Jodie James Counselling

12/01/2026

I promise you I didn't want to go outside today. When I'm in this mood it becomes a battle with myself for what I know is best.

I know stepping outside can do wonders for my mental health but some days it's a fight to get there.

Fresh air, natural light, and even a short walk outdoors can help reduce stress, improve mood, and clear my mind. I know all of this and yet sometimes the desire to do so doesn't come without an internal argument.

I'm glad I won the argument and took myself outside but the point of the post is this, if you're struggling to do the thing that's good for you, it's ok. We all do at times. We're not always on our own side and it's hard work. On days like these, be gentle with yourself. You know it's a chore but do it anyway. Even if it's just for five minutes.

19/12/2025

A gentle Christmas message from me to you -

As a counsellor, I see every day how much people carry, often quietly. If this season feels joyful for you, I hope you soak that in. If it feels heavy or overwhelming, please know you’re not alone and nothing is wrong with feeling that way.

My hope for you this Christmas is to experience peace and calm, even if only in small moments. I hope you treat yourself with compassion. Rest when you can, breathe deep when needed and allow yourself to slow down.

Looking after yourself is not selfish, it’s necessary. You matter, just as you are. Wishing you a peaceful and restorative Christmas, Jodie x

05/11/2025

24/10/2025

It's important to practice what I preach. So when the opportunity to enjoy an evening of mindfulness and creativity came alone, I jumped at the chance. Thank you to for a wonderful evening.

07/10/2025

Life can feel overwhelming, and carrying the weight alone isn't something we were meant to do. Counselling is a courageous step toward healing, growth, and self-understanding.

20/08/2025

I'm proud to have been awarded the Trauma Informed Counselling badge by The Open University. Working with trauma is often complex. It requires knowledge and understanding to ensure we are working safely with clients and offering the best practice at all times.

09/07/2025

Today I'm celebrating two years of private practice. I can still remember the exact moment I decided to take a chance on blind faith and turned it into my dream job. A job that I'm so incredibly proud to do.

So thank you to every client who has chosen to work with me. Thank you to the amazing lecturers, peers and fellow counsellors/therapists who have offered education, guidance and advice. Finally, a huge thank you to my wonderful family & friends for the unwavering support every step of the way.

17/04/2025

Feeling like a fraud or constantly questioning our abilities, despite clear evidence of our achievements, can profoundly impact our self-esteem and mental well-being. This experience, commonly known as imposter syndrome, is far more prevalent than we might realise.

Check out the link below to a blog post I created on how imposter syndrome affects self-esteem.

15/04/2025

Some common myths about productivity

More hours ≠ More results: The belief that working longer always leads to greater output ignores the importance of focus, rest, and efficiency.

Busy isn’t the same as effective: Constant activity can mask a lack of direction; being productive means making meaningful progress, not just checking boxes.

Productivity tools can become distractions: Obsessing over apps, planners, and hacks often replaces actual work with the illusion of control.

Hustle culture glorifies burnout: The idea that constant grinding is the key to success overlooks the long-term costs to mental health and creativity.

Output isn't the only measure of value: The myth of productivity often overlooks the importance of rest, reflection, and relationships—things that don't produce immediate results but contribute deeply to personal and professional growth.

The truth is that any one of these myths can lead to burnout, issues with confidence and self esteem.

01/04/2025

Counselling is not just about talking—it's about healing. It's a safe space where you can confront your challenges, understand your emotions, and find the strength within to move forward. Healing takes time, but with the right support, transformation is possible. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

19/02/2025

I was invited to offer my professional perspective on the idea of revenge following infidelity by . I found the subject an interesting look at how emotions unfluence actions.

My key points within the article are -

Revenge can have long term ramifications for all parties involved. The act of revenge comes from the feelings that arise from infidelity.

Whether it is anger, sadness or betrayal, your feelings are valid and understandable. However, acting on feelings to justify revenge can cause additional negativity for all involved and inhibit the healing process.

The feelings and emotions that come from infidelity should be recognised and validated. This means open and honest communication with your partner.

For some couples, this can feel like too big a task. Couples who struggle to effectively communicate, can seek out couples counselling to help with this. A couples counsellor will work with the couple to facilitate communication as a healthy way to process the emotions associated with infidelity.

For a person who has felt the pain of betrayal it may be a good idea to reconnect with self. So often we can get caught up in what has happened within the relationship, that we lose touch with ourselves. Taking time for self, attending to our own needs and maintaining a sense of autonomy can also help with the healing process.

You can find a link to the article in the comments section.