The Holistic Butterfly

08/01/2026

As a counsellor from Northern Ireland, the late Carl Rogers is one of my heroes. He provided an essential framework for counselling grounded in empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard. His peacebuilding work in Northern Ireland, recognised through a 1987 Nobel Peace Prize nomination, makes his legacy more meaningful.

Today in the History of Psychology (8th January 1902), Carl Rogers was born. One of the most eminent psychologists of the 20th century, Rogers was profoundly influential in the humanistic movement towards person centered theory and non-directive psychotherapy. A prolific writer, 'Client-Centered Therapy' (1951), 'On Becoming a Person' (1961) and 'A Way of Being' (1980) ranks among his most influential work.

In the course of a remarkable career spanning six decades, Rogers served as president of the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1947, received the APA Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions in 1956, was named humanist of the year in 1964 and shortly before his death on February 4th 1987 was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Visit: https://www.all-about-psychology.com/carl_rogers.html to learn all about the life and work of Carl Rogers, a profoundly influential figure in the humanistic movement towards person centered theory and non-directive psychotherapy.

07/01/2026

Over a year ago, I started this journey with a lot of heart and intention.

Along the way, life and business required some tough decisions, and I stepped away when my energy just wasn’t there anymore.

Recently, I went back and I finished what I started.

Right now, I’m sitting with it, giving myself space to reflect on what this means and how it fits into what I do next.

Sometimes completing something isn’t about the outcome, but about honouring yourself. 🦋

06/01/2026

As life ramps back up this week and schedules fill fast, it’s easy to rush past the little things. But even in the busyness, quiet beauty is still there, light through a window, a deep breath, a smile from a stranger as you pass each other and a moment of calm. Pausing to notice it can change the whole tone of a day.

04/01/2026

COLLEGE NOTE

Due to current adverse weather conditions, all scheduled classes at NWRC on Monday, 5th January, will be delivered online/remotely.
College buildings will remain open and support services will be available online.
Please check this page for further updates.
Please take extra care if you are out and about over the next period.

01/01/2026

Welcome 2026. This year, I’m choosing something different.

Instead of setting a long list of goals to chase, like I do every January, I’m practicing slowing down. Listening. Allowing space for what wants to emerge, rather than forcing what should happen.

In a world that constantly pushes us to do more, achieve more, and be more, choosing to move gently can feel uncomfortable. But growth doesn’t always come from striving. Sometimes it comes from pausing, noticing, and trusting ourselves a little more.

If you’re feeling tired of the pressure to constantly improve, let this be your reminder, it’s okay to rest, to breathe, and to go with the flow for a while. You’re not falling behind you’re finding your rhythm.

Here’s to a year of presence, compassion, and permission to slow down.

12/12/2025

I’m making my last post of the year a message to each of you reading, because this year has reminded me of something essential, the incredible power we all have within us.

Every day, through my family, friends, clients and students, I am shown that people already carry within them everything they need to rise, grow, and transform.

I have the privilege of watching individuals discover strengths they didn’t know they had, break patterns they once believed defined them, and step into possibilities that once felt out of reach.

It’s why Carl Rogers’ words continue to resonate so deeply with me:
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” (One of my favourite quotes)

When we truly see our own worth, not someday, not when life is perfect, but now potential stops being a distant dream and starts becoming a lived reality.

You have the power within you. I see it every single day. And it’s extraordinary 🦋

Thank you all for another year of support, and for your patience as I’ve adapted the course of the business. Time now to sign off and take a well needed rest to recharge for another year ahead. Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas and new year.

🦋

01/12/2025

This blew me away today. Sometimes people don’t realise the impact a gesture can have on others.
How thoughtful and kind are my students 🥰

I never expected myself at any point of my life to be standing up teaching. There are so many uplifting, compassionate things I would go back and tell my younger self. “You are good enough, smart enough and you most certainly are worthy and capable”. Sometimes I wish I had of believed this back then but I would not be the person I am today without all the growth and learning.

Life takes you on unexpected paths and it’s the people on the journey that make mine worth while always. I love being a small little part of each of the student’s journey and they make it so enjoyable. I don’t do it for validation but it touches my heart and fills me with gratitude that someone took the thought and time to think of me amidst their own busy schedule. This one definitely left me feeling a little emotional and reflective.
Thank you ❤️

28/11/2025

After a beautiful piece of work this week both with clients and in my own supervision I thought I would share some reflection on why we get defensive and how it can help us to understand each other.

When we react defensively, it’s usually not about the moment we’re in. It’s often a younger part of us trying to protect an old wound.

Many of our adult reactions were shaped long before we knew we were creating them, back in childhood, when we felt criticised, unheard, unsafe, or misunderstood. Those moments taught us survival strategies: shutting down, arguing, avoiding, overexplaining, or needing to be right. They were ways of protecting ourselves from emotional harm.

So when someone becomes defensive or withdrawn, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re being difficult, distant, or evasive.
It usually means that something in the present has brushed up against something painful from the past. Their nervous system is signalling “danger,” even if nothing dangerous is happening on the outside.

When we remember this, we can respond with more patience, curiosity, and compassion.
We start to see the child behind the reaction both in ourselves and in others.
And from that place, we give everyone a little more room to feel safe.

Sometimes the most healing thing we can do is soothe the child within us.
To pause, reconnect with ourselves, and gently bring our own nervous system back to safety.
Once we feel grounded again, our adult self can show up more clearly, kindly, and consciously.
🦋🦋

26/11/2025

20/11/2025

It’s been on my mind this week how tough it is to watch the trolling and hate that plays out on social media. The Caroline Flack documentary is a powerful reminder of why kindness online matters so deeply.

Amongst other examples seeing the comments about Kelly Brook’s weight this week shows just how quickly society can turn people into targets.

Somewhere along the way, social media became a place where bullying and hate feel easy, even acceptable. But it shouldn’t be. Kindness doesn’t mean we excuse harmful behaviour; it means we remember the human being on the other side of the screen.

We can’t change the past, but we can shape the future. We can choose empathy, compassion for ourselves and for others.

Let’s use these platforms, big or small, to uplift rather than tear down, to support rather than blame.

Be kind. Always. As a wise man said to me this week “It’s the human thing to do” 🦋

20/11/2025

15/11/2025

The season of wintering has arrived. I hope it brings warmth in unexpected places, rest that settles deep into our bones, and a quiet contentment that lingers long after the cold has passed. May the darker days invite gentler rhythms, and may we find beauty in the stillness. Let this season be a soft reminder that even in moments of pause, we are growing in ways unseen and by resting we allow ourselves to recharge.
❤️