Stonebridge
Counselling and Psychotherapy
Expectations
Together we’ll uncover what’s happening beneath the surface, helping you understand your thoughts and feelings with honesty and compassion. This process often brings relief, clarity, and a deeper self-awareness that can guide you toward meaningful change. You’ll set the pace, and I’ll be here to support, challenge, and encourage you as you go.
Depression - Can leave you feeling persistently low, lacking the motivation to get out of bed or engage in activities that once brought you joy. You might find yourself consumed by dark thoughts and a sense of hopelessness, as if nothing holds interest anymore, even the things you used to love . This overwhelming feeling can create a heavy burden, making it difficult to envision a way forward.
Stress - Can leave you feeling overwhelmed, short-tempered, and stretched too thin, sometimes taking it out on others, which can add to feelings of guilt. You might feel like you’re burning the candle at both ends, weighed down by responsibilities that feel impossible to manage. This pressure can disrupt your sleep, eating habits, and exercise routine, leaving you out of balance and unsure of how to regain control.
Relationships - The end of a relationship can bring about a sense of loss regarding future possibilities and the familiarity of what once was, along with fears about the future. Alternatively, you might find yourself in a current relationship that feels strained, leaving you uncertain about how to address and resolve these challenges.
Dissociation – You might feel disconnected from your own thoughts, feelings, or even your sense of self, often as a way of coping with intense stress or trauma. It can feel like you're watching yourself from the outside or just numb to what's around you. This can happen briefly, like "spacing out," or be more intense, affecting daily life if it happens frequently.
Anxiety - Feeling intense fear and worry that might be disproportionate to the actual situation. This can manifest through physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, difficulty concentrating, and a sense of impending doom, and it may interfere with daily activities and relationships
Grief and loss - Feeling lost and in pain, struggling to function while missing your loved one, can leave you uncertain about how to navigate the future. Your loved one may still be present, yet communication has ceased, they have moved away, or made choices that are hard to accept. Alternatively, your experience of loss might involve a beloved pet, a job, a home, or even your health.
Coercive control and manipulation – It can make you feel like everything is always your fault, even when deep down you sense it isn’t. You might find yourself doubting your own perspective as someone consistently blames, criticises, or undermines you. Maybe you feel isolated from loved ones, restricted in your freedom, or constantly monitored in ways that make you feel on edge. Perhaps your finances are controlled, or there’s an expectation that you explain every aspect of your life. It’s natural to feel confused in these situations, questioning if it's truly happening or if you’re imagining it.
ADHD/ADD - Whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, it may feel like it’s running your life. You might want support managing symptoms more effectively or simply to explore what it’s like living with a brain that rarely feels like it has an “off” switch. Sometimes, it can be challenging to explain impulsive actions or the sense of being constantly overwhelmed by thoughts, and gaining insight into these experiences can help provide both clarity, coping strategies, compassion and acceptance.
Traumatic experiences - Perhaps past events still weigh heavily on you, making it difficult to fully engage in the present. You might feel trapped by lingering memories or emotions and may be seeking support to process, make sense of, and eventually accept what happened. With time and guidance, it can become possible to leave the past where it belongs, freeing yourself to move forward with greater clarity and peace.
Feeling stuck – You may be aware of the issue but hesitant to make changes due to fear or uncertainty about the consequences. Or perhaps you're unsure of what's causing these feelings and want to explore and understand the root of your challenges.
Loss of self, goals, purpose - Losing a sense of identity can feel deeply unsettling, especially if you've spent years focused on meeting others' needs or earning their approval. This can lead to questions like, "Who am I?" and a sense of disconnection from your own desires and goals. You may find yourself wondering about your purpose in life, perhaps feeling a lack of enjoyment or direction, and even comparing yourself to others who seem to have clear paths. This sense of being adrift can intensify feelings of being lost and uncertain about the future.
Low self-esteem - Low self-esteem can leave you feeling inadequate, eroding your trust in yourself and leading to persistent self-doubt. As a result, you may often seek validation from others, feeling uncertain about your own decisions and abilities. Additionally, low self-esteem can manifest as bitterness and a tendency to compare yourself unfavourably to others.
Attachment – Exploring the dynamics of how individuals form emotional bonds and connections with others. You might find yourself becoming overly clingy in a relationship due to a fear of abandonment, or you may tend to withdraw and embrace a strong sense of independence. This push-and-pull dynamic often reflects deeper attachment styles, which can significantly impact how you relate to others.
Co-dependency - You may become overly attached to someone, adopting their interests and social circles while neglecting your own individuality. This reliance can create discomfort when alone and overshadow your own needs, leading to an unhealthy relationship imbalance. Such patterns often result in challenges with self-identity and emotional well-being, as individuals prioritize their partner's needs over their own, which can foster feelings of neglect and resentment.