Samantha Fords Counselling Service

15/03/2026

Sending love to.....

Have a gentle day.

08/03/2026

08/03/2026

Happy International womens' day.

Here's to the women who the women who know were they're going and won't stop until they get there.
The mother, daughter, aunties, grandmothers and friends who have taught us to LOVE, so boldy, to care so passionately and stand so PROUDLY. Heres' to lifting each other up when the world can be so quick to knock us down!!

02/02/2026

Endings in therapy with teenagers:

Termination in therapy is a crucial process for any client, it signifies the end of a therapeutic realtionship and can foster a sense pf closure for the client.

Ending therapy with teenagers involves a gradual, collaborative process, often shifting from weekly to bi-weekly and monthly sessions, ensuring goals are met and independence is established. Key strategies include highlighting progress, addressing attachment, and creating a concrete plan for future challenges. 

Key Aspects of Ending Therapy with Teens

Signs of Readiness: Consistent positive behavioral changes, reduced symptoms, and improved social/emotional functioning indicate the teen is ready.

Gradual Tapering: Transitioning to bi-weekly and then monthly sessions allows the teen to practice skills independently while retaining support.

Collaborative Planning: Involve the teenager in deciding when to end sessions to honor their autonomy, which builds rapport and reduces resistance.

Addressing the "Why": Address potential, "forced" or premature termination due to resistance, which is common in adolescent therapy.

Final Session/Closure: Celebrate progress with activities like creating a Personalized certificate of counseling completion, reviewing progress, and reinforcing that the door is open for future support.

28/01/2026

"A child who is overwhelmed doesn't need distance. They need a anchor"

19/01/2026

Sometimes therapy looks like the spa... give yourself permission to rest.

16/01/2026

Let's talk about this...

It’s easy to describe someone who spends a bit too much time talking about her career or who never seems to doubt himself as a narcissist, but the trait is more complicated than that. Narcissism does not necessarily represent a surplus of self-esteem or of insecurity; more accurately, it encompasses a hunger for appreciation or admiration, a desire to be the center of attention, and an expectation of special treatment reflecting perceived higher status. Interestingly, research finds, many highly narcissistic people often readily admit to an awareness that they are more self-centered. A high level of narcissism, not surprisingly, can be damaging in romantic, familial, or professional relationships.

How do I spot a narcissist?

Narcissism is characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy for others, a need for excessive admiration, and the belief that one is unique and deserving of special treatment. If you encounter someone who consistently exhibits these behaviors, you may be dealing with a highly narcissistic individual.

21/12/2025

How might Christmas affect my mental health?

Whether or not Christmas is part of your life, your mental health might be affected by it happening around you. It's a time of year that often puts extra pressure on us, and can affect our mental health in lots of different ways.

For example, if you:

💚Feel alone or left out because everyone else seems happy when you're not
💚Wish you didn't have to deal with Christmas, or find it stressful because of other events in your life
💚Feel frustrated by other people's views of a 'perfect' Christmas, if these feel different to your experiences
💚Have ideas about what Christmas should be like, feel as if you need to enjoy it or worry something will ruin it
💚Feel like Christmas gives you something to focus on and look forward to, and find it difficult when it's over
Want to celebrate with someone who's struggling.

If Christmas is a hard time for you, it's important to remember you're not alone.

Whatever you're going through, there are people you can talk to any time. You can:

call Samaritans on 116 123 (UK-wide)

text SHOUT to 85258 (UK-wide)

These services are for anyone who's struggling.
They won't judge you.
They're free, they're anonymous, and they're always open.

Remember you're not alone. 💚

18/12/2025

The perfect gift.

18/12/2025

And... 2025 work completed.
Wishing each and everyone of you a gentle christmas!!
Be kind to yourselves

I will be working from home from the 5th and back in the office on the 15th.

Below I have left some numbers for anyone who maybe struggling over Christmas, please dont suffer alone:

NHS: 111

Samaritans: 116 123

SHOUT: text tp 85258

Beat: 0808 801 0433

Papyrus: 0800 068 41

Refuge: 0808 2000 247

Silver line: 0800 470 80 90

16/12/2025

Just a few things I am thankful for:

● Health
● Family
● Friends
● sunset and sunrises
● Nature
● Everyday Joys

02/09/2025

60,000 a month
83 a hour
1.5 People every minute
1 life lost every 40 seconds

September is suicidal prevention month..
Su***de is a deeply complex and painful issue that touches so many people's lives it does not discriminate against age, ethnicity, background, or circumstances. It's a stigma that holds heavy, which makes it even harder for those who are struggling to seek the help they need.

Every life is precious, and each one of us can make a difference.

Over 800,000 people die per year because of su***de.

Every 10 seconds, someone dies by su***de

Men are 4x more likely to die than women.

Su***de is the 10th biggest killer worldwide

Talking about su***de won't make it worse. STAYING SILENT WILL 💚