Some really interesting further reading tonight.... so you're not left wondering, the 3 common concerns are:
• What caused me/my partner to be kinky;
• Secrecy - what happens when you express your kink without your partner and don't tell them;
• How to navigate when one partner is into kink and one isn't, or when your kinks don't align

All these need different inner resources to navigate through them

#kinkfriendlytherapy #mentalhealth #counselling #counsellor #kinkaware #therapy

Hello Mastodon folks, what energy are we all bringing into 2025 today? :)

If you've been thinking about getting some online counselling in the New Year, then I have the following sessions available for one-off support or initial sessions before Christmas. Please do get in touch to book or ask any questions #mentalhealth #feelings #emotional #grief #transition #lifechanges #gettinghelp #selfgrowth

The 6 biggest questions about adult ADHD, answered by a neuroscientist

https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/adhd-questions-answered

An in-depth exploration of the nuances of ADHD in adults, and what we're constantly getting wrong about it.

By me, for BBC Science Focus

#ADHD #MentalHealth

Gentle reminder that if you're not enjoying your video game, book or TV show, it's ok to stop it and try something else instead. Hobbies are meant to be fun! If it's becoming a chore, you can choose to let it go.

Your self-forgiveness heals 💚

@samiam @actuallyautistic I hear this. In a moment of overwhelm, a list of 5 of this thing, 4 of that thing, etc... is way too much. I just need ONE thing to focus on - even better if it's a familiar, safe object with proven history of regulating me.

...and this is how trauma seems to take over our lives without explanation, when actually, not long ago, we were financially not well off but still getting by, and our mental health was doing okay. When our hierarchy of needs is destabilised, nobody can focus on self-growth - they're too busy worrying about the bills. Poverty, including financial abuse, can not only cause trauma, it can make it so much harder to heal from it. #poverty #mentalhealth #struggling #economicabuse #financialtrauma

Thank you Mick Cooper and Xabier Lopez for this really useful diagram showing how different approaches to #mentalhealth #therapy compare to each other.

We've all been here. If you're preparing to have a difficult conversation with someone, then talking it through - with someone you trust can make all the difference. It's okay to practice big moments like this - it can help you understand your goals & motivations beforehand, so your head & your heart are on the same team when it's time for the real thing.

#mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealth #counselling #wholeness #teamwork #relationships #relationshipgoals #relationshipadvice #norfolk

This doesn't apply just to kids! What does your own adult version of the stress response look like? How do you feel about your instinctive reaction to stress? Does it work well for you?

#stress #trauma #fightorflight #mentalhealth #counselling #therapy #shutdown #meltdown #lgbt #lgbtq #trans #transmentalhealth #queer #autistic #autism #copingmechanisms

3/3
If you already know it's too much, and you know you're going to need to let off some steam, you can book one or two online sessions with me on the Christmas week. I am a down-to-earth, compassionate professional, and I can provide some 'in the moment' support, to help you cope till things are back to normal.

Monday 23rd Dec 2024
and/or
Saturday 28th Dec 2024

£30 for half an hour
£50 for a full 50 minute session

DM to book.

2/3
• Bereavement or loss
• Autistic struggles with changes and too much sensory stimulation
• Pretending everything's fine
• Social pressures to appear cisgender, heterosexual or monogamous at obligatory family gatherings
• Lonely

Whatever your reason. If you're already planning ahead for gifts, decorations, and food, don't forget to plan ahead for your mental health and self-care, too. Single session therapy exists.

1/3 I know, I know. It's a bit soon. I'm sorry. But hear me out - if you find Christmas to be a difficult time of year, then I know it's probably already on your mind.

• Anniversaries
• Family conflict
• Trauma reminders
• Your partner is getting on your nerves
• Just too much going on
• Being in recovery from alcohol dependence at a time of year when every other drink is alcohol
• Keeping everyone else happy
• Parents or in-laws coming to stay
• Eating disorders flaring up
Cont in comments

3/3 These are just examples, and your own patterns will likely be very different - and even more important.

#enm #poly #polyam #polyamfam #polyamory #polyamorous #polyamorousrelationship #polyamorytiktok #polyamoryawareness #ethicalnonmonogamy #openrelationship #openmarriage #queer #lgbtq #polycule #kitchentablepoly #therapy #therapytok #counsellor #counselling #counsellorsoftiktok #ukcounsellor #queertherapist #relationships

2/3 understand ways you've changed or stayed the same from childhood through to who you are as an adult.

For example, do you always find yourself with metamours that annoy you in the same way your dad does? Do you seek out caring older femmes in romance because you never got that nurturing as a child? Did you grow up in chaos and now find your securely attached, stable partner harder work than your more chaotic lovers?

1/3 Let's be real for a moment - families and polycules can BOTH break your heart into a thousand pieces, and they can BOTH bring you so much joy that you feel like you're floating.

When we plot a family tree in counselling, we're typically looking at major relationships which have shaped you over time, and how your attachment styles may have played out or been changed or reinforced by the people close to you. Including a polycule plot in this exercise might help you to (more in comments)

From @ alf.schlongalaxy.space on bluesky.

#Meme #Twitter #TransRights #LGBT

@alshra thank you for this!