VW Counselling and Meditation

23/03/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWOAbjajWqr/?igsh=MW54NGF4YXdkbHJodA==

The power of therapy! 💚 💙

20/03/2026

ADHD at Work: We’re Still Missing the Point

There’s something about how ADHD is talked about at work that doesn’t sit right with me.

Yes—there’s more awareness.
More support. More adjustments.
But most of the focus is still on what’s “difficult.”

* Attention.
* Organisation.
* Time.

And while those challenges are real…
that’s only half the picture. Because what I see—every day—is different.

* I see people who think differently.
* Who spot what others miss.
* Who question, challenge, and move thinking forward.
* Who can focus deeply when something truly engages them.

That’s not a problem. That’s potential.
But those strengths often don’t show up at work. Not because they’re not there—
but because the environment doesn’t allow them to be.

Too many workplaces are built around managing difficulty, not unlocking strengths. It becomes about coping… not thriving. And over time, that shapes how people see themselves.

Here’s what gets missed:

Neurodivergent minds don’t just need support— they bring real value. And when that value is recognised, teams don’t just feel better… they perform better.

But one thing has to be in place:

* Psychological safety.
* Safe to speak.
* Safe to question.
* Safe to think differently.

Without it, people hold back— and potential stays hidden.

Final Thought

This has been inspired by several neurodivergent clients I’ve worked with recently.

* I hear you.
* I feel your frustration.
* I’m championing your neurodivergent brain.

It’s time workplaces move beyond outdated thinking and recognise strengths—not just struggles. Because your way of thinking has real value. And it deserves to be seen.

17/03/2026

6:30am this morning 🌿

I sat outside and did a 10-minute gratitude meditation, listening to the birds and just taking a moment to be still.

As I gently opened my eyes… these beauties were right there waiting 🐔😂
Hovering like little reminders that life is happening all around us, even in the quiet moments.

Not sure if they came to join me or ask for breakfast… probably both!

Such a simple, grounding way to start the day.

Grateful for stillness, nature, and these unexpected little moments of joy 💫

15/03/2026

Mother’s Day can be a beautiful day for some… but for many others it can feel complicated, painful, or lonely. 💛

Today might be difficult if you’ve lost your mum, lost a child, experienced miscarriage, or longed to become a parent. It can also be hard if relationships with mothers or children are strained, distant, or no longer part of your life.
Some people are quietly grieving today. Some are holding memories. Some are navigating family dynamics that feel heavy.

If today feels tough, please know your feelings are valid. There is no “right” way to feel on Mother’s Day.

Be gentle with yourself. Reach out to someone you trust, take a breath, step outside, or simply allow yourself to feel whatever is there.

You are not alone. 💛

12/03/2026

Healing is often misunderstood. Many people imagine it as a straight road where things simply get better and better. But the truth is, healing rarely looks like that.

Sometimes healing means outgrowing people and grieving the loss of relationships that once felt important. It can mean setting boundaries for the first time and then sitting with the guilt that follows.

Healing can look like revisiting old patterns — not because you’ve failed, but because you are now seeing them with greater awareness. It might involve grieving what you didn’t receive earlier in life, or feeling exhausted as your body finally begins to feel safe enough to rest.
Some days you will feel strong and hopeful. Other days might feel heavy again. That doesn’t mean you’re going backwards — it simply means you’re human.

Often the biggest shift in healing is learning to feel your feelings rather than numb them.

If your journey feels messy, emotional, or uncertain at times, you are not doing it wrong. This is often what real healing looks like.

At VW Counselling, I create a safe space where people can explore these parts of their journey with compassion and understanding. 💚 💙

09/03/2026

💙 💚

07/03/2026

Trying something new today ❄️🌊

Today I'm taking part in an introductory cold water swimming course at Watersedge.club in Bishampton with a fellow peer.

Cold water swimming is becoming increasingly recognised for its positive impact on mental wellbeing. Many people report improved mood, reduced stress, increased resilience, and a deeper connection with nature.

As someone who works in mental health and wellbeing, I’m always curious to explore practices that support both body and mind.

Let’s see how cold the water really is! 🥶

07/03/2026

💚 💙

24/02/2026

It’s 7:15 in the morning, and I’m out on a mindful walk with Charlie. I’m really tuning into everything around me — the woodpeckers tapping, an owl calling faintly, and all the birds singing to each other. The sheep in the next field are grazing quietly, and the horses have come up to say hello. The fields are lush and green, and for once, the rain has held off. Being fully present to these small moments — the sounds, the fresh air, each step — is such a grounding gift. I feel so grateful for this peace. I’d love to know — what are you focusing on this morning? What small moments of gratitude can you tune into today? Share in the comments — I’d love to hear.

11/02/2026

Listening Through Wounds

I recently came across this quote:

“Unhealed people don’t listen with their ears. They listen with their triggers… They don’t hear your words. They hear their wounds.”

It really resonated.

In relationships, families, workplaces — even friendships — we’re not always responding to what is happening in the present moment. Sometimes we’re responding to something much older. A tone that reminds us of criticism. Silence that echoes abandonment. Calm that feels like control.

When old wounds are activated, honest communication can be misheard as attack. Boundaries can be felt as rejection. And attempts at connection can turn into conflict.

This isn’t about labelling people as “broken.” We all have histories. We all get triggered at times. The difference lies in awareness and responsibility.

Healing isn’t about perfection. It’s about learning to notice when we are reacting from fear rather than responding from clarity. It’s about creating space between the trigger and the reaction. It’s about taking ownership of our emotional world instead of projecting it onto others.
And just as importantly — it’s about recognising when your calm, thoughtful words are being filtered through someone else’s pain.

Understanding this can be incredibly validating.

Compassion for others is important.
But so is emotional safety for yourself.
Healing allows for connection, clarity, and peace — not just within us, but between us.

09/02/2026

Many of you will know Ali Noakes not just as part of Shali Wellbeing, but as the warm, steady, caring presence she is in so many lives.

Last Wednesday, Ali was taken into hospital with a sudden subarachnoid haemorrhage (a bleed on the brain). She has since had surgery to stop the bleed and is currently in ICU being closely monitored. We are incredibly grateful to say she is stable and being very well cared for.

This has been a huge shock, and Ali will understandably be out of action for a while as she focuses fully on resting and recovering.

If you know Ali, you’ll know her strength, her kindness, and the way she shows up for others every single day. I’m sure she would feel the love from all of you, so please do hold her in your thoughts and send words of encouragement for a steady and full recovery.

Thank you for your patience and support — it truly means a lot. 🤍

27/01/2026