Seeking Counselling isn’t always a straightforward process. We may not see clear signs, rather an inkling that something doesn’t feel right—persistent tension somewhere in your body, a racing mind that won’t quiet, or a deep sense of exhaustion that lingers no matter how much you rest, a feeling of disconnection. If you’re reading this, wondering whether counselling could help, you’ve already started tuning in to yourself and your needs.
In my experience, people are usually prompted to ask for help by similar signs. Here I share a few that you might recognise in yourself.
1. You Feel Constantly On Edge or Emotionally Drained
Anxiety, stress, and trauma can manifest in the body—tight muscles, shallow breath, digestive issues, or a constant sense of tension. Maybe you find yourself trapped in spiralling thoughts, or you struggle to wind down even when you’re exhausted. Or perhaps you get angry and irritated easily. If your nervous system has a hard time creating a sense of rest and safety, this can be a sign your inner resources are under strain.
2. You’re Stuck in Repeating Patterns
Do you find yourself reacting in ways you later regret, as if someone else is taking the wheel? You may notice yourself shutting down, avoiding conflict, overcommitting, sabotaging relationships, or feeling overwhelmed by things you used to be able to cope with. These patterns can stem from past experiences that haven’t had space to heal. When your nervous system perceives a sense of threat, it goes into “autopilot mode”, making you act in ways that keep you safe, but usually unhappy. Therapy can help you explore why these cycles keep showing up and how to begin shifting them.
3. You’re Experiencing Burnout or Feeling Numb
Do you feel tired all the time, lacking motivation, or emotionally flat, saying things like “I can’t be bothered” or “What’s the point?”. These signs can mean that you’re finding it hard to cope with something, so it’s easier to disconnect in order to function. Counselling can support you in reconnecting to yourself and what’s important to you, so you can start rebuilding self-trust and empower yourself to get better.
4. You’ve Been Through Something Difficult, and It Still Affects You
Whether it’s a recent event or something that happened years ago, trauma can stay with us in subtle or overwhelming ways—flashbacks, panic, emotional reactivity, difficulty trusting others, or sense of never being good enough. Therapy offers a safe space to explore and process things at your own pace.
5. You Keep Going Even if You Feel “Broken”
High-functioning anxiety, perfectionism, or people-pleasing can keep us looking “fine” on the outside while quietly struggling inside. If you’re always holding it together for others and ignoring your own needs, counselling can help you come back to yourself with compassion, letting go of criticism.
Why Counselling Can Help
Integrative Counselling draws from different therapeutic approaches—trauma-informed, relational, and body-aware—to meet you where you are and tailor the therapy process to your own individual needs. We work together to understand how your past experiences, current stressors, and internal patterns are shaping your life now.
The aim isn’t to “fix” you—because you’re not broken. My job is to walk alongside you, supporting you while you build resilience and trust in your capacity to find compassion for the whole of yourself.
You Don’t Have to Wait for Things to Get Worse
You don’t need to reach crisis point before seeking support. In fact, many people come to counselling because they want things to feel different, even if they can’t quite name what’s wrong. If you’re noticing a quiet voice within saying “something’s not right,” that’s enough.
