Ian Catterall - Person Centred Therapist & Counsellor

20/08/2026

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17/08/2026

Lots of paradoxes in this.

It can be a bit irritating when these paradoxes are laid out but I think it really means it’s ok to train a level of flexible on many things - don’t hold too tightly onto one idea or view.

Ian Catterall Supervision & Therapy

14/08/2026

We live in such a busy world where we are constantly alerted to risk and activity in a way out brain was not created to cope with.

Taking time away from all these triggers can be helpful - as can acknowledging that uncertainty is a natural feeling in life and not something we ought to constantly believe we must urgently resolve

Ian Catterall therapy & supervision

10/08/2026

Sometimes I read these kinds of things and think…but what does it actually teach me? 😆🤷‍♂️

And I wonder if this is one of those…but maybe it means we need to accept that there are tough things in life and we need to protect ourselves a little - stay watertight & when we can be responsible for the work it takes to look after ourselves…

Ian Catterall Therapy & Supervision

09/08/2026

04/08/2026

Grounding exercises can be very helpful in bringing you away from difficult thoughts or in moments of emotional stress - it helps you come back to what is really happening and away from those catatastophising fears of what might happen…🙂

They’re simple and very useful.

Ian Catterall Supervision & Therapy

25/07/2026

Is it possible we have too many thoughts?

We live in a world that over stimulates a brain that, after all, remains more or less programmed for the Stone Age…same functions and settings.

So what to do? Can we re-programme it to cope with today’s world? Perhaps but it might be better to look at reducing the amount of input we offer it. More down time, better rest, less input & less chasing the next thing.

If thinking is a disease it’s a modern one and you can cure it.

Ian Catterall Therapy & Supervision

22/07/2026

These things are not going to replace loss or trauma.

However they are within reach & help. Recently I’ve been thinking about how we wait for motivation to arise that will then galvanise us into action. However it’s the other way around - perhaps unfortunate…if we take action we feel motivated & build momentum.

These ‘real luxuries’ are available to us all and are actions that lead to motivation. Choose one and try it - see what happens and let me know…

Ian Catterall Therapy & Supervision

11/07/2026

It’s tremendously difficult not to ask ‘why?’ ‘Why me?’ ‘How did it come to this?’ And so on…

To be sure we can learn from asking and reflecting on those questions. Our mind, in order to avoid future pain, might well insist on it.

However, it’s easy to get lost in those questions and allow it to sour into self pity and no helpful action or learning.

It can be more helpful to say ‘this is how it is…so what will I do…’

Ian Catterall Therapy & Supervision

23/06/2026

People have expectations, fears and thoughts about what therapy is. Yes it can be challenging but it’s ok - you’re safe and in good hands. Try and let go of what you expect and be as honest with yourself as you can…you won’t be judged at all…

Ian Catterall Therapy & Supervision