Jane Alcock Counselling

27/05/2025

'Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose’ – Viktor Frankl.

The only thing that made sense to Frankl, a brilliant psychologist, neurologist, philosopher and holocaust survivor, was making meaning out of his soul-wrenching experience.

No one can be better qualified to make this statement. However, the idea that, in essence, you are not your circumstances challenged me this morning.

The meaning we derive from our experiences and how we respond to them reflects newer research on the concept of post-traumatic growth (PTG) and refers to the positive changes that some individuals, including myself, report after experiencing trauma (e.g., see Joseph, Haines, Tedeschi and Shakespeare-Finch). It is more than resilience and not to be mistaken with happiness – it is triggered by and coexists with continuing struggle and distress. The positive changes include a greater appreciation of life and a deeper connection with others - they can also be a catalyst to spiritual growth.

Please know too that if you're finding it hard to believe that you may grow and flourish through whatever suffering you’re experiencing now, there is no need for shame or guilt - but it may bring you a glimmer of hope and comfort.

06/02/2025

Today is Day but every day can be a chance for us to encourage open conversations about mental health.
A problem shared is a burden lightened.
See tips and resources below.

On 6th February 2025, we celebrate Time To Talk Day, a day dedicated to fostering open conversations about mental health. We can help our own mental health by focusing on the 5 Ways of Wellbeing: Being Active, Connecting, Keep Learning, Taking Notice, and Giving. These simple yet powerful actions ca

11/01/2025

Our thoughts, feelings and behaviours are inextricably linked but we don't have to be slaves to them. Breaking the cycle at any point can, with time and practice, stop those negative feedback loops.

24/12/2024

Best wishes to you all for Christmas and the New Year 🙏🌟🎄🌟

07/08/2024

This is so true though it may seem counter-intuitive.

Asking yourself 'how important is it?'' can be grounding too and help you to prioritise and pace yourself.

Quick way to regulate your nervous system: SLOW DOWN. Slow down your movements, your breathing, and your walk.

Slow = safe (to our body)

18/06/2024

Unfortunately, trauma begets trauma in various ways and shows up in our relationships with others.

But it doesn't need to be the end of the story.... these are learned early survival behaviours that can be unlearned over time. We can often believe that other people are causing our difficulties but we have far more choices in our relationships than we realise.

Changing our unhelpful relationship patterns is hard work but the rewards are worth it and eventually generalise to all the relationships we choose to be in, including the relationship with ourselves.

18/06/2024

Who cares for the carers? It can be a very hard, lonely trudge.

I haven’t been feeling very enthused about , have you?

Instead I just feel tired.

05/06/2024

Excellent blog offering help and hope for many of us who, as parent carers of children with special needs, have experienced multiple traumas ❤‍🩹

https://www.affinityhub.uk/blog/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0YJQQ4dMLimKF0d1TrDFJ2_JJ2mbUoIQtgJJV_OrvpGv3TIqpkYDYYak4_aem_AUaa09liKvXOsuFLbMG5VaQ0BLZuZTziLg1eFvklI7FtsBMH6LKcjjYs6iyxQpZ70Qz67053h6yvN_qQgdQlQ1le

Parent Carer Trauma and EMDR Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a procedure that uses different phases to treat post traumatic stress disorder. The approach is underpinned by the idea that traumatic memories may become stuck and need help to be processed and stored in a way that...

27/05/2024

So true 💚💙💛

20/05/2024

I co-wrote this article for the Daily Mail in 2011 in my previous life as a journalist. It beggars belief that it has taken decades to uncover the full extent of the failings, adding to the unimaginable suffering of all those affected.

Over the years I have felt hugely privileged to have been welcomed into the lives of people who have shared their stories with me but sad that justice often comes far too late.

The Body Shop founder had caught the virus, which destroys the liver, after a hospital blood transfusion following the birth of her daughter Sam in 1971.

31/03/2024

Easter is a symbol for springtime and renewal. Wishing you all love, peace and renewed hope this season 🌷🌻🐣🐰✝️🌦️🌈

24/03/2024

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🌿 Apps and online wellbeing resources 🌿

Here are some online resources/apps that parent carers have reported as helpful.

· Pause
· Headspace
· Be Mindful
· Calm
· MindEase
· ACT Coach
· MyPossible Self
· Living Ashram
· HealthyMinds Program
· Self Help
· Insight Timer

Are there any others that you use?

If you do not want to use an app even taking little moments during the day – savour rubbing hand cream into your hands, smell flowers, or listen to some relaxing music – can help you become more mindful and calm your nervous system. Really savour and enjoy the experience of using your senses.