Beech Tree Counselling

12/09/2025

If you’ve seen distressing videos online lately...this is for you.

There’s a lot of distressing content circulating online right now.
Graphic videos that none of us are meant to see, yet so many (especially young people) are being exposed to them.

What you’re feeling is a normal reaction to a very unnatural situation. Your brain is not built to process graphic trauma on repeat.

Whether you see it in person or through a screen, your brain reacts the same way: it goes into survival mode. Shock, tears, feeling on edge, these are all natural responses to very unnatural circumstances.

✨ Here are some gentle ways to look after yourself if you’ve been affected:

Play Tetris (or another visual puzzle). Research shows it can disrupt traumatic memory storage + reduce flashbacks.

Talk it out. Share with someone safe — it helps your brain process.

Step away from your phone. Protecting your peace is not avoidance, it’s wisdom.

Watch something safe + familiar. A childhood cartoon, a cosy show, anything grounding.

Move your body gently. Stretch, shake, or dance helps your body release the stress.

Ground in the present. 5 things you see, 4 touch, 3 hear, 2 smell, 1 taste.

💛 Be kind to your mind. Protect your nervous system. You are not alone.

08/09/2025

💚 Su***de Awareness Month 💚

Su***de is something that touches far too many lives. Sadly, it’s something I sit with in my counselling work, with both children and adults, more often than most people realise.

The statistics are heartbreaking:

Su***de is the leading cause of death in the UK for people aged 5–35.

Nearly 1 in 3 young people aged 17–24 have self-harmed or attempted su***de.

Among adults, rates of suicidal thoughts and self-harm have doubled in the last 20 years.

In 2023, the UK lost 7,055 lives to su***de – that’s around 19 people every single day.

Behind every number is a person. A child, a parent, a friend, a colleague. Someone who mattered. 

One of the biggest myths I want to challenge is this: talking about su***de does not put the idea in someone’s head, nor does it make it worse. Quite the opposite. Talking about it can save lives.

What helps:

Gently ask: “Are you really okay?”

Listen without trying to fix or judge.

Notice changes in mood, energy, or behaviour.

Encourage reaching out for support.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that help is here:

Samaritans (24/7): 116 123

Childline (under 19s): 0800 1111

Papyrus HOPELINE247 (under 35s): 0800 068 4141

CALM (adults, UK): 0800 58 58 58

💚 You are not alone. Your life matters. Talking saves lives. 💚

***deAwarenessMonth

08/09/2025

Back to school can be rough! Here are some great tips and advice 💚

07/09/2025

31/08/2025

29/08/2025

This is why it is so important to teach our children and young people the vocabulary to identify and express how they are feeling. This then enables us to feel and process our emotions and know what we need to do to regulate them.

This is true for adults too.

Schools are getting better at this but I believe it should be a priority.