North Coast Counselling

24/09/2025

ASIST TRAINING ✨
(Applied Su***de Intervention Skills Training)

The Zachary Geddis Trust is proud to be bringing a FREE ASIST Course to the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
This course is suitable for anyone over the age of 18 who would like to feel better equipped in interactions with someone who has thoughts of su***de or with groups at increased risk of su***de.

📆 Monday 8th & Tuesday 9th December
⏰ 10am - 5pm
📍Unit 1 Loughanhill Industrial Estate, Gateside Road. Coleraine BT52 2NR
**Limited Spaces Available**

Book your space here: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/ASISTAppliedSu***deInterventionSkillsTraining

MORE INFORMATION 🔽
📞 02870440123
💻 www.zgbtst.org
📩 info@zgbtst.org

20/09/2025

The Drama Triangle

Have you ever noticed how certain family or relationship arguments feel like the same play on repeat — with everyone cast in the same roles?
That’s the drama triangle:
🎭 Victim (“why me?”)
🎭 Persecutor (“this is your fault”)
🎭 Rescuer (“I’ll fix it”)
These roles aren’t who we are, but the parts we get pulled into. And in toxic family systems, they can become so ingrained that we forget there are other options.
The tricky bit? Each role keeps the others alive. The rescuer keeps the victim dependent. The victim gives the persecutor someone to blame. The persecutor gives the rescuer something to fix. Round and round we go.

Reflecting on this can be a huge aha-moment:
Which role do I tend to take on?
Which ones do I get cast into by others?
How do I (without meaning to) reinforce the pattern?

The first step to change is awareness. Once you notice the triangle, you get to step off the stage. You don’t have to keep playing the role you were given.
Counselling can support you to recognise and understand these relationships, change and grow within, creating boundaries that keep you safe.

19/09/2025

Proud to have worked alongside Ian at Blobtree.com and with Pips spirit, in creating Blob Counselling book.

The 40th anniversary of the Blob Tree makes the news in Worcestershire x www.blobtree.com

19/09/2025

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

17/09/2025

What a lovely evening of craic, nonsense and carry on we had yesterday with our small 16-25 group! Glad to not have been evicted from MacDonalds for the carry on of us 😂😂
A big shout out for braving the step out of comfort zones to meet new people.
If you would like to join in, we’re meeting again on Tuesday 23rd September 6.30pm at Tim Hortons Coleraine.
If you have a young person hanging out in their room we’d so love to connect. We can have a chat before and meet in the car park etc to put you at ease. What better support than from each other!

16/09/2025

Research shows that children often “fall apart” most around their mothers… not because they’re defiant, but because they feel safest.

They’re not misbehaving more with you.
They’re releasing.

Because here’s the truth:
A child can hold it together at school.
They can smile politely at grandma’s house. They can even listen calmly with dad.
But when they see you, the storm comes.
The tears, the tantrums, the meltdowns.

Why?
Because you are home.

🧠 Attachment research (Ainsworth, 1978) shows that children are most likely to release big emotions with their primary caregiver. Their nervous system recognizes safety, and safety is where the masks come off.

Why does this matter?

Because when we don’t understand this, we start to believe the lie: They respect everyone but me. They save their worst for me.

But science is whispering: They trust you more than anyone else.

Here’s what supporting that trust can look like:
→ Remembering: this storm means they feel safe with me.
→ Meeting meltdowns with calm, not shame.
→ Holding boundaries firmly but gently.
→ Giving yourself permission to step away when you need to regulate too.

The truth is, your child’s unraveling in your arms isn’t failure. It’s faith.

So maybe the question isn’t,
“Why do they act out most with me?”
Maybe it’s,
“What does it say about the safety I’ve given them?”

Because the world doesn’t need kids who hold it all in. It needs kids who know where it’s safe to let it all out. 🤍

10/09/2025

05/09/2025

Immediate Aftermath

Supporting Children and Young People in the days, weeks and months after a traumatic death.
This module will take people through:
- What happens when we lose someone and the immediate aftermath.
- What is grief?
- Common responses and behaviours.
- The needs of the child / young person
- The needs of the caregivers.

The focus will be on understanding Children and Young People who have experienced traumatic bereavement. The modules will be delivered by Barnardo's Child Bereavement Therapists who work face to face with children / young people and their families.

Please see the flyer attached.

This training is free as it is funded by the Public Health Agency.

To book your space - https://nacn.org/whats-on/

01/09/2025

If you or someone you know is affected by gambling, you’re not alone. Our Problem Gambling Service provides free, confidential advice and counselling for adults 18+ in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
We’re here to help—no judgment, just support. Contact us today to start your journey to recovery. www.dunlewey.org

31/08/2025

24/08/2025