Space to Be

15/04/2025

Dates are now confirmed for Summer groups.
Come along and find a Space to Be with your child. Get present, connect and learn new skills together in a fun and active way.

Follow the QR and book your place or get in touch to find out more.

13/04/2025

Dates to be posted shortly for summer one day groups for children and carers.

Take some time to connect, get in the here and now and build resilience.

05/02/2025

It’s Time to Talk so here goes…

When people hear I’m a psychologist the initial reaction is often one of discomfort or uncertainty, perhaps a fear I’ll uncover something about them. However, it’s not that simple. I wish it was! And also, like so many things knowing the theory and evidence does not mean I am always able to put into practice what I know. I’m human too and make plenty mistakes myself.

Understanding someone takes time and patience and is not a quick process based on stereotypes or gimmicks. As such, therapy too is not a quick fix- most people can’t run a marathon after one training session!

As a psychologist you are often perceived as having all the answers. But the truth is we are only ever part of the puzzle.

Change is hard, it requires often figuring out old patterns and their functions whilst understanding what you want now and for the future. As a psychologist I can support you through this and help you learn new ways of responding whilst figuring out what you really value. But, ultimately I am but a passenger on your bus for a short time. There to support, nature and train before you carry on your way.

You decide where you want to go.

The big thing here is that that choice be yours and not driven by fear, or a desire to avoid discomfort, disappointment or anxiety. Something that I often see.

Moving towards what matters is not linear. There are many bumps in the road, barriers and distractions. So setting your compass and really knowing what you want is so important in helping you get back on track.

Perhaps try out a Values Card Sort exercise online and think about what matters to you: https://www.valuescardsort.com/index.html

Are you and those close to you moving towards the things that matter or has life become about moving away from what’s uncomfortable?

I fear in a world of on demand 24hr access and what can feel like sensory overload that the slowing down, reflecting and staying with discomfort, often required in therapy, will be something people will no longer be willing to be with.
I wonder about what that will mean for the lives of those people and also our communities if choices are driven by fear of the unknown, the what ifs, and getting away from discomfort. As I see the news in the US that is a theme that feels far too close to reality.

So can you today pause before you react? Slow down and take a breath and think about how that next action connects with who you want to be in this world?

Think about how you can bring your values into daily life and start small. If you value connecting, text that friend you’ve been meaning to or even write them a letter, if you value learning or growth can you commit to reading that book you’ve wanted to read?

Mine is about my value of caring for others and recognising that to care for others I need to care for myself, so a book and earlier bedtime is my first step!

Change is hard but climbing a mountain can only be done one step at a time. What wil be your first step?

03/07/2024

Nature Connectedness

There are clear links between nature connectedness and psychological well-being. What does that mean?

How to connect with nature in a way that has a positive impact on our psychological wellbeing and living full lives.

27/06/2024

Keep your eyes open for my new article in The Rugby Register highlighting the role of nature in positive mental health.

It tells you small ways to start caring for your self and how Space to Be can help you build enduring skills to manage challenges more effectively.

20/06/2024

Teen 24 survey (jointly commissioned by BBC Bitesize and 5 Live) identified the top worries in teens as:

Passing exams/ getting good grades: 56%

How much people like me or are interested in me: 34%

Feeling pressure to look or act a certain way: 34%

Going to school: 26%

We know growing up and figuring out who you want to be is a difficult journey of discovery. One I am not sure ever ends. In this exam season it’s also clearly understandable to be feeling the pressure and some anxiety is helpful and appropriate when things matter!

These thoughts and feelings are not bad or wrong but it’s how we respond to them that gives them the power to get in the way if we can’t respond flexibly.

I wonder if we can help young people be present for the ride and not just focus on the destination?

Can you help them take a breath and slow down?

Help them do things that bring them joy and natural mindfulness through a focus on something important to them. And if you can do this outside to use the powerful effect of nature, that helps too.

Check out this BBC Bitesize / 5 Live survey of over 2000 13-18 year-olds which reveals some of the common things teens are worrying about in 2024.

06/06/2024

We know that children’s mental health difficulties are on the rise and that these early challenges, if not supported, can have long term consequences on young people flourishing.

We are also living in busy, technology driven worlds with reduced opportunities to connect with each other and the environment around us.

I am a Warwickshire Clinical Psychologist who works with children and families. I am passionate to help families manage challenges together and to grow in vitality. I want to share with you the benefits of being outdoors and teach you skills to be able to be more flexible and flourish so I am delivering outdoor therapy groups.

You will learn new skills that you can apply in your lives to manage challenges more effectively. You will use your senses, breathing, mindfulness, techniques around thoughts whilst actively engaging in fun activities together in nature.

“I would recommend this if your child is anxious and doubts themselves.”
-Parent of 10yr old

“Although child focused, I found I actually learnt lots of strategies to use every day to support my own mental well being as well of that of my children.”

Group dates are now in place for this summer in Rugby.

Book by 31st June with code 10proFB to receive a 10% discount.

Space to Be Space to Be Space To Be: Outdoor Therapy Outdoor Therapy Groups - Read on to find out how to live a life connected to what matters to you through developing well tested new skills in psychological flexibility.