Madeleine Duncan-Booth Counselling

08/09/2022

Beautifully put by my colleague at Kingsclere Counselling Service. ❤️
Be compassionate towards yourself and any feelings that come up for you.

The sad news of the death of Her Majesty the Queen is a significant event and may evoke a strong emotional response or reaction for you which may have it's roots in other losses you may have experienced in your life. Loss has a tendency to echo. 💔
Be kind to yourself and others over the next few days. It is a shared loss, but it may also feel like a very personal one ###

04/07/2022

I wrote this piece around gaslighting as it comes up a lot in sessions with clients. It can be really helpful to understand so you can spot it if it happens/is happening to you.

25/06/2022

When faced with a choice (such as the team here at KCS) it is hard to know who to pick* so here are three questions to ask yourself when considering who to see....
❓ What do I need support with? Most therapists will work with general mental health conditions, but if you are looking for something specific - is there a therapist who has that as their niche? or states it as an area of interest to them?
❓ When can I attend appointments? If there are only certain days and times you can make due to work or childcare, it makes sense to chose someone who offers appointments on days and times that fit with your availability.
❓ Who do I feel drawn to? Trust your gut. Read a few profiles / websites and see if there is someone who you feel an affinity with, (and it's equally important to discount those who give you any sort of "vibe" that they aren't right for you)
Therapy is likely to be more successful if there is an connection between you and your therapist which leads you to feeling comfortable and safe enough to open up and talk about the stuff that makes you feel vulnerable.

And also - take the pressure off. You don't have to get it right first time! Try it for a bit, and if for any reason it doesn't feel quite right - discuss it! Therapists are well aware that the relationship is key and will help you understand what it is you are looking for.

*ALWAYS ensure that the therapists you are looking at are qualified, insured, members of a professional body, supervised and committed to Continued Professional Development. (Here at KCS we do that for you so you don't need to worry about it!)

01/06/2022

It is so easy to get caught up in being busy with lots of plans. However, some days it can all feel too much, which is perhaps a sign that we need to slow down or stop for a while.
What are your warning signs?
What do you need to protect and restore your energy this bank holiday this weekend?

10/01/2022

This workshop is being run by 2 of my colleagues at Kingsclere Counselling Service. Please contact them if this resonates and could be helpful for you.

Our very own Elinor and Nicole are running an online workshop for parents who are contemplating or currently going through the process of divorce or separation. Their combined experience as counsellors working with couples and individuals, combined with Nicole's previous experience as a family solicitor means they are the perfect team to help you understand the legal process and navigate the challenges that you might be facing. Please see the flyer for more info!

04/01/2022

We are back! Following our Christmas break we are back in the office to offer you whatever support you may need. We are still working face to face, but can also offer online sessions if that feels more comfortable in the present climate.
Please see our website for more about each of our team of therapists and the issues that we work with. If you can't find what you need, simply drop us an email to find out more
Wishing you all good mental health in 2022 💚

04/11/2021

12/05/2021

This week is Mental Health Awareness week - and normally I suggest that this a good time to give yourself a mental health check up.
This year I think that is more relevant than ever as we start to come out of lockdown and evaluate the consequences. For the last year we have been in survival mode - changing our plans, adapting the way we live, overcoming the obstacles as they land in our path and just "getting through".
Restrictions are beginning to lift, which is welcome news. However the feelings we have about this may be complicated. Do we trust it? Do we allow ourselves to hope, plan, look forward? Are we feeling some anxiety at socialising again?
We may need to process what we have been through in the 12-18months: You may have suffered a loss, there may have been changes in your work or financial situation, your relationships may have struggled, or you may have felt a shift in what you see as important.

So take some time to look at your mental health. Are you well? do you need to make any changes? And if you decide you would like some support to figure this all out - you know where we are!

06/02/2021

03/02/2021

Watch our Royal Patron HRH The Duchess of Cambridge’s video message to mark the start of the Children’s Mental Health Week. Learn more: http://www.childrensm...

24/01/2021

Today is
Laughter is good for our mental health, it releases endorphins which lift our mood and helps us to connect with others. It can also help to take our minds off things that we may be ruminating over.
What gets you roaring with laughter? What benefits do you feel from laughing?

18/01/2021

It's today, the day calculated to be the most depressing of the year and this year it may be hitting you harder than before.
How are you? If you check in with yourself what feeling words come up for you?
If you are struggling reach out to talk to someone. You matter.