Ida_therapeutic_counsellor

30/07/2026

https://idatherapy.co.uk/why-positive-self-talk-matters/

Discover how positive self-talk can improve confidence, reduce anxiety and support emotional wellbeing. Learn how counselling in Wilmslow at Ida Therapy can help you develop a kinder relationship with yourself.

22/07/2026

Recently, I lost my beloved dad. He left this world almost six weeks ago, and every day I am learning how to navigate grief and a life without him. 🌍💔

Grief has no timeline ⏳. It arrives in waves 🌊, often when we least expect it, and it asks us to be gentle with ourselves as we slowly learn to carry such profound loss.

As a counsellor, I believe that while training and knowledge are invaluable, our lived experiences can deepen our empathy and understanding. This journey is teaching me so much about love, loss, resilience and what it truly means to simply sit with another person’s pain.

I don’t believe we ever “get over” losing someone we love. Instead, we learn to carry them with us in a different way.

My dad will always be part of who I am, and as I continue to navigate my own grief, I hope it enables me to offer an even deeper level of compassion, presence and understanding to those who entrust me with their own stories.

If you’re grieving too, please know you’re not alone. Be kind to yourself. One breath, one day, one moment at a time. 🤍

Bereavement Healing Compassion MentalHealth Wilmslow IdaTherapy

01/06/2026

Recently, I’ve been thinking about the power of peace 🕊️🤍.

The way it makes you feel. For me, peace alters both my mind and my emotions. I am calmer, more resilient, and able to respond with greater clarity.

In the fast-moving world 🌍 we all live in, finding peace can be difficult. However, when we know ourselves well enough, creating moments of peace becomes possible. This doesn’t always mean sitting quietly. Peace can be found in those moments when you feel present, alive, and connected, yet balanced by a sense of calm.

It might be listening to music whilst driving, reading a book, watching your favourite film, taking a walk in nature, or enjoying a meal with that special drink you love.

Peace is paramount to our wellbeing and happiness.

Whilst reflecting on peace, I wrote this quote, and it is something I often explore within counselling sessions:

“When you find peace, you no longer wish to visit the people, places and environments that take it away from you.”

Once you find your peace, protect it. Be mindful of who and what you allow into your life, and do not give away something so precious to people, places, or environments that diminish it.

🤍

NatalieIda therapy

18/05/2026

This afternoon, one of my admin jobs was clearing out my emails after receiving a notification that my Gmail storage was almost full. I had two choices: buy more storage or begin deleting what I no longer needed.

So I started sorting through years — even decades — of subscriptions, promotions, social updates, forums, and emails that had simply accumulated over time.

Some were easy to let go of.
Some felt more important.
Some carried large attachments that were taking up space without me even realising it.

And as I sat deleting, erasing, and detaching from what no longer served a purpose, it really made me think about how often we need to do the same within our own lives.

At times, we need to gently detach from people, places, environments, habits, patterns, and situations that no longer support our well-being.

And when I say “support,” I mean truly support us emotionally, mentally, physically, and energetically.

As a counsellor at Ida Therapy, Wilmslow, I am becoming increasingly mindful of where I place my energy as my own well-being and mindfulness journey continues.

I notice more now:
• where I feel calm,
• where I feel valued,
• where my nervous system feels safe,
• and equally, where things no longer feel good.

Our bodies often speak long before our minds fully catch up.

It can show up as:
• knots in the stomach,
• tension headaches,
• exhaustion,
• overwhelm,
• anxiety,
• heaviness,
• or that quiet feeling that something simply doesn’t sit right anymore.

So often, we override those signals.
We keep going.
We minimise what we feel.
We stay attached to things because they are familiar, expected, or difficult to let go of.

But today reminded me of something important:

Creating space is sometimes necessary for our well-being.

Not everything is meant to be carried forever.

Through my counselling practice at Ida Therapy, Wilmslow, I support individuals who may be feeling emotionally overwhelmed, stuck in negative cycles or patterns, struggling with change, anxiety, low self-worth, difficult relationships, emotional exhaustion, or simply feeling disconnected from themselves.

Sometimes we are carrying emotional “storage” that has built up quietly over many years.

Counselling can provide a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space to gently explore:
• emotional patterns,
• repeated cycles,
• behaviours,
• past experiences,
• fears,
• boundaries,
• and the thoughts and emotions that may be impacting overall well-being and happiness.

Together, we can begin to understand what may no longer be serving you and work towards creating healthier patterns, emotional freedom, improved confidence, inner calm, and a greater sense of self.
Reflecting and questioning:
• What is serving you?
• What is no longer serving you?
• What gives you energy?
• What drains your energy?
• What are you holding onto simply because it has been there for a long time?

Sometimes change begins not by adding more… but by releasing what no longer belongs within our space, our mind, or our heart.

Ida Therapy, Wilmslow 🌿

09/05/2026

Yesterday on a long walk I came across this tree and I felt drawn to it.

It got me thinking that so often, life can feel like standing in an open field beneath heavy skies — exposed to challenges, uncertainty, grief, change, or emotional storms that we never expected to be in.

This tree reminded me of something important:
strength is not always loud. Sometimes strength is simply remaining rooted. We all need foundations that help keep us grounded during difficulties— our sense of self,, belief, our values, our coping strategies, our boundaries, our support systems, and the parts of us that continues to hold on, even when life feels overwhelming.

This is where counselling can be incredibly valuable and, at times, transformative. During counselling session, we begin to understand ourselves more deeply — our foundations, what truly matters to us, and how we navigate through pain, challenges, uncertainty, uncomfortable emotions, and difficult life experiences in healthier and more compassionate ways. The investment of counselling will be one you will not regret.

04/05/2026

As a therapist, I often return to this gentle truth in my work. So much of what brings people into therapy is the sense of feeling disconnected from themselves — searching for answers, validation, or direction outside of who they already are.

From a person-centred perspective, I am continually inspired by the work of Carl Rogers, who believed that each person has an innate capacity for growth, healing, and self-understanding. He informed that when we are met with empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, we begin to move back towards our own inner wisdom.

In my practice, I don’t see my role as “fixing” people, but as holding a space where you can safely reconnect with yourself — where your feelings, experiences, and inner knowing are welcomed without judgement.

Healing often looks less like becoming someone new, and more like gently returning home to yourself.

You already carry within you what you are seeking: clarity, direction, worth, and the capacity to grow.

Sometimes, it just takes being heard, having the dedicated time and space, so you can begin to see more clearly again.

selfcompassion healingjourney growthandhealing innerwisdom unconditionallove psychotherapy empathy mindfulness selfdevelopment

30/03/2026

Today is my birthday 🎂

And as I turn 47, I find myself reflecting not on what I’ve achieved externally, but on how much I’ve grown.

This past year has been a quiet, powerful shift.

I’ve learnt to understand myself more deeply.
To recognise what truly supports me, what feels right, and what allows me to thrive. And just as importantly, I’ve learnt to gently step back from what doesn’t.

Not with guilt. Not with fear. But with awareness.

I’ve started saying yes with intention…
and no with self-respect.

This hasn’t been an overnight transformation—it’s been gradual, layered, and honest. But the result has been something I value deeply: more calm, more peace, and a stronger sense of inner balance.

As a counsellor, I see how often we question ourselves, override our needs, and lose touch with what truly feels right for us.

So today, I want to offer this reflection:

✨ What if growth isn’t about becoming someone new…
but about becoming more aligned with who you already are?

✨ What if listening to yourself is the beginning of healing?

This year, I’ve learnt to trust myself more.
And that has changed everything.

I am passionate about my work both professionally and personally . I look forward to meeting with you and support you.

Healing Boundaries SelfTrust

09/03/2026

This weekend I began my journey into mindfulness level 1 training. Something I’ve always wanted to achieve, use and practice as part of the counselling experience. The training was a mixture of theory and practice. It created an opportunity for space and I am excited to see where it takes me next and to of course share it with clients- current and new.
In my counselling work, the hour scheduled is dedicated to you; like mindfulness practice, nowhere to be, nothing to change , just a presence, a space to be seen and heard. There are much similarities between mindfulness and the counselling experience, both improve the mind, support wellbeing, enhance life and the lived experience.
If you would like to hear more and experience mindfulness in the counselling room, please drop me a dm or contact me: [email protected]

20/02/2026

28/10/2025

My new blog written on my website
https://idatherapy.co.uk/is-a-wilmslow-ai-therapist-the-answer/. The difference between ai to a human therapist. Can ai replace therapy? AI definitely has a place but it is not human and in therapy the human element is fundamental to the experience, relationship and therapeutic change. Please read on further to discover more and understand where ai can support therapy.
I would also be interested to hear your thoughts.. 💭

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