The Counselling Nook

15/06/2026

02/06/2026

It’s not uncommon to hear the voice in your head that says things like ‘You’re not good enough’, and it can be quite destructive. Sometimes, though, it has a purpose, so can’t just be told to be quiet. Understanding where it comes from and what its job is can often be an important part of counselling, so the little article below might be of interest if you’re curious about how we might work with that critical inner voice.

Negative self-talk can shape how we see ourselves. Counsellor David Parker shares how self-compassion can help change your inner dialogue. ⬇️ http://ow.ly/8YFj106yXrw

01/06/2026

June already!

03/03/2026

Low self-esteem can be caused by many things, and hold us back from fully living life. If you don’t value yourself enough, you might take less care of yourself or stop yourself doing that thing you always wanted to try for fear of failure. Interesting article around it and how counselling can help below.

Struggling with low self-esteem? Discover 9 common myths and what’s really true – plus how counselling can help you build self-worth. 💭 http://ow.ly/vUaA106v96T

03/02/2026

I’ve been pondering over how to explain the things that counselling might help with and came up with a long list of things, but it didn’t seem to capture the spirit of the work we do here. Then I started reading a book called The Enchanted Life by Sharon Blackie and it clicked! When we’re struggling, it’s all too easy to lose the connection with the good things around us, while the negatives run round our head. In counselling, I often talk about rediscovering the ‘nano’ joys, like the snowdrops that are just appearing or even just pulling your favourite socks out of the drawer! The things that give us meaning in life or just a quick smile and it’s good for us all to look out for them. When it’s hard to lift your head up and find those moments though, that’s when counselling can make a difference and help you find moments of magic, however tiny, that help you heal. Do get in touch if you would like to find out more, using Messenger in the link below or through my directory listing (where you’ll also find the long list!) https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/eileen-calveley

20/01/2026

… or maybe just not as bad as you thought 😊

16/01/2026

💙 We’re approaching Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year as urban myth tells us. Even if life is good, it can be a gentle reminder that your wellbeing matters - slow down, reset, and focus on what supports you.

If it feels heavy, you’re not alone. Take a breath, be kind to yourself, and remember feelings pass, seasons change. Some things you can do which might help are:
• Send a message to someone you care about
• Step outside for 5 minutes
• Organise a treat for yourself over the weekend
• Drink some water
• Celebrate “enough” instead of “perfect”
If the thought of the new week stops you enjoying some weekend time off, you can check out some of the relaxation techniques on my website at https://thecounsellingnook.com/managing-your-stress.
And of course, if Blue Monday gets you thinking that you might need some help with working out the things that are stopping you enjoying life to the full, just get in touch and we can talk about how counselling might be of help. Together we can make it Reset Monday instead!

15/12/2025

Some useful advice on managing social anxiety at this busy time of year.