Vicki Louise Therapy

17/06/2026

Boundaries aren’t walls they’re bridges to healthier relationships.

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear in therapy is that setting boundaries is selfish. In reality, boundaries are a way of communicating what we need in order to feel safe, respected, and emotionally well.

So, what are boundaries?
They are the limits we set around our time, energy, emotions, and relationships. They help us define what we’re comfortable with and what we’re not, allowing us to show up authentically rather than from a place of resentment or exhaustion.

Why do so many people struggle with boundaries?
For many, it starts early. You may have learned that keeping others happy was more important than meeting your own needs. Perhaps saying “no” led to guilt, conflict, or rejection. People-pleasing, fear of disappointing others, low self-worth, or growing up in environments where boundaries weren’t respected can all make it difficult to understand and implement boundaries.

The result? Feeling overwhelmed, taken for granted, emotionally drained, or disconnected from yourself.

How can therapy help?
Therapy offers a space to explore your relationship with boundaries without judgment. Together, we can identify the beliefs that make boundaries feel uncomfortable, understand where those patterns developed, and practise new ways of communicating your needs with confidence and compassion.

Healthy boundaries don’t push people away they create relationships built on mutual respect, trust, and honesty.

Remember: Every time you honour your own limits, you’re teaching others how to treat you and reinforcing the message that your needs matter too.

29/05/2026

A good read for anyone who may not always realise the impact their questions can have on others, and who is interested in approaching conversations with greater understanding.

Unfortunately as a society we've placed alcohol on a pedestal, putting it in the spotlight of our lives. Whether it's unwinding from work, celebrating life's big moments or just for the sake of the sun being out. It's no surprise either with the sheer amount of alcohol marketing we are faced with in our day to day lives when we're watching TV, on our phone or just waiting for the bus!

By sober shaming others, we’re upholding society’s view that drinking alcohol is normal and not drinking is not. It’s in everybody’s interest to break down this view so we can all make our own choices about alcohol, free from any judgement.

Find out more about sober shaming and how we can stop it👇
https://alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/stopsobershaming

17/05/2026

As Mental Health Awareness Week draws to a close, I hope everyone has taken some time for themselves and reached out for support where needed.

This week, I’ve been fortunate enough to take part in an amazing wellbeing day, spend quality time with my children, and enjoy some much needed self-care with a facial and massage. This week is always a reminder for me that we can only truly help and care for others when we are taking care of ourselves. Life is busy and we can not pour from an empty cup. 🥰

Please remember to be kind to yourself every day not just during Mental Health Awareness Week. And most importantly never be afraid to reach out for support when you need it. 💚

10/05/2026

Mental Health Awareness Week starts tomorrow, and I want to gently remind you of something many people forget:

You do not have to earn rest.
You do not have to wait until burnout to ask for support.
You do not have to carry everything alone.

This week isn’t about having all the answers or pretending everything is okay. It’s about slowing down enough to check in with yourself, with the people around you, and with the communities we’re all part of. It’s about recognising that care matters, connection matters, and none of us are meant to do life entirely on our own.

Mental health isn’t just about crisis it’s about the everyday moments too. The pressure you hide behind a smile. The exhaustion you explain away. The anxiety that keeps your mind racing at 2am. The feeling of being overwhelmed while still trying to hold it all together.

Check in with yourself.
Check in with someone you care about.
Take the break.
Set the boundary.
Book the appointment.
Say the thing you’ve been holding in.

Sometimes the smallest acts of care can make the biggest difference both for ourselves and for someone else.

Healing rarely happens all at once. It happens in small consistent moments of compassion, honesty, and support.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, remember: taking care of yourself is important, looking out for others is powerful, and creating a kinder, more supportive world benefits all of us.

04/05/2026

Recently, I have been working with a growing number of clients who are struggling with suicidal ideation. I am noticing this especially among men of all ages, although it is by no means limited to them.

There isn’t one single cause for this. For many it’s a combination of pressures quietly building over time such as financial stress, relationship challenges, loneliness, a lack of purpose, or the feeling that they have to “hold it all together” without asking for help. A lot of men in particular have been conditioned to suppress emotion which can leave them feeling isolated even when they’re surrounded by people.

We are also living in a time where connection is often replaced with comparison. Social media can make people feel like they’re falling behind while real, meaningful conversations become less frequent. Add in burnout, poor sleep, and disconnection from the body, and it is not surprising that many are feeling overwhelmed.

While everyone’s situation is unique, there are some small but powerful foundations that can help:

• Movement – Regular exercise even a daily walk can shift mood, reduce stress, and reconnect you with your body.

• Nutrition – What we eat directly affects how we feel. Stable blood sugar, whole foods, and proper hydration matter more than we think.

• Connection – Honest conversations with someone you trust can make a huge difference. You don’t have to carry everything alone.

• Routine & purpose – Having some structure and a sense of direction even small goals can help.

• Rest – Sleep and downtime are not luxuries they’re essential for mental health.

• Avoiding alcohol & drugs – These can feel like a short-term escape, but they often lower mood, increase anxiety, and make difficult thoughts feel more intense over time.

If you think someone is struggling ask them directly if they are thinking about taking their own life. This does not increase the risk or “put the idea in their head”; in fact, research and clinical practice consistently show the opposite. Open, direct questions can reduce isolation, signal that it is safe to talk honestly, and help the person feel seen rather than judged. Avoiding the topic often reinforces stigma and can leave individuals feeling more alone with their thoughts. When approached calmly and without assumptions, asking about suicidal feelings creates an opportunity to assess risk, offer support, and connect the person with appropriate help.

Most importantly, if you are struggling please do not do so in silence. Reaching out is not weakness it is strength.

If this resonates with you or someone you know, check in. A simple message or conversation can go further than you realise.

21/04/2026

Loving someone who struggles with addiction can feel exhausting, confusing, heartbreaking, and so much more.

Addiction doesn’t only affect the person in addiction it deeply impacts partners, children, parents, siblings, and close friends. Many loved ones find themselves caught in a cycle of:

• Constant worry and anxiety.
• Walking on eggshells.
• Financial strain.
• Broken trust and repeated disappointment.
• Taking on the role of “rescuer” or “fixer”.
• Neglecting their own needs.

Over time, this can lead to emotional burnout, resentment, sleep difficulties, low mood, and feeling isolated from others. You might question yourself or you may feel guilt for setting boundaries. You might feel responsible for keeping everything together even when it feels impossible and like you are breaking into a million pieces.

It is helpful and necessary to take care of yourself. Seeking therapy as a loved one is not selfish it is protective and can help with:

• Rebuild healthy boundaries.
• Understand codependency patterns.
• Process anger, grief, fear, and sadness.
• Regain clarity and confidence.
• Learn how to support without enabling.

If you are loving someone through addiction and feeling overwhelmed, please know you are not alone. There is space for your pain, your confusion, and your hope.