Clarity Therapy Helsinki

17/02/2026

My latest blog is out. In it I share insights from the Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1 and Level 2 training course I took this Fall.

"Perhaps the most sobering statistic from the week was this: 96% of conversations that start harshly end harshly. How we begin a difficult conversation is not a preamble — it significantly impacts the outcome. The Gottmans have developed an antidote to this, the Softened Start-Up, and it begins with the shift Julie Gottman describes as: stepping out of criticism, out of describing your partner, and into something more vulnerable and more connecting — emotionally experiencing the moment together."

The hardest thing to do when in conflict with a loved one is not to find the perfect words. It is to stop describing your partner altogether — to step out of advice-giving and into something more vulnerable, more connecting: being there emotionally for each other. The Softened Start-Up is the Gott...

04/02/2026

Hello everyone,
I am just back to work from a Fall leave and settling back into the therapist chair. The break in the Fall allowed me to see my work from new perspectives, and I thought to try and write some of those thoughts down throughout the Spring.

In that vein, below, you will find a link to why the free consultation many therapists offer is so important. In the blog, I cover what information you can expect to receive and what kind of questions you should ask yourself to help determine if the therapist feels like a good fit for you.

I hope you find it useful.

Warmly,
Marsh.

Over the years, I have had countless consultation calls, and I've learned something important: reaching out to a potential new therapist can answer a lot of questions that may be running through your head.

13/12/2023

In my latest blog post, I discuss how I lean on something called the window of tolerance to support people in safely expressing what is bothering them. I have found it to be such a nice way to visualize one's emotional readiness for therapeutic work and that it really assists clients in understanding themselves to a deeper level.

The Window of Tolerance

As a therapist, I am watching for emotional expression. If the client begins to feel overwhelmed by their emotional state, I check in with them and if needed we use a series of grounding techniques to lower the intensity of the session. If the client is removing their emotions from the counselling s

22/08/2023

In our Western world, we are often encouraged to be stoic, or then culture tells us we can only express one emotion.

This can be based on gender as females are given permission to cry while for men, traditionally, it has been more acceptable to be angry than vulnerable.

But all emotions, no matter whether "negative" or "positive" ones, are the way our brain tells us: this is important. Essentially our brain is saying: wake up, pay attention: THIS MATTERS!

In my work, I look for and focus on 6 key emotions:

▪️Anger primes us to assert ourselves.
▪️Joy tells us to move towards something.
▪️Surprise primes curiosity and tells us to look at something more closely.
▪️Sadness primes us to withdraw or to seek support from others.
▪️Shame tells us I am inadequate and unlovable.
▪️Fear acts as an alarm bell telling us something needs to be taken care of.

Emotions often feel like a big mass of energy that takes over or it is something we work really hard to suppress. Both are exhausting and often leave us feeling sad and depressed or anxious and stressed.

But I have found that something powerful happens when an environment is created that allows us to explore the emotion, instead of suppressing or fleeing from it. In my therapy practice I aim to support my client's move toward their emotions using the tenets of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), an evidence-based modality of psychotherapy that aids us to harness the power of emotions.

In my recent blog post I explore EFT and the ways it can help us understand and form a new relationship with our emotions, even the most vexing ones. You can find the link in my bio to read the whole post or feel free to comment your thoughts below.

15/08/2023

Emotions can feel overwhelming. But I have found that something powerful and therapeutic happens when an environment is created that allows for emotional exploration. If you are interested in hearing more you can check out my recent 'counselling insight' post. In the post, you will find information on what an emotion is and how it can be harnessed to support your mental health.

https://www.claritytherapyhelsinki.fi/counsellinginsights/putting-the-emotions-in-emotion-focused-therapy

10/02/2023

https://www.claritytherapyhelsinki.fi/counsellinginsights/couples-counselling-the-emotions-underneath The Emotions Underneath: Marsh Cooper

The unknown factor that affects our relationships can cause us to lash out in unexpected and overwhelming ways. This experience is not only frustrating for the partner it can be surprising and scary for the individual as well.

21/12/2022

Self-care: It’s like the importance of servicing your car. When we are rolling along a smooth highway you will not even notice your car but when we get stuck in a blizzard or are driving on a bumpy gravel road that is when we really need to ensure the car is running smoothly. "

https://www.claritytherapyhelsinki.fi/counsellinginsights/resilience-and-self-care

Photo Courtesy of Spencer Selover

Self-care is an important element of resilience because when we take appropriate care of ourselves, we are more able to meet the challenges life sends our way. Consider your self-care plan. Does it include times to be social, and physical, to develop professionally or seek psychological, spiritual,