Thirsk Counselling & Supervision services

Thirsk Counselling & Supervision services A private practitioner offering online counselling and clinical supervision to adults.

Outdoor time can support mental health in simple ways:🌿 a change of scenery☀️ natural light🚶 gentle movement🧠 a break fr...
25/02/2026

Outdoor time can support mental health in simple ways:
🌿 a change of scenery
☀️ natural light
🚶 gentle movement
🧠 a break from screens and stress loops
If you’d like to understand what works for you and build it into everyday life, book an online counselling session to talk it through. Not a crisis service.

Online counselling and neurodiversityOnline therapy can be a neurodiversity-friendly option: less sensory load, more con...
22/02/2026

Online counselling and neurodiversity

Online therapy can be a neurodiversity-friendly option: less sensory load, more control of environment, and often easier recovery after sessions.
We can build structure, clarity, and pacing around what supports your nervous system.
CTA: Email me paul@thirskcounselling.co.uk to book a free online session to discuss what would help you feel safe and understood or visit www.thirskcounselling.com for more information.

I recently listened to a BBC World Service segment about a Chinese app called Are You Dead? Every couple of days it asks...
22/02/2026

I recently listened to a BBC World Service segment about a Chinese app called Are You Dead? Every couple of days it asks users to confirm they’re alive — and if they don’t respond, an emergency contact is notified.

It’s a stark question, but it made me think about loneliness, connection, and the way many of us can feel profoundly disconnected even in a hyper-connected world.

It also brought to mind the image of the most isolated trees in the world — markers of endurance, and of being “there,” somewhere, even in vast spaces.

I’ve written a reflective blog piece on:
• why connection isn’t always the same as closeness
• loneliness across the lifespan (including later-life risks)
• solitude vs isolation
• counselling as a place to be seen and met without having to perform

Read here: https://thirskcounselling.com/blog2/?p=1690

If you’d like to talk things through, you’re welcome to reach out about counselling or clinical supervision.
(Not a crisis service — call 999 if you’re in immediate danger.)

Put your oxygen mask on first.Self-care isn’t selfish — it’s how we stay resourced enough to cope, make clear decisions,...
21/02/2026

Put your oxygen mask on first.
Self-care isn’t selfish — it’s how we stay resourced enough to cope, make clear decisions, and show up for the things (and people) that matter.

Real self-care can be simple and practical:
✨ rest and recovery
✨ boundaries
✨ regular food + water
✨ time to breathe, reset, and reflect

If self-care feels hard — guilt, overwhelm, “I don’t have time” — you don’t have to figure it out alone. In online counselling, we can explore what’s getting in the way and build a realistic plan that fits your life.

Message to book / enquire.
Not a crisis service.

ADHD “waiting mode” can feel unbearable — like your brain is buffering in the in-between.If you get stuck between appoin...
19/02/2026

ADHD “waiting mode” can feel unbearable — like your brain is buffering in the in-between.
If you get stuck between appointments, messages, or next steps, you’re not alone.

I’ve shared 5 practical ways to make the pause easier (micro-tasks, movement, anchors, and kinder self-talk).
👉 Read the blog: Waiting Mode and ADHD https://thirskcounselling.com/blog2/?p=1571

Not a crisis service. If you’re at immediate risk, call 999 (UK) or Samaritans 116 123.

Supervision: A Space to Breathe and GrowSupervision should never feel like reporting to a teacher or simply satisfying a...
17/02/2026

Supervision: A Space to Breathe and Grow
Supervision should never feel like reporting to a teacher or simply satisfying a requirement. It is a vital space where "a living profession breathes and learns".
At Thirsk Counselling & Supervision Services, I view supervision as a collaborative partnership. Whether we meet online or in person, my goal is to provide a supportive framework where you can reflect on your practice and enhance your skills,.
The Benefits of Supervision:
• Illuminate Blind Spots: We explore the "work beneath the work," helping you see perspectives or biases you might miss alone,.
• Restorative Support: Clinical work can be heavy. Supervision offers a restorative function, providing emotional support to normalize the challenges of the profession.
• Professional Growth: Using frameworks like the Seven-Eyed Model, we move beyond problem-solving to deepen your confidence and professional identity,.
I offer a neurodivergent-affirming space that adapts to your developmental needs, ensuring you feel seen, supported, and appropriately challenged.
Looking for a supervisor? Contact Paul Cullen today to discuss how we can support your practice.
https://www.counsellingsupervisors.co.uk/united-kingdom/thirsk/integrative-counselling/paul-cullen

Grief isn’t a tidy sequence. It can come in waves—manageable one day, crushing the next.Sadness, anger, relief, guilt, n...
11/02/2026

Grief isn’t a tidy sequence. It can come in waves—manageable one day, crushing the next.
Sadness, anger, relief, guilt, numbness: all can be part of grief.
CTA: Email me paul@thirskcounselling.co.uk if you’re unsure whether counselling would help, or book a free online session to discuss.

Who online counselling can suitOnline counselling can work particularly well if you:• prefer your own space• have a busy...
09/02/2026

Who online counselling can suit

Online counselling can work particularly well if you:
• prefer your own space
• have a busy schedule or caring responsibilities
• find travel or unfamiliar environments draining
• want flexible, consistent support
If you’ve been hesitating, you’re not alone.
CTA: Book a free online session to discuss, or email me and I’ll send info on how sessions work.

Thirsk Counselling & Supervision Services: Quick FAQWho will I be working with? You will be working with me, Paul Cullen...
06/02/2026

Thirsk Counselling & Supervision Services: Quick FAQ
Who will I be working with? You will be working with me, Paul Cullen. I am an integrative counsellor and supervisor who brings both professional training and real-world experience to our sessions. I describe myself as having a "fast-processing brain" (I am proudly ADHD) and aim to offer a warm, non-judgemental space.
What is your approach? I work neurodivergent-affirming and trauma-informed. This means I work with your brain, not against it, and I prioritize emotional safety and trust. I don't view your experience as a deficit to be fixed, but as a story to be understood.
Do I need a formal diagnosis? No. You don't need a clear label, a diagnosis, or to have everything figured out to start counselling. You are welcome to show up exactly as you are.
Where are you based? I offer online therapy using a safe online video platform.
How do I get in touch? 📧 paul@thirskcounselling.co.uk 📞 0739 409 8833

Small Shifts, Big Impact: Finding Balance in Daily LifeSometimes, looking after our mental health doesn't mean making hu...
26/01/2026

Small Shifts, Big Impact: Finding Balance in Daily Life
Sometimes, looking after our mental health doesn't mean making huge, sweeping changes. It’s often about the small adjustments—the little things we do to make the world fit us a bit better.
Whether you are navigating neurodivergence, recovering from a stressful event, or simply feeling the weight of a busy life, small improvements can help us regain a sense of control. Here are a few ways simple shifts can make a difference:
1. The Power of "Mitigation" I recently experienced what I call "Trauma with a small 't'" when my car wheel caught fire. It left me anxious about driving and doubting my choices. A friend suggested I "mitigate" the risk to take back control. I bought a fire extinguisher for the car. It didn’t change what had happened, but that small action empowered me against the "what ifs". Sometimes, finding one practical way to prepare can silence a lot of noise.
2. Capture, Don’t Chase For those of us with busy brains (I’m proudly ADHD), trying to hold onto every thought is like trying to hold sand in the wind. A small improvement I use is "Capture, Don’t Chase." Instead of letting a new thought hijack my focus, I jot it down on a pad beside me. It clears the mental fog and stops the spiral of distraction.
3. Digital Boundaries In a world where we are constantly connected, our feeds can become echo chambers that drain us. A simple daily adjustment is to notice your patterns. If certain content makes you feel heavy or anxious, mute it. You can’t control the internet, but you can control how you engage with it.
4. The "Reasonable Adjustment" of Asking We often wait for others to notice we are struggling, but invisible differences don’t always prompt offers of help,. One of the most powerful small steps is simply asking: "Would anything make this easier for me?". It might be asking for a moment to gather your thoughts or requesting a quieter environment.
Remember to Pause As Ferris Bueller said, "Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it". Whether it’s walking the dog in the woods or making a cup of tea to ground yourself, these small moments of stillness matter,.
You don’t need to have everything figured out to start feeling better. You just need to find the small adjustments that work for you.

Address

Thirsk

Opening Hours

Monday 6pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday 6pm - 8:30pm
Sunday 10am - 1:30pm

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