Building resilience: How support and self-discovery help us overcome fear [short clip]

This is my daughter, and she has been learning how to skateboard...

The experience of drop-ins off the ramp can be quite daunting, as your mind and body instinctively signal that it’s not safe, prompting a natural desire to recoil. At this stage, regulating your nervous system can become challenging.

However, with the right support and thanks to a skilled instructor from at Lets Go Skate —her confidence grew throughout the session, allowing her to succeed repeatedly. She felt amazing, proud of her achievements and motivated to keep going and so she should she overcame a fear. Not an easy thing to do.

Facing fears is never easy, even when we genuinely want to overcome them. Having the right support system in place is crucial for building confidence and independence. Life will always present challenges; even the instructor shared his own experiences with mental blocks while attempting new tricks. It’s important to recognize that feeling fear is a completely human experience. If fear becomes debilitating, seeking support is essential.

Life IS challenging and scary at times. In therapy, individuals learn to understand themselves, their fears, their past and present experiences. While this journey can be intimidating, it also leads to discovering joys, happiness, and resilience. You’ll learn how to regulate your mind and body, enabling you to live a more balanced and fulfilling life. And yes, you might even learn to skate if that’s your passion!

I am not affiliated with Lets Go Skate but I do want to take a moment to express my gratitude for helping build my daughter’s confidence, this is not my area of expertise but I truly believe they are excellent at working with the children/teens to encourage and build their resilience and confidence. Remember, the right support is vital for personal growth and overcoming challenges.

No-one is perfect and at times we will fall and it might hurt but the choice to seek support is there.

Can a Counsellor Help Me?

As a counsellor in St Neots with 6 years experience, i often receive the question "Can you help me with...?". Its a common and valid question and each individual has their own unique experiences in life and I absolutely understand everyone's journey is unique, and one size does not fit all in counselling.

To assist you, I've detailed my qualifications and training on the [Qualifications & Training] page. This list is not exhaustive (and requires continuous updates that I will do from time to time) so if you don't see what you need, feel free to reach out via message, call or text. I'm committed to being open and honest; if I believe I can't assist you, I'll gladly refer you to someone who can. Your well-being is my top priority.

Understanding How a Counsellor Can Help

1. Providing a Safe and Confidential Space

One of the primary roles of a counsellor is to create a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can openly express your thoughts and feelings. This safe space encourages honesty and vulnerability, essential for effective therapy. Knowing that your conversations are confidential helps build trust and allows you to explore sensitive issues without fear of judgment.

2. Offering Expert Guidance and Support

Counsellors are trained mental health professionals equipped with techniques and strategies to help you navigate life's challenges. They can assist you in understanding the root causes of your issues, whether it’s stress, grief, trauma, or relationship conflicts. Through active listening and evidence-based approaches, counsellors help you develop coping skills and resilience.

3. Helping You Develop Better Coping Strategies

Life often throws unexpected challenges our way. A counsellor can teach you practical tools to manage stress, anxiety, or depression more effectively. Techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and relaxation exercises can empower you to handle difficult situations with greater confidence.

4. Improving Mental Health and Emotional Well-being

Regular counselling sessions can significantly reduce symptoms of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. By addressing negative thought patterns and emotional triggers, counsellors help improve your mood and overall outlook on life. This improved mental health can enhance your relationships, work performance, and personal happiness.

5. Supporting Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

Counsellors don’t just focus on problems; they also encourage self-exploration and personal development. Through therapy, you can gain a better understanding of your values, goals, and strengths. This self-awareness fosters greater self-esteem and helps you make meaningful life changes.

6. Assisting with Relationship and Family Issues

Whether you're dealing with conflicts in your marriage, parent-child difficulties, or friendship challenges, a counsellor can facilitate communication and help you develop healthier relationship dynamics. Couples or family therapy can strengthen bonds and resolve misunderstandings.

7. Managing Life Transitions

Major life changes such as divorce, job loss, moving to a new city, or grief from losing a loved one can be overwhelming. A counsellor can provide guidance and emotional support during these transitions, helping you adapt and find stability.

Why Choose a Professional Counsellor?

Counsellors are trained to listen empathetically and provide evidence-based interventions tailored to your specific needs. They maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards, ensuring your privacy and well-being are protected. Engaging in counselling can be a proactive step toward a healthier, happier life.

Final Thoughts

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply want to improve your mental and emotional health, reaching out to a counsellor can be a life-changing decision. They can help you gain clarity, develop coping skills, and foster personal growth. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and with the right support, you can overcome challenges and thrive.

Book a counselling session

Feeling sad, low mood, depressed - counselling can help

Are you feeling sad, experiencing low mood symptoms, maybe you feel lost and are suffering feelings of depression?

Maybe it feels hard to reach out and speak to someone, or you feel you can’t as you want to avoid hurting or worrying them. Have you heard the following which you haven’t found helpful…

Feeling low, worn out, sad depressed

1. ‘are you ok?’

2. ‘at least you have… (fill in the blank)‘ - this can bring on feelings of guilt for the other person)

3. ‘you need to… (fill in the blank)’

4. ‘Try and take a step back’

While these are often coming from a good place and well meaning, when you are at your lowest they can be tough to hear because the answers may be something like…

1. ‘no I am not ok’

2. ‘Right now, I can’t look at what I have’

3. ‘I know what I need to do but I just can’t right now’

4. ‘If I could, I would’

Sometimes what you need is to be allowed to feel upset, cry, to let out all the emotion, thoughts and feelings you are holding in, to have someone hold a space for you to do this. Not have someone try to fix it for you, or give advice.

You may even know deep down that you have the answers but right now they are hidden so deep within, pushed down by a heavy hand, head and/or heart that you can’t access them.

Counselling offers a place where you can learn about yourself and why you do feel that way, how you can communicate what you need so those around you can support you better, and a place where it is all about you and your feelings.

I won't lie there’s no miracle cure, feelings come and go but help is often needed to wade through and get to the other side to a happier, healthier place for you. So please do reach out if this is what you need right now. Call or email me to book an appointment

07395 826987

sarahharrisoncounselling@gmail.com