Blogs

What to look for, what to ask, and why you're allowed to have preferences. You've decided that you might like to try counselling. Perhaps you've been thinking about it for months. Maybe something has happened recently that's made you feel you could do with some support. Or perhaps you're not entirely sure why things feel so difficult, but you know you don't want to keep managing everything on your own. So you start looking for a therapist and suddenly there are hundreds of

The unexpected emotions, questions and changes that can follow an ADHD diagnosis later in life. You've finally got an answer. Perhaps you've spent years wondering why certain things seem to take so much more effort for you than other people. You've read about ADHD, recognised yourself in things other people have described. Completed questionnaires. Talked about your childhood, explained difficulties you've spent years trying to hide, compensate for or convince yourself were

I see a message come in. It’s from someone I like. Someone I genuinely smile when I see their name pop up and want to speak to. I read it and think: “I’ll reply properly in a minute.” Then somehow it’s three hours later, or tomorrow, or four days have passed and now the message feels enormous. I think about reply on many occasions composing the answer in my head. But actually opening the conversation and typing the reply? Nope, and the longer I leave it, the harder it beco

The frightening moment when your body suddenly takes a breath and you realise you were holding it You're sitting there worrying about something, perhaps you're reading an email or waiting for somebody to reply. Possibly trying to make a decision, thinking through something that happened earlier. Then suddenly...GASP. Your body takes a breath and you realise: I wasn't breathing. For a moment, that can be terrifying. Why did I stop breathing? What if my body doesn't start aga

Perhaps you've waited months — or years — for somebody to finally say: “Yes. You have ADHD.” Maybe there was relief. "I knew there was something." "Finally this makes sense." Perhaps you immediately began looking backwards through your life. School, Friendships, Jobs, Relationships. Things you've struggled with. Things people criticised you for. Then other feelings appeared. Anger. Sadness. Confusion. Doubt. Even grief. You wanted an answer. So why has getting one opened so

Understanding after-school overwhelm, masking and why home can be where everything finally comes out They managed to get up. They got dressed. They went to school or college. Perhaps their teachers say they've been absolutely fine. Maybe they laughed with friends, completed their work and seemed to cope with everything that was expected of them. Then they come home. Suddenly you have a completely different young person. They might snap at you over something tiny. Go straight

Working with self-harm, suicidal thoughts and clinical risk can feel daunting for therapists. Explore how confidence, compassion, creativity and understanding your own responses can help you stay alongside clients and navigate difficult conversations together.

Does this sound familiar? You might recognise yourself if you: Feel surprised when people ask for your advice. Worry you're "winging it" through life. Compare yourself to people your own age. Feel younger than everyone expects you to be. Assume other people know a secret you somehow missed. Feel guilty asking for help because "adults should know this." Feel capable one day and completely overwhelmed the next. Wonder when you'll finally feel like you've "grown up."

When explaining becomes less about giving information and more about trying to feel safe. Have you ever given someone an answer...and then added another sentence? And another? Then perhaps a little more information, just in case they misunderstood the first bit? You might explain why you made a decision. Why you couldn't do something. Why you need something. Why you're tired. Why something upset you. Why you said no. Sometimes you might even find yourself explaining something

Understanding Why Your Mind Suddenly Stops Working During Conversations Have you ever been asked a simple question... "What do you want for dinner?" "Can you tell me what happened?" "How are you feeling?" …and suddenly your mind goes completely blank? Perhaps the answer comes to you ten minutes later. Or halfway home. Or just as you're trying to fall asleep. If you've ever wondered, "Why can't my brain think when I need it to?" you're certainly not alone. Many people living w

Understanding Why Your Brain May Be Looking for Rejection, Even When It Isn’t There Have you ever sent a message and then worried because someone didn’t reply straight away? Or the text has a 1 word answer like maybe? You’re not alone there, because I have. Perhaps a colleague seemed quieter than usual, and you found yourself wondering if you’d upset them. Yep, I've definitely been there. Maybe your partner simply said, “We’ll talk later,” and your mind immediately started

When someone tells me they feel like they're too much, I don't hear someone who's difficult, needy or dramatic. I hear someone who's learned to question whether their needs, emotions or presence are acceptable.

Many people tell themselves they must be overreacting, being “too sensitive” or simply not coping very well. I’d like to gently offer you a different possibility.

Where Can Children and Teens Get Therapy for ADHD in Leeds? If you're looking for therapy for a child or teenager with ADHD in Leeds, you may already know that finding the right support isn't always straightforward. Many parents contact us feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or worried that their teenager is struggling more than people realise. Some young people are already diagnosed with ADHD. Others are waiting for assessment. Some are questioning whether ADHD may

Every January, many of us set goals with the very best intentions. We promise ourselves change: This time it will be different. Yet days or weeks later, those resolutions quietly fade. This often isn’t because we lack willpower or motivation—it’s because traditional goal-setting often doesn’t work well for those of us who are healing from trauma, stress, anxiety or burnout, and general rules / strategies can actually grow what we are trying to break free from. At Towards Tra

Navigating Criticism, Dismissal, and Emotional Boundaries By Towards Tranquility Therapy Christmas Family gatherings are often portrayed as being places of comfort, connection, and belonging. Yet for many people, family environments can feel emotionally unsafe — particularly when feelings are dismissed, choices are criticised, or boundaries are repeatedly ignored. If family interactions leave you feeling small, tense, or questioning yourself, you are not alone, and this is so

Christmas can be a period of deep sadness a reminder that not all families come together and not everyone experiences peace, love and joy. By Towards Tranquility For many, the Christmas season brings warmth, connection, and celebration. But for others—especially those navigating mental health struggles or painful family dynamics, perhaps family based separation—this time of year can feel overwhelming, isolating, and activate intense emotions. If you find yourself bracing you

Starting therapy can feel scary and overwhelming. Many people hesitate to take the first step because they are unsure of what to expect, they feel like they are a failure and therapy will add to that feeling fearing judgement, or questioning if the therapist will be a good fit. This is where a first therapy consultation plays a crucial role. It offers a chance to explore therapy options without pressure and helps build trust between the client and potential therapist. Und

Experiencing panic attacks can feel like a storm raging within you, leaving chaos in its wake. Understanding that you have the ability to regain control can be empowering. These body-based actions can serve as powerful tools to help restore balance and ease anxiety in your life. Let's explore ten effective strategies tailored to rejuvenate your well-being. 1. Deep Breathing Exercises Deep breathing exercises stand out as one of the most immediate and effective methods for com

Hypnotherapy is gaining recognition as a powerful tool for improving mental and physical well-being. This therapeutic approach uses...