Emotional Respite - Disability Counselling Service

Emotional Respite - Disability Counselling Service Disability-led Online Mental Health Service offering therapy across the UK. She has created a team of therapists with lived experience of disability.

Emotional Respite is a counselling service providing professional support to individuals with physical disabilities, their families and carers. It offers those affected by physical disabilities a unique opportunity to work with a physically disabled counsellor. Helen Rutherford has been a counsellor for over 14 years and has spinal muscular atrophy and uses an electric wheelchair. Her personal and

professional experience gives her a deep understanding of the diversity of disability issues. Helen is aware of the challenges faced by people affected by physical disabilities and how this can impact on them emotionally. Sessions are conducted online. Sessions are £45 an hour but concessions are available for low incomes

What will the future hold? • Uncertain timeline• Unknown outcomesLiving with a disability, chronic illness, or a new dia...
30/07/2026

What will the future hold?

• Uncertain timeline
• Unknown outcomes

Living with a disability, chronic illness, or a new diagnosis often means living with uncertainty.

Not knowing what tomorrow, next month, or next year will look like can feel overwhelming.

Your mind may race with questions...

"Will I get worse?"
"Will I still be able to work?"
"Will I lose more independence?"
"How will this affect my future?"

These thoughts are completely understandable.

While you can't always control what's ahead, you can control how you care for yourself today.

Focus on what is within your control:
• Looking after your health
• Asking for support
• Taking one day at a time
• Celebrating small wins

You don't need to have your whole future figured out.

It's okay to grieve the uncertainty while still finding moments of hope, purpose, and joy along the way.

The future may be uncertain...

But you don't have to face it all at once.

Take today as it comes, be kind to yourself, and remember: you are stronger than you realise. 💙

Save this post for the days when uncertainty feels heavy.

emotionalrespite.co.uk

Disability is Diverse. So is Mental Health. 💙🌈 💜No two disabled people have the same experience.Even people with the sam...
23/07/2026

Disability is Diverse. So is Mental Health. 💙🌈 💜

No two disabled people have the same experience.

Even people with the same diagnosis can face very different challenges, strengths, needs and ways of navigating the world. Disability isn't one-size-fits-all, and neither is mental health.

For some, living with a disability may bring feelings of grief, anxiety or frustration. For others, it may be an important part of their identity and community. Many people experience both at different times.

What often has the greatest impact on mental health isn't the disability itself—it's the barriers people face. Inaccessible environments, discrimination, stigma, financial pressures and feeling misunderstood can all take a significant emotional toll.

This Disability Pride Month, let's remember:
💙 Every person's experience is valid.
💙 Avoid making assumptions based on a diagnosis.
💙 Listen to lived experiences.
💙 Create spaces where disabled people feel seen, heard and supported.

Because disability is diverse, and every story deserves respect.

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

Healthy coping skills look different for everyone, and that's okay. 💙ID: A simple infographic titled "Healthy Coping Ski...
20/07/2026

Healthy coping skills look different for everyone, and that's okay. 💙

ID: A simple infographic titled "Healthy Coping Skills for Disabled Individuals." It features six illustrations showing healthy coping strategies: practicing deep breathing, listening to enjoyable music, engaging in hobbies, staying connected with supportive people, taking breaks and resting, and focusing on what you can control.

Small, consistent steps can make a big difference:

🌿 Take slow, deep breaths
🎵 Listen to music you enjoy
🎨 Do a hobby you love
💬 Stay connected with supportive people
🛌 Rest when you need it
🌟 Focus on what you can control

You deserve kindness, patience, and support. One step at a time. 💙

emotionalrespite.co.uk

✨️Disability Doesn’t Cause Poor Mental, but Barriers Can✨️Disability Pride Month reminds us that disabled people don't e...
16/07/2026

✨️Disability Doesn’t Cause Poor Mental, but Barriers Can✨️

Disability Pride Month reminds us that disabled people don't experience worse mental health because they're disabled.

We can experience poorer mental health because of barriers like:
• Ableism
• Inaccessible environments
• Social isolation
• Healthcare discrimination
• Financial inequality
• Constant pressure to adapt to a world that wasn't built for us.

Mental health isn't separate from disability, it's deeply connected to how society treats disabled people.

Creating accessible communities isn't just about ramps and captions.

It's about protecting mental health too.

💙 This Disability Pride Month, let's focus on removing barriers and promoting accessibility.

📊 Research consistently shows disabled people report significantly higher anxiety and lower wellbeing than non-disabled people.

Living with inaccessible systems, discrimination, stigma and uncertainty takes a psychological toll.

Mental health support for disabled people should be:
✔ Accessible
✔ Affordable
✔ Trauma-informed
✔ Disability-inclusive

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

The Impact of Ableism on Mental HealthAbleism isn't always obvious.Sometimes it's:"You don't seem disabled.""Everyone ge...
10/07/2026

The Impact of Ableism on Mental Health

Ableism isn't always obvious.
Sometimes it's:

"You don't seem disabled."
"Everyone gets tired."
"Have you tried yoga?"
"You just need a positive mindset."

Small comments can create years of self-doubt.

When disabled people constantly have their experiences questioned, it affects confidence, self-esteem and mental wellbeing.

Listening.
Believing.
Accommodating.

These are mental health interventions too.

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

🌈 **Disability Pride Month | July 2026**This month, we celebrate the strength, diversity, and leadership of disabled peo...
02/07/2026

🌈 **Disability Pride Month | July 2026**

This month, we celebrate the strength, diversity, and leadership of disabled people and communities.

Disability is an important part of identity, culture, and pride. Every disabled voice matters, and every person deserves to be seen, heard, and included.

At Emotional Respite, we're proud to be a disability-led online mental health service, creating a space where disabled people can access counselling that is grounded in understanding, respect, and lived experience.

💚 Happy Disability Pride Month!

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

How does living with a neuromuscular condition affect your emotional wellbeing?Join us for an insightful talk from our f...
30/06/2026

How does living with a neuromuscular condition affect your emotional wellbeing?

Join us
for an insightful talk from our founder Helen Rutherford MBACP, Accred. Helen brings both professional expertise and lived experience of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2.

Helen will explore the psychological impact of living with a long-term condition and share practical strategies for managing wellbeing, building resilience, and adapting to change.

Book your place today.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/musculardystrophysupportcentre/2228698

"Like a flower in the desert I had to growin the cruelest weather, holding on to every drop of rain just to stay alive. ...
25/06/2026

"Like a flower in the desert I had to grow
in the cruelest weather, holding on to every drop of rain just to stay alive. But it's not enough to survive, I want to bloom beneath the blazing sun, and show you all of the colors that live inside of me. I want you to see what I can become."
Christy Ann Martine

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

Self-care can look like sunscreen and silence. It’s not always bubble baths and candles. Sometimes it’s protecting your ...
24/06/2026

Self-care can look like sunscreen and silence.

It’s not always bubble baths and candles. Sometimes it’s protecting your peace, setting boundaries, and saying no without guilt.

☀️ Sunscreen: because you're worthy of protection, even from the things you can't see.

🤍 Silence: because rest is a right, not a reward.

Let yourself slow down. Choose quiet over chaos. You're not avoiding life. You’re honouring yourself. 🌿

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

Loneliness isn't always about being alone.For many disabled people, loneliness can come from inaccessible spaces, being ...
16/06/2026

Loneliness isn't always about being alone.

For many disabled people, loneliness can come from inaccessible spaces, being left out of plans, feeling misunderstood, or facing barriers that make connection harder to reach.

During Loneliness Awareness Week, we want to shine a light on an experience that often goes unseen.

A simple message. An invitation. A conversation. Taking accessibility into account. These small acts can make a huge difference.

We are more than our disabilities. We are friends, colleagues, neighbours, family members, and members of our communities. We all deserve to feel seen, valued, and included.

This week, let's challenge assumptions, create more accessible spaces, and make room for everyone at the table.

Because connection changes everything. 💜

emotionalrespite.co.uk
Appointments Available!

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Newcastle Upon Tyne

Opening Hours

Monday 1pm - 8pm
Tuesday 1pm - 8pm
Wednesday 1pm - 8pm
Thursday 1pm - 8pm
Friday 1pm - 8pm

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