Active Listening Therapies

31/10/2025

Happy Halloween from Active Listening Therapies!

Making counselling less scary since 2017.

30/10/2025

About Duncan:

I support adults, young people, and families through life’s challenges. My approach is calm and compassionate, helping you feel heard, understood, and supported.

I tailor sessions to your needs and also offer supervision for therapists. Wherever you are on your journey, I’ll meet you there and help you take the next step forward.

You can reach me: duncan@activelisteningtherapies.com

29/10/2025

Meet Louise:

I’m an experienced counsellor supporting children, young people, and couples. I provide a calm, steady presence that helps you feel safe - even when life feels overwhelming.

Using person-centred therapy alongside creative and play-based approaches, I tailor sessions to meet you exactly where you are. My goal is simple: to help you feel heard, seen, and understood - always without judgement.

You can reach me: louise@activelisteningtherapies.com

28/10/2025

Let's discuss FAQ's

You Might Be Thinking…

Q - Is counselling right for me?

A - Why don’t we have a telephone call to chat through your situation, and you can get a feel for it?

Q - I’m not sure where to begin.

A - We don’t expect you to have all the answers. We will help you to explore your thoughts and feelings.

Q - I’m ready for the next step. What do I do next?

A - Contact Louise or Duncan to discuss a suitable time for a call or first session.

Q - What kind of counselling is right for me?

A - We will adapt our therapeutic style to meet your needs and review regularly with you.

Q - Does counselling differ for a young person?

A - No. The focus is still about them and their needs.

Finding the right counsellor can feel like finding a needle in a haystack - but this needn't be the case. If you would like to explore how we can help you or someone close to you, click on the link for more information.

Active Listening Therapies provides qualified and experienced counsellors who understand Person Centred, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused help. Contact us for a freindly consultation.

27/10/2025

Happy National Cheese Toastie Day from Louise and Duncan at Active Listening Therapies! However you like yours — extra crispy, oozing with cheddar, or jazzed up with tomato — here’s to finding comfort in the little things.

27/10/2025

Today is National Cheese Toastie Day, and we’re definitely celebrating! At Active Listening Therapies, we know life can be serious - but sometimes it’s the simple comforts that keep us going.

A cheese toastie isn’t just a snack - it’s a little moment of joy, a warm hug in bread form. Proper therapeutic!

Just like in counselling, it’s often the small, consistent comforts that make the biggest difference.

Because when life feels overwhelming, even the cheesiest of moments can remind us to slow down, breathe, and take care of ourselves🧀

26/10/2025

Today we’re in Snowdonia - or Eryri, to be correct in Welsh - climbing the highest peak in the National Park: Snowdon. 'Climbing' might be generous... In honesty, we’re riding the train up and down!

Life can feel like a mountain climb: there are ups, downs, and moments that leave us exhausted.

We all have backpacks filled with emotions, experiences, and thoughts. What we carry determines how heavy the climb feels each day.

Ask yourself: what’s in your backpack? Is there anything you need to reassess or lighten?

At Active Listening Therapies, we won’t carry your pack up the mountain, but we are here to help you unpack what you don’t need.

As you reflect on your day later. Remember: you are a mountaineer.

23/10/2025

23/10/2025

What people think vs. what it’s actually like 😔

Most people only see the tip of the iceberg when it comes to mental illness. The rest, often including the most difficult parts, are left unseen 😶‍🌫️

Here are some examples of what it can be like to live with mental illness and why you should never judge someone based on what’s on the surface.

Struggling with your mental health? SANEline Services are here for you ❤️

📞 SANEline - 0300 304 7000 - 4-10pm every day
📲 Call Back - 0300 124 7900- leave your first name and phone number. We‘ll call back within a few days.
✉️ Email - support@sane.org.uk
💻 sane.org.uk/support

21/10/2025

Do you notice changes in your mood or energy in the autumn?

As the days grow shorter and the light begins to fade, many people notice their energy, motivation, and mood begin to dip. It’s known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

SAD can bring feelings of sadness, fatigue, irritability, or disconnection that seem to arrive like clockwork each year. It’s not a sign of weakness - it’s your body and mind responding to real changes in light, rhythm, and energy.

Counselling can help.

Talking through how these changes affect you can bring understanding, relief, and practical ways to cope. Together, we can explore patterns in your mood, find strategies that support your daily wellbeing, and rediscover what helps you feel balanced through the darker months.

Whether that means creating new routines, understanding emotional triggers, or finding space to simply be heard - counselling offers a warm, steady light when things feel dim.

If this time of year feels heavy, you don’t have to go through it alone. Reach out, and let’s find ways to help you feel brighter again.

www.activelisteningtherapies.com

21/10/2025

The nights are really drawing in and clocks will be changing soon; this makes autumn a struggle for some. Is there any justification for feeling low at this time of year? Well, actually yes...

Seasonal Affective Disorder can increase emotional heaviness, tiredness, and a lack of motivation. In our latest blog, we explore avenues of help and explore the issue further.

As the days shorten and evenings draw in, many of us feel the change not just in the sky but in ourselves. The darker months can bring a sense of heaviness, tiredness, and a dip in motivation. For some, this passes with a few low-energy days. But for others, it develops into something more persisten...

18/10/2025

This National Adoption Week, let’s remember the importance of listening to adopted children and young people. Duncan and Louise at Active Listening Therapies are here to help families strengthen communication and trust.

👉 What’s one way you make sure children in your life feel heard?