KJ Counselling Services

28/05/2026

This week Carl Rogers and his Jammie Dodgers went to Beamish.

As they wandered through the old streets, vintage shops, and historic homes, Carl reflected on how much of our past we carry with us every day.

After a slightly nervous trip down the helter skelter, Carl also noted how life can sometimes feel full of twists, turns, unexpected bumps, and moments where we’re not entirely sure what’s coming next.

Counselling isn’t about pretending the past never happened. It’s about understanding our story with compassion, kindness, and curiosity — and recognising that our experiences have shaped us, but don’t have to define us.

The old trams at Beamish still move forward while carrying history with them. People are a bit like that too. ❤️

(The Jammie Dodgers mostly carried chips, fudge, and a slight emotional attachment to the bakery… but the principle still stands.)

22/05/2026

⚽️🤍❤️ The Adventures of Carl Rogers and His Jammie Dodgers ❤️🤍⚽️

This week, Carl swapped the counselling room for the stands at Hill Dickinson Stadium!

Armed with his trusty Jammie Dodgers, a scarf, and a voice ready for singing, Carl headed off for a very important piece of self-care… FOOTBALL. 🍪🎶⚽️

Because self-care isn’t always bubble baths and early nights. Sometimes self-care looks like:

❤️ Singing your heart out with thousands of fellow supporters
🤍 Meeting up with your supporters branch friends
❤️ Letting out all the week’s emotions through cheers (and the occasional frustrated groan at the referee 👀)
🤍 Having a hobby that helps you switch off from life’s stresses
❤️ Feeling part of something bigger than yourself
🤍 Finding belonging, identity, and connection in your community

And no matter what football team you support, the feelings are often the same — hope, passion, nerves, joy, frustration, loyalty, and togetherness. Football has a unique way of bringing people together and reminding us we all need connection and belonging. ❤️🤍⚽️

Carl knows that being a football supporter is about far more than the match itself. It’s ritual, connection, emotional release, routine, joy, hope, and shared experience.

One minute he’s chanting from the stands… the next he’s analysing the game over a Jammie Dodger like it’s a therapy session:
“Tell me about your relationship with defending corners…” 😂🍪

And this week also gave Carl a moment to reflect on kindness, community, and the way football brings people together as supporters remembered Bradley Lowery on his birthday. ❤️🤍
A reminder that football clubs are often about far more than results….they carry memories, compassion, togetherness, and hope.

This week’s reminder from Carl:
✨ Self-care is personal.
✨ Hobbies matter.
✨ Connection matters.
✨ Joy matters.

Whatever your “football” is…..protect time for it.

❤️🤍

22/05/2026

As counsellors, we’re required by the BACP to complete at least 30 hours of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) each year to help us practise safely, ethically, and effectively. CPD can include things like training, webinars, reading, peer support, and professional learning.

Monday to Thursday I’m usually busy seeing clients, while Fridays are my time for paperwork, training as a couples counsellor, and continuing my own professional development.

Today I attended a really interesting webinar on the Penny Model. I found it so informative and insightful that I’ve already bought the book so I can continue learning more about it.

I really value opportunities to keep learning and growing so I can continue offering the best possible support to my clients.

I definitely geek out over counselling-related learning and training 🤓 What’s something you love learning about or could happily geek out over for hours?

19/05/2026

Receiving feedback like this from clients feels so heart warming 🤍

One of the things I love most about my work is being part of someone’s journey.

Every client’s path is different, and the progress they make comes from the courage and hard work they put in along the way.

It’s always lovely to see someone leave counselling feeling stronger, lighter, and more like themselves again. Supporting people towards their end goal….whatever that looks like for them….is such a privilege.

15/05/2026

Look who popped in to see me today…
Carl Rogers and his Jammie Dodgers ❤️

For those who don’t know, Carl Rogers was the father of humanistic therapy….a man who believed that people grow best when they feel truly heard, accepted, and understood.

He’s always been one of my heroes because his work reminds us that empathy, kindness, and genuine human connection can be life changing. No fixing. No judging. Just being alongside someone as they find their way.

And why does Carl love Jammie Dodgers so much?
Well… he says they’re the biscuit with a heart ❤️

A little sweet, a little comforting, and best shared with others….much like the warmth and acceptance he believed every person deserves.

So begins the weekly adventures of Carl Rogers and his Jammie Dodgers ❤️

There’ll be self-care moments, little reflections, tiny adventures…and probably a few cheeky antics along the way.

Carl can be a little mischievous at times, so keep an eye on my page to follow his adventures and see what he gets up to next 👀

14/05/2026

A little bit about humanistic therapy and how it can help

What is humanistic therapy❓

Find out here 👉 https://orlo.uk/Xuwxy

14/05/2026

Talking about mental health isn’t always easy, but please remember — you are never alone. 💚

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and we want to highlight some important support services that may help you or someone you care about.

Your feelings matter, and support is always available.

If you need urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and select option 2 to speak to trained mental health professionals, 24 hours a day. They can listen, offer advice, and help connect you with the right local services — whether you need emotional support, self-care guidance, or crisis help.

Additional support services 👇

💚 Samaritans – 116 123
💚 Text SHOUT to 85258
💚 Mind – 0845 766 0163
💚 If you’re under 25, contact The Mix – 0808 808 4994
💚 Andys Man Club
💚 Space North East
💚 NHS Mental Health Support – www.nhs.uk/mental-health

If you or someone else is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical help, call 999.

02/05/2026

I really resonate with this.

From my own experience, some of the lesser-known traits of dyslexia include challenges with short-term memory and tone….things that can feel frustrating in everyday life.

During my counselling training, I once asked my tutor, “What if I don’t remember what my client shares?”
She reassured me by saying, “Karen, you’ll be fine. You will remember, because you’ll be fully present and connecting through empathy.”

That has proven to be so true.

While I might forget everyday things, like why I walked upstairs or what I need from the shop, when I’m sitting with a client, my focus is entirely on them. I become deeply present, listening not just to words, but to the feelings and meaning behind them.

Clients often tell me they feel truly heard, understood, and supported, and that’s at the heart of the work I do.

If you’re looking for a space where you can talk openly and feel genuinely listened to, I’m here to support you.

29/04/2026

Sometimes self-care looks like hugging the world’s biggest Christmas tree…which is exactly what this is…in Cragside House gardens.

In my work as a counsellor, I often talk about the importance of grounding….bringing ourselves back into the present moment, when life feels overwhelming. Nature can be a powerful way to do this. Slowing down, noticing what’s around us, and reconnecting with our senses can gently support our emotional wellbeing.

Christmas trees have always held a special meaning for me, and spending time outdoors is one of the ways I practise what I share with others.

What helps you feel grounded and present when things feel a bit too much?

28/04/2026

“Life is like a box of chocolates… you never know what you’re going to get.” — Forrest Gump

Life can feel unpredictable. Some days bring joy and happiness, while others can feel heavy, confusing, or simply too much to carry alone.

We can’t always choose what life hands us …. but we can choose how we respond, and who we reach out to along the way.

If you’ve been dealt something difficult, counselling offers a safe, supportive space to make sense of it, find your footing again, and move forward at your own pace.

You don’t have to navigate it on your own.

I offer a free 50-minute initial assessment if you’d like to explore how counselling could support you. Feel free to get in touch, these can be carried out face to face, online, or over the phone.

🧠