Claire Law Free to Be Psychotherapy

26/09/2025

It's that time of year when I finally have sucumb to putting my sandals away till next Summer (Spring....?) and it's shoes and boots time. My feet like the freedom of sandals, and are complaining now.......!

14/09/2025

Check out my latest blog: What is Neuroaffirming Counselling?
https://www.freetobecounselling.org/blog/what-is-neuroaffirming-counselling

10/09/2025

Today is ***dePreventionDay. An important day to mark and recognise the work happening globally to change the narrative on su***de. Connecting with someone you're concerned about, and asking them if they are struggling with their mental health can be a helpful form of support.

There are some great resources out there to support people to have brave conversations. I like the Zero Su***de Alliance's range of free courses. Link in comments.

Asking if someone is suicidal won't give them ideas, but it may help them feel less . A 2014 meta-analysis (that's a study that gathers and measures data from other studies to create really robust evidence about a hypothesis) by Cambridge University Researchers (Dazzi et al.) supports this. But how can we get better at these really ? Crisis - whether it's our own or someone else's- can shift our brain into a response in which thinking clearly, planning, and responding well become more challenging. Having a plan in place and a rehearsed checklist can help. ⁠
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When we enter brave conversations like these, our pulse may spike, we may stumble on words, and we may even want to escape the conversation. Here's a tip: literally practicing saying the words can help. To practice, you can pair up with a friend or partner and rehearse what it's like to say: "Sometimes when people are struggling with stuff like this, they have thoughts about su***de, are you having those thoughts?" or "I'm really concerned about you and I wonder if you feel like you can keep yourself safe right now?" or "I want you to know that if you ever feel suicidal, I'm here for you. Call me and we'll figure out together how to keep you safe." ⁠
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Getting used to saying these emotion-charged statements can help us show up and speak bravely when the chips are down. ⁠
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Gentle reminder that Instagram is not therapy and my resources are educational, not therapeutic. If you need help, reach out to the and ask to be connected with resources. If you need help urgently, call 911 or local emergency services. (In Seattle, that's crisis connections at 206-461-3222 )

Get a poster, mini poster, or printable PDF version of this art via the link in my profile.

09/09/2025

Completing training as part of "Trauma Informed Lancashire" today. My work often involves helping people process childhood trauma, as well as trauma experienced as adults, and find ways to feel safer in themselves, and in the world. It's important training and I am glad Lancashire is championing this. If you are interested, see the link in comments.

Image description: image with the words "Trauma Informed" written in black font, and "Lancashire" written underneath in pink. To the left is a pink heart image.
Second image has a lilac bacground, with the words "childhood trauma" above a line drawn graphic of a sad face, with fingers pointing at the face.

09/09/2025

🍂Spotting the signs of change in the season - greens being slowly replaced by yellows and browns.
🤔I'm reflecting on what it is to experience change. Change isn't always easy!
💬In therapy, we often explore the imapct of life changes, and find ways to live with the process of change. In the process, we can be changed, too.

💛Today, I am enjoying the colours of autumn as a way to connect with change.



Image description: three photos, each of close up of green leaves that are mottled with yellow, beige and brown clours.

05/09/2025

❓💬What words do you need to hear today?

💚It can feel very comforting when someone we trust and feel safe with tells us the words we want to hear.

🥰It can also be an act of radical self-love and care to give these words to ourself.



Image description: graphic featuring the title "sometimes you just need to hear..." Underneath are 3 rows of 3 statments, each written in a rainbow shape above a heart image. The statments, reading from left to right and top to bottom are:
I see you
I believe in you
I get you
Take your time
It's not your fault
You are safe here
I'm right here
It's ok
I understand

03/09/2025

Today's suggestion from the for Happiness calendar has caught my eye today: Let go of self-criticism and speak to yourself kindly.


Photo description: Blue square on white background, with the number 3 in the top left corner in white text. In the centre of the square, also in white text are the words "Let go of self-criticism and speak to yourself kindly". Above the blue box is the word "WEDNESDAY" in green font.

03/09/2025

The loss of a pet can be extremely distressing and difficult to process. I take pet loss, and grief for pets seriously. I am glad to see the RSPCA (England & Wales) raising awareness of this issue today :)

31/08/2025

I smile when I pass this home-made sign close to my counselling room. In a fractured world, I want to hold onto the belief that love overcomes hatred.

Image description: Photo of sign made from a slate tile, screwed to a metal fence. Beyond is a field. The sign is handpainted in white paint, with the words "LOVE WINS" in capital letters. Between the two words is a white love heart made from wood and also painted white.

29/08/2025

I've not been down to Avenham / Miller park for a while. It was good to see the progress on the flood defences, and this welcoming sign built into the park entrance.

In my psychotherapy practice, welcome matters to me. One of the ways I welcome people to therapy is to provide plenty of information about what to expect, and what happens in a first session. Check out the blog post in the comments for more details.

Image description: Photo of grey and sand coloured hard landscaping at the entrance to Miller Park. The word WELCOME is shown built into the floor, in black capital letters.

27/08/2025

If you're a student, parent or teacher - you may well have feelings about the upcoming start of the new school year 🎓🎒✏️👨🏿‍🏫👩🏼‍🏫🚸

😅Excitement?
😧Nerves?
😨Dread?
🤯Overwhelm?
😱Anxiety?

A new school year has the poetential to offer a fresh start.
It's also a time of change and transition, which can be challenging.

💚However you're feeling about the new school year, I hope you are able to meet your emotions with self-compassion and kindness

14/08/2025

1 in 5 people are said to have a neurodevelopmental condition, such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, or Tourette’s Syndrome.

I see thinking differently as an asset, rather than an weakness.

And, I know how hard it can be to feel "different", or that you don't fit in, belong, or see the world as others around you do.

I offer neuro-affirming therapy, helping people to reach their full potential and find ways to love their uniqueness.

I have some limited availability for new clients from September onwards. Please get in touch if you want to chat through what you might be looking for from therapy.

https://www.freetobecounselling.org/contact