Elizabeth Paterson

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Elizabeth Paterson

BACP Accredited Counsellor and Certified Online Therapist

07/10/2025

Which stage feels most familiar to you right now? 🌊 Just noticing where you are can be part of the journey

Change in therapy can feel slow or uncertain. Carl Rogers’ 7 Stages of Process remind us that growth often comes in waves—you move forward, pause, sometimes drift back, and then move forward again.

💙 Stage 1: Closed Off – Feeling shut down or unsure about your emotions.
💛 Stage 2: Slight Opening – Starting to notice something’s off, maybe still leaning on old coping habits.
💚 Stage 3: Beginning to Explore – Putting words to feelings, noticing patterns or surprises about yourself.
💜 Stage 4: A Shift Towards Openness – Expressing feelings more honestly, starting to question old “shoulds.”
🧡 Stage 5: Owning Feelings – Recognising emotions and connecting them to your choices and relationships.
💖 Stage 6: Deep Change – Fully experiencing feelings in the moment, old patterns softening, self-acceptance growing.
💫 Stage 7: Living with Openness – Feeling more in tune with yourself and approaching life with curiosity and flexibility.

✨ You don’t need to label your stage or move quickly through them. Even noticing small feelings or saying them aloud is part of the process. Growth often happens quietly, in ways you might not expect—just like waves on a pebble-painted shore.

🌊 Some days we drift between stages. Where are you noticing yourself today?

10/08/2025

Do you get the Sunday Scaries?

It creeps in slowly… the weekend’s almost over, and suddenly there’s a knot in your stomach, your mind’s racing, and everything feels heavier than it did an hour ago.

It’s so common — but that doesn’t make it easy. Sometimes it’s about work stress, sometimes it’s about feeling stuck, and sometimes it’s hard to even put your finger on why.

If you’ve been there, you’ll know it can colour your whole evening. You’re not the only one who feels it — and you’re not imagining it either.

Let’s make Sundays feel lighter again, get in touch.

02/06/2025

At the heart of therapy is the belief that everyone deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported — exactly as they are. This Pride Month, I’m celebrating love in all its forms and standing in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. 🌈

Whether you're exploring identity, processing life’s challenges, or just needing a space that welcomes your full self — you are always welcome here.

09/04/2025

Being more thoughtful about how people really experience things — not just how I expect them to, and I will try being slower to judge and quicker to listen.

11/03/2025

Brighter Days, Brighter Mind: Why Sunnier Weather is Great for Therapy

Longer days, brighter skies, and a little more sunshine—spring and summer bring a natural mood boost! Ever noticed how things feel just a bit lighter when the sun is out? That’s because sunlight increases serotonin, lifting your energy and making challenges feel more manageable. And that’s exactly why this is a great time to start (or restart) therapy.

☀️ Sunshine & Mental Well-being
More daylight = more vitamin D, better sleep, and a naturally improved mood. Even just a short walk outside can help clear your head and shift your perspective. When our energy is up, we’re often more open to exploring, reflecting, and making changes that felt tough in winter.

🌿 A Great Time to Grow
Therapy in the colder months can feel like survival mode—just getting through the tough stuff. But in the warmer months, it can be about expansion: thinking about what’s next, making gentle shifts, and creating space for yourself. With a clearer head, therapy can feel more proactive and even exciting.

💻 Flexible Therapy, Wherever You Are
Summer can be full of plans, but therapy doesn’t have to be another thing on your to-do list. My sessions are online, so you can fit them around your life—whether that’s in your garden, on your sofa, or before an evening walk.

Thinking about starting therapy? This might be the perfect time. Drop me a message, and let’s chat! 💬

31/01/2025

Spoon Theory: A Simple Way to Talk About Energy & Wellbeing

Ever had a day where even small tasks feel exhausting? Like just getting out of bed or making dinner takes way more effort than usual? Spoon theory is a great way to understand why.

The idea is simple: Imagine you start each day with a set number of spoons. Every task—brushing your teeth, answering emails, cooking—costs a spoon (or more). Some days, you have plenty. Other days, you barely have any. And when your spoons run out, you’re out of energy—no extras available.

I often use this metaphor in therapy to help people set boundaries, pace themselves, and navigate tough days with kindness. It’s not about guilt—it’s about knowing your limits and taking care of yourself.

If this resonates with you, therapy can be a space to explore what drains your spoons, what replenishes them, and how to create a life that feels more balanced—even on the hard days.

💬 Let’s chat—you're not in this alone.

19/11/2024

Perfectionism: The Hidden Stress of Always Trying to Be ‘Perfect’

Perfectionism can sneak into our lives in ways we don’t always notice, but it can be exhausting. It’s that inner pressure to always be on top of everything—whether it’s work, relationships, or personal achievements—and the fear of not measuring up if things aren’t flawless. Sound familiar?

The thing is, perfectionism isn’t just about wanting things to go well—it can affect your mental health, causing anxiety, stress, and burnout. 😔 It can keep you stuck in cycles of self-doubt, making you question whether your efforts are ever enough.

You might find yourself avoiding tasks because you're afraid of making mistakes, or spending too much time on the smallest details. But here's the truth: No one can be perfect all the time—and actually it might be a lot more fun and interesting not to be.

Therapy can be a great way to unpack those perfectionistic tendencies and learn to approach life with more balance and kindness toward yourself. 🌿

In therapy, we work through the pressures you put on yourself and how to manage expectations, without getting trapped in unrealistic standards. You’ll learn to embrace progress over perfection, give yourself permission to enjoy the meandering path and understand that your worth isn’t tied to being perfect.

If perfectionism is affecting your life, it’s time to get the support you deserve. 💛 Therapy can help you find a healthier, more compassionate way of thinking about yourself, your work, and your relationships.

Ready to break free from perfectionism? Let’s talk. 🌸

Address

2 Infirmary Street
Leeds
LS12JP

Telephone

07944363925

Website

http://www.elizabethpaterson.co.uk/

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