http://www.soultoniccounselling.co.uk/

Soul Tonic Counselling, Runcorn (2025)

12/12/2025

The permission slip you need this December! 📝🎄✨

It’s so easy to get swept up in the festive frenzy. The pressure to buy, bake, wrap, attend, take part, say ‘yes’! It can all frankly be exhausting.

So here’s a gentle reminder that you can grant yourself the grace of a slower pace. Choose ease over exhaustion, & being present over perfection.

Your energy is the most precious gift you can offer yourself & others, so use it wisely🎁

Let this season meet you exactly where you are, not where you feel pressured to be 💚

Don’t forget - it’s you’re Christmas too 😊🎄

How are you choosing to slow down between now & the big day? Share in the comments below 👇

05/12/2025

The four attachment styles are secure, anxious, avoidant, & disorganised. These patterns of behavior & emotional response develop from early experiences with parents & other caregivers & influence how individuals form & maintain relationships as adults. A secure style is associated with healthy, balanced relationships, while the insecure styles (anxious, avoidant, & disorganised) are linked to more difficulties, such as fear of abandonment or emotional distance.

It is believed that the secure attachment is the most common style, with estimates of around 50-65% of children & adults having this attachment style. The remaining population has insecure attachment styles, including avoidant (around 15-25%) & anxious/preoccupied (around 5-11%), with disorganised attachment being more common in some disadvantaged populations.

Counselling can help with attachment styles by providing a safe space to explore early life experiences, increasing self-awareness of patterns, & building healthier relationship skills like communication & boundary setting. Through techniques like inner child work, counselling helps you process past wounds & develop coping mechanisms to foster a more secure attachment style in their current relationships.
It helps to:
💚 Increases self-awareness: helps you identify your specific attachment style & how it impacts your current behaviours & emotions in relationships.
💚 Explores root causes: By examining early childhood experiences with caregivers, you can gain insight into the origins of your attachment patterns.
💚 Heals past wounds: Therapies like trauma focused therapy & inner child work help you process & heal from past experiences that may have led to an insecure attachment style.
💚 Develops new skills: You can learn to communicate more effectively, set & maintain healthy boundaries, & regulate your emotions.

Why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together.

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

26/11/2025

Not everything is always as it seems!

A recent episode of I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here
offered a powerful, raw moment of live television that highlighted how adeptly many men conceal their pain, a situation where everyone believed a person was happy & thriving, only for him to step away, alone, & break down in tears, not wanting anyone to know.

He looked happy and was smiling then once alone, broke down in tears.
Men are masters at hiding pain. This moment was a reminder: appearances can deceive!
👉 Don’t wait for a crisis. Text your mate. Call your brother. Check in with a male colleague.

Check in. Ask how he really is.
Because a simple conversation can make a significant difference 💚

25/11/2025

Talking therapy encourages individuals to examine their thoughts, feelings, & behaviors, leading to a deeper understanding of themselves & their challenges.  
By providing a safe & confidential space to explore your thoughts, feelings, & behaviours with a trained professional gives you a better understanding of your challenges, develops coping mechanisms, & can make a positive change to your life.

Here at Soul Tonic Counselling, I offer therapeutic support to those that feel that life has got too much or is feeling overwhelmed, stressed, sad, worried or lonely. I can help you deal with anxiety, depression, grief & loss, childhood trauma, ill health, low self-esteem & other issues.

If you have experiences in your life that you feel you need to process or take the time to explore in your own time & at your own pace, then I’m here to help & support you through your journey.

I offer remote, telephone and face to face counselling sessions that can suit & fit into your lifestyle. Sessions are available on a weekly or fortnightly basis, whichever works best for you. 💚

If it feels like the right time for you to focus on you & to explore your feelings & emotions and any challenges or concerns you may have, why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together.

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

21/11/2025

I am truly honoured and privileged to support my clients and provide a safe space for them during challenging times.

I absolutely love my work - Meeting clients exactly where they are - in the moment, either in person, online, or by phone, & witnessing their bravery, resilience, & self-belief blossom as they begin to believe in themselves, is an incredible experience. I feel so fortunate to be part of their journey.

Receiving feedback and kind words means the world to me. I am so grateful to be able to hold a space where powerful & positive transformations can & do happen. ✨

If it feels like the right time for you to focus on you & to explore your feelings & emotions and any challenges or concerns you may have, why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together. 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

13/11/2025

Feelings of despair are characterised by a profound loss of hope, often accompanied by a sense of hopelessness & helplessness. These feelings can manifest as intense sadness, irritability, & a lack of motivation or interest in activities. Despair can be triggered by various situations, including personal setbacks, relationship difficulties, or feelings of isolation. It’s important to recognise the signs of despair & seek support.

What are the signs of despair?
😔Persistent sadness or low mood: This goes beyond typical sadness & can be a pervasive feeling that doesn’t lift.
🙄Loss of interest in activities: Apathy & a lack of motivation to engage in previously enjoyed hobbies or social events.
😕Withdrawal from social interaction: Isolating yourself from friends & family & avoiding social situations.
🫩Changes in sleep or appetite: Insomnia, excessive sleep, or significant changes in eating patterns.
😢Feelings of worthlessness or guilt: Negative self-talk & feelings of inadequacy.
🫥Thoughts of death or su***de: In severe cases, despair can lead to thoughts of self-harm or su***de.

Counselling can be a helpful tool in managing feelings of despair by providing a safe space to explore emotions, develop coping mechanisms, & gain a better understanding of the root causes of these feelings. 
It’s important to remember that feelings of despair can be temporary, & with the right support & coping strategies, it is possible to regain hope & move forward. If you are struggling with feelings of despair, please reach out for help 💚

If it feels like the right time for you to focus on you & to explore your feelings & emotions and any challenges or concerns you may have, why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together.

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

06/11/2025

November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month in the UK, its a time to raise awareness about the specific mental health challenges men face, encourage open conversations to break down stigma, & promote seeking help for issues like anxiety, depression, & stress. The month coincides with Movember which also raises awareness for prostate & testicular cancer, su***de prevention, & overall men’s health.

🧑🏻‍🦱Focus: The month focuses on both the physical & mental health of men, aiming to normalize seeking support & encourage early intervention.
👱Stigma: It is a time to challenge the stigma that discourages men from talking about their struggles.
🧔🏾‍♂️Statistics: Men are three times more likely to die by su***de than women, & su***de is the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK, making this month’s focus particularly important.

Addressing men’s mental health requires open conversations, encouraging help-seeking, & recognising that mental health issues like depression & anxiety affect men and it’s ok not to be ok.
There are a number of support groups specifically for men to talk to other men about their struggles, worries, challenges & feelings:

If you are in crisis the Shout Crisis Text Line is available: Text “SHOUT” to 85258 for confidential 24/7 text support.
Text “YM” to 85258 for crisis support if you’re under 19.

Counselling helps men’s mental health by providing a safe space to explore feelings, understand behaviors, & develop coping strategies for issues like stress, anger, & relationship problems. It can challenge traditional masculine norms that discourage emotional expression & help men build self-awareness, emotional resilience, & a greater sense of purpose. This can lead to improved relationships, better stress management, & a higher overall quality of life.

Why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

❤️

22/10/2025

Self-sabotaging is a pattern of conscious or subconscious behaviors, thoughts, or actions that interfere with your goals, wellbeing, & overall success, often stemming from underlying issues like fear, low self-esteem, or unresolved past experiences. Common examples include procrastination, substance abuse, unhealthy eating habits, or creating conflict in relationships, all of which prevent you from achieving your desired outcomes despite the outward desire to do so.

What it looks like:
Self-sabotaging behaviors can manifest in various areas of life, including:
💚 Goals: Procrastinating on important tasks, making careless mistakes, or failing to follow through on commitments.
💚 Relationships: Lashing out at loved ones, starting arguments, or pursuing unhealthy or unavailable partners.
💚 Personal Wellbeing: Comfort eating, self-medicating with drugs or alcohol, or engaging in self-injury.

Counselling helps with self-sabotage by identifying its root causes, such as underlying fears or past trauma, & providing strategies & coping skills to replace negative patterns with healthier behaviors. Therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) teach emotion regulation & how to challenge & change negative thought patterns. Counselling provides a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore your triggers.

If it feels like the right time for you to focus on you & to explore your feelings & emotions and any challenges or concerns you may have, why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

18/10/2025

The purpose of World Menopause day is to raise awareness of the menopause & to improve the health & well-being of those experiencing it.

Menopause is the natural end of a woman’s reproductive years, marked by the permanent stopping of menstrual periods due to a decline in hormone levels, typically between the ages of 45 & 55. This transition is defined as occurring 12 months after a woman’s last menstrual period & can be accompanied by symptoms like hot flushes, mood changes, & sleep disturbances, which may begin years earlier during the perimenopause phase. Menopause can also be caused by surgery, such as a hysterectomy or cancer treatments like chemotherapy.

Menopause affects mental health through hormonal shifts that can lead to mood swings, anxiety, & depression. It also causes other issues like “brain fog,” irritability, & low self-esteem, which can be exacerbated by sleep problems. While menopausal mood changes are common, significant or persistent symptoms like severe depression should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Counselling helps with menopause by providing a safe space to process emotions, developing coping strategies for mental and physical symptoms like anxiety and insomnia, and rebuilding self-esteem.
💚 A safe space to be heard: Counselling provides a confidential and non-judgmental environment to discuss the physical and emotional changes of menopause, which can help you feel heard, validated, and less alone.
💚 Managing emotional changes: A therapist can help you identify and manage triggers for anxiety, low mood, and mood swings by developing coping mechanisms.
💚 Rebuilding self-confidence: It can help you work through feelings of lower self-esteem related to body changes or societal perceptions, and rebuild a positive sense of identity.

Why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

15/10/2025

Baby Loss Awareness Week takes place every October in the UK since the 1st Baby Loss Awareness Day in 2002. The week is a collaboration between a number of bereavement charities & aims to offer support, solidarity & comfort to everyone whose lives have been touched by the impact of pregnancy & baby loss.

It is a time of remembrance for pregnancy loss & infant death, which includes miscarriage, stillbirth, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), terminations for medical reasons & the death of a new born.

Wave of Light 2025 🕯️
Every year, the week ends with the Wave of Light on the 15th October at 7pm - a moment for families & loved ones to light candles to remember their much-loved babies. For some this is a private moment of reflection, while others share photos or videos of their candles on social media to connect with others taking part.

Counselling helps with pregnancy & infant loss by providing a safe, confidential space to process complex emotions, which can alleviate feelings of isolation, guilt & shame. It can help you understand your grief, develop coping mechanisms, & address trauma-related symptoms like PTSD, while also offering support for partners & family members.

It can help with:
💚 Validation: It can validate that your feelings of guilt, anger, or sadness are normal & understandable responses to a profound loss.
💚 Grief processing: It provides a space to safely explore & make sense of your unique grief journey without judgment.
💚 Reduced isolation: It can help combat the profound sense of loneliness that often accompanies loss by providing a neutral, empathetic presence.

Why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

13/10/2025

There’s a lot going on in the world right now such as natural disasters, human suffering, injustice & unrest. And seeing these events happen can affect how we feel, even if they’re not happening directly to us.

It’s important to stay informed about current events. But today’s constant media coverage can cause worry & make you feel hopeless.

Accept the fact that certain things will make you feel upset or worried. This is only natural when we’re thinking about global events. But try not to catastrophise (assume the worst possible outcome). Empathy can be good, but it’s important that you don’t neglect your own mental wellbeing.

Recently a lot of my clients are experiencing worry, concern & anxiety about what’s happening in the world right now & they all feel it’s difficult to get away from seeing & hearing it everyday. So as we are starting a new week, why not scroll through the tips above to see if they can help you too 💚

Counselling offers a compassionate, judgment-free environment where you can explore difficult emotions, build effective coping mechanisms, and reclaim a sense of control during turbulent times. With this support, you can learn to manage anxiety, soothe your nervous system, & concentrate on the aspects of life within your reach—empowering you to stay connected to yourself & the world in a more balanced, resilient way.

If it feels like the right time for you to focus on you & to explore your feelings & emotions and any challenges or concerns you may have, why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

11/10/2025

Focusing on “glimmers” can help your mental health by calming the nervous system, counteracting negative bias, & building resilience. These small, positive moments of joy & safety can soothe your nervous system, helping to regulate your body’s stress response and promote feelings of calm and connection.
By actively looking for & appreciating glimmers, you can retrain your brain to focus on the positive, which improves overall well-being and makes difficult times more manageable.

Glimmers can improve your overall well-being by boosting your mood, increasing feelings of gratitude, & provide a much-needed reprieve from stress, leading to a greater sense of appreciation and positivity.

Examples of everyday glimmers:
* The feeling of the sun on your face ☀️🕶️
* A warm cup of tea or a delicious meal ☕️🍲
* A favourite song 🎵🎧
* A pet’s affection 🐾 🐶
* A smile or kind gesture from a stranger 😊👋
* A beautiful sunset or flower 🌅💐
* A moment of quiet or stillness 🤫😌
* Feeling cozy under a warm blanket or in a bath 🧣🛁

Looking for glimmers is never about covering or ignoring your emotions. But on a bad day, they can offer a reset to your nervous system & provide extra support to help you get through. And on a good day, they can heighten the positive emotions you feel, contributing to an even better day. This will help nourish you when you hit your next inevitable hard day.

When you purposefully notice glimmers, & how you feel when you do, you will naturally begin to see more. This will help you make a long term habit that will boost your mental health and wellbeing.

I task many of my clients to look for the glimmers in their days’ & actively acknowledge them & how they made them feel at the end of each day to reinforce positivity which really helps reframe their general mood and helps promote a calmer mindset 💚

Why not get in touch with me for a free 15 minute chat to see how we could work together 💚

Call or text me on:
07493 461180
Email me at: SoulTonic.Counselling@hotmail.com

Soul Tonic Counselling

12/12/2025

05/12/2025

26/11/2025

25/11/2025

21/11/2025

13/11/2025

06/11/2025

22/10/2025

18/10/2025

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13/10/2025

11/10/2025

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