Claire Palmer Counselling Norwich

Claire Palmer Counselling Norwich Creative Counsellor
UKCP accredited
Regional Coordinator for Deep Release Norfolk
Offering counselling to over 18s online or in Norwich.

Today I am doing my favourite self care activity... The theatre. Now, I go on my own. Do I feel self conscious? Not so m...
13/05/2026

Today I am doing my favourite self care activity... The theatre.

Now, I go on my own.

Do I feel self conscious? Not so much now, but I did!

Does my anxiety speak? Well yes, it always does. What if I take up too much space? What if I am too tall? What if I sit in the wrong place? (Despite triple checking my ticket) What if I have an anxiety attack and make a plonker of myself having to get out? (Despite me buying a seat on end of the row)

Now, this may seem a lot to someone who doesn't experience anxiety, but to those of you who are always accompanied by the anxiety gremlin in your brain, I can imagine this is pretty familier.

I did a risk assessment (because my anxiety is really trying to protect me!), I buy my tickets in advance so I can choose a comfy seat. I arrive early so I can settle and see what I ACTUALLY need.

I am also neurodivergent, and can become overwhelmed by my senses before I have a conscious awareness. I forgot my loops... but I can judge my needs when I allow myself to pause.

I WILL NOT push through my anxiety, if I am truly 'making' myself cope that will lead to exhaustion and eventually burn out.

This is supposed to be self care, not torture.

And you know what? My anxiety is chilling in the background, ready to communicate if something happens (actually happens. Not imagined) because I still need it to do its job, but I am good right now.

And excited.

Anxiety and excitement carry a lot of the same somatic experience for me.

12/05/2026

Another look at PACT Ltd Roles Played In Anger cards. Here is an example of how I may use them with clients.

12/05/2026

A look at PACT Ltd Roles Played in Anger cards.

Self-harm is not manipulation.It is often a response to distress, overwhelm, shutdown, emotional pain, or nervous system...
10/05/2026

Self-harm is not manipulation.

It is often a response to distress, overwhelm, shutdown, emotional pain, or nervous system dysregulation.

People may self-harm to:
• release unbearable tension
• cope with emotional overload
• express feelings they cannot verbalise
• regain a sense of control
• interrupt numbness or dissociation
• cope with difficult feelings about themselves

For neurodivergent people — including autistic, ADHD, and traumatised nervous systems — emotions can feel physically intense. Sensory overload, rejection sensitivity, masking, burnout, and chronic invalidation can all increase emotional dysregulation.

Sometimes self-harm becomes a survival strategy when someone does not yet have safer ways to regulate.

According to Mind and The Samaritans, self-harm is usually linked to emotional distress rather than attention-seeking.
Even when someone *does* need attention, connection, or care — those are valid human needs, not something to shame.

Healing is not about “just stopping.”
It is about understanding the function behind the behaviour and building safety, regulation, and support over time.

Regulation strategies can include:
🫶 movement or pacing
🫶 stimming and sensory support
🫶 grounding through the senses
🫶 cold water or holding ice
🫶 weighted blankets or deep pressure
🫶 art, music, journalling, or gaming
🫶 co-regulation with safe people
🫶 rest after burnout or overload

You deserve support before crisis point.
You deserve compassion while struggling.
And relapse does not erase recovery.

If you need support:
📞 Samaritans UK & ROI: 116 123 (24/7)
💬 Text “SHOUT” to 85258 (UK)
🌱 Mind information & support: mind.org.uk

08/05/2026

A second look at PACT'S Core Needs In Families Cards. It's not about blaming, its about understanding ourselves with compassion.

08/05/2026

Sometimes healing starts with finally having language for what was missing.

These PACT Core Needs in Families Cards help explore the emotional and relational needs every child deserves... and how unmet needs can still affect us in adulthood.

Which card do you think younger you needed most?

02/05/2026

POV: we agreed MONTHS ago to watch Michael…

but I turned up with tickets for Devil Wears Prada 2 like that was always the plan 💀🎬

the spiral when you realise you’re the problem 😭

proof that even counsellors can spiral over the smallest mistakes 🫠

anyway… still ate, no regrets

01/05/2026

People don’t really talk about this part…

What it’s like to be the one holding space for others,
and still need a space of your own.

So here’s something honest:

28/04/2026

What happens when I have a few minutes to spare? My inner child comes out to play! 🥰🤣

Address

Saint Francis House
Norwich
NR13PN

Opening Hours

Monday 2pm - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+447477126873

Website

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