Thirsk Counselling

09/04/2026

08/04/2026

I have recently come across this old blog from a few years ago. As I was uploading it to my new website I had a read it again and I thought I would share it again as an introduction to how we can reframe our experiences of traumas https://thirskcounselling.com/2026/04/07/trauma-with-a-small-t/

06/04/2026

This unusual tree is a favourite pause ⏸️ round Lake GormIre in today. One of the many benefits of living here in North Yorkshire is having, and taking the opportunity to enjoy a day away from work

03/04/2026

Here's a blog I wrote last year on hidden differences, observations on seen and unseen differences https://thirskcounselling.com/2026/04/03/adjustments-we-see-and-the-ones-we-may-miss/

08/03/2026

Quite proud of this https://counsellingtutor.com/online-disinhibition-in-professional-spaces/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwdGRzaAQYOUhjbGNrBBg5QmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHleKotDXnkYezVMa1OCW3I32BSFErHk8F9t_ILrnS1kV04eCJi1DnmCgMlsS_aem_fpLUn0S5XX9ei3kjDiN8dw

Online disinhibition in counselling: how social media and professional forums shape therapist behaviour, ethics and accountability online.

28/02/2026

We live in a culture that prizes certainty — strong opinions, quick takes, picking a side.

But in therapy (and in life), I’m learning that not knowing can be a quiet kind of strength: a disciplined pause that makes room for complexity, limits, and compassion.

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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