 6:30pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+441977801654

Website

https://linktr.ee/sr_counselling?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwMMjllleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp_6qlLG0uTJFA0uct-

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