Broads Therapy

03/06/2026

Together, the three elements of self-compassion - mindfulness, common humanity, and kindness - become a source of resilience, a way to hold our suffering with warmth without becoming overwhelmed.

31/05/2026

Creative therapy can support you to express what words cannot.

Here’s some FAQs that I often get asked:

Q: I’m not artistic, I can only draw stick men, is this for me?
A: Absolutely, this isn’t about creating great pieces of artwork, in fact that can often get in the way! Drawing or painting can tell us much, the colours we use, the lightness of touch, the images we create, all from our subconscious mind which can help create an emotional map

Q: Is it all drawing?
A: Not at all, sometimes we will work with figures or images both actual (my room is full of miniatures!) or imagined (metaphors or analogies). These images help us to make sense of our experience and help us put into context how we relate to people and situations

Q Do I have to do it? Will we do something creative every session?
A: Creative therapy is not for everyone and I use it in my practice if it feels relevant, and only if you want to. Often it can help us integrate our thinking and our feeling which is the main reason to work creatively and at the same time, it’s only part of my approach. My main focus is always the therapeutic relationship as research shows this is the main driver for change in therapy

Q: Are you trained to work creatively?
A: I have been trained in all the techniques I use, both from my original training and much of my continuing professional development is based in creative techniques. Whilst I am not an Art Therapist (this is a protected title) it’s important to me to only use creative methods that I have learnt from experts in the field.

Up next for me is attending ‘working creatively with anger’ in a couple of weeks’ time. Anger is often an emotional which can be seen negatively or as destructive and yet it can be galvanising and motivating. Instead of suppressing, anger which can lead to us turning in on ourselves or anger bursting out of us at unexpected moments (think the chest burster in Alien) being able to express our rage, frustration, irritation (and any other ways we can describe anger) can feel like a relief and loosen it’s unconscious grip on us.


www.broadstherapy.co.uk

25/05/2026

Theres a reason I’ve called my practice www.broadstherapy.co.uk

Holding space for my clients, ensuring I’m present, grounded and connected is a large part of my day to day life.

This week I have some time off, and for me, the best way to recharge is to be near water.

Yesterday I went to my favourite wild swimming spot to immerse myself quite literally in nature! Whilst in the water I saw kingfishers, oystercatchers, swans and geese and felt grateful to be a part of all nature has to offer, in the still and the calm I could soothe my nervous system and recharge.

What do you do to reset, recharge and support your nervous system to slow down?

19/05/2026

What a lovely way to connect with nature

Discover the power of Forest Bathing at Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse.

Forest bathing, translated from the Japanese 'Shinrin-Yoku', is a wellbeing practice for everybody – a mindful stroll that encourages us to tune into our senses, slow down and notice nature around us. Improve your mood, relax and reduce stress!

Upcoming dates:
🌳 Spring Fling - Monday, 25th May
🌳 Father’s Day - Sunday, 21st June
🌳 Summer Holiday - Saturday, 18th July
🌳 Barnyard Bash - Wednesday, 5th August
🌳 Summer Holiday - Tuesday, 18th August
🌳 Heritage Open Day - Sunday, 13th September (free entry)
🌳 Apple Day - Sunday, 4th October

Email [email protected] for more information.

12/05/2026

It's mental health awareness week this week! 🙌

A great opportunity to talk about the importance of taking care of our mental wellbeing. Pets, and most importantly cats, are a great way of looking after your mental health. The relationship between cat and human can have mutually beneficial effects on mental health.

So, let's take a moment to appreciate the positive impact that our furry friends can have on our mental wellbeing and make a conscious effort to prioritize our mental health this week! 🐱💕

07/05/2026

I repotted this aloe plant at the weekend, it was red and droopy and I realised the conditions it was growing in were not supporting its growth.
The sunny spot I’d chosen was too much and it needed room to grow in a different pot. I thought I knew what it needed but I needed to listen to it fully to realise things can get a little too heated at times.
I’ve changed its environment and it’s coming back to health, I didn’t blame the aloe or think it wasn’t good enough, I just listened and changed its environment.
When we come to counselling we can start to assess what works for us and what doesn’t and from there make choices, we are the good enough plant who may need something different to thrive, whether it’s self compassion, (watering), risking being vulnerable in relationships (light) or finding challenge and meaning (re-potting)

04/05/2026

I’ve needed to change my therapy room slightly due to needing to change a wonky chair and it got me thinking about how it can also be a metaphor for the therapy process.

I’m not a fan of changing my room because the familiarity feels safe for my clients and I always let them know if things have changed so that the environment doesn’t feel ‘off’ without explanation.

Sometimes when we circle back to a topic we’ve covered before in counselling, many people feel that they’re “going backward” but actually you’re seeing things in a different light, a different perspective each time. Like the room, once we can know what has changed, we can feel more accepting of ourselves.

Sometimes we are also not ready to hear certain things, often there’s a perspective I’ll share or a useful resource and months later a client will come back and say… “oh this [insert programme/celebrity] was saying this was really good and now I understand, have you heard of it!?”

I recognise that when I mentioned it, it may have sown the seed or things have shifted since for them to apply it to their experience and I quietly nod and say, “yes I have, what did you take from it…”

01/05/2026

I got to do some very cool things today, and all because I have braved the share, crossed the cringe and let myself out, as I am.

I hope you get to do that too. If you need to. It’s when life feels truly beautiful 💛🙏🏻

01/05/2026

Therapy was the first time where I could be honestly, vulnerably, authentically – even pathetically – me. Where I didn't feel totally ashamed to be me. This is the power of the therapeutic relationship.

To find out more, listen to my podcast episode #6: ‘The Therapeutic Relationship’ at https://www.carolynspring.com/podcast/the-therapeutic-relationship/ where you can also find a full transcript.

Or search for 'Conversations with Carolyn Spring' on Audible, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

01/05/2026

I'm relieved to say that my life is very different now to when I wrote this blog. One of the main reasons is that I've been able to internalise some of the unconditional positive regard I received from therapists.

Read more in my blog post 'Help, I've got DID! Now what?!': https://www.carolynspring.com/blog/help-ive-got-did-now-what