The Journey Coaching and Therapies with Vicki Herrington-Sturman

The Journey Coaching and Therapies with Vicki Herrington-Sturman 'Thrive not Survive'
I'm a Therapeutic Coach, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Coach, Parent Coach, Hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL ANXIETY DOESN’T ALWAYS LOOK LIKE WORRYIt might look like:😡 Becoming angry over something seemingly small🤢...
15/09/2026

BACK-TO-SCHOOL ANXIETY DOESN’T ALWAYS LOOK LIKE WORRY

It might look like:

😡 Becoming angry over something seemingly small

🤢 Tummy aches, headaches or feeling sick

😴 Difficulty sleeping or not wanting to sleep alone

❓ Asking the same questions repeatedly

😢 Tearfulness or emotional outbursts

🤫 Becoming unusually quiet or withdrawn

🏫 Saying they don’t want to go to school

What looks like challenging behaviour may actually be a child communicating, ‘’This feels too much.”

As we move through September, try to remain curious about what might be underneath the behaviour.

You could say:

“I’ve noticed things feel difficult at the moment. You’re not in trouble, I’d like to understand.”

Children don’t need every worry immediately fixed. They need to feel heard, believed and supported while you work out the next step together.

If your child is struggling with school anxiety, transitions or attendance, early support can make a real difference.

🌿 The Journey Coaching & Therapies offers compassionate, non-judgemental support for children, teenagers, adults and families.

Beautiful, fresh morning walk with the fur baby to clear the mind ready for a busy morning or clients. Isn’t it lovely ...
12/09/2026

Beautiful, fresh morning walk with the fur baby to clear the mind ready for a busy morning or clients. Isn’t it lovely that everything is starting to look a bit greener….

Who said therapeutic sessions have to be all talking, or boring? 💙Last night’s session included a game of UNO, plenty of...
11/09/2026

Who said therapeutic sessions have to be all talking, or boring? 💙

Last night’s session included a game of UNO, plenty of laughter and some really meaningful moments along the way. Oh and yes I lost!

I believe in meeting each person exactly where they are. That means being flexible, taking their needs and interests into account, and creating a space where they can genuinely feel comfortable and at ease.

Sometimes sitting face-to-face and talking can feel overwhelming, especially for children and young people. Playing a familiar game or gentle activity can ease the pressure, build trust and allow conversations to unfold naturally.

Because when someone feels safe, accepted and understood, it becomes much easier to explore feelings and speak openly.

Therapeutic support doesn’t have to look a certain way. It simply needs to work for the person in front of me. 🌿

Vicki @ The Journey Coaching & Therapies
Thrive, Not Survive.

The Pressure to Get It Right…….New school year. New books. New expectations.For a perfectionist child or teenager, Septe...
11/09/2026

The Pressure to Get It Right…….

New school year. New books. New expectations.

For a perfectionist child or teenager, September can feel like pressure to get everything right from the very beginning.

They may spend too long on homework, become distressed by small errors, avoid trying something they might not master, or compare themselves constantly with others.

Remind them that learning requires uncertainty and mistakes. Praise effort, flexibility, courage and problem-solving, not only grades or flawless outcomes.

Try saying: “You don’t have to know it yet, that is why you are learning.”

Progress rarely travels in a straight line. A mistake is information, not proof that someone is not good enough.

&Therapies

ONE DIFFICULT WEEK DOESN’T MEAN IT WILL ALWAYS FEEL THIS HARD.Perhaps there were tears at the school gate.Maybe the clas...
11/09/2026

ONE DIFFICULT WEEK DOESN’T MEAN IT WILL ALWAYS FEEL THIS HARD.

Perhaps there were tears at the school gate.

Maybe the classroom felt noisy, friendships felt uncertain or getting through each day took more energy than anyone realised.

The first full week back is an adjustment, not a judgement.

This weekend, instead of asking, “Why didn’t it go better?”, try asking:

🌿 What felt hardest?
🌿 Was there one moment that felt okay?
🌿 What helped, even slightly?
🌿 Is there something an adult at school needs to know?
🌿 What could make next week feel more manageable?

We don’t have to solve the whole term tonight.

We can listen, learn and take the next small step together.

Thrive, Not Survive.


Was it………💚 A particular teacher?💚 Knowing what was going to happen that day?💚 A quiet place at breaktime?💚 Having one tr...
11/09/2026

Was it………

💚 A particular teacher?
💚 Knowing what was going to happen that day?
💚 A quiet place at breaktime?
💚 Having one trusted friend?
💚 Being greeted warmly at the classroom door?
💚 Knowing there was an adult who would listen?

Children learn best when they feel emotionally and physically safe.

Sometimes the things that make the greatest difference aren’t complicated. They are the small, consistent moments that tell a child:

“You are noticed. You belong here. You can ask for help.”

What helped you feel safe at school?

WHAT MIGHT A FIRST SESSION WITH ME FEEL LIKE?It may feel a little unfamiliar at first. That is completely understandable...
11/09/2026

WHAT MIGHT A FIRST SESSION WITH ME FEEL LIKE?

It may feel a little unfamiliar at first. That is completely understandable.

You might feel nervous, relieved, emotional, uncertain, or a mixture of everything.

Our first session is an opportunity to get to know one another and gently explore,

🌿 What has brought you to seek support
🌿 What life feels like for you at the moment
🌿 What you hope might change
🌿 What helps you feel comfortable and safe
🌿 How we could work together

There is no test, no expectation to explain everything perfectly and no pressure to share more than you want to.

Some people arrive with a very clear goal. Others only know that they don’t want to continue feeling the way they do.

Both are valid places to begin.

The first session is simply the beginning of a conversation, at your pace.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE BEHIND THIS MONTH?Perhaps it is…….🍂 The pressure to please everyone🍂 Comparing...
11/09/2026

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE BEHIND THIS MONTH?

Perhaps it is…….

🍂 The pressure to please everyone
🍂 Comparing yourself to other people
🍂 Guilt about resting
🍂 Constantly questioning whether you are good enough
🍂 Saying yes when you really want to say no
🍂 A belief that you should cope with everything alone

Leaving something behind doesn’t mean it disappears overnight.

It may begin with noticing it, questioning it and choosing one small moment to respond differently.

What would you like to carry less of this September?

YOU DON’T HAVE TO TELL ME EVERYTHING IMMEDIATELY.Beginning therapy or coaching does not mean you have to arrive and shar...
10/09/2026

YOU DON’T HAVE TO TELL ME EVERYTHING IMMEDIATELY.

Beginning therapy or coaching does not mean you have to arrive and share your entire story in the first session.

Trust takes time.

You can begin with what feels manageable. You can pause, change the subject, say that you don’t know how to explain something or tell me that you are not ready to talk about it.

You are allowed to have boundaries within the therapeutic space.

Sometimes our early work may simply focus on helping you feel safer, calmer and more comfortable before exploring anything deeper.

I will never expect you to disclose more than you are ready to share.

Your story belongs to you.

We move at a pace that feels right for you. 🌿

IS YOUR MIND ALWAYS ONE STEP AHEAD?“What if something goes wrong?”“What if I make the wrong decision?”“What if they’re u...
10/09/2026

IS YOUR MIND ALWAYS ONE STEP AHEAD?

“What if something goes wrong?”

“What if I make the wrong decision?”

“What if they’re upset with me?”

“What if I can’t cope?”

Anxiety often makes us feel as though we need to predict, prepare for and prevent every possible outcome.

But overthinking doesn’t always give us more control. Sometimes it simply leaves us exhausted from repeatedly experiencing situations that haven’t even happened.

If your mind feels busy today, gently ask yourself:

💭 Is this happening right now, or is my mind predicting it?

💭 Is there something practical I can do?

💭 What is actually within my control today?

You don’t have to solve your whole future tonight.

Sometimes the next small step is enough.

If anxiety or overthinking is beginning to control your choices, sleep or daily life, you don’t have to manage it alone. Support can help you understand what is happening and find ways to feel calmer and more in control.

🌿 The Journey Coaching & Therapies
Helping children, teenagers and adults to Thrive, Not Survive.

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