Onwards & Upwards Counselling

14/02/2026

Yesterday we received an enquiry about a burial at sea... would you believe this is something we can do! 🌊

Burial at sea is possible in the UK — but only in certain designated areas. For us, that location is off the Needles.
It’s not something many people realise is an option.
For many Islanders, the sea holds deep meaning. A lifetime of sailing. Daily walks along the cliffs. A love of the beach. For others, it’s the simplicity and symbolism — returning to nature in the most simple way.

At Life, we truly believe a funeral should reflect the person and the life they lived. If that means something a little different, a little more personal, or connected to nature — we’ll do everything we can to make it happen!

If you’re curious about options beyond the “traditional”, feel free to message us. We’re always happy to talk 💛

14/02/2026

HOW TO WIN WITHOUT ARGUING:

Winning without arguing is the art of inner strength.
Not every word spoken deserves a response, and not every accusation deserves your energy.

People often react from pain, ego, or misunderstanding.
If you respond with the same heat, the fire only grows.

Calmness disarms. Silence protects. Time reveals what arguments cannot.

Real power is not in dominating others, but in mastering yourself.
The one who remains peaceful in chaos has already won.

13/02/2026

Grief can feel overwhelming. Some days you're managing — and then a wave hits out of nowhere and suddenly you can barely breathe.

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.

We're hosting a FREE live session with world-leading grief psychotherapist Julia Samuel MBE — featuring an extended Q&A where you can ask her anything.

📅 Thursday 19th February
🕕 6pm GMT | 1pm ET

Julia will share gentle, practical ways to be with your pain without avoiding it or getting lost in it. Then we'll open up for an extended Q&A.

Topics that often come up:
How long will it hurt like this — will I ever get over it?
Is what I'm experiencing normal?
How do I deal with my guilt?
I feel so lonely and isolated — what can I do?

Over 1,000 people joined our last session. The chat was incredibly supportive — people sharing their experiences, offering comfort, and finding they weren't alone.
Come as you are. You can join from the sofa with a cup of tea and ask questions through the chat.

👉 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/fgyo93fISXm82XJUfV9m9g

13/02/2026

❤️

13/02/2026

13/02/2026

For those who have been struggling with the darker evenings, remember that lighter days are coming.

Everybody is different, but spring and summer can be a welcome sight for lots of people.

cruse.org.uk

23/01/2026

"The goal of self-disclosure is like the goal of anything in therapy-- is it going to be helpful to the client? And you do your best job. But I think most therapists in their training are trained to be so cautious, so fearful of self-disclosure and boundaries that they err in an extreme direction of holding back." - Victor Yalom discusses the value of self-disclosure in therapy.

22/01/2026

The lights have gone, the year already feels long and January has a habit of slowing everything down. And this year, that slower pace feels particularly apt.

Today, I’m going into hospital for my shoulder surgery, with firm instructions from my family to rest properly afterwards. And they are talking in terms of weeks, not day. So for a while, at least, life is going to move more gently.

This is where I’ve always found TV therapy comes into its own. Not television as background noise, but programmes that are well made, absorbing and steady, with stories that take you somewhere else without asking too much of you in return.

I’m feeling grateful this January, because we seem to have been rather lucky with what’s on offer. I’m especially looking forward to the new Agatha Christie, not least because my dear friend Helena Bonham Carter is in it, and almost invariably manages to make me laugh, whatever her part.

I’ve also been revisiting The Night Manager. It’s still beautifully made, but I’m surprised to find I’m not enjoying it quite as much as I did the first time round…maybe that’s just me?

As things slow down, I’m choosing television that does the same. Nothing bleak or scary! Nothing frantic. Just good storytelling to settle into while the days stretch and my body hopefully heals…!

If you’ve been watching something that’s felt especially right for January, I’d love to hear about it. I suspect I’m going to need quite a few recommendations.

Love, Julia xx

19/01/2026

A gentle reminder that grief doesn't follow a calendar.

When you're grieving, any day could be 'blue'. However you're feeling today, treat yourself with kindness.

https://www.cruse.org.uk/

17/01/2026

Feeling joy or happiness doesn't mean you're grieving any less, both can exist together 💜

This is a gentle reminder to not judge your emotions and allow yourself to feel.

https://www.cruse.org.uk/

16/01/2026

🌈 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 🌈

Irvin Yalom, in The Gift of Therapy (London: Piatkus, 2008, p.11), captures the essence of therapeutic healing: “The act of revealing oneself fully to another and still being accepted may be the major vehicle of therapeutic help.”

This profound statement reminds us of the transformative effect that acceptance can have on an individual's healing journey. To be seen, understood, and accepted for who we truly are is not just liberating; it's deeply healing. It's a powerful reminder that at the heart of therapy—and indeed, at the heart of all meaningful relationships—is the gift of acceptance.

💡 Key Significance to Counselling: Yalom’s insight highlights the critical role of unconditional positive regard in the therapeutic process. It’s a call to action for therapists to foster an environment where clients feel safe to open up, share their deepest thoughts and fears, and find acceptance.

🤝 Takeaway: Let’s all strive to be that safe haven for others, where they can reveal their true selves without fear of judgment. Whether it’s within the context of therapy, friendships, or family relationships, the act of accepting someone fully can be a powerful catalyst for change and growth.

Share this post to spread the message that acceptance can be a beacon of hope and healing. Let’s encourage one another to embrace our vulnerabilities and celebrate our authentic selves. 💖