Emma Oaksford Counselling

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

27/02/2026

Hi All!

It's been a while since I did a post and I've vowed to myself that I'm going to try and do more of these this year. So, I wanted to start them off with a subject matter I see so frequently in couples therapy...the menopause and perimenopause and the impact has on our relationships. This isn't 'just' a women's issue, this is a people issue!

Perimenopause and menopause don’t just affect a woman’s body.
They can deeply affect a couple’s relationship too.
Lack of oestrogen/testosterone motivated desire
Irritability.
Anxiety.
Brain fog.
Hot flases
Sleep disruption.
Low libido.
Vaginal dryness and changes
Feeling unlike yourself.

And often alongside that:
• A partner who feels confused or shut out
• More misunderstandings
• Less patience on both sides
• Intimacy changing (sometimes suddenly)
• Conversations turning into conflict

What many couples don’t realise is this:

It’s not about someone being too sensitive or overreacting, it's not about the love going, and it’s not about a partner not trying hard enough.
Hormonal shifts can amplify emotions, lower stress tolerance, and impact desire and energy. If couples don’t understand what’s happening, they can start turning against each other instead of toward each other.
This season of life can either quietly erode connection…
or become a turning point for deeper understanding.

When couples learn:
• What’s happening biologically
• How to communicate needs without blame
• How to adapt intimacy with compassion
• How to support without trying to “fix”
Something powerful happens.
They start feeling like a team again.

If perimenopause or menopause is creating tension in your relationship, you’re not alone, and it doesn’t mean your relationship is broken.
It may just need new conversations and new tools.

I can help you facilitate conversations around perimenopause, the menopause, deepening emotional connection, positive communication and intimacy. Give me a call 📞

05/12/2025

What a fantastic idea for new parents in Weymouth who want to swim!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17n6z7NAkB/

Had to pop this on the grid, what a wonderful new service for mums with little babies who would like to get in the sea for a swim. Pop in store for a flyer or see the details pictured. Sea Swimming is so good for general well-being, and so difficult to access when you have a new baby. Thank you to Corinne for providing this service 💛

13/11/2025

I see so many men in my practice who would benefit from this wonderful idea!
If you are a man or know a man and a teen who would benefit from this, please do share 🏊‍♂️🩳
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14PH9dVeqXF/

Start your Saturday with a splash! Join other dads and sons for a refreshing morning swim — great company, cold water, and a boost for body and mind.

13/10/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/19pHyKgKeW/

12/06/2025

I maybe late to the party but I've just seen this amazing resource so thought I'd share for all the parents with ND kids!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1As4MsCnRf/

03/06/2025

I have finally updated my website to include...

*Pregnancy to Parenthood Transitions* A workshop for people who are expecting a new baby and who would like to work on the relational side of their experience (and maybe meet some other lovely expecting parents along the way).

Pregnancy often brings up many thoughts and feelings can can feel very exciting, but can also feel very worrying for some. This group course allows you to explore some of those thoughts and feelings and gain new understanding, awareness and tools to help you support each other in the next chapter of your lives!

Groups are on a Saturday morning, 10am - 12.00 in either Weymouth or Dorchester or on a midweek evening online from 7pm - 9pm.

Please message me for more information and share with those who may be interested.

Emma 🌻

www.emmaoaksfordcounselling.com

21/05/2025

It's been quite a while since I've added a post here. I've been having a rather lovely social media break. However, I thought a nice post on the positives of metaphor seemed relevant to my practice at the moment.

Why Metaphor Matters in Therapy

When a client says, “It’s like I’m carrying a backpack full of bricks,” they’re not just describing stress, they’re showing us how it feels to be them.

In counselling, working with metaphor helps clients:

Gain clarity

Express the unspeakable

Feel seen, without needing perfect words

Metaphors bypass logic and speak the language of the emotional brain. They honour complexity and create space for curiosity, play, and healing.

Have you ever used metaphor in your own self-reflection or practice? What did it reveal?

03/04/2024

⭐️Good News Info!! ⭐️

Gosh it's been a long time since I've been active on Facebook. I've been working lots and hanging out with the family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

I have a few bits of good news to share! (although my inactivity probably means this won't be seen by anyone 🙄🫠)

Good news no1: I have opened up some more availability on a Thursday daytime at my office in Weymouth or online via Zoom. If you would like more information or know someone who is looking for individual, relationship or parenting counselling or trauma therapy please get in touch emmaoaksfordcounselling@yahoo.com

Good news no2: from next week I will be offering single session, solution focussed therapy!!! Please contact for more info.

Good news no3: I've been thinking more about my role in supporting parents and reflecting on my own parenting challenges and how parenting can often feel quite isolating.

I'm wondering if there is a need in the Weymouth, Portland, Dorchester area for a parent therapeutic support group? I'd love to know your thoughts. Please ping me a message if you're interested.

06/12/2022

This is reminiscent of some of the work I do with couples as a parent counsellor with ReWellness and in Relationship Counselling in private practice.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=446680901002366&id=100069813781908&sfnsn=scwspmo