MJO Wellbeing Services Ltd

MJO Wellbeing Services Ltd Counselling for adults, children, and young people. A calm, supportive space to explore what is going on underneath. Based in Cawdor, near Nairn.

In person and online. Your story is your story. Let’s figure things out together.

One of the things I appreciate about working with children is that they often tell us what is going on long before they ...
19/06/2026

One of the things I appreciate about working with children is that they often tell us what is going on long before they have the words to explain it.

Adults tend to communicate through conversation. Children often communicate through play, stories, drawings, imagination, and behaviour.

I've worked with children who seemed unable to talk about worries directly, yet those same worries appeared quite naturally through the games they played, the stories they created, or the characters they chose to become.

That's one of the reasons I value play when working with children and young people.

Play can create a safe distance from feelings that might otherwise feel too big, confusing, or uncomfortable to talk about. It allows children to explore experiences, relationships, fears, and hopes in a way that feels natural to them.

Over the years, working across education, children's wellbeing, youth justice, and counselling, I've learned that when we slow down enough to pay attention, children are often communicating far more than we first realise.

Sometimes a child doesn't need the perfect words.

Sometimes they need an adult who is willing to listen differently.

I use attachment-informed and play-based approaches to help children explore feelings, build emotional safety, and develop confidence in expressing themselves.

I offer counselling support for children, young people, and families in Cawdor and Nairn, with online sessions available across the UK.

If you're wondering whether counselling might help your child, I also offer a Free First Steps conversation where we can talk things through together.

Your story is your story.

Sometimes we just need a little space to begin figuring things out.

www.mjowellbeingservices.uk

Life changes can affect us in ways we do not always expect.When people think about difficult times, they often think abo...
18/06/2026

Life changes can affect us in ways we do not always expect.

When people think about difficult times, they often think about the obvious things. Bereavement. Relationship breakdowns. Health concerns. Losing a job.

What is sometimes overlooked is that even positive changes can leave us feeling unsettled.

Becoming a parent. Moving home. Starting a new job. Retiring. Watching children grow up and become more independent. Reaching a point in life that once felt a long way off.

Sometimes the challenge is not the event itself, but the adjustment that follows.

Many people come to counselling because they feel overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or simply unlike themselves. Others arrive because they know something doesn't feel quite right, even if they cannot yet put it into words.

Counselling is not about being told what to do.

It is about having the time and space to slow down and explore what is happening in your life. To make sense of your experiences, relationships, emotions, and patterns. To understand not only what is happening now, but how you arrived here.

Sometimes we become experts on coping before understanding what we're coping with.

Over the years, I've found that people often begin to feel a little lighter simply by having somewhere to think out loud without judgement. A place where they do not need to have the answers, hold everything together, or pretend they are coping better than they are.

I’m Mike Ogden of MJO Wellbeing Services Ltd. I offer counselling for adults in Cawdor and Nairn, as well as online across the UK.

If you'd like to learn more or arrange a Free First Steps conversation, visit:

www.mjowellbeingservices.uk

Your story is your story.

Sometimes we just need a little space to begin figuring things out.

Life changes can arrive quietly or all at once.Sometimes it’s moving home. Sometimes it’s starting a new school, becomin...
17/06/2026

Life changes can arrive quietly or all at once.

Sometimes it’s moving home. Sometimes it’s starting a new school, becoming a parent, the end of a relationship, a change in health, retirement, a bereavement, or simply finding yourself in a place you never expected to be.

From the outside, life may continue as normal. You still go to work, look after other people, and keep things moving. Underneath, though, things can feel unsettled.

Many people come to counselling because they know something has changed, but they struggle to put into words exactly what. They describe feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, anxious, stuck, lost, or unlike themselves.

The truth is that significant life changes often affect more than the practical parts of life. They can challenge our sense of identity, confidence, belonging, and certainty about the future.

Counselling is not about having all the answers.

It can be a space to slow down, make sense of what is happening, and explore what you need as you adjust to a new chapter of life.

Sometimes we become experts on coping before understanding what we’re coping with.

Together we can explore patterns, relationships, past experiences, and practical ways of managing the present while building confidence for the future.

If life feels a little unsteady right now, you do not need to carry that on your own.

I’m Mike, a counsellor based in the Highlands. I offer in-person counselling in Cawdor and Nairn, as well as online sessions across the UK.

To find out more or arrange a free First Steps conversation, visit:
https://www.mjowellbeingservices.uk

How have life’s changes affected you recently?

When children (or adults) act out, it’s often their way of saying they’re overwhelmed, not “being naughty.” I’ve spent 2...
16/06/2026

When children (or adults) act out, it’s often their way of saying they’re overwhelmed, not “being naughty.” I’ve spent 25+ years supporting families and what helps most is a calm, attachment-informed response: notice the need behind the behaviour, name the feeling, and offer steady, predictable presence. That simple shift can de-escalate moments and build trust over time. If you’d like practical, gentle strategies you can try today, I’m available for in-person support in Cawdor and Nairn, and online across the UK. Visit https://wix.to/qpX8B0s to learn more and book a session. How do you usually respond when someone you love feels overwhelmed?

Thinking about counselling for your family but unsure whether to come to Cawdor or try online sessions? I offer the same...
15/06/2026

Thinking about counselling for your family but unsure whether to come to Cawdor or try online sessions? I offer the same trauma‑informed, relationship‑focused approach in both formats, so continuity of care remains at the heart of our work together. In person, you’ll find a calm, private space for children, young people and adults. Online, sessions are private, flexible and easier to access for families across the Highlands and the rest of the UK — helpful if you’re balancing work, school runs or life changes. I’m Mike: I bring long experience and relevant qualifications to support you with anxiety, low mood, behaviour, relationships and transitions. If you’re curious, get in touch and we can talk through what would suit your family best. www.mjowellbeingservices.uk

One of the things I have always appreciated about children is that they often tell us what is going on long before they ...
12/06/2026

One of the things I have always appreciated about children is that they often tell us what is going on long before they have the words to explain it.

Parents will sometimes tell me they know something has changed, but they cannot quite put their finger on what it is.

A child might seem more emotional than usual.

Quieter.

More argumentative.

More clingy.

Less interested in things they usually enjoy.

Sometimes children struggle to say:

"I'm worried."

"I feel left out."

"I'm scared something bad might happen."

But they may show us in a hundred different ways.

Sometimes it comes through behaviour.

Sometimes through a drawing.

Sometimes through a story they create.

Sometimes through the way they play.

This is one of the reasons I value play, creativity, stories, and imagination when working with children and young people.

Play is often where children begin making sense of experiences, relationships, worries, and feelings. It can create a safe way of exploring things that might feel too big, confusing, or uncomfortable to put into words.

Over the years, working across education, pastoral support, youth justice, and counselling, I have learned that when we slow down enough to pay attention, children are often communicating far more than we first realise.

Sometimes the most important question is not:

"How do I stop this behaviour?"

But:

"What might this child be trying to tell me?"

I offer counselling support for children, young people, and families in Cawdor, near Nairn, with online sessions available across the UK.

If you're wondering whether counselling might help your child, I also offer a free initial chat to talk things through.

Your story is your story.

Let's figure things out together.

www.mjowellbeingservices.uk

You mention secondary school and they shrug.“It’ll be fine.”Then later that evening they ask whether the school is bigge...
11/06/2026

You mention secondary school and they shrug.

“It’ll be fine.”

Then later that evening they ask whether the school is bigger than they thought.

The next day they want to know if they’ll be in classes with their friends.

A few days later they’re talking excitedly about new subjects and being more independent.

Sometimes the questions come out directly.

Sometimes they come out sideways.

A shorter temper.

A bit more reassurance seeking.

A sudden interest in things they hadn’t seemed bothered about before.

Starting secondary school is a strange transition.

Young people are often being asked to hold two things at the same time:

“I’m excited.”

“I’m worried.”

Neither feeling cancels out the other.

Most young people carry a mixture of both, even if they don’t always have the words for it.

The truth is, nobody has secondary school completely figured out.

That’s why I’ve created Figuring Things Out… Starting Secondary School.

A four-week online group for P7 / Year 6 pupils preparing for the move to secondary school.

📅 Starts Monday 27th July 2026

🕐 1pm Group
🕒 3pm Group
🕕 6pm Group

💻 Online

👥 Small closed groups

💷 £60 for the full four-week programme

☎️ Free First Steps Call available for parents and carers

More information and booking:

www.mjowellbeingservices.uk

Sometimes the signs are small.You find yourself feeling on edge more days than not.Your patience feels shorter than it u...
11/06/2026

Sometimes the signs are small.

You find yourself feeling on edge more days than not.

Your patience feels shorter than it used to.

You are tired, but sleep does not leave you feeling rested.

Things you would normally enjoy feel harder to connect with.

Nothing dramatic has happened.

Yet somehow life feels heavier than it used to.

I think many people spend a long time convincing themselves they are "fine" because they are still getting through the day.

Going to work.

Looking after other people.

Keeping things moving.

From the outside, everything looks okay.

But carrying something quietly for a long time can be exhausting.

Counselling is not just for crisis.

Sometimes it is simply a space to pause, make sense of what has been building up, and understand what you might need.

I offer counselling support for adults, children, and young people in Cawdor, near Nairn, and online across the UK.

If you're unsure where to begin, I also offer a free initial chat to talk things through.

Your story is your story.

Let's figure things out together.

www.mjowellbeingservices.uk

One of the things I learned quite early on working with children and young people is that behaviour often makes more sen...
10/06/2026

One of the things I learned quite early on working with children and young people is that behaviour often makes more sense when we become curious about it.

When a child is struggling, it's easy to focus on what we can see. The argument. The tears. The refusal. The outburst. The withdrawal.

But behaviour is often the visible part of a much bigger story.

Sometimes a child isn't trying to be difficult.

Sometimes they're overwhelmed.

Sometimes they're anxious about something they don't quite have the words for.

Sometimes they're tired, embarrassed, worried about fitting in, or simply trying their best to hold things together underneath.

Parents often tell me they know something has changed, but they can't always put their finger on what.

And often, that feeling is worth paying attention to.

One of the questions I find helpful is not "How do I stop this behaviour?" but "What might this behaviour be trying to tell me?"

What happened for this child today?

What feeling might be sitting underneath this reaction?

What might help them feel safer, calmer, or more understood right now?

In my experience, it's rarely one big conversation or one perfect strategy that makes the difference.

More often, change happens through small moments repeated over time.

Feeling listened to.

Feeling understood.

Knowing what to expect.

Having adults who stay calm when things feel big.

Having places where emotions can be explored safely.

Sometimes having space to talk things through can help make sense of what may be going on underneath.

I offer counselling support for adults, children and young people in Cawdor, near Nairn, and online across the UK.

If you're worried about your child and unsure where to begin, I also offer a free initial chat to talk things through.

Your story is your story.

Let's figure things out together.

www.mjowellbeingservices.uk

Address

Cawdor
Nairn

Telephone

+447882800635

Website

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