Emotional Respite - Disability Counselling Service

Emotional Respite - Disability Counselling Service Disability-led Online Mental Health Service offering therapy across the UK. She has created a team of therapists with lived experience of disability.

Emotional Respite is a counselling service providing professional support to individuals with physical disabilities, their families and carers. It offers those affected by physical disabilities a unique opportunity to work with a physically disabled counsellor. Helen Rutherford has been a counsellor for over 14 years and has spinal muscular atrophy and uses an electric wheelchair. Her personal and professional experience gives her a deep understanding of the diversity of disability issues. Helen is aware of the challenges faced by people affected by physical disabilities and how this can impact on them emotionally. Sessions are conducted online. Sessions are £45 an hour but concessions are available for low incomes

Sometimes, the best thing you can do is pause. 🌬️Just breathe. Inhale calm. Exhale stress. In this moment, you're exactl...
23/11/2025

Sometimes, the best thing you can do is pause. 🌬️Just breathe. Inhale calm. Exhale stress. In this moment, you're exactly where you need to be. When life feels overwhelming, your breath is your greatest tool, grounding you, calming your mind, and restoring your peace.Take a deep breath. You’ve got this.

ID: A painted pebble with colourful dots saying "Just Breathe".

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

✨ The Power of Labelling Feelings ✨You don’t have to fix your emotions, just name them. Research shows that naming emot...
21/11/2025

✨ The Power of Labelling Feelings ✨

You don’t have to fix your emotions, just name them. Research shows that naming emotions reduces their intensity by easing activity in the amygdala (the part of the brain that processes fear and stress). When we label what we feel, our brain begins to calm down.

Instead of saying “I’m overwhelmed,” try:
“I’m anxious and tired.” Or “I’m sad and need support.”

Naming your feelings helps you understand what you need, not silence what you feel.
Your emotions aren’t the enemy, they’re information, guiding you toward care, rest, and connection.

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

In the midst of life's changes, grounding yourself can be the anchor you need. 🌳✨"Like a tree rooted in the earth, groun...
19/11/2025

In the midst of life's changes, grounding yourself can be the anchor you need. 🌳✨

"Like a tree rooted in the earth, grounding yourself can bring strength during change."

ID: A drawing of a tree with hearts amongst the leaves and winding roots.

When everything feels unstable, remember that your roots are your foundation. Take a moment to breathe, reconnect, and find stability within. Just as trees draw strength from the earth, you can find resilience by staying grounded in your values and self-care. Lean into your roots, and let that strength carry you through the shifting seasons of life.

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

✨️Daily Affirmation✨️Today, I remind myself: My feelings are valid, and I listen to my needs. 💙 Taking time to honour my...
17/11/2025

✨️Daily Affirmation✨️

Today, I remind myself: My feelings are valid, and I listen to my needs. 💙 Taking time to honour my emotions and care for what truly matters within me is a powerful act of self-love. 🌿 Let this be your daily reminder to embrace your feelings and nurture your well-being.

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

Common Impact of Medicalised Trauma Medicalised trauma, often overlooked, can deeply affect mental health. From invasive...
14/11/2025

Common Impact of Medicalised Trauma

Medicalised trauma, often overlooked, can deeply affect mental health. From invasive procedures to chronic illness management, the emotional toll is real. 💔

🚨 Common impacts:

PTSD: Flashbacks, nightmares, & avoiding medical settings.

Anxiety & Panic: Fear of future medical care, often leading to neglect.

Depression: Feelings of hopelessness & loss of control over your body.

Trust Issues: Difficulty trusting healthcare providers after traumatic experiences.

Body Image Struggles: Feeling disconnected or dissatisfied with your body.

Your trauma is valid, even if it happened in a medical setting. Healing begins with recognition & support. 💙

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!


Sometimes, when our brain feels overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or trauma, it goes into shutdown. Shutdown is like vour ...
13/11/2025

Sometimes, when our brain feels overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or trauma, it goes into shutdown. Shutdown is like vour mind's way of hitting "pause" it can feel like numbness, emptiness, or feeling disconnected from reality. Unlike a meltdown that shows outward emotion. shutdown is more internal. often making it hard to speak, move, or respond. It's your body's protective mechanism when things feel too intense.lf you or someone you know experiences shutdown. remember it's okay. Take gentle care, breathe, and give yourself time to recover. Reaching out for support can make a world of difference. You're not alone.

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

✨ New Blog Post: Reclaiming My Body After Medicalised Trauma ✨For years, my body didn’t feel like my own. After countles...
12/11/2025

✨ New Blog Post: Reclaiming My Body After Medicalised Trauma ✨

For years, my body didn’t feel like my own. After countless procedures and experiences of medicalised trauma, I felt disconnected more patient than person.

My healing has been a long and deeply personal journey, and one powerful step was choosing to get a tattoo: my heartbeat flowing into a heart mandala. It’s a symbol of survival, self-ownership, and the moment I began to reclaim my body and story.

This piece isn’t just about ink; it’s about healing, identity, and the courage to take back what was once lost. 💜

Read the full blog to explore how body art, self-expression, and compassion can help us reconnect with ourselves after trauma.

🌿 https://www.emotionalrespite.co.uk/post/reclaiming-my-body-after-medicalised-trauma-a-journey-of-healing-and-empowerment

emotionalrespite.co.uk

Sometimes, life asks us to fall apart before we can grow stronger. Just like the seasons, we go through cycles of sheddi...
10/11/2025

Sometimes, life asks us to fall apart before we can grow stronger. Just like the seasons, we go through cycles of shedding and renewal. 🍂

"Allow yourself to fall apart, then rebuild, just as nature does every season."

Embrace the moments of vulnerability, they’re the first step toward healing. Trust the process, be gentle with yourself, and remember that just like autumn, change brings new beauty and strength.Take a deep breath, let go of what weighs you down, and rise again. Your mental health journey is just as important as the changing seasons.

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

Feeling the autumn blues? Here are some gentle tips to brighten your mood as the season changes:🍁 Get outside daily, eve...
07/11/2025

Feeling the autumn blues?

Here are some gentle tips to brighten your mood as the season changes:

🍁 Get outside daily, even on cloudy days, natural light helps boost serotonin and ease blues.

🍁 Keep a cozy routine: warm drinks, soft blankets, and soothing hobbies can nurture your soul.

🍁 Stay connected: share your feelings with friends or loved ones; you’re not alone.

🍁 Move your body: a short walk or gentle stretch can release tension and lift energy.

🍁 Prioritise sleep: consistent rest supports mental and emotional balance.

🍁 Practice gratitude: jot down small things you appreciate to shift focus to the positive.

Remember, it’s okay to seek help if you’re struggling. Take care of yourself this season,you deserve it. 💛🍂

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

8 Minutes for a Friend A simple idea that could change someone’s day or even save a life.ID: Image of a clock“8 Minutes ...
05/11/2025

8 Minutes for a Friend
A simple idea that could change someone’s day or even save a life.

ID: Image of a clock

“8 Minutes for a Friend” is a small movement started to remind us that checking in doesn’t have to be complicated. Spend just 8 intentional minutes connecting with someone. A call, a text ,a walk, a voice note, a coffee.

Why 8 minutes?
Because in our busy lives, we can all find eight and it’s long enough to make someone feel seen, but short enough that it feels doable anytime.

🫶 Why it matters:

✨️Helps fight loneliness and isolation

✨️Builds stronger, more consistent connections

✨️Supports mental well-being (for both people!)

✨️Makes empathy a habit, not an event

✨ Try it this week:
Pick one person.
Give them 8 minutes of your full attention.
Listen. Ask. Laugh. Care.

emotionalrespite.co.uk

Tag a friend you’ll give your 8 minutes to 💬

Taking care of my mind nourishes my whole being 💙 Mental health is just as important as physical health, and nurturing i...
03/11/2025

Taking care of my mind nourishes my whole being

💙 Mental health is just as important as physical health, and nurturing it helps me face daily challenges with strength and resilience. To everyone navigating life with a disability, remember: your mind deserves care, compassion, and kindness. Your well-being is powerful and essential. Let’s break the stigma and support each other on this journey.

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

🎃👻 This Halloween, let’s make sure everyone feels welcome at the party.ID: Satsumas with faces drawn on to look like min...
30/10/2025

🎃👻 This Halloween, let’s make sure everyone feels welcome at the party.

ID: Satsumas with faces drawn on to look like mini pumpkins.

Spooky season can be fun, but it can also be overwhelming for people with anxiety, sensory sensitivities, chronic illness, or disabilities.🎃

ID: A silhouette of a spooky house backlit with a red light.

Let’s choose kindness over jump scares, access over aesthetics, and inclusion over “it’s just for fun.” Whether you’re celebrating big or resting at home, your way of showing up is valid. 🎃

ID: An image of a dark room lit up with orange fairy lights and a lit pumpkin.

✨ Accessibility is the real magic. ✨

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

Address

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Opening Hours

Monday 1pm - 8pm
Tuesday 1pm - 8pm
Wednesday 1pm - 8pm
Thursday 1pm - 8pm
Friday 1pm - 8pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Emotional Respite - Disability Counselling Service posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Emotional Respite - Disability Counselling Service:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category