Compass Therapy

27/08/2026

It’s never just the swim.

This morning, beautiful light on the water, six of us in.

One of us arrived carrying a worry. We noticed, gave her space to share it. Turned into a proper conversation, all of us, about something that matters to every one of us living here.

This is what the regular swims do. They keep us connected. We support each other, encourage each other, and then we let it all go in the water.

Because you can’t stand in a loch like this and not care about what happens to it.

That’s the bit people don’t see in the photos. Not just the swim. The listening. The space to say what’s on your mind. The way six women in cold water end up talking about the place they love, and leave a little lighter for it.

The water held all of it this morning. So did we. Who cares if we carry the label “wild swimming w*****r” it’s a badge I am proud to wear.

21/08/2026

I’ve always been slightly uncomfortable talking about what I’ve done.

It can feel a bit braggy. A bit “look at me.” My learning history does not like me “bragging”

But, recently I’ve realised that staying quiet about our experience doesn’t particularly help anyone either.

I’ve spent more -eeek than 25 years working in health and mental health, and when I actually look back, my career has taken me in directions I could never have predicted.

From nursing to CBT, ACT and trauma therapy. Clinical supervision, research and digital mental health. Women’s health and menopause. Working with founders around stress and burnout. Speaking and delivering workshops in the UK and internationally. And occasionally taking psychological therapy out of the therapy room altogether into nature, up mountains and into some ridiculously cold water.

Some of the very best parts have been the people I’ve met and collaborated with along the way Mind and Mountain Psychology Psychology, Natalie Savage-Evans OK Positive Julia | Menopause Lifestyle Coach Willingness Team SuperCharger Ventures all bloody brilliant humans who have all added something to the way I think and work.

And now I find myself thinking about the next chapter.

I’m not particularly interested in slowing down. But I am less interested in being busy for the sake of being busy.

I want to use what I’ve learned.

More conversations. More collaboration. More consultancy. More workshops and speaking. Continuing the clinical work I love, particularly with women navigating those big messy life transitions.

And perhaps finally giving a bit more space to my own voice.

🎙️ Midlife, Out Loud is coming.

✍️ And yes… it really is time I wrote the bloody book.

I’ve spent a career helping other people find their voice and work out what matters to them.

Maybe this chapter is partly about taking some of my own advice.

And I’d love more collaboration in it. If our worlds overlap and you’ve ever thought “we should do something together” perhaps we should.

Here’s to seeing where it goes. ❤️

18/08/2026

The routine’s back. The lunchboxes are packed, the school run is done, and now it’s your turn.

Join us at Loch Achilty this Thursday at 9:30am for our community wild swim. No wetsuit required, no experience needed just you, the water, and a group of people who get it.
New faces always welcome.

Loch Achilty Thursdays, 9:30am

Meet us, the Helens, at the picnic area on the west side of Loch Achilty. Turn off the A835 opposite the Achilty Guest House and drive all the way along the loch side to the far end where there is a sign for parking on...

17/08/2026

Life editing.

I heard this phrase on Woman’s Hour and it stopped me in my tracks.

The idea that women might edit parts of their lives including their children, relationships, caring responsibilities, vulnerability, ambition, even aspects of their personality to succeed professionally.

It really made my toes curl.

Not because I don’t understand why women do it.

I do.

But because it makes me sad that we can feel we have to.

Where did we learn which parts of ourselves are acceptable to bring into the room and which parts need to stay hidden?

And what does it cost us when we continually edit ourselves to fit the life or career we’ve chosen?

I’m really interested in this.

Have you ever edited a part of yourself or your life because you thought it would help your career?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

🎧 This was the Woman’s Hour conversation that prompted the thought — and I think it’s well worth a listen:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030118

10/08/2026

Here’s what I’ve learned, in the room with clients and in my own life. A nervous system that runs at emergency speed will keep running that way until something interrupts it on purpose. It doesn’t downshift by itself, however capable you are.

The work isn’t switching off overnight. It’s noticing you’re revved up, then choosing one small thing that isn’t urgent. Slowly, that starts to count for more than the list does.

DM me STUCK if you want to learn the way I actually practice this.

09/08/2026

Something I’ve learned from decades of being a therapist.

It has absolutely nothing to do with therapy.

Time off that’s got nothing to do with the work is what makes me better at it. Not researching it. Not thinking about it. Actually off - not always easy to do. I used to think rest had to earn its place. Fit round everything else, only happen once the list was done. It never worked. The list is never done.

Shifting gear properly, actually stepping out of work mode, isn’t indulgent. It’s what stops the tank running empty in the first place.

Nobody warned me self care would involve this much topiary though(now that’s a cool job).

If you want to know how to actually shift gear, not just talk about it, message me or let’s chat.

05/08/2026

A conversation happening in Every Day ACT.
Nice is something we do.
Kind is something we are.
Nice can mean staying quiet to keep the peace. Kind doesn’t need us to disappear.
What do you think? If you want to join the conversation DM me.

05/08/2026

The school holidays are almost over take a little time for yourself. 🏊‍♀️💙
Come and join us at our weekly community dip, every Thursday at 9:30am.
Healthscape Highlands — a safe, fun and genuinely welcoming space. Whether you’re a first timer or a regular, you’ll find your people here. Bring a cuppa 🫶🏼

Meet us, the Helens, at the picnic area on the west side of Loch Achilty. Turn off the A835 opposite the Achilty Guest House and drive all the way along the loch side to the far end where there is a sign for parking on...