I write about some of the experiences that bring people to counselling, including work pressure, relationships, anger, grief and the difficulty of knowing or saying what you need.
Some people expect grief to be at its worst immediately after someone dies and then gradually become easier. Sometimes it does happen that way, but it can also feel completely different. You may have coped surprisingly well in the beginning. There was a funeral to arrange, people to tell, paperwork
Sometimes the thing that makes you angry seems ridiculously small. Your partner asks you to do something when you have only just sat down. Someone at work questions a decision you have made. You come home and find something has been left for you to sort out again. Your reaction
You have thought about something and you know what you think. Perhaps you do not want to go somewhere, you disagree with a decision at work, somebody has spoken to you in a way you did not like, or you have decided that something needs to change. Then you tell
Some people come to counselling with a very clear account of what was difficult about their childhood. For others, it is much less obvious. You may look back and think your parents worked hard, provided for you and wanted you to do well. There may have been holidays, birthdays, encouragement
If you shut down during conflict, you may know perfectly well what you think before a difficult conversation begins. Then the other person challenges you and something changes. Your mind goes blank, the words you had prepared disappear, or you become quiet and withdraw. Later, when the conversation is over,
Being made redundant can affect you in ways you did not expect. Coping with redundancy can become particularly difficult when losing your job starts to affect more than your income. The obvious concerns may be practical. How long will the money last? What jobs are available? What should you tell