Raksha Patel-Talkaid Counselling Services

02/04/2026

On Autism Awareness Day, we need to take a moment to reflect not just on awareness, but on understanding and acceptance.
From a counselling perspective, it is essential we hold a space of empathy, curiosity, and unconditional positive regard for autistic individuals. Autism is not something to be “fixed” or “overcome” but rather understood as part of human diversity. We need to listen with openness, reduce judgement, and support everyone in expressing themselves. We also recognise the emotional impact of masking, misunderstanding, and navigating environments that may not always feel accessible. Offering a space where clients feel truly seen and accepted can be profoundly meaningful.
Each person’s sensory experiences, communication style, and way of relating are unique. By listening without judgement and adapting our environments, we can support autism allowing self-expression and emotional safety.
On Autism Awareness Day, it is important that we move beyond simple awareness and towards deeper understanding, acceptance, and respect. Today is a reminder to move beyond labels and towards connection - to recognise strengths, honour differences, and create spaces where neurodivergent individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. Let us commit to fostering understanding, challenging stigma, and valuing neurodivergent voices. It is their way of experiencing the world.
Acceptance is important. awareness

28/03/2026

So tell me:

How do you all do self care?
We should all make time daily- even if it’s only half an hour a day, it can come in many forms… reading, crocheting, exercise, mindfulness, mediation.. anything you enjoy to take you away from the stresses in life. 📚🧶🧘🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️😁🥰

08/03/2026

International Women’s Day. 🌷

On International Women’s Day, we recognise the emotional journey many women carry, and we honour the strength, resilience, and emotional labour carried by all women across the world. From balancing expectations to overcoming adversity, many women show incredible resilience while still holding space for others.
In counselling, we see the quiet courage it takes for women to speak their truth, set boundaries, heal from past experiences, and rediscover their worth. Counselling reminds us that it is also okay for women to pause, reflect, prioritise their wellbeing, and ask for support. We see the bravery it takes for women to process pain, challenge limiting beliefs, and step into self-compassion. Every woman deserves to be heard, understood, and supported.
Today we celebrate women not only for what they give to the world, but for who they are.


# womensupportingwomen

05/03/2026

📚 World Book Day 🌍 Your Story Matters.
On World Book Day - A reminder of how powerful stories can be, reminds us how much adults and children connect through stories.
In counselling, stories are the heart of everything we do, not just the books we read, the stories we tell ourselves, and the narratives we carry about ourselves, and how it shapes what we see about ourselves. Over time, these narratives can feel like the ending has already been written. With children and young people, stories are often safer than direct questions.
Sometimes those stories sound like:
“I’m not enough.” “I always mess things up and get it wrong.” “Nothing ever changes.” “This is just who I am.”
Sometimes clients come to counselling feeling stuck in a painful chapter. In counselling, we gently explore those chapters together. We look at where they began. We question whether they’re entirely true. Is there another perspective?
Through books, playing and imagination, children can:
• Explore big feelings
• Make sense of difficult experiences
• Build confidence
• Learn they are not alone
Just like a book, our lives are made up of many chapters. A difficult chapter doesn’t define the whole story. Growth, healing, and change are always possible, and we begin to consider alternative endings
If you’re ready to turn the page, counselling can help you rewrite the narrative.

24/02/2026

Eating Disorder Awareness Week

This week is eating disorder awareness week- but for many people, it is a battle with food, body image and self worth.

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions, not lifestyle choices or phases. They can affect people of any age, gender, background or body size. Behind the behaviours around food are often deeper feelings such as anxiety, shame, trauma, perfectionism or a need for control.

They often begin quietly as a coping strategy, a way to manage overwhelming feelings, a way to feel in control when everything else feels too much, a way to silence shame, fear, trauma or self-criticism.

Recovery is possible, with the right support, people can rebuild a healthier relationship with food, their bodies and themselves.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out can be hard - Counselling offers a safe confidential space to explore what is beneath the surface and begin healing.

This week let’s move away from shame and move towards understanding. Let’s check in with family and friends and remember asking for help is not a weakness.. it is courage.

11/02/2026

International Day Of Women and Girls in Science..
11th February 2026
 
There is a need for diversity in neuroscience. This field focuses on the mind and mental health but only 35% STEM graduates are female. This means that mental health research is often experienced in a male dominated perspective. It is crucial for women to contribute to psychological research to develop understanding of brain function, mental health conditions and evidence-based therapies and help us to understand the human mind.

Counselling plays an important part in helping women in science, to navigate pressure, reduce imposter syndrome, burnout, and self doubt.
Let us encourage girls to pursue science as it is also about emotional health, help us to build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging to girls and women.

09/02/2026

Random Act Of Kindness Week – 9-15 February 2026

Acts of kindness naturally boost the brain; by giving and receiving it can improve emotional wellbeing by positively changing our brain chemistry.

Kindness releases dopamine, helping us feel good and motivated. It increases serotonin, which supports mood regulation and can help reduce anxiety and symptoms of depression. It also releases oxytocin, lowering blood pressure, while endorphins act as natural pain relievers and stress reducers.

Kindness strengthens mental health by boosting mood, lowering stress and anxiety, and supporting overall wellbeing. This can be as simple as offering a compliment, sending a kind message, or taking a moment to actively listen.

Self-kindness matters just as much. Self-care means practising self-compassion, forgiving yourself, setting healthy boundaries, and taking regular breaks. This helps us build self-worth, confidence, and emotional resilience.

Kindness also reduces stress by lowering the stress hormone cortisol, helping us to manage anxiety. Connecting with other by checking in on friends or family, chatting to someone while out walking, or spending time with those who may feel lonely or isolated can make a huge difference, especially for older adults.

Helping others can also be a healthy distraction, shifting focus away from our own struggles with anxiety or depression.

I am a strong believer in self-care for our mental wellbeing. Put time aside for what you enjoy, it can be mindfulness, exercise, reading, meditation, or anything that helps you step away from everyday stress and fully immerse yourself in something you love.

You matter. Be kind to yourself. ❤️

05/02/2026

Time To Talk Day

We all have mental health just like our physical health and sometimes we just need help when our mental health is suffering, talking about it should be a normal part of life.
Having someone that listens to you without judgement can be a huge relief.
Counselling provides a safe and confidential space, it allows you to talk through issues to get a clearer view on what’s happening in your life rather than struggling alone in silence.
Let’s reduce the stigma of counselling by having conversations which can save and change lives. Get the help and support rather than being alone.

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/raksha-patel

www.talkaidcounsellingservices.co.uk

24/01/2026

Today is International Day Of Education.. So let’s remind ourselves that education thrives when Mental Health is prioritised. Education is not just about learning. Emotional wellbeing impacts our learning, growth and confidence. It becomes empowering.

Counselling plays an important role with managing stress, personal challenges and building resilience. When we feel supported, heard without judgement, it makes us feel safe, we are better able to reach our full potential.

I have worked in education for over 20 years working with young people and staff.

If you know of anyone that would benefit from counselling support, please contact me :
tele: 07983 680550
Email: rptalkaid@gmail.com
Website: www.talkaidcounsellingservices.co.uk/page/my-services

24/01/2026

Today is International Day Of Education.. So let’s remind ourselves that education thrives when Mental Health is prioritised. Education is not just about learning. Emotional wellbeing impacts our learning, growth and confidence. It becomes empowering.

Counselling plays an important role with managing stress, personal challenges and building resilience. When we feel supported, heard without judgement, it makes us feel safe, we are better able to reach our full potential.

I have worked in education for over 20 years working with young people and staff.

If you know of anyone that would benefit from counselling support, please contact me :
tele: 07983 680550
Email: rptalkaid@gmail.com
Website:

How We Can Help How Counselling Can Help Sometimes we can all feel overwhelmed. We all go through challenging times or experience distressing situations. If you are struggling in life and want to think differently about your situation, then counselling may help by working through your issues. Experi...

20/11/2025

My latest read:
I can recommend this book for those of you that feel judged, needing approval and validation. Giving your energy and power to others by allowing their opinions hold you back from living your life.

One of my favourite quotes :

“Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it”.

What should I read next?