The Counselling Practice

09/01/2026

01/01/2026

Psychotherapist Sarah Hopton explores how many men carry quiet pressures shaped by early schemas. Learn how therapy can help create healthier patterns and emotional safety. 👇 http://ow.ly/st2K106s1Xu

01/01/2026

New year, new chapter 💫
As we step into this year, let’s remember that growth isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Be gentle with your mind, honor your feelings, and take things one day at a time. Your mental health matters today and every day. 💚

17/12/2025

Christmas may feel overwhelming for some. Here are some practical steps to manage your mental health during the festive period.

17/12/2025

What a lovely message.

This sign is for you 💚

16/12/2025

Christmas break is meant to be a chance to reset… but burnout doesn’t magically disappear just because work stops.

You finally have time off, yet your brain won’t slow down. You’re tired in a way sleep doesn’t fix. You keep showing up for everyone else, holding it together — even when you’re running on empty.

If this is you, it’s okay not to be okay. You’re not failing. You’re exhausted.

A few gentle reminders if things feel heavy right now:
• You don’t have to be productive to deserve rest
• Small pauses count — a quiet coffee, a short walk, a few deep breaths
• It’s okay to say no, even during the holidays
• Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness

If you’re really struggling over the holiday break and need to talk to someone urgently, please call Samaritans on 116 123 — they’re there to listen.

If you’d like ongoing support, to talk things through, work with anxiety or depression, or you’re just completely exhausted by everything, we have appointments available from 5th January.

You don’t have to carry it alone. Be gentle with yourself 🤍

Counselling for anxiety. Counselling for depression in Watford. Support for anxiety, trauma, and mental health support. Speak to therapists in Watford. Book your session today!

03/12/2025

Responses to stress may mimic serious medical conditions.

02/12/2025

Understanding Depression & How Counselling Can Help

Depression is more than low mood — it can affect energy, sleep, motivation, relationships, and day-to-day life. Many people describe feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unable to enjoy things they once did.

Counselling can support you by:

🔹 Providing a safe, confidential space to talk openly about what you’re experiencing.
🔹 Exploring underlying causes such as stress, loss, trauma, or life changes.
🔹 Identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and developing more balanced perspectives.
🔹 Building practical coping strategies to manage low mood and improve daily functioning.
🔹 Strengthening resilience and self-awareness over time.

Depression is treatable. Reaching out for support is a positive and important step.

If you’d like more information about how counselling might help, you’re welcome to get in touch. 🌿

26/11/2025

✨ Woke up to this beautiful review today ✨

There’s nothing more rewarding than hearing how counselling has made a difference in someone’s life. I’m so grateful for the trust my clients place in me, and messages like this remind me why I do what I do 💛

When I started counselling, I was overwhelmed, sad all the time, I felt I had no control over my life and I was being dragged through life by the needs and wants of other people. And I didn’t know why I felt this way or how I had to got to be here, but I knew that I wanted to feel better so I decided to get professional help.
Six months later, my life is completely different: I’m happy and I have control of my life. I have boundaries to protect my wellbeing and for the first time in many years my future is full of positivity instead of the negative thoughts that plagued me before.
Working with Roxanne, I discovered the reasons for why I was feeling the way I was and also where it had all come from (I like to know the reasons why for everything so this was important for me). Roxanne immediately made me feel at ease so I could talk openly and begin to work through and process my past that was affecting my future. One way of processing was the use of EMDR therapy which for me had a very positive outcome, it was really amazing! I now have the tools I need to be able to deal with difficult situations that would previously have triggered me.
I would highly recommend The Counselling Practice, Roxanne is professional, non-judgmental and patient and the six months I worked with her have completely transformed my life. I cannot say thank you enough!
(From a former client with permission)

Feeling very thankful today. 🌿
If you or someone you know is considering counselling, I’m here when you’re ready.

25/11/2025

🌿 White Ribbon Day – November 25 🌿
Today we stand together to raise awareness about the importance of ending violence against women and fostering safe, respectful relationships for all.

White Ribbon Day is a reminder that change begins with conversations, compassion, and a commitment to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours. As a counselling service, we are here to support anyone affected by family or relationship violence, and to help promote healthier ways of relating and communicating.

🤍 Let’s all play a part:
• Listen without judgment
• Speak up when something isn’t right
• Support those who reach out
• Model respect in our homes, workplaces, and communities

If you or someone you know needs support, please don’t hesitate to contact us. No one has to face these challenges alone.

🤍 Together, we can create a future free from violence.

24/11/2025

IT'S NOT "WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?" IT'S "WHAT HAPPENED TO ME & HOW DID IT SHAPE ME?"

What happened (the event)
-Big T or little t trauma
-One-time or ongoing
-Relational, developmental, or environmental
• breakup or divorce
• A global pandemic
• A traumatic birth or surgery
• Cancer
• A car crash
• childhood bullying
• An emotionally unavailable parent
• A physical or sexual assault
• Chronic microaggressions
• An unexpected loss

How it felt (your experience)
• "I don't belong."
• “No one came for me."
• "I had to freeze or shut down."
• "I was powerless and confused.”
• " have to stay strong for everyone else."
• "It's not ok to feel."
• “I’ll never be safe again"
• “It's my fault"
• "I'm not good enough"

How it shaped you (The Effects)
• anxiety
• shame and guilt
• emotional numbness
• perfectionism
• Nightmares, or intrusive thoughts
• Hypervigilance (always scanning for threat)
• "People pleasing" and overfunctoning
• Body tension, fatigue, or chronic pain
• Disconnection in relationships
• Chronic irritability
• Avoidance
• Difficulty trusting