Living Well Counselling Centre

Living Well Counselling Centre Bringing Hope to Horowhenua since 1990 Our Vision: to provide affordable and professional counselling to the Horowhenua community.

Te Whare Whai Oranga: The House of Pursuing Wellbeing. We are a safe place for people to come with life's difficulties
We welcome the opportunity to serve you as you seek health and growth. Providing compassionate confidential care. Promoting positive changes in emotional and psychological wellbeing. Improving social connectedness.

Is everything feeling very full-on? Try this:Close your eyes for five seconds and count backward from five.Place one han...
15/08/2025

Is everything feeling very full-on? Try this:
Close your eyes for five seconds and count backward from five.

Place one hand on your chest, just to feel your breath move.

Say this silently: “I’m allowed to pause.”

Even brief stillness restores momentum. You’re doing enough.

Living Well Counselling Centre is here for when you'd like some help to regain a little equilibrium.

The Scenario: You finally opened up to a close friend about something weighing on you. You’re feeling the weight of stre...
10/08/2025

The Scenario: You finally opened up to a close friend about something weighing on you. You’re feeling the weight of stress at work, a fight with your partner, or a creeping sense of burnout.

Instead of just listening, they immediately offered a solution: “You should really try waking up earlier,” or “Well, just talk to your boss about it.” It came from a good place, but it didn’t land right. You felt dismissed, not heard. Still, you smiled, nodded, and changed the subject.

The Insight: We all have different “support languages”. Some people offer comfort through action, others through presence. But when those styles don’t match in the moment, it can create a disconnect that feels like rejection.

Instead of leaving the conversation feeling lighter, you walk away more alone. The fix isn’t to shut down or withdraw, it’s to communicate your needs more clearly.

The Strategy: Name What You Need

Get clear on your ask before you reach out. Do you want to vent, brainstorm, cry, or be distracted? Knowing helps you guide the tone of the interaction.

Start the conversation with a cue:

“Can I just talk through something without fixing it for a sec?”

“Not looking for solutions, just someone to sit with it.”

“I know what needs to be done, I just need to get it off my chest for a bit.”

These phrases act like social setting instructions, giving your friend a better chance to meet you where you are.

Revisit the moment later if needed. If you didn’t set expectations and felt let down, it’s okay to go back and say: “Hey, when I shared that earlier, I really just needed someone to sit with me in it. Next time, can I let you know what kind of support I need?”

Why It Matters: Friendships aren’t built on mind-reading, they thrive on mutual understanding. Teaching someone how to support you is a form of emotional intimacy, not confrontation. You’re not being “too much” by naming your needs; you’re giving the relationship a chance to deepen in trust.

Try This Next Time: Before you reach out, pause and ask yourself, “What would feel most supportive right now? Does it look like advice, comfort, or just someone on the other end?” Then say it out loud. That small shift can make all the difference.

Today’s Affirmations “Even small clarity is still clarity.” Let this affirmation be a gentle reminder that you don’t ...
07/08/2025

Today’s Affirmations



“Even small clarity is still clarity.”



Let this affirmation be a gentle reminder that you don’t need a full plan to move forward, just one clear reason, one honest instinct, or one next right thing.

Try this: Write down one thing you’re sure of today, no matter how small. Let that be your compass, even if the path ahead is still forming.

Gratitude Spotlight

Today's Invitation: “What is something routine that made life easier today?”

Maybe your shoes fit just right, your morning coffee was exactly how you liked it, or your calendar aligned in your favor.

Why It Matters: We often overlook the helpers hidden in routine. Naming even one turns the mundane into a quiet form of support, a reminder that ease exists, even in repetition.

Try This: Snap a photo of today’s small helper, whether it’s your mug, a sticky note, or your walking path, and save it to a gratitude folder on your phone. It’s a visual reminder that support can look simple.

I hope your today is filled with small helpers. And remember that Living Well Counselling Centre is another small helper; contact us if you'd like help with finding more clarity in your everyday.

Gratitude SpotlightToday's Invitation: “What is something routine that made life easier today?” Maybe your shoes fit jus...
13/07/2025

Gratitude Spotlight

Today's Invitation: “What is something routine that made life easier today?”
Maybe your shoes fit just right, your morning coffee was exactly how you liked it, or your calendar aligned in your favor.

Why It Matters: We often overlook the helpers hidden in routine. Naming even one turns the mundane into a quiet form of support, a reminder that ease exists, even in repetition.

Try This: Snap a photo of today’s small helper, whether it’s your mug, a sticky note, or your walking path, and save it to a gratitude folder on your phone. It’s a visual reminder that support can look simple.

Feel like you're carrying the stress of the week into your weekend? Try this quick and effective body scan meditation:Wh...
12/07/2025

Feel like you're carrying the stress of the week into your weekend? Try this quick and effective body scan meditation:

What it is: Body scan meditation is a guided awareness practice where you slowly move your attention through different areas of your body, from your feet to your head and back again. It’s often used to ground your attention, ease stress, and reconnect with physical sensations that may have gone unnoticed.

Why it works: Stress doesn’t just stay in your thoughts, it settles into your shoulders, your jaw, and your lower back. Body scan meditation helps bring attention to those hidden pockets of tension.

Instead of trying to “fix” or fight them, the practice invites you to notice them with curiosity. This shift alone can signal your nervous system to downregulate, easing discomfort and calming your mind.

How to practice it: Find a quiet space and lie down or sit comfortably. Close your eyes if that feels okay.

Begin at your feet, gently noticing any sensation: warmth, pressure, tingling, or even numbness. Take your time moving up through your ankles, legs, hips, belly, chest, shoulders, arms, and face.

If you notice tension, try breathing into that area, imagining the breath creating space and softness. When you reach the top of your head, you can either end the session or gently trace your awareness back down to your feet.

When to use it: Try a short body scan whenever you feel scattered, agitated, or physically tense. It’s especially helpful before bed or during moments when you’re caught up in “fight or flight” mode but want to return to calm.

Pro tip: You don’t have to notice something in every area. The point isn’t to force relaxation, it’s to increase awareness. Even just noticing that your shoulders feel heavy or your jaw is clenched gives you data to work with. Over time, you’ll start to notice patterns and catch tension earlier in the day.

Research backing: Studies show that body scan meditation, especially when practiced regularly, can lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), improve sleep, and enhance emotional regulation. In one 8-week program, participants reported both physical and psychological relief from chronic stress symptoms.

It's the tail end of another week. Was it a good one? Was it tough? You made it through and, fun fact, you've survived 1...
04/07/2025

It's the tail end of another week. Was it a good one? Was it tough? You made it through and, fun fact, you've survived 100% of your worst days. What a legend!

If you'd ever like someone to work with you to process the tricky parts of life, or to help you find clarity, the professional and empathetic counsellors at Living Well Counselling Centre are. Get in touch to find out more, or to see how we can help.

Welcome to the new week, no panic, no rush. Here's a practice to help you move through the week calmly, and with intenti...
30/06/2025

Welcome to the new week, no panic, no rush. Here's a practice to help you move through the week calmly, and with intention...

Imagine standing before a tall window just after sunrise. The world outside is still quiet, bathed in soft amber light. As you look out, notice how the light gently stretches across the floor: steady, slow, full of promise.

With each inhale, feel that same light enter your chest. With each exhale, let it soften any leftover tension from last week. Now, in the quiet, ask yourself: “What quality do I want to carry into this week?” it could be clarity, steadiness, openness, grace, or whatever works for you.

Let that word rest in your palms like morning light, and step forward with it as your quiet guide.

Make It Yours: Try writing your chosen word on a small piece of paper and tucking it into your pocket or workspace. Let it be a gentle anchor throughout your day.

Picture your mind as a glass jar filled with cloudy water with particles swirling from the week so far. Now imagine gent...
22/06/2025

Picture your mind as a glass jar filled with cloudy water with particles swirling from the week so far. Now imagine gently setting the jar down on a windowsill. As you sit with it, everything inside begins to settle. The water clears. The clutter drifts downward. What’s left is stillness and transparency.

As you breathe, see your thoughts settling the same way. No need to force anything. Just let time and presence do the work. Clarity doesn’t always come from pushing. Sometimes it arrives when we pause.

Make It Yours: Pair this visualisation with a few moments of actual stillness. Sit, stand, or lie down with your eyes closed and hands relaxed. Let your body reflect the jar’s gentle rest.

you're always welcome to reach out to Living Well Counselling Centre if you'd like some help and perspective with your glass jar. We offer professional therapeutic counselling right here in our community. Feel free to get in touch to learn more or make an appointment.

A reset to help you prepare for the week ahead: Picture stepping into a high-ceilinged, wood-paneled library. The aftern...
19/06/2025

A reset to help you prepare for the week ahead:

Picture stepping into a high-ceilinged, wood-paneled library. The afternoon sun slants through stained-glass windows, scattering jewel-toned patterns across long oak tables.

You settle into a deep leather chair tucked between towering shelves. Inhale the comforting scent of old paper and polished wood; exhale the mental clutter that’s crowded your mid-week brain.

As you breathe, imagine silent pages fluttering open around you, each one absorbing a stray worry until the air feels spacious and still.

Make It Yours: Swap the library for any personal “mind haven”, a favorite café corner, an art studio, or even your childhood reading nook, where quiet focus comes easily.

Hope this helped. At Living Well Counselling Centre, we help people reconnect with their inner resilience. If you're ready to step into your power, we have some appointment slots opening up soon.

Emotional ReasoningWhat it is: Emotional reasoning is the mental habit of treating feelings as facts. If you feel anxiou...
15/06/2025

Emotional Reasoning

What it is: Emotional reasoning is the mental habit of treating feelings as facts. If you feel anxious, unloved, or inadequate, your brain assumes it must be true, even when there’s no objective evidence. It’s like handing your inner critic a megaphone and taking its every word as gospel.

What it sounds like:
“I feel like a bad mother, so I must be one.”
“I feel overwhelmed, so I probably can’t handle this.”
“I feel alone, which means no one cares.”

Why it’s a trap: Emotions are valid, but they aren’t always accurate reflections of reality. When we let them dictate our conclusions, we reinforce false beliefs and ignore other data, like evidence of progress, support systems, or past resilience.

Over time, this distortion can deepen anxiety, depression, and even contribute to disordered behaviors by convincing us that negative feelings are the truth.

Try this instead: Start separating your feelings from your facts. When a strong emotion hits, pause and ask:

“What am I feeling?”

“What’s the story I’m telling myself because of that feeling?”

“What evidence supports or challenges that story?”

You’re not invalidating the emotion, you’re just making space to challenge the conclusions it’s pulling you toward.

Today’s Thought Tweak

Original thought: “I feel like a failure, so I must be one.”
Upgrade: “I’m feeling discouraged right now, but that doesn’t define my worth. I’ve handled tough days before, and I’ll figure this one out too.”

A subtle shift turns a downward spiral into a grounded pause, one that makes room for logic, resilience, and self-trust. Living Well Counselling Centre is here if you'd like some compassionate, professional counselling to help you on life's path. Reach out for more info, or to make an appointment.

TOMORROW’S MICRO-COMMITMENTYour nervous system reads clutter as unfinished work. Pick one pocket-sized tidy-up that tell...
11/06/2025

TOMORROW’S MICRO-COMMITMENT
Your nervous system reads clutter as unfinished work. Pick one pocket-sized tidy-up that tells the brain, “We’ve got room to think.”

I’ll clear the empty cup from my desk the next time I stand up.

I’ll toss one expired item from the fridge while the jug boils.

I’ll sort two stray emails into folders, leaving a cleaner inbox by noon.

Living Well Counselling Centre is here to help you with all the micro and macro issues in your life. Get in touch to learn more about our counselling options.

You absolutely are the hero of your own story. Living Well Counselling Centre is here to help you embrace that power at ...
11/06/2025

You absolutely are the hero of your own story. Living Well Counselling Centre is here to help you embrace that power at every stage of your journey. Ready to write your next chapter? We have some counselling spaces opening up - reach out if we can help.

Address

29 Queen Street West
Levin
5510

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Living Well Counselling Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category