The Empathic Therapist

Home
United Kingdom
Stirling
The Empathic Therapist

Person-centred counsellor in Stirling, offering in-person and online counselling internationally. BACP registered.

Compassionate, professional support for grief, loss, emotional wellbeing, and life changes.

12/04/2026

All of us will experience grief at some point in our lives, because we all experience loss.

But grief isn’t only about bereavement, even though that’s often how it’s understood. It can show up in so many different ways.

A relationship ending.
A friendship changing.
Life not turning out the way you thought it would.
Family dynamics that feel difficult.

The list really could go on.

And just like with a physical death, these losses matter. They deserve to be felt, acknowledged, and grieved.

Sometimes the hardest part is recognising it for what it is.

Grief doesn’t always arrive in obvious ways. It can feel quiet, confusing, and easy to overlook.

I’ve written a blog about this — how grief can show up, and how you might begin to make sense of it.

If this resonates, you can read more here — https://theempathictherapist.co.uk/2026/04/08/understanding-grief-a-gentle-guide/

Hope you have a peaceful Sunday 🤍

Affirmation of the day:
“I allow myself to feel and honour my grief, in my own way and in my own time.”

10/04/2026

Springtime crochet… what a thing!

I had to post birthday cards for my brother and came across this wonderful scene in the next village.

Some of you may be aware of my newly appreciative outlook on all things crochet — it seems to have followed me around since last summer. I’ve found it in the most unusual places (the tree-hugging spot in Turkey is up there!), and it was a welcome surprise yesterday.

I often think about signs, and how being open to them can bring comfort. White feathers, rainbows, a robin in your garden… and for me, crochet.

It is said that these signs show that a loved one is near. And on days when you might be missing them and need it the most, what a comfort it is.

One of my favourite poems by my beautiful friend , is Feathers 💛💛

Affirmation of the day:
“I am open to the quiet signs of love around me.”

13/03/2026

This is a photo of my mum and me when I was a baby.

Mother’s Day is approaching in the UK this Sunday, and for many people it can bring a mix of emotions.

The first Mother’s Day after my mum died felt as though I was grieving her loss all over again. Everywhere I looked there were cards, flowers, and reminders of what was no longer there.

Over time, I came to understand something important about grief — it doesn’t disappear. Instead, our lives slowly grow around it.

I’ve written a personal reflection on my website about that first Mother’s Day and how counselling helped me begin to process my loss.

If this day feels difficult for you, you’re not alone.

You can read the full piece here:
https://theempathictherapist.co.uk/2026/03/13/mothers-day-after-loss-grieving-my-mum/

Affirmation of the day:
“I’m allowed to meet today with gentleness.”

Heartfelt poem by Donna Ashworth

06/03/2026

100 posts.

When I shared my very first one, I had the idea that my posts would be based on “counselling speak”. I believed my target audience was peers in the counselling world.

I quickly realised that I was being inauthentic to my followers — and to myself. I wanted my posts to reflect real life: hope, grief, running dark at times, and how counselling can help support us through those moments.

I don’t post as often as I sometimes think I should. Life, work, and being present with my clients always come first. But every post has been written with care, with thought and from my heart.

This page has grown slowly — and I’m proud of that. It’s been built in a way that feels true to me, rather than rushed or forced.

If you’ve read something, shared something, commented or quietly followed along, thank you.

Here’s to continuing to show up — not perfectly, not constantly — but honestly. 💛

Affirmation of the day:
“I’m allowed to grow at my own pace.”

25/02/2026

I celebrated a big birthday yesterday, turning 50. My world didn’t fall apart, no new wrinkles appeared overnight, nothing changed. I felt happy waking up — the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

I was picking a 50th card for a friend a few weeks ago and I was struck by how many there were; commiserating getting older, little to look forward to, only more wrinkles and aching joints. To me, reaching this age is a milestone worth rejoicing. I feel privileged to be alive and healthy.

My forties have been an emotional rollercoaster; the loss of a parent, disconnection, a change in career. The training broke me. It made me do the work — and from there, I rebuilt into a happier and more peaceful version of myself. I’m passionate about counselling because I know it works — it did for me.

If my forties were about breaking and rebuilding,
perhaps my fifties are about living from that foundation.

And that feels like the perfect place to begin.

Affirmation of the day:
“I honour the strength it took to become who I am.”

16/02/2026

Random Acts of Kindness Day

I was in a supermarket a couple of weeks ago, looking to buy some soup — an act of almost self-care, as I was suffering from a cold. I stared absent-mindedly at the shelf, overwhelmed by the choice. My mind was somewhere else, most likely wishing that I was at home in bed.

Suddenly, there was a voice asking me if I was struggling to choose a soup. I replied that I had just done the school run, hadn’t had coffee, and was incapable of making decisions. The chat spurred me into choosing one, and the kind gentleman — Jim, who worked in the store — put a sticker on the soup and told me it was free.

A random act of kindness, on a day when I really appreciated it. It made my day — a simple act that made me smile.

In troubling times, a gesture — however big or small — can really make all the difference. Saying “I love you,” complimenting someone, making a cup of tea — no one knows what is going on in someone’s mind, and it could lift them up.

Today is the perfect day to show some kindness. It might lift you too.

Affirmation of the day:

“I choose kindness — for others, and for myself.”

06/02/2026

Today is Time to Talk Day.

And it’s a reminder that talking can help — in different ways, and in different places.

For some people, counselling offers a safe space to talk things through.
A place where you don’t have to hold back, explain yourself, or worry about being a burden.

And in my experience, many people are reluctant to open up to those in their lives — not because they don’t trust them, but because they can see that those people already have their own worries.
They don’t want to add to that, or feel like they’re asking too much.

And yet, for others, opening up to someone already in their life can be the starting point.
Sometimes just saying, “I’m finding things a bit hard” is enough.

There isn’t a right or wrong way to talk.

What matters is not carrying everything alone.

Affirmation of the day:
“I am open to receiving support.”

04/02/2026

Today is World Cancer Day.

Cancer doesn’t just affect the body.
It seeps into families, relationships, and the way the world feels afterwards.

After my mum died from cancer, health anxiety began to take hold of me.
A new ache. A change in my body. Why is a loved one unwell? My mind quickly jumping to worst-case scenarios.

I didn’t realise at the time how common that is after loss — especially when illness has already shattered everything around you. It's a difficult one to rationalise.

Cancer touches so many lives.
Those living with it.
Those supporting someone they love.
And those carrying the impact long after.

If today brings memories, fear, or feelings you thought you’d already worked through, you’re not alone.
There’s no right way to feel today.

Thinking of everyone today who has been affected by cancer 💛

Affirmation of the day:
“I’m allowed to meet today gently.”

01/02/2026

I’ve been noticing the first snowdrops appearing on my dog walks, and I always love spotting them. They feel like small, quiet signs that something is beginning to shift, even though it still very much feels like winter — a bit like that moment when animals start to stir after hibernation.

I find January a heavy month at times, more about getting through than fully living in. So moving into February feels gentle rather than dramatic for me. Not a huge change, but enough to bring a sense of optimism.

Snowdrops always remind me that growth doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. It can start quietly, beneath the surface, while things still feel uncertain.

I’ve written a short blog called Quiet Beginnings about all of this — leaving January behind, subtle change, and how growth often starts long before it’s visible.

You can read it via the link in my bio.

Affirmation of the day:
"I trust the timing of my own growth."

19/01/2026

So, it’s Blue Monday — apparently the most depressing day of the year.

But do feelings really work like that? I’m not so sure.
They don’t tend to line up neatly with dates on a calendar.

If today feels heavy, that makes sense.
If it just feels… normal, that’s okay too.
And if it doesn’t feel blue at all, that’s allowed.

There’s no right way to feel today — and knowing that is enough 💗

Affirmation of the day:
“It’s okay to meet today just as it is.”

Image is my new phone case, as it makes me smile!

05/01/2026

It’s back to work for me today, with my new coffee mug, thanks to my husband!

While I’m excited about getting back to my client work and 2026 planning, it’s a sobering thought to be returning to normality. Staying at home, being cosy, and forgetting about life for a little longer is just too tempting.

I’m not doing resolutions this year, but I am focusing on self-care. Looking after myself, getting more sleep, and sticking to the boundaries I always let slide… Despite many hours of personal counselling and introspection, I’m the first to admit I’m very much a work in progress.

I hope you don’t find this week too hard. I’ll be taking each day as it comes.

Affirmation of the day:
“I give myself permission to rest, to set boundaries, and to take life one day at a time.”

Address

Stirling

Website

http://www.theempathictherapist.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Empathic Therapist posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to The Empathic Therapist:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Stirling?