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Building Confidence When Working with Clinical Risk: Supporting the Therapist Helps Support the Client
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.
Liz M
Aug 278 min read


Why Do I Feel Like I'm Pretending to Be an Adult?
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."

Liz Maskew
Aug 185 min read


Why Do I Feel Like I Have to Explain Myself All the Time?
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
Liz M
Aug 117 min read


Why Do I Go Completely Blank When Someone Asks Me a Question?
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
Liz M
Aug 55 min read


Why Do I Always Think People Are Angry With Me?
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
Liz M
Aug 16 min read


Why Do I Feel Like I'm Too Much?
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.
Liz M
Jul 205 min read


Why Does My Brain Know I’m Safe but My Body Still Doesn’t?
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.
Liz M
Jul 16 min read


Where Can Teens Get Therapy for ADHD in Leeds or Otley? A Parent's Guide to Finding Support
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
Liz M
Jun 224 min read


Flexible, Realistic Intentions: A Trauma-Informed Alternative to New Year Resolutions
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
Liz M
Jan 43 min read


When Family Doesn’t Feel Safe
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
Liz M
Dec 14, 20254 min read


8 Ways of Coping Through the Christmas Period When You’re Struggling With Mental Health and Family Relationships.
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
Liz M
Dec 1, 20255 min read


Why a Free Initial Consultation Matters in Mental Health
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
Liz M
Oct 16, 20254 min read


Regaining Control: 10 Effective Strategies to Combat Panic Attacks
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
Liz M
Sep 20, 20254 min read


Unlock the Benefits of Hypnotherapy for Mind and Body
Hypnotherapy is gaining recognition as a powerful tool for improving mental and physical well-being. This therapeutic approach uses...
Liz M
Aug 4, 20253 min read


Key Benefits of Hypnotherapy for Mental Wellness
Hypnotherapy is gaining recognition as a powerful tool for improving mental wellness. It involves guided relaxation and focused attention...
Liz M
Aug 4, 20253 min read


Transform Your Life with Professional Counselling & Hypnotherapy Services
In today's fast-paced world, life can feel overwhelming. Many people find themselves struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship...
Liz M
Jul 25, 20255 min read


How Stress Impacts Health the Body and Tips to Counteract It
Stress is a natural response that helps us cope with challenges. However, when stress becomes chronic, it can have significant negative...
Liz M
Jul 13, 20254 min read


Exploring the relationship between anxiety and physical health
Anxiety is one of the most common forms of mental health disorder, and can be described as a prolonged feeling of apprehension or dread,...
Liz M
Jul 4, 20253 min read


Navigating Parenting with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can profoundly impact individuals and their roles as parents. For many, it can be challenging to...
Liz M
Jun 27, 20253 min read


The Connection Between Mental and Physical Health
As a therapist who works with people who have experienced significant distress from childhood, I often notice the profound connection...
Liz M
May 28, 20254 min read


Building Confidence When Working with Clinical Risk: Supporting the Therapist Helps Support the Client
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.


Why Do I Feel Like I'm Pretending to Be an Adult?
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."


Why Do I Feel Like I Have to Explain Myself All the Time?
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
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