Arina Suld Psychotherapy

29/08/2025

💭 Couples therapy isn’t about breaking up. It’s about finding your way back to each other.

I see so many couples who arrive thinking therapy means their relationship must be failing. But honestly, it’s often the opposite — it’s a sign that you both care enough to try.

Sometimes the spark feels dimmed, or conversations turn into arguments, or life’s changes make it harder to connect the way you used to. Therapy can give you the space to pause, really hear each other, and rebuild that closeness.

I work with couples of all kinds — because relationships don’t come with a manual, and none of us are taught how to “do” them perfectly. Therapy is simply a place to figure it out together.

🌿 If this resonates, I’d love if you shared it — you never know who might need to hear that they’re not alone.

12/08/2025

🌿 Find your way back to each other.

Even the strongest relationships can hit a patch - maybe it feels like you're living side by side, but not truly together.

In my latest blog post, “Couples Therapy: Rebuilding Emotional Connection in Relationships,” I dive into how Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) helps couples slow down, tune in, and rediscover emotional safety and intimacy - even in the middle of conflict. EFCT is backed by over 30 years of research, and transformative change is possible when both partners feel seen, heard, and understood.

Whether you're navigating a rough patch, a life transition, or simply want to deepen your bond, this post offers hope and a path forward.

Click the link below to explore how couples therapy can anchor your connection with calm, clarity, and compassion - 🌿together ❤️

https://arinasuld.com/blog/couples-counselling-rebuilding-emotional-connection-in-relationships

Couples Therapy in Sligo - Rebuilding Emotional Connection in Relationships.

25/07/2025

🌿 When Life Feels Heavy

Some days, the weight of everything can feel overwhelming - and that’s okay.

Life doesn’t always go as planned, and sometimes just getting through the day takes all the strength we have.

What matters most is showing up for yourself, even if it’s just a tiny step forward. Healing and progress often happen quietly, beneath the surface, even when we don’t notice.

Remember to be gentle with yourself - small acts of self-care can make a difference. And if you ever feel like you need someone to talk to, I’m here to support you.

You’re not alone.

28/06/2025

🌈 Pride, Community and Being Human 🌈

Today, June 28th, marks 55 years since the first Pride march took place in New York City.

It was a bold response to the Stonewall uprising - a moment when people stood up to say: we exist, and we deserve to live freely. That march wasn’t just a celebration—it was a protest, a declaration of identity, and a call for liberation.

That spirit still matters deeply. Across the world, and even close to home, LGBTQ+ folks are facing real challenges—new laws, louder hate, and old fears dressed in new language.

But what I also see every week is something else: strength, tenderness, humour, truth. In the therapy space, I sit with people finding their way back to themselves. People who are tired of hiding. People who want to feel connected again.

I work with LGBTQAI+ clients and couples here in Sligo, and what I keep coming back to, especially during Pride, is how much strength there is in simply being ourselves. And how much hope there is when we build community, quietly and powerfully, one relationship at a time.

So this month, let’s honour all the ways we keep showing up - for ourselves, for each other. Pride is protest, yes - but it’s also joy, resilience, and deep, unapologetic love ❤︎

If you're looking for a therapist who gets it, or you know someone who might, I’m here. 🌿

A piece by Peter Tatchell: Pride is a protest - not a party.
https://www.petertatchellfoundation.org/pride-is-a-protest-not-a-partyby-peter-tatchell/

30/05/2025

Building Self-Worth: A Journey of Compassion and Connection 🌿

Self-worth isn’t about being perfect or always feeling confident. It’s about recognising - deep down - that you are enough, just as you are, even with all your struggles and imperfections.

So often, we get stuck in comparing ourselves to others, or carrying the weight of past hurts, and it chips away at how we see ourselves. But self-worth isn’t something to “earn” or prove. It’s something we gently nurture through kindness, to ourselves and from others.

It’s about learning to hold space for your feelings without judgment. Saying “no” when you need to. Surrounding yourself with people who see you, not just what you do. And choosing compassion over criticism in those quiet, tough moments inside.

This journey takes time. And it’s okay to stumble. But every small step of self-acceptance builds a stronger foundation for your mental health and your relationships with others, and most importantly, with yourself.

If you’re struggling to find your own worth, remember you’re not alone. You deserve to be seen, heard, and valued - just as you are. 🌿

25/05/2025

I’ve been sitting with a personal loss lately - a person I had the privilege to know, who’s no longer in this world.

It’s stirred something deeper in me. A quiet unfolding.

Loss comes in so many forms, doesn’t it? The people we love and lose. The relationships that end. The identities we outgrow. The dreams that shift, or never fully land.

Some losses are loud and visible. Others live quietly inside us, unnamed but deeply felt.

What I’m noticing is that each loss, no matter how different, asks something similar of us:

To let go, without losing ourselves.
To feel, without drowning.
To remember, without clinging too tightly.
And to live on, fully ... even with the ache.

I’ve been returning to realisations/practices that help me stay grounded:

🌿 The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer reminds me that I am not my thoughts or even my pain, but the awareness behind them.

🌿 In The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle speaks of the present moment as the only place where true peace can be found.

🌿 Buddhist and yogic teachings offer their own quiet wisdom - that everything is in motion, and freedom comes when we stop clinging and start softening our grip.

Grief is not a linear path. There’s no quick fix.
But there is something sacred about meeting it honestly, letting it move through us, and choosing - again and again - to keep our hearts open.

If you’re moving through loss right now, I feel you.

Be kind to yourself.

We carry on, not by forgetting, but by weaving the love and the lessons into how we live from here.

With heart,
Arina

09/05/2025

🏳️‍🌈 A Safe, Affirming Space for LGBTQIA+ and GSRD Clients 🏳️‍🌈

This is a space where LGBTQIA+ clients are not just accepted - they’re understood. Whether you’re navigating gender identity, coming out, unpacking shame, exploring your relationships, or seeking to live more fully in your truth, our work together honours your story.

You are welcome here - exactly as you are.

Based in Sligo and offering online sessions across Ireland.

Explore more at www.arinasuld.com
Or message me here to start the conversation.

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03/05/2025

I've written a piece about the stigma that still surrounds mental health and how important it is to create space for honesty, self-acceptance, and real support.

Whether you're navigating anxiety, identity, big life changes, or simply feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone.

I hope these reflections resonate and remind you of your worth.

Have a read, and feel free to share your thoughts.

With heart,
Arina

Person-centred therapy for individuals and couples in Sligo, specialising in LGBTQIA+ and gender diversity. Offering support for mental health, self-compassion, and healing.

02/05/2025

🌿Parenting Teens: Navigating Challenges and Building Stronger Connections

Parenting teenagers can feel like walking a tightrope—balancing their growing independence with the need for guidance, support, and connection. As they face a whirlwind of emotional, social, and academic pressures, many parents find themselves questioning how to best support their teens without pushing them away.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when navigating this tricky phase:

💬 Open Communication is Key
It’s easy to feel like you’re talking to a brick wall when your teen shuts down or pushes back. But the truth is, they need your presence and your willingness to listen. Stay curious and open, even if it’s tough.

🦋 Mental Health Matters
Teenagers today are dealing with more anxiety, stress, and emotional challenges than ever before. Whether it's academic pressure, social media, or personal struggles, mental health is something we must take seriously. If you’re noticing signs of distress, it’s okay to seek professional support. Therapy can be a game-changer for both teens and parents.

🚀Autonomy Doesn’t Mean Absence
As teens push for more independence, it can feel like they’re pulling away completely. But their need for autonomy doesn’t mean they don’t need your guidance. Set clear, fair boundaries while giving them space to grow and learn from their own choices.

💣Risky Behaviors and Peer Influence
From experimenting with substances to navigating peer pressure, teens face a lot of challenges that can lead to risky behavior. Stay involved, keep communication lines open, and be proactive in educating them about the risks.

Parenting teens is not about having all the answers—it’s about showing up, being present, and offering the space to grow, even when it’s uncomfortable.
If you’re finding this stage challenging, you’re not alone. I work with parents to navigate these tough times and build stronger, healthier relationships with their teens.

Reach out if you’d like to talk more: www.arinasuld.com

30/04/2025

🌿 Saying 'yes' all the time can quietly wear you down.

Ever catch yourself agreeing to things you don’t want to do, just to keep the peace or avoid disappointing someone? It might feel harmless at first, but over time, it starts to take a toll on your energy, your time and your well-being.

What if saying 'no' didn’t mean you were being selfish, but rather, it was the first step toward taking care of yourself?

In therapy, we dive into why we say ‘yes’ even when it costs us. And more importantly, we explore how to start saying 'no' in a way that feels freeing, not guilty.

💬 If you’re ready to learn how to balance kindness with self-care, I’m here to support you on that journey.

27/04/2025

🌿 Why do Couples seek therapy?

Sometimes, it's not about fixing what's broken - it's about learning to grow together.

Couples therapy isn’t just for the tough times; it’s for the everyday moments, too. It’s about improving communication, finding a deeper connection, and understanding each other’s needs in ways that might not always be easy.

It's a space where both partners can share their true thoughts and feelings, knowing they’re in a safe, neutral space.

What does that look like?

It might mean pausing before reacting, listening without interrupting, or simply saying “I hear you” instead of “I disagree.”

It might also be about gaining a clearer sense of your shared goals and building a stronger foundation for the future.

Relationships are work, but they are also growth, and therapy can help nurture both.

No judgment, no shame - just two people learning to show up for each other in deeper ways... ❤️

22/04/2025

🌿Anxiety doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it whispers ‘what if…’ all day long. 🌿

Anxiety can be sneaky. It can look like overthinking, a racing heart, tight shoulders… or that feeling of needing to be “on” all the time.

So many people quietly live with this, thinking it’s just how life has to be.

But it’s not.
Therapy can be a place to gently untangle the overwhelm, explore what’s underneath, and learn ways to meet those anxious parts of you with understanding — not pressure.

💬 Have you ever tried a grounding technique that actually helped?
It’s something I often explore with clients — and I’m always curious what resonates for others.

📩 Based in Sligo and wondering if therapy might help?
You're welcome to reach out whenever it feels right.
No pressure, no rush — just a gentle space where you're met as you are.