VJM Counselling

03/02/2026

Did you know that chronic stress can actually change your brain? 🤔
Chronic stress is the repeated activation of the stress response. Over time this can have an impact on brain function. When stress has become long term it can shrink the Hippocampus, this is the part of your brain responsible for learning and memory. It enlarges the Amygdala, the part of your brain responsible for emotions and fear response. It can also dampen the effect of the Prefrontal Cortex the part of your brain responsible for impulse control, logical thinking and emotional regulation. This leads to increased anxiety and a stronger fight/flight/freeze response as your brain reacts sensing constant danger. You may also notice that you struggle to focus or calm yourself and that you suffer with memory problems or brain fog. But don't worry. Your brain is capable of bouncing back - it's called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brains remarkable ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural pathways - this can also be referred to as rewiring. Simple ways to rewire your brain and boost cognitive function include regular exercise, reading and learning new skills. 🧠💜
Please follow me on social media for more posts and updates. www.linktr.ee/vjmcounselling

03/02/2026

For whoever needs to hear this 🙏🏻

Some days are harder than others, and sometimes it msy feel like your slipping backwards but you've still got to trust the process 💙

Get up,remember all the positive things you were doing on the good day's and keep moving forward

02/02/2026

🎒We all carry an invisible backpack, that no one else can see. As it stores more and more of our problems, secrets, stresses and losses it can start to feel cumbersome and heavy. Your backpack may contain past conversations that play on a loop, guilt from past mistakes, loss of loved ones, or shame from past choices. As you achieve and learn you are capable of success, or your confidence grows, the backpack may seem to get lighter. However, most of us are still carrying around things in our backpack that we need to unload in order to feel lighter.
Attending talking therapy can help you to start unpacking your backpack. You may find things that were never yours to carry, or start to replace old weights with new resources.
If you could take one thing out of your backpack, what would it be?🤔
If you'd like support to help make your backpack lighter please contact me at www.vjmcounselling.co.uk/contact-form You don't have to carry it alone. 💜

01/02/2026

Follow for 💜

30/01/2026

Why do you need to prioritise your mental health?🤔
We all have mental health. Good mental health is an asset that helps you to thrive. This isn't just the absence of a mental health problem, but having the ability to think, feel and act in a way that allows you to enjoy life and deal with challenges along the way.
Some simple actions you can try daily are:
🚰Drink water regularly throughout the day
🧘‍♀️ Breathe deeply to help ground yourself
🥗 Eat healthily
🚶‍♂️ Go for a walk or keep active
✍ Make a gratitude list or journal about your feelings
❤ Be kind to yourself
📞Talk with family and friends
What's one thing you could try this weekend❓
If you feel that you need support with your mental health please contact your GP, a mental health professional or a charity such as Mind or SANE Mental Health Charity You can also contact me for a free 20 minute consultation call https://calendar.app.google/Ca1ZwGjSbCHGNkwv8 or visit my website www.vjmcounselling.co.uk for more details.💜
Please follow me on social media for more posts and updates. www.linktr.ee/vjmcounselling

28/01/2026

🎉New blog post!!🎉
This weeks is about first session expectations https://vjmcounselling.co.uk/f/what-to-expect-in-your-first-counselling-session

Are you wondering what to expect from your first counselling session? 🤔 Starting therapy can feel daunting, especially if you’re unsure how it works or what will happen in that first meeting. That uncertainty is complet...

28/01/2026

I love this idea 💜

Reasons to Stay is a su***de prevention project reaching people at difficult moments through anonymous letters written by volunteers. Each letter on this site was written by a real person and delivered to you at random when you visited this page.

26/01/2026

📣Monday Mental Health Check📣
⭐First I'd like you to think about how you've been feeling recently, consider any worries or physical signs of stress or anxiety.
⭐Then I'd like you to listen to your body and consider it's needs. Does it need rest, movement, nutrition or relaxation? Your physical wellbeing is closely linked to your mental health.
⭐Think of a self-care action that may help to ground or rejuvenate you. This could be something as simple as walking in nature or reading a book.
⭐Talk about your feelings with someone you trust, this can provide clarity and support your emotional wellbeing.
If you are struggling with your mental health and need support please contact your GP or a mental health professional. It's okay if you need something or someone else to lean on.💜
Please follow me on social media for more posts and updates. www.linktr.ee/vjmcounselling

26/01/2026

FEB ACTIVITY CALENDAR 😇 🗓️

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PLEASE SHARE FAR & WIDE. TY 🙏

🗣️ Our activities are for anyone in and around Warrington wanting to meet new people locally, make friends, learn new skills, participate in an activity, or just enjoy companionship over a chat and a brew ☕️ 💬

⬇️ For adults 18+
💫 Unisex & Intergenerational.
Minimum donation for most sessions currently £1.50 pp.

✨ Please note: Board Games Afternoon is on 1st & 3rd Tuesday as usual (we just can’t always fit partnership sessions on the calendar too!)

It’s a busy month! 🙌🏻
See you all soon 💓

🤝 FOR SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES (from just £30pm!)

Email us here 📧
info@activityangels.co.uk

23/01/2026

Are you feeling anxious, irritable or overwhelmed? Have you tried the APPLE Technique? 🍎
This useful acronym helps you to remember simple skills to apply when faced with uncomfortable uncertainty.
A = Acknowledge - notice and acknowledge the thought.
P = Pause - don't react, just pause and breathe.
P = Pull Back - remind yourself that it is your fear or anxiety talking.
L = Let Go - let go of the feeling, it will pass.
E = Explore - notice your breathing, feel the ground beneath your feet and redirect your focus to something else.
Please follow me on social media for more posts and updates. www.linktr.ee/vjmcounselling

22/01/2026

❓Did you know that stress can be toxic to your body❓🤔
Stress is a primal wired system designed to keep us safe, but chronic or acute stress is toxic as it causes your body to release excess amounts of adrenaline and cortisol into your bloodstream. This can cause a number of health problems such as; anxiety, digestive problems, headaches, impaired memory, heart disease and stroke. If you think stress is making you sick or is having a negative impact on your life, please seek support from your GP, a mental health practitioner or a charity like The Stress Management Society
If you would like to book a FREE consultation call to discuss how I can support you please follow this link https://calendar.app.google/mN9n5hDTj23ULdND9 or visit my website www.vjmcounselling.co.uk for more details. Take that first step - I'm here when you're ready.💜Follow me on social media for more posts and updates www.linktr.ee/vjmcounselling

22/01/2026

As part of Men’s Matters Week, we’re doing Brew & Banter a little differently tonight. Slowing it down. Opening it up.

The brilliant teams at Warrington Eats and Anika Indian Takeaway have kindly offered to provide food, so this will be an open evening...no agenda and no pressure, Just turn up, grab some food, the brews and biscuits will still be on, and simply spend time with other lads.
A relaxed space. A shared moment. A reminder that sometimes, just showing up is enough.

If youve been on the fence about coming use this opportunity to meet us and see what we're all about 💙

Hope to see some new faces 🙌

Tonight 7.30pm Whitecross Community Centre