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Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. This year's theme, Changing the Narrative on Suicide, asks us to simply start the conversation. Almost three in four people who've experienced suicidal thoughts have had them interrupted, most often by someone close to them noticing and saying something. Here's a gentle, resource-focused look at why that conversation matters, how to have it well, and where to find support if you need it today.

On 4 September, Rowe Therapy turned one. After three years of training and further years working within a community counselling charity, this was my first year doing it entirely on my own terms — and it taught me more than I expected, about imposter syndrome, uncertainty, building support on purpose, and trusting my own voice in the room.

A client recently mentioned using AI between our sessions to research something we'd discussed — and I didn't mind at all. It got me looking properly at what the research says about AI and therapy: real evidence of benefit for purpose-built tools and between-session support, alongside genuine, well-documented risks around crisis handling, over-reliance, and young people in particular. Here's a balanced, evidence-based look at where it helps, where it doesn't, and why I'm not

Today is A-level results day. As a counsellor who works with teenagers, I see what really happens beneath the surface of this day: grades quietly fusing with self-worth, results-day comparison on social media, and reactions that range from relief to a genuine sense of loss. This piece looks at A-level results day anxiety from a counsellor's perspective, and what actually helps teenagers and their families through today and the days that follow.

England has just had one of its driest spells in years — heat, water shortages, wildfires, and it's happening elsewhere too. If that's left you with a low, unsettled dread, there's a name for it: eco-anxiety. Research since 2007 treats it as a rational response, not a disorder, and studies suggest coping with eco-anxiety works best by facing the feeling rather than pushing it away — connecting with others, taking small consistent action, and knowing when to ask for support.

Andy Burnham became PM the same week my professional body called for counselling to be treated as core NHS infrastructure. This isn't about politics — it's about a harder truth: GPs aren't the problem, and short-term therapy genuinely helps many people. But even the community charities built to offer something longer-term are being squeezed into the same brief model, leaving people with deep-seated, longstanding issues fewer places to turn.

This week, a small Maidenhead charity turned 50. Number 22 Community Counselling Services trained me, gave me my first long-term client, and is still the reason I get to do this work today.

Rage-baiting and anger are closely linked in today's online world — and it's by design. This article explores the psychology of online rage-bait, why anger can feel more accessible than ever, and what the research says about anger, algorithms, and our nervous systems. I also share practical, gentle ways to manage anger day-to-day, and how counselling — including person-centred therapy — can help when anger starts to feel unmanageable. A balanced, evidence-based look at anger

Menopause can shake a woman’s sense of self, yet support is often hard to find. With the new Menopause Café in Maidenhead opening space for honest conversation, more women are exploring how compassionate, person‑centred therapy can help them navigate the emotional and identity shifts of this transition.

Many people come to therapy wanting to understand the emotional patterns they’ve carried from childhood. Exploring our parents or caregivers can gently reveal where these responses began — not to blame, but to understand ourselves with more clarity, compassion, and choice.

Concerns about the impact of social media on children are rising, from disrupted sleep to anxiety and constant notification overload. With the UK government announcing a ban on social media for under‑16s from 2027, this article looks at the evidence behind the decision and what I see in my work with teens — offering a balanced view of how this change could support young people’s wellbeing.

Being told to “just think positive” can make depression feel even heavier. Depression isn’t a mindset issue — it’s a complex condition that affects motivation, energy and emotional processing. With compassion and the right support, people can feel understood rather than judged.

Many of today’s digital comfort habits — from bed‑rotting to doom‑scrolling — offer quick relief but can quietly drain our wellbeing over time. This article explores why these trends resonate, where they may become unhelpful, and how to find gentler, more sustainable ways to cope.

Parentification can quietly shape a person’s life when a child takes on adult roles to keep the family going. This article explores how these patterns develop, their impact in adulthood, and how counselling can help you understand your story with compassion and clarity.

There’s something about early spring in the UK — that mix of bright sunshine, cool breezes, and the first real stretch of daylight — that seems to lift people a little. You can feel it on walks, in parks, along riversides. I notice it myself when I’m out near the Thames, watching the light change on the water or taking a cold‑but‑invigorating wild swim. It’s not a cure‑all, but nature can offer a quiet, steadying kind of care. Recent research backs this up: Spending time in n

In a year where the news feels relentless, many of us are carrying more emotional weight than we realise. Constant updates, global crises and personal pressures can leave our minds overstimulated and overwhelmed. This article explores how negativity affects our wellbeing — and offers gentle, practical ways to protect your mental health from negativity without disconnecting from the world.

Nostalgia for the 90s is everywhere — from cassette tapes to fashion trends — but why does it hit so hard in midlife? This article explores the psychology of nostalgia, why we’re drawn to the past, and when reminiscing becomes emotionally unhelpful.

Retroactive jealousy can appear when a partner’s past feels uncomfortably present, stirring comparison, insecurity, or old fears. It’s a deeply human experience that can place strain on relationships, but with space to explore what sits underneath these feelings, therapy can help people reconnect with the present rather than feeling pulled into the past.

Many young people experience eating disorders not because they want to change how they look, but because food becomes a way to cope with overwhelming feelings. In a world of pressure, comparison, and uncertainty, eating difficulties often reflect a deeper struggle for safety, control, and understanding.

Many older adults experience emotional challenges, yet they’re under‑represented in therapy. In my practice, I’ve noticed how practical barriers, generational attitudes and unfamiliarity with counselling can all play a role. This article explores those factors with curiosity, and gently invites support at any age.