Lisa Gibson Counselling & Psychotherapy

Negative voices can be overwhelming but recognising them as just thoughts—rather than absolute truths—can be empowering.
Writing those thoughts in the second person is a great strategy; it creates a bit of distance, allowing you to respond more constructively. For example, instead of just accepting “You’re stupid,” you might counter with, “That’s not true; I’ve learned and grown from my mistakes.”
Practicing self-compassion is crucial. When you notice that harsh self-talk, try to treat yourself as you would a friend in the same situation. What would you say to them?
Reframing those negative narratives can shift your perspective significantly. Instead of “You’re an imposter,” you might think, “It’s normal to feel uncertain sometimes; I’m still learning.”
Being aware of your inner dialogue is the first step toward reclaiming your narrative and reducing the power those voices have over you. Keep practicing these techniques, and over time, you may find those negative thoughts become less dominant.

The answer is undoubtedly yes! Journaling is an evidence-based self-care technique that offers everyone an expressive coping strategy for managing everyday stress. Studies have shown us that it can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. It allows us to get our thoughts, particularly intrusive thoughts down on paper, giving them less authority to control us and a more analytical, unemotional way of responding. It allows us space to clarify our thoughts and feelings, recognise negative thought patterns and rumination, and can allow us to reframe distressing events. The major benefit is that it is free! Why not give it a try? If you don't know where to start why not put pen to paper and write anything that comes up and see where it takes you?

Feeling lost is a common experience for many people. It is a way to describe when someone feels overwhelmed by what's happening in their life, their emotions, or their thoughts. We can feel lost even if on paper all our needs are met. We can feel lost in our work, our relationships, in our own personal growth. The way of dealing with it is to acknowledge it; recognising and accepting that it's normal is the place to start. It can be demotivating, leading to anxiety and depression so finding a way to deal with it is important. Taking time to talk to friends or family can help identify its cause and can help explore options to help oneself move forward. Therapy can also offer the perfect space to be honest with ourselves and gain the self-awareness we need to determine how to live a more meaningful and purpose-filled life.

In today's world rest is something that is undervalued and something we often feel a sense of guilt around. Being stuck on the hamster wheel, chasing unrealistic expectations of success regarding the perfect career, family or social life can result in an unsustainable lifestyle that sabotages our performance, well-being, and happiness. The remedy is quite simply rest. Rest allows us to stop and take care of ourselves. By taking care of ourselves we prioritise ourselves which improves mood, lowers stress, and promotes positive emotional health.

Give yourself permission to rest, boost your creativity, and productivity, and experience the present moment.

What can you do this weekend to rest?

Depression can affect people of all ages, ethnicities, and genders. It can leave us feeling persistently sad with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. These feelings of emptiness cause a range of psychological and physical symptoms. These symptoms can severely impair our day-to-day functioning.

Loss of interest in activities
Difficulty making decisions.
Fatigue, lack of energy, or feeling slowed down.
Physical aches and pains, headaches, cramps, and digestive problems without clear cause that don't go away without treatment.
Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes.

If you're suffering from depression don't suffer alone as talking therapy can help. It can help identify new ways of thinking or behaving and help change habits that lead to depression. Reach out for help, talk to someone.

There are moments in our lives when we feel out of control and it's often the case that when we're feeling like this it's the result of spending too much time on things we can't control. In my case, I notice that it's too much time focusing on the past or the words and behaviours of others.

One thing that can help is taking time to think about what would be in your circle of control. It might be your thoughts and actions or how you treat others. Spending too much time focusing on what you can't control leads to negativity and overwhelm.



Why not try drawing your circle allowing yourself to focus your energy on what you can control, creating opportunities for growth and empowerment?

Coping with Anxiety can be difficult when we don't have strategies in place. Feelings of anxiety can escalate quickly leading to a sense of feeling out of control and overwhelmed, being unable to do things we want and need to do. Unmanaged anxiety or feelings of fear can lead to an increased risk of other medical problems so it's important to develop strategies that help us to manage and deal with stressful situations in life. Having some positive strategies allows us to feel more confident in our ability to deal with problems.

What helps you manage your anxiety?

Having no boundaries can feel exhausting, confusing, and frustrating, leading us to accept blame for things we didn't do or can't control. If our boundaries are too relaxed or we don't have enough others can hurt us unintentionally making life more difficult for us without even knowing. It is common for people with few or no boundaries to feel overtired, and busy, fearing rejection, conflict, or disapproval. These feelings can be overwhelming and scary.

Allowing yourself space to explore your limits and deciding what works for you can help. We put boundaries in place to communicate how we want to be treated by others, how they can behave, and what they can expect from us. It can feel liberating and validating as our sense of self-worth increases.

It means we value our feelings and needs and acknowledge that we matter.

Take some time to think about your boundaries.

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When we consider anger the majority of us will see it as a negative emotion. When we think of being angry, we think of angry outbursts, outbursts of rage. Yes, anger can be destructive, it can impact our mental and physical health, it can harm our relationships and impact our professional performance, but it can also be extremely valuable. Anger quite often takes up space in the therapy room and as I grow as a practitioner my own attitude and thoughts have changed. I've witnessed anger helping clients to take charge of their lives, gain insights into triggers and behaviours; I've experienced the power it has to motivate us to find solutions. It really can help us move forward and generate change. What do you think about anger? Next time you feel angry consider how you can harness it for good? Lucy Donoughue shares some tips in issue 73 of Happiful.

The most popular search for a therapist on counselling directory uk is for help and support with anxiety. Research by Mental Health UK shows that there are 8m people in the UK experiencing an anxiety disorder and an estimated 822,000 workers reported as being affected by work related stress, depression or anxiety every year. (Health and Safety Executive). Anxiety is a common and increasing problem, but so many people still don't get help and suffer with physical, psychological and behavioural symptoms ranging from mild to severe. It can be debilitating and frightening. If it affects you or someone you know there are more and more organisations out there offering advice and support; Anxiety UK, based right here in Manchester being one of them! Don't let anxiety control you or those you know, reach out or encourage others to get support, take steps to learn to control it.

It can a daunting prospect reaching out for help let alone trying to choose a counsellor/therapist that's right.

There are so many good therapists out there, skilled and experienced in so many different modalities using different techniques. It can be difficult to know what’s right, especially if you’ve no prior knowledge or personal experience of counselling.

I offer a tailored approach, but one that’s underpinned with person centred theory which means that I hold you as the expert in your life. I will work with you to gain an understanding of your experience from your perspective and by offering empathy, being fully present, real, and accepting I will support you to gain a deeper understanding of your feelings.

The relationship between counsellor and client is fundamental to therapeutic change & growth. It's so important to get it right. I offer a 20 min telephone consultation to explore this with all clients so if you've been thinking about reaching out for support, then get in touch and we can explore if my way of being feels right.

Welcome to my page! I'm Lisa Gibson a qualified and experienced counsellor/psychotherapist based in Chorlton South Manchester. I'm person centred and trauma informed trained and work with adults 18+. I provide face to face talking therapy on a 121 basis from two easily accessible locations in central chorlton, as well as online sessions via Zoom/Microsoft Teams and sessions over the phone. Sessions are 50 mins and cost £50. I offer a discounted rate for students and I'm able to offer a concession to those on low incomes - please contact me to discuss. For more information on the issues I can support with please visit my website - www.lisagibsoncounsellingandpsychotherapy.co.uk

I currently have face to face availability on Tuesday evenings and all day Friday until 9pm. I offer an initial 15-20 mins free telephone consultation. Get in touch to arrange.

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