Acorn Counselling Devon & Somerset

10/09/2025

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day when we think not only of those people who are having suicidal thoughts, but also those who have sadly been bereaved by su***de.

To add to the numbers below, if you are in Somerset you can also contact Mind in Somerset Mindline which is available 24 hours a day.

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day 💚

It takes place on 10 September every year and it’s a chance for all of us, across the world, to raise awareness of su***de and su***de prevention.

This year’s theme is 'suicidal thoughts can be interrupted'. If you think someone might be suicidal, take action. Interrupt their thoughts and show them you care.

Often, people experiencing suicidal thoughts feel isolated, unheard, or misunderstood. A simple, genuine conversation can be powerful.

Listening without judgment, without rushing to offer solutions, allows someone to feel seen.

If you’re struggling, please remember you're not alone.

If you can, please reach out to your GP, family and friends. You can contact the Samaritans 24 hours a day on their free phone number 116 123. Check the comments for links to support available in North Somerset.

***dePreventionDay

14/08/2025

So true

11/06/2025

As some of you will know, last year I trained to be an EMDR therapist. Here is a link to Miley Cyrus talking about her experiences of having EMDR and how it has benefitted her. https://fb.watch/A9ISoSuJa7/

25/02/2025

22/12/2024

The festive season can be an incredibly difficult time for many people. Tensions can run high, relationships can be strained. Loneliness and isolation can be exacerbated. There may be additional financial pressures or friction within families.

For those who have been bereaved, struggling with a physical illness or going through a relationship break up or divorce or if you are on your own without the support of friends of family, loneliness can be magnified at this time of year.

If you have an eating disorder you may find managing Christmas dinner or food at social events challenging.

If you are struggling over Christmas and New Year period don’t suffer on your own. There are mental health helplines available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year including Christmas and New Year holidays. Helplines include:

Mindline Somerset - 0800 138 1692 (24 hour helpline)
Samaritans - 116123 (24 hour helpline)
CALM 0800 585858 (5 pm - midnight)

My counselling practice is closed from midday on Tuesday 24.12.24. I will be offering appointments in Wellington or online on Friday 27.12.24. I will then be closed until Thursday 2 January.

If you are looking for counselling support do email jacquie@acorncounselling.co.uk or leave me a message on 07974 026231 and I will respond as soon as I am able

I am an experienced BACP accredited counsellor and EMDR therapist who works with both adult individuals and couples from comfortable therapy rooms in Chard, Wellington and Bridgwater, Somerset as well as offering online appointments via Google Meet.

If you have private health insurance I am an approved provider for BUPA, Healix, WPA and Nuffield.

For further information visit https://www.acorncounselling.co.uk



(Image credit Pixabay)

27/11/2024

I am delighted to have received my certificate of completion of training in EMDR from the EMDR Academy (EMDR Europe Accredited Training Course).

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an effective therapeutic approach designed to support clients to process and heal from trauma and distressing memories.

Training in EMDR has been very different to anything that I have done before, as it is a different way of working but it is a form of therapy that I have been interested in learning more about for a long time having heard many positive comments from people who have been treated with EMDR so I am excited to be able to add EMDR as a service that I am able to offer within my existing counselling practice.

EMDR is not just limited to trauma, but is also an approach which can be used for many other mental health conditions such as anxiety. depression and grief.

I will be offering EMDR at Nine Springs Clinic Chard and in Wellington and Bridgwater, Somerset as well as online.

https://www.acorncounselling.co.uk

04/08/2024

10/07/2024

Over the years I have heard many positive reports of people benefitting from EMDR so I was really intrigued to learn more and was excited to complete Part 1 of my training with the EMDR Academy last week.

07/06/2024

Online support group for neurodivergent individuals on Wednesday 12 June with Bernie Wright and Frances Button.

I personally have learnt a lot about neurodivergence having attended Bernie's training course and mentorship group so that I feel better equipped to be able to support my neurodivergent clients and their families.

Bernie is the co-founder of NEDDE TRAINING and a BACP Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor. Since qualifying in 2004, Bernie has specialised in eating disorders and neurodiversity, training as a Master Practitioner in 2007 at The National Centre for Eating Disorders (NCFED)....

01/06/2024

I love these wise words

You search for your beauty in the mirror, in photographs, in the label of clothes… when you really should be searching through the messages sent to you by loving friends, the cards written to you on special days, and the memories of smiles you created from tears. Your beauty lies in all the ways you touch and care for those around you. The jokes you made to illuminate a gloomy day and the music you shared to inspire. The times you showed up when no one else did and the invisible network of love, laughter and light you have sprinkled across this planet without glory or vanity. That’s where you find your beauty.

Donna Ashworth
From ‘I Wish I Knew: The uplifting Sunday Times bestseller https://amzn.eu/d/3bJ2Muy’

Art by the wonderful Bettina Baldassari - BettiPigna

03/03/2024

YOU’RE NOT FOR EVERYONE

You’re not for everyone
but you are most definitely
for someone

and when you find yourself caught
in the trap of ‘people-pleasing’
remind yourself quickly
that you are ‘people’ too

and further refresh your memory
by recalling
that pleasing everyone
is not possible

it cannot be done
just like the sun cannot shine
on all faces at once

but when it does
when you are for someone
it is more than enough

you’re not for everyone
but it’s the ‘someones’
who matter most
the ‘someones’
who will breathe you new life
when your lungs forget how

love your ‘someones’
they’re the only ones
you need

Donna Ashworth

From Wild Hope ♥️
https://amzn.eu/d/9Y6E6kz

Art by The Ronald West Gallery

23/02/2024

All the hard work that I put in to being awarded my counselling accreditation has paid off and as as result I have now been accepted as an approved supplier for counselling services for several large private health providers including Bupa and WPA.

https://www.acorncounselling.co.uk