Rowan Horner Creative Counselling

17/04/2026

PARENTS OF TEENAGERS: Nicola Morgan writes really great books for teenagers about emotional well-being, health and managing situations relevant to young people. As GCSEs are upon us, here’s a book recommendation, for managing exams- the time management, the stress, nerves on the day, general brain health (the importance of sleep and diet).
Check out Exam Attack - a Positive Guide to Exam Success and Beating Stress.

25/03/2026

I'm currently listening to an audiobook. It's Dr Sula Windgassen's "It's All In Your Body", described as A Practical Roadmap to Healing Through Mind-Body Connection. In my previous role as a Holistic Therapist, and now, as a counsellor, I sometimes work with clients who have persisting health issues and chronic illnesses alongside psychological distress.
Over autumn and winter, I experienced a pretty debilitating flare-up of my own "mystery symptoms" that I struggled to make sense of; I thought this book would be interesting, and hopefully useful, with practical support suggestions. It's proving to be a good choice, a reminder for me of how everything that we are is so connected, and how an holistic approach (or 'biopyschosocial') is so essential. The book offers clear explanations of the neurobiology that's involved and provides steps to understand and address your experiences/symptoms. I recommend it...
(No, I'm not acquainted with or related to the author!)

16/03/2026

As you may (or may not)know, I share a counselling room with another therapist, Anita.
If you are thinking about engaging in psychotherapy, but can't work with me because we already know each other, I'd like to suggest you have a chat with Anita. She is a UKCP Therapist-In-Advanced Training and she currently offers a great discount on her sessions. Have a look at her details here:

Anita Wan, Psychotherapist, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6, 0191 743 0290, Hi, I’m Anita, a UKCP Therapist-in-Advanced Training. I believe the very heart of relational psychotherapy is a caring, deeply human meeting between two people. My approach is collaborative, inclusive, compassionate and curious. ...

25/02/2026

Feeling a whiff of spring in the air...(don't tell me about snow forecast for March!) Looking forward to getting more light in my life, and more Vitamin D.... 😄

11/02/2026

Sometimes clients like to use the Sand tray as a tool to identify thoughts/feelings on the edge of their awareness. By arranging miniatures figures in the containing ‘world’ of the sand tray, they use metaphors and narrative structure to explore things that are hard to give a physical shape to.
I recently treated myself to a lovely wooden sand tray, and have been inviting my clients to play in the sand! Thank you Chris at Artisand Trays- beautiful craftsmanship! 😁

07/02/2026

Brian Eno said “children learn through play, but adults play through making art”. Partly inspired by my late mother-in-law, Zillah, I’m making a commitment to doing more play/art because it’s important to me😁 I’ve cut up a pizza box to do collage with. Do you recognize the pizza brand? 🍕

01/02/2026

Have been lucky enough to have taken a well-timed break in the sunshine!
After a week off, I’m feeling much restored and ready to see clients this week with fresh energy!
January and February feel like long dark months, but it was great to see the sunshine out in Newcastle today.
** this photo was not taken in Newcastle**

15/01/2026

A year or so ago, I was introduced to the work of Barb Kobe. She is, amongst many things, a healing doll artist. I was inspired to explore the possibilities of the process and see what happens!
For me, the emphasis has been on the process of the creation, and not so much on the aesthetic of the finished article.
Here are 3 of my dolls that I’ve made over the last 18 months. What happened in my ‘experiments’?
The figure on the left and the middle figure emerged organically. I didn’t have a plan for either, but they both emerged and had messages for me. The middle doll in particular gave me a very clear instruction ( which I followed).
The figure on the right was made through an intentional process of addressing a feeling of grief that I needed to process at the time. All in all, it was productive and eye opening, and I’m grateful for Barb’s inspiration.
I’m thinking of creating an event for other folk who might want to participate in making a figurative sculpture or doll in a supported healing space. Please express interest if this post speaks to you!

05/01/2026

Et voila! The new counselling room, looking calm and cosy in the late afternoon sun. Hoping to add a sofa, but for now, there are mismatched- but very comfortable- chairs..!

02/01/2026

Excited to announce my new counselling space will be situated within the walls of St Gabriel’s Parish Centre, in Heaton. Over the holidays, I’ve been doing a bit of decorating and it will be ready to welcome clients next week!
It’s not entirely ready to reveal, quite yet, but watch this space!

15/12/2025

I’m excited to be picking up the keys to my new counselling room on Wednesday! Until now, I’ve been working from a lovely room in Tynemouth, but my new space will be much closer to town - Heaton, to be more precise. In the new year, I’ll be transferring my client work across to the new place, after a little bit of decorating.
Read more about what I offer, as a counsellor here:

Have you been feeling stuck? If you're looking for a safe space to talk about how you are feeling and explore ways to move forward, I would love to help you. I’m an experienced counsellor who helps tweens, teenagers, and adults when life feels tough.