The Empathic Therapist

The Empathic Therapist Person-centred counsellor in Stirling, offering in-person and online counselling internationally. BACP registered.

Compassionate, professional support for grief, loss, emotional wellbeing, and life changes.

Grief can feel unpredictable, even years later.One small moment can bring everything back to the surface.Affirmation of ...
12/06/2026

Grief can feel unpredictable, even years later.

One small moment can bring everything back to the surface.

Affirmation of the day:

“I allow myself to feel what comes, without judgement.”

One of the questions I hear most often around grief is:“Is it too soon to come to counselling?”After losing someone, peo...
09/06/2026

One of the questions I hear most often around grief is:

“Is it too soon to come to counselling?”

After losing someone, people can feel unsure about whether they should wait, try to cope alone for longer, or hold everything together until life feels a bit more manageable.

Grief doesn’t really work to a timeline.

Sometimes people reach out soon after a bereavement. Others carry their grief for years before finally allowing themselves support. There is no right way.

I’ve written a new blog about grief counselling, the idea of “waiting until you’re ready”, and why there is no perfect time to ask for help.

You can read the blog here: https://theempathictherapist.co.uk/2026/06/08/grief-counselling-how-soon-is-too-soon/

I offer grief counselling in Stirling, as well as online support across the UK and internationally.

Affirmation of the day:

“I allow myself support in the moments I need it most.”

"I'm sorry for crying"I hear this sentence at least once a day. My response is always: never apologise. For me, it's a p...
15/05/2026

"I'm sorry for crying"

I hear this sentence at least once a day. My response is always: never apologise. For me, it's a privilege that a client feels safe enough to be vulnerable.

There are occasions when I have been moved to tears in a session, and what do I do? I apologise. Because I am the therapist, and I am there for them.

But I am human.

For me, crying is such an important release, and it helps my mental health. I'm a typical Pisces and can easily cry over the slightest of things. Yesterday, it was watching bunnies hopping around in a field full of cows. Seriously. From silent tears to sobs, I have experienced it all.

Research has shown that crying releases oxytocin and endorphins, helping to ease both physical and emotional pain.

Many people associate crying with weakness, when it can actually be a sign of healing. The important thing to remember is to allow yourself to cry if you feel like you need to. Make sure to take the time and find a safe space.

Without shame, without judgement, and never feeling the need to apologise.

Affirmation of the day:
"I honour my emotions with compassion and care."

Not everything someone is carrying is visible on the surface.Someone can be smiling, working, socialising, helping other...
14/05/2026

Not everything someone is carrying is visible on the surface.

Someone can be smiling, working, socialising, helping others, and still be struggling underneath it all. We rarely know the full story of what another person may be carrying inside. We lead such busy lives that while we may mean to reach out to those who have gone quiet, our own stuff can often get in the way.

Mental Health Awareness Week is the perfect opportunity to stop for a moment and send that long overdue text or make the call. To the person who is struggling with poor mental health, you may be their life jacket. The smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference.

Affirmation of the day:
“I meet myself and others with compassion, and understanding.”

Today’s date in my wellbeing calendar by spoke about the inner child, and it struck a chord. It couldn't be more apt, a...
29/04/2026

Today’s date in my wellbeing calendar by spoke about the inner child, and it struck a chord. It couldn't be more apt, as I was just talking last night about the childhood experiences that carried me through to adulthood.

With clients, I often talk about what we would say to our younger selves, and the power of allowing them to be heard.

Inner child work can help us understand the parts of ourselves that learned to stay quiet, become responsible too early, seek approval, or long to feel safe, seen and accepted.

It’s something I can incorporate within my counselling work, and also something I connect with through my own lived experience. By doing inner child work, it has played a big part in helping me to heal.

Looking at the photo of me, at a time when I was unaware of what was just around the corner, I felt happy and carefree. Something that all children deserve to feel.

Healing doesn’t erase the past, but it can help us to understand how we have evolved into the people that we are today.

Affirmation of the day:
“I honour the younger parts of myself with compassion and love.”

All of us will experience grief at some point in our lives, because we all experience loss.But grief isn’t only about be...
12/04/2026

All of us will experience grief at some point in our lives, because we all experience loss.

But grief isn’t only about bereavement, even though that’s often how it’s understood. It can show up in so many different ways.

A relationship ending.
A friendship changing.
Life not turning out the way you thought it would.
Family dynamics that feel difficult.

The list really could go on.

And just like with a physical death, these losses matter. They deserve to be felt, acknowledged, and grieved.

Sometimes the hardest part is recognising it for what it is.

Grief doesn’t always arrive in obvious ways. It can feel quiet, confusing, and easy to overlook.

I’ve written a blog about this — how grief can show up, and how you might begin to make sense of it.

If this resonates, you can read more here — https://theempathictherapist.co.uk/2026/04/08/understanding-grief-a-gentle-guide/

Hope you have a peaceful Sunday 🤍

Affirmation of the day:
“I allow myself to feel and honour my grief, in my own way and in my own time.”

Springtime crochet… what a thing!I had to post birthday cards for my brother and came across this wonderful scene in the...
10/04/2026

Springtime crochet… what a thing!

I had to post birthday cards for my brother and came across this wonderful scene in the next village.

Some of you may be aware of my newly appreciative outlook on all things crochet — it seems to have followed me around since last summer. I’ve found it in the most unusual places (the tree-hugging spot in Turkey is up there!), and it was a welcome surprise yesterday.

I often think about signs, and how being open to them can bring comfort. White feathers, rainbows, a robin in your garden… and for me, crochet.

It is said that these signs show that a loved one is near. And on days when you might be missing them and need it the most, what a comfort it is.

One of my favourite poems by my beautiful friend , is Feathers 💛💛

Affirmation of the day:
“I am open to the quiet signs of love around me.”

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Stirling

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