Therapy with Petra

02/04/2026

“Wait—she wants me to WHAT? Sit with pain? On purpose? And just be… uncomfortable??” 😅

Yep. Kind of..

Because here’s the thing—we’re amazing at not doing that.
We distract, scroll, overthink, stay busy, numb out… anything but actually feeling it.

But! Emotions are information. They help us understand what we need and what matters to us.

When we don’t sit with pain, it often shows up in other ways — anxiety, anger, burnout, or numbing behaviours.

GOOD NEWS is that , we don’t jump straight into “feeling the pain.” Together, we prepare the nervous system first so you can safely touch into it without becoming overwhelmed. It’s less about pushing through pain, and more about building the capacity to stay with it.

27/03/2026

Watched “The Madison” series and the scene where the therapist offers a grieving client a glass of whisky 🥃🙈🙊😱😅

It made me slightly upset and then amused how therapy is often portrayed on TV versus what ethical, safe practice actually looks like.

👈For the record—there’s no secret drinks cabinet in my counselling room! 😆

Real therapy might be less dramatic, but it is built on clear boundaries, safety, and trust—creating a space where clients feel supported without those lines ever being blurred.

03/03/2026

As a therapist, I often use emotion cards with my clients. Once someone chooses a card and names what they’re experiencing, we can explore it with more clarity and less shame. The card becomes a starting point for insight, regulation, and self-compassion — turning awareness into meaningful change.

I often use emotion cards with bereaved clients, because grief rarely comes as just one feeling. There can be deep sadness alongside relief, anger mixed with love, guilt sitting next to gratitude. The cards help normalise these mixed emotions and give clients permission to acknowledge the full complexity of their experience. When someone can gently point to multiple cards and say, “It’s all of this,” it reduces shame and isolation. From there, we can explore each feeling with compassion — understanding what it represents, what it needs, and how to hold it without becoming overwhelmed. In grief work, the cards create language for what can feel unspeakable, reminding clients that their emotional landscape makes sense.

28/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/179LtG799k/

Not all counsellors are created equal – and choosing the right one matters more than you think.

The right counsellor will not only have the right qualifications, but will also create a space where you feel safe, heard, and genuinely supported. Therapy should feel collaborative, ethical, and grounded in respect – not rushed, pressured, or one-sided.

If you are considering counselling, save this checklist and use it as a guide. You deserve support that feels safe, empowering, and aligned with your needs. 💓

31/01/2026

If you’ve ever wondered whether talking with someone could help — but worried it’s “just advice” — know this: it’s about support, reflection, and your journey, not quick fixes.

17/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1HEFxb9ZSh/

02/12/2025

I’ve just watched a programme where a bereaved mother said,
“I don’t want to see a counsellor — they’ll want me to stop being angry, and anger is all I have left.”

I was genuinely struck — and deeply concerned. It’s a reminder of how powerful misconceptions about counselling can be, and how they can keep people from reaching out at the very moment they need a safe place the most.😪

A good counsellor isn’t there to tell you to “calm down”, “move on”, or “feel differently”.
They won’t judge your anger, your sadness, your numbness — or any of the messy, human emotions that come with grief.

Instead, counselling is about having someone sit with you as you are.
Someone who can hold space for the anger, explore what’s underneath it, and help you make sense of it at your own pace.
Not pushing it away. Not rushing you. Not fixing you.
💖

11/11/2025

🌟 Grief, Anniversaries, and the Holidays 🌟

As the year draws to a close and Christmas decorations start appearing, many people find this season brings not only light and celebration—but also a deep ache of loss.

If you’re grieving, anniversaries and holidays can stir memories that feel both beautiful and painful. You might notice a heaviness that others don’t see, or feel pressure to be “festive” when your heart isn’t ready. That’s okay. 💛

Here are a few gentle reminders as we move into this season:

✨ Acknowledge your grief.
It’s natural to feel waves of sadness, anger, or even numbness. Grief doesn’t follow a calendar. Let your feelings have space.

✨ Give yourself permission to do things differently.
Traditions can be comforting—or too painful. You can change them, pause them, or create new ones that feel right for you this year.

✨ Take small steps for self-care.
Rest when you need to. Spend time in nature. Light a candle for your loved one. Say no to things that feel too heavy.

✨ Reach out for support.
You don’t have to go through this alone. Connect with a friend, a support group, or a therapist. Sometimes being heard is the most healing gift of all.

This season, be gentle with yourself. You are allowed to grieve and still find small moments of peace and warmth. Both can coexist. 💫

If this time of year feels especially hard, please know you’re not alone. There is support and understanding waiting for you. 💙

04/11/2025

💬 Counselling is often misunderstood…

Many people think counselling is about being “fixed” or told what to do — but it’s really not like that.
A counsellor won’t tell you what’s right or wrong, or make decisions for you. They’ll help you find your own answers and remind you that your thoughts and experiences matter.

Sometimes, just having someone truly listen can make things feel a little lighter. 💫

20/10/2025

💥MYTH N.2 ONLY BOYS HAVE ADHD 💥

FACT: Boys are diagnosed two to three times as often as girls, but about 4.2% of girls have received a diagnosis of ADHD at some point in their life (and that’s not none!).

https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/myths-and-facts-about-adhd/

08/10/2025

💫ADHD AWARENESS MONTH💫

💣MYTH N.1 EVERYONE HAS A LITTLE ADHD 💣

*If you have ADHD please feel free to comment and share your own personal experience 🙏

✨ This month, I’ll be sharing one “ADHD Misconception” poster each week — to help spread awareness, break stigma, and build understanding.

Often, people think ADHD is just about being “hyper” or “easily distracted" but it is so much more than that — it’s a neurodevelopmental condition that affects focus, emotional regulation, organisation, and even time management and motivation.

Many people with ADHD are creative, passionate, and full of ideas, yet they may struggle with things others take for granted — like remembering tasks, staying still, or finishing projects. It’s not about laziness or lack of effort — it’s about how the brain is wired.

Let’s spread understanding, not judgment.💓

30/09/2025