Therapy in Preston with Claire Law

20/01/2026

😓Like many people, I don't always find change easy. When I'm facing change and finding it tough, I often call to mind the quote "to live is to change".

💡It's important to my psychotherapy practice to remember that change can be positive, and that the work of therapy involves change. It's good to remember that we can and do change as humans, and that we can change unhelpful ways of relating to ourselves and to others.

💻This blog reflects my thoughts on how change can and does show up in therapy: https://www.freetobecounselling.org/blog/change-is-possible

If you are interested in exploring your own experience of change, or looking to make changes to patterns of relating to yourself and others, I have some current limited availability for new clients. Get in touch via my website if you'd like to find out more.
https://www.freetobecounselling.org/contact

16/01/2026

🆕This week, Mattel unveiled their Autistic Barbie doll. Features include a loose hair style accented by noise-canceling headphones to reflect the challenges autistic folk can experience around fine motor skills and sensory sensitivity. Whilst the doll may help to foster representation and inclusion, as the motto goes, "if you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person...."

💬In my counselling work, I aim to meet each person as a unique individual. I offer neuroaffirming counselling and attending to a client's individual needs is part of this.

💻If you want to know more, check out my blog on neuroaffirming counselling:
https://www.freetobecounselling.org/blog/what-is-neuroaffirming-counselling

💻You can also check out my listing on the Autistic Therapists Directory:
https://www.autistictherapistdirectory.com/uk-autistic-therapists/claire-law

16/01/2026

Congratulations! You (and I!) have made it to half past January. The cold, dark, dank days of January can feel challenging. Spring is coming!
What helps you to "keep going" at this time of year? What helps you to take good care of yourself in January?
✨️❄️

15/01/2026

👂If you "listen in" to your own self-talk, how's it sound?
- Critical?
- Cruel?
- Callous?

💟How would things change for you if you could speak to yourself with compassion and care?

💬Noticing your self talk and then inviting kindness and compassion can be a game changer.

🌞Today, notice when you experience self-criticism.

⏸Pause, and breathe.

💚Then ask yourself how you can choose to respond with self-compassion?

💙How can you be kind to yourself today?

The work of therapy can involve updating howe we speak and relate to ourselves. It can also help to detangle where these patterns of critical self-talk orignated from. Therapy can provide space to be welcomed and received just as you are.

Check out my 2 blogs on this theme of self-compassion:
https://www.freetobecounselling.org/blog/anxiety-tips-3-self-compassion?
https://www.freetobecounselling.org/blog/self-care-how-and-why?rq=compassionrq=compassion

14/01/2026

The ability to be open and honest with ourselves and others can feel daunting and vulnerable. I believe this is indeed a strength rather than a weakness. Of course, easier said that done!

Vulnerability
Is a strength
Not a weakness x
www.blobtree.com

07/01/2026

🤔The Ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, famously said "the unexamined life is not worth living". For Socrates, honest self-reflection makes for a meaningful life. To examine ourself is to come to know our motivations, intentions and values how we lose and find ourselves in the events our of life.

❓Knowing what delights, frightens and angers you contributes to an examined life, as does considering what you find it hard to accept about yourself. Therapy can be a place to examine, and know yourself at a deeper level.

30/12/2025

❓Have you set yourself a New Year's Resolution to manage stress? To build in more relaxation?

😫A study comissioned by the charity Mental Health UK found that the risk of burnout remains prevalent for UK employees, with one in three adults experiencing high or extreme levels of pressure or stress ‘always’ or ‘often’ in the last year.

🙍‍♂️🙍Challenges at work can take their toll - particularly when combined with other stressors. The study found that common additional stressors included:
😴Poor sleep
🤑Money worries
🏥Physical health issues
😢Feeling isolated or lonley
👶Childcare challenges

🛋Talking can help you to find options and to take steps to manage stress and pressure. The work of therapy can include exploring your stress points and what helps you manage when things are tough. Therapy can also help with recognising what boundareis you want and need to mitigate against stress.

📖You can read the Burnout Report here:https://euc7zxtct58.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/16142505/Mental-Health-UK_The-Burnout-Report-2025.pdf

👨🏾‍💻I have a range of blogs on my website relating to burnout - check them out here: https://www.freetobecounselling.org/search?q=burnout%20

27/12/2025

🎉Happy Twixmas!

🍫I'm not talking about the chocolate bars.... it's the "in between time" between Christmas and New Year I am referring to.

🤔I enjoy Twixmas as a time for space and reflection, and this blog captures some of my ponderings on the theme of betweenness.

✒️If you want some reflection points to ponder on yourself, the blog contains some journal prompts.....
https://www.freetobecounselling.org/blog/twixmas-reflections?rq=twixmas

22/12/2025

😴I'm taking a well earned break over the Festive period, and won't be responding to messages or emails over this time.
📆I'll be back at my computer on Friday 2 January 2026, and back in my therapy chair from w/c Monday 5th Jan.
🙏🏻Wishing you what you need from the Winter Break and New Year

19/12/2025

It's very easy to find we have adopted (or been given) a role that doesn't really belong to us.

Working out where your responsibilities begin and end can help you find freedom from jobs that aren't really yours.

19/12/2025

I've enjoyed a bit of self-care this week with a "gong bath". I really relaxed into the experience. Interestingly, studies show sound baths can lead to significantly less tension, anger, anxiety, fatigue, and depressed mood in participants.

I wonder what self-care looks like for you this week?

13/12/2025

🔨Bit of weekend room sorting - getting things prepared for welcoming clients to my new counselling space in January 2026. I'll be using my exisiting room for the remainder of this month 🛋 Sofa arrives tomorrow......