Counsellor in Fleet, Hampshire
As l sit in my counselling cabin this morning with a cup of coffee, I reflect on the conversations had with family this week. With Christmas ahead of us and the hope of all being together temptingly close, my Mother-in-Law called to say Continue reading “Lonely at Christmas 2020”
There are many ways to support your own mental health and one of them is reading. It may seem surprising but reading can be extremely beneficial to your mental health. Getting lost in a good book with your imagination and transported to that moment in the story can feel like nectar to the mind and soul. Continue reading “Reading is good for Mental Health”
My Mum is in late stages of Vascular Dementia and this weekend talking with family it dawned on me that this year will be the first year I will not spend Christmas with my Mum! It hit me without warning and a deep sadness engulfed all of me. I stopped what I was doing and simply froze to the spot and felt the grief throughout my heart and soul. Continue reading “Living with Grief”
I am struck by how covid-19 evokes a sense of detachment in many of us. To protect us we are not allowed to be within 2 metres of one and other, we can not hug each other and the detachment these restrictions are enforcing upon us are unusual human behaviours. Continue reading “Kindness and Compassion”
A hollow emptiness of days and hours
has heightened Jane’s dependence on my love.
Now spaniel like, she dogs my every move –
craving attention. Fine – but anger lowers! Continue reading “Dementia Sonnet 7 – Smothered Synapse”
Confabulation borne, sights sought in thought
tumble, erratic, from her wandering mind,
people by ‘people’ of the phantom kind,
with strange embroidered fiction, finely wrought. Continue reading “Dementia Sonnet 5 – People”
Many in the past have asked this question and I expect many more will ask in the future. Here are my thoughts on what makes us human.
Compassion, kindness and understanding, our ability to love and equally our ability to hate. Our rational thoughts and processes, which drive us consciously and unconsciously. Continue reading “What makes us Human?”
Whilst I was healing my inner child I was losing my Mum to Dementia. As her mind slowly deteriorated to the disease I would talk to her to try and find out details of the childhood I have no memory of. I wanted details of who I was as her child and I wanted proof that my wounded inner child was not my fault and that it was OK to heal and let go of the past. Continue reading “Healing my Inner Child”
I am a shielding counsellor! Since 13th March 2020 I have been shielding at home with my family. During this time I have continued working in my private practise, Caroline Ellison Counselling and as a volunteer counsellor for the Fountain Centre at St Luke’s, Royal Surrey Hospital, meeting with clients each week over the telephone and online using Zoom. Continue reading “A Shielding Counsellor”
I picked our album up and leafing through
photos of family, holidays and fun,
was saddened by the haunting change in one
robbed of the verve and vibrancy I knew – Continue reading “Dementia Sonnet 4 – Never Mind”
