Insights from a counsellor in Cawdor

Most of us know what it feels like to worry. Sometimes it’s the night before an interview. Sometimes it’s waiting for a phone call, sitting outside a hospital appointment, or wondering whether someone we love is okay. That’s part of being human. Anxiety can feel different. It doesn’t always wait until there’s something obvious to worry about. Sometimes it arrives when everything appears to be fine. Your mind starts racing. Your body feels tense. You begin imagining every poss

Confidence is an interesting thing. We often think we know what it looks like. We picture the person who walks into a room without hesitation, happily introduces themselves to strangers, speaks up first in meetings, or never seems worried about what other people think. We admire those people and sometimes find ourselves wishing we could be a little more like them. But over the years, working with children, young people and adults, I’ve realised that confidence doesn’t always

As I write this in June, Scotland is trying to act like it’s summer, and I’m sitting outside in the sun, feeling its warmth (even though I’m still wearing a jacket and a blanket). June is Pride month, and after the recent elections, it feels as important today as it was back in the 80s. It seems like discrimination, labelling and feeling like you have to answer to others are becoming more common. The 15th of June marks the start of Loneliness Awareness Week, which is especial

A conversation stayed with me recently. Not because it was dramatic. Not because there was a big breakthrough. But because it felt familiar. The person sitting opposite me talked about how exhausted they were. Work was busy. Family life was busy. There was always something needing done. They were getting through each day. Keeping things moving. Doing what needed done. From the outside, most people would probably have said they were coping. And in many ways, they were. But und

When people think about emotional wellbeing, they often imagine big conversations, deep insight, or having to explain exactly how they feel. But sometimes emotional regulation begins somewhere much smaller. A warm drink.A familiar routine.A walk.A blanket.Music.Holding something comforting in your hands.A quiet moment where the nervous system begins to slow down slightly. Children and adults do not always need solutions immediately. Sometimes they need something grounding eno

Sometimes the first signs that a child is struggling show up around school. A child who once seemed settled suddenly does not want to go in. Friendships become harder. Confidence drops. Mornings feel stressful. Small worries begin to feel much bigger. Some children become quieter and withdrawn. Others become angry, emotional, or overwhelmed more quickly than before. For parents, it can be difficult knowing what is part of growing up and what might be a child quietly strugglin

When a child is struggling emotionally, it rarely affects just the child. Parents often notice small changes first. A child who suddenly becomes quieter. More anxious. More emotional. More angry. School mornings become harder. Friendships become more difficult. Sleep changes. Confidence drops. Sometimes there is no clear explanation at all, just a feeling that something is not quite right. It can leave parents feeling worried, stuck, or unsure how best to help. Children do no

This project began in spring 2025. Are you interested in this project? Then come along to meet Mike at Cawdor Community Centre on Monday 17th or 24th, 5pm-6pm to find out more. We plan to start after Easter on a Monday evening for 10 sessions. We are currently looking to run this from the Cawdor Community Centre, but we can look at other locations depending on the location of the young people who are interested. We are looking for young people who want to get involved in our

Physical contact such as a hug is important for our development and our well-being, not just when we are children but as adults as well. Obviously, we can’t force a hug and sometimes it’s not appropriate. So, what can we do if a child is resistant to a hug or its not appropriate? As a mentor I use a Hug Monster, a designated teddy for hugs. Here are a couple that are available on Amazon. https://amzn.to/3LRAurx https://amzn.to/3lN5AWP

How you feeling? What have you done today? What’s up with you? Don’t be coming out of school being all moody with me. What questions do you ask your child at the end of the school day? Is your child often grumpy or moody after school? Although a good sleep routine and balanced diet are important for your child to get through the day, there are other factors to consider too. A school day can provide lots of stimulation, expectations and pressures causing sensory overload. A ch

So, my relaxing evening looked different than just sitting in front of the TV. Received a call from my cousin, 'my 11 year old is bored and restless, can you help? Yes!! So between 8-10 we had completed a 6 mile bike ride and flew a 'glider' at the beach. Quality time was spent and we were both away from electronic devices, laughing and talking. Exercise and time out in the open are important for our wellbeing. How much time do you spend outside with family and friends? Mento

The First Day of School