Chalice Therapies & Workshops

18/06/2026

18/06/2026

I offer a range of therapies including psychotherapy, holistic therapy and also training from my practice in South Birmingham (Stirchley and Bournville). I also write training programmes, CPD courses and provide professional support for therapists and students in training.
Community and festival work (is that season!), loving local support provision and collaborations.

Here's a baby goose seen at an ecotherapy session in Bournville, also small sail boats on the lake. Have a great day !

www.chalicetherapies.co.uk

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15/06/2026

Does this ring a bell? Neurodivergence, performance anxiety, perfectionism, scared of saying the 'wrong' thing, discomfort around people, shyness or not - an assumption that working with those we don't know (or even like!) will improve the learning experience.

I get the idea - learn from others, push your boundaries, speak to someone who could share some interesting information. But for many this is the call of cringiness, where the trauma response is to run or freeze. Unfamiliar environments can trigger communication difficulties too.

If we are asked to attend a course there's a fair chance this attempt at socialising students may be dropped on us, a common icebreaker or mid flow challenge.

So what can we do?

- Be prepared, maybe with info that has been pre planned beforehand, something you are able to share with confidence
- Speak to the facilitator beforehand regarding your anxiety (ensure you are heared and taken seriously)
- Spot someone else who might look equally uncomfortable, and who would love you to head over and start a conversation
- It's fine to ask for clarification. Listen to how others are responding to the question

- Mindset change. You are a welcome addition to the group, there are no right or wrong answers, you don't have to divulge secrets or overshare private stuff. You are not expected to give a 'perfect' answer. Simple is fine. You're in control!

(Image taken from From Very British Problems, FB)

10/06/2026

An incredible weekend in Glastonbury walking the big one - Glastonbury Tor. A weekend celebration of workshops, performance and sounds facilitated by so many talented women and men invited by Glastonbury Goddess Temple. Of seeing The Lady of the Labyrinth and Avalon as an archetype for how we are multi faceted, can travel to our shadow and out again through the spirals of the labyrinth in its many forms. The Tor is a high conical hill featuring 7 levels that make a Cretian labyrinth shape. With St Michael's tower at the centre and top.

Each level represented an element, or aspect - walking and weaving inwards to recognise areas of life that are holding you back, irritating, a struggle, outgrown or just there but maybe serving no purpose any more.

Holding at the centre, breathing, reflecting, centring. Seeing perspective. Noticing the shadow. Finding peace and opening up space.

Weaving out with lightness, joy, opportunity and inspiration. There was clarity and space to allow the new to flow in, to reconnect with nature (our nature), community, feel supported and to feel blessed.

29/05/2026

When narcisistic connection and abuse is realised. Empaths and sensitives can feel particularly affected by these relationships. A brilliant example of what happens once the dots have been connected and action taken:
- Be aware, look around, listen
- Realise patterns of behaviour
- Realise bias that is focused on self serving and using others to obtain this (supply)
- Start to detach from the grab
- See what is being stollen (time, attention, dignity, emotions etc)
- Consider and set apropriate boundaries
- Confusion become increasingly clarified
- Let go of guilt that you are not enough
- Move on: E.g. feel free, take back your precious time, take back your confidence, stop blaming yourself. Know this isn't based on you - see others who are affected by the behavioir. Lessen contact, don't keep on giving what is yours away.

What you offer is a gift, to be received with gratitude and not to be abused or taken for granted. You are incredible.

29/05/2026

Thank you to the PTSD Recovery Service for producing such helpful info to share. Hope this helps - send to someone who might benefit.

I'm off to Scarborough Wellbeing Fair in a while, to support my friend Daniel who organises this lovely event.

We talk a lot about symptoms, but let's not forget to recognize the signs we are healing too!

29/05/2026

Fight, flight, freeze, fawn aren’t choices, they’re survival responses.
These instincts are automatic and wired into our brains.

If you’ve been stuck in that cycle, it’s because your body still thinks it has to keep you safe.

Healing means slowly teaching your nervous system that it can breathe again.

Learn more about your symptoms and paths to recovery with the PTSD recovery book series: https://bit.ly/PTSDRecovery

29/05/2026

Connection, support, and safe relationships play a big role in healing from PTSD.

If you’re supporting someone going through it, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Most of what helps is simple:
patience, respect, and not treating their reactions as “too much” or something they should be able to just shut off.

PTSD isn’t always visible, but it often shows up in how someone responds to stress, closeness, and safety.

If you want to understand it better so you can support someone you care about, check out the PTSD Recovery Series.

Looking for support? Check out our group PTSD Recovery Series Group

28/05/2026

Psychoeducation - for when being in the head with thought loops and thinking becomes irritating. Shift energy away from the thinking head to the visceral body by engaging with the senses (see, hear, feel, smell, taste).

27/05/2026

Stimming regulates emotions, grounds and can be a supportive mechanism when in overwhelm. Years ago we were often told to stop fidging, moving or making repetative sounds. Liking the feel of a piece of fabric and stroking it (or indeed an animal!) can calm the nervous system and eleviate stress.

Can singing and dancing be a type of stim? - yes. Familiar actions that feel appealing. Stimming can be a form of communication where multiple stimmers bounce and jam in a kind of flow state.

(Poster from ADHD explained).