Counselling

Anxiety

~ claire ballardie

Anxiety

What is Anxiety? 

Feeling overwhelmed, daunted by what would normally be simple daily activities? Confused, and unable to make decisions? Anxiety can manifest as thoughts jumbling in your head, worries going around and around in your mind. Sleep may be restless and intermittent. You may feel tense, or ‘on edge’, irritable, or be unable to relax.

 

NHS Definition of Anxiety

Counselling provides a safe place to explore what the cause of your anxiety is, and help you to devise strategies for coping with it. Levels of anxiety dramatically reduce, or disappear altogether, once you understand how and why you become stressed. Planning life changes, or different ways of seeing problems can dramatically alter confidence levels and self-worth.

Meditation and mindfulness are also great ways to calm a busy mind and to give space for rational thought.

 

 

Depression

~ claire ballardie

What is Depression?

With depression, you may have been feeling lonely or withdrawn for a while, and not been able to ‘snap out of it’. Daily life becomes a chore, and simple things become a challenge. It may be difficult to socialise, and things that you enjoy doing lose their appeal. You may suffer from a loss of confidence and self-esteem, and lose interest on yourself- how you dress, and care for yourself. Feeling tearful and irritable, a lack of patience, a sense of frustration are all common signs of depression.Life is no fun, and it is difficult to lift your mood.

NHS Definition of Depression

  • feeling hopeless and helpless
  • having low self-esteem
  • feeling tearful
  • feeling guilt-ridden
  • feeling irritable and intolerant of others
  • having no motivation or interest in things
  • finding it difficult to make decisions
  • not getting any enjoyment out of life

Talking therapy- counselling- can really help with understanding what contributes to depression. It can unlock the door to your own path of exploration and self compassion.  Depression may start from a life event such as bereavement, or build up through lifestyle or relational difficulties. Understanding yourself is the first step to self-healing and counselling is about being able to talk about your experiences, without being judged, or feeling embarrassed or awkward. Depression affects people on different ways- you are unique, and important, and deserve a chance to feel better.

The Countryside Counsellor

~ claire ballardie

The Countryside Counsellor

As the countryside counsellor, I fully understand that rural life is not easy and comes with a whole range of stressful situations. solo working can be lonely, with no-one to share

Counselling with horsesworries and concerns, anxiety can take hold, and affect your self-confidence and self-worth.

As an equestrian professional myself, having been a riding instructor for many years, I understand this world and how tough it can be, especially in the long, cold and dark winter months.

Bereavement

Losing a beloved horse or pet can be devastating, as can taking the decision to end their life if they are suffering. Letting go is so difficult, and finding support through tis dreadful experience really helps.

Coping with Injury

Personal injury is common, and can be hard to deal with if you are a fit and active person. Physical jobs such as vets, farriers, farmers, horse trainers, for example, demand physical fitness and stamina: injury can knock this for six, and the mental impact of not being able to do what you need to can knock you for six.

I can offer counselling in Devizes or Market Lavington.

contact me for details.

Eco Therapy

~ claire ballardie
Eco Therapy

I offer eco therapy at my practice in Market Lavington. We will discuss on our initial therapeutic counselling session if this would be an option for you.

What is Eco Therapy?

The counselling room is a great place to be, but the therapeutic counselling process can be experienced outside. The outdoor space becomes a living environment, and adds another dimension to therapy. It provides a neutral space for us to work and to develop the therapeutic relationship. Observations about the surroundings, weather conditions can be valuable additions and enrichment of your own journey.

 

 

contact me for more details.