Reflective Counselling in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | Counsellor

Reflective Counselling

Locality: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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25.01.2022 Welcome to Reflective Counselling! What a week of change and challenge. At the risk of adding to the corona virus hype I wanted to share a thought or two... I was sitting in one of my favourite outdoor cafes pondering my sense of low mood and physical exhaustion. (NO thankfully, I am NOT sick!) Aware of responsible social distancing I choose a space away from the other responsibly spaced diners. Having used the free hand sanitiser, which is a bonus as there is none in the ...shops, I ponder if I should read the communal newspaper. As my coffee arrives I realise what I am feeling is a sense of grief. I am grieving my old lifestyle, my sense that all usually works out just fine thank you very much for asking!. You know the one we as Australians often take for granted - fresh air, sunshine, relative peace and safety and in the most part access to great services and social freedom. So as I head back to Uni next week unsure if it will be external or face to face, and if I should visit my elderly father or my little grandson, and if I will actually be able to buy toilet paper I will also try to look with gratitude all that I still have. So perhaps this week you and I can both reach out to people who might need a hello or remember to acknowledge or validate someone else concerns or fears and perhaps if we are really up to it to not panic buy, depriving others who may be less mobile to have their share. Lets support each other to be mindful of others, ourselves and our self-care. Thats all from me.....Shelley :)

25.01.2022 Welcome to Reflective Counselling! In times of unrest it's more important than ever to look after our well-being and that of others living with social distancing. Perhaps if we restructure our thinking beyond life as it was (and will be again :) and appreciate rediscovering simple pleasures. When was the last time you had the opportunity to : * Smell the roses! Yes these are mine, attracting butterflies and bees. Small signs of continuing life! * Phone, face-time or write a ...letter to a friend. My Dad looks forward to something in the letter box. Another excuse to phone me in recognition of the news! * Bake something , if only to fill the house with delicious aromas. * Read a book you haven't read for ages, send an article to a colleague (my son), enjoy free newspaper subscriptions, take advantage of some great online course or TED Talks (yes my son) or make a box of memories with your children. * Put to rest practical jobs you've put off for years. * Plant herbs or veg. Share them to neighbours (letterbox drop)........ Sometimes opportunity is hidden in surprising guises. Perhaps now is a gift of opportunity to rediscover your sense of self and revel in things you love......wishing you safety and serenity Drop a line to share what you are rediscovering .....:) Cheers Shelley

24.01.2022 Welcome to Reflective Counselling! In times of unrest its more important than ever to look after our well-being and that of others living with social distancing. Perhaps if we restructure our thinking beyond life as it was (and will be again :) and appreciate rediscovering simple pleasures. When was the last time you had the opportunity to : * Smell the roses! Yes these are mine, attracting butterflies and bees. Small signs of continuing life! * Phone, face-time or write a ...letter to a friend. My Dad looks forward to something in the letter box. Another excuse to phone me in recognition of the news! * Bake something , if only to fill the house with delicious aromas. * Read a book you havent read for ages, send an article to a colleague (my son), enjoy free newspaper subscriptions, take advantage of some great online course or TED Talks (yes my son) or make a box of memories with your children. * Put to rest practical jobs youve put off for years. * Plant herbs or veg. Share them to neighbours (letterbox drop)........ Sometimes opportunity is hidden in surprising guises. Perhaps now is a gift of opportunity to rediscover your sense of self and revel in things you love......wishing you safety and serenity Drop a line to share what you are rediscovering .....:) Cheers Shelley

20.01.2022 Welcome back to Reflective Counselling Well it's week 2 of my mindfulness journey! Very timely if I may say as we new students face down 4 assessment pieces due in 3 weeks, plus the copious 'little homework tasks'...my mindful breathing has helped, if only momentary :)) Another class challenge this week included - mindful eating. Sitting calming, eyes closed (not essential, especially if you are eating with others :)) & slowly chewing - appreciating our food in small bites, s...avouring the smell, taste & texture. Chocolate may be a compulsory step in this mindfulness activity!! I have decided to check out experiential actives I have not tried before which might add to my 'tool box' of relaxation techniques. So I felt the need to 'mindfully' visit my friend and colleague Kate @ Calming Nature Therapies for a morning of 'relaxed' learning washed down with a cuppa by the water. Thanks Kate. I had never experienced Reiki although the info sheet described it as a safe, gentle & non-intrusive technique for restoring energy to mind & body, spirit & soul. I was defiantly in need of an infusion of all 4 elements! It did not disappoint. I felt profoundly relaxed, as though in a dream state, but not asleep. I even saw very clearly people in my 'dream' giving me gifts....can not explain that. I had no after effects besides a sense of pleasant tiredness. I guess the message is ...all things can not be explained and you could ask....do all things need an explanation? A reminder for me, perhaps all of us, to open our minds to new experiences. Embrace our lives and fill them with richness, self-awareness and appreciation. Have a great week, be mindful even in small ways. Add a comment if you have an experience or suggestion to try! Until next week signing off. Cheers Shelley

19.01.2022 Welcome to Reflective Counselling :) This week my goal is to be more MINDFULL - open to new or neglected (!) ways to calm my mind and body & to experience or consider new ideas which will value add to my lifestyle. (Read on to find a simple mindfulness activity!) Im starting a REFLECTIONS JOURNAL. No doubt like me you are busy, and fighting to unfill your schedule to allow for ME time. Therefore, my journal will consist of sketches, scribbles, word maps, mindmaps, perhaps ...a poem or passage which has stuck a cord or artifacts which remind me of a time, place or memory. This coincides nicely with a subject at USC this semester. The idea that mindfulness is EVIDENCE BASED adds weight to my journey. Research using brain scans has mapped the impact on, and changes to the brain following mindful & meditation activities. Similarly, the physical & emotional values. So to the promised activity. MINDFULL BREATHING or deep diaphragmatic breathing. This is great because you can do it anywhere - bus, train, garden, office, lunch room...Im sure you get the idea :) GOAL: Help relaxation, distract from pain or painful thoughts or emotions and to improve physical health. Lets get into it! ACTIVITY : When we are stressed, anxious, angry or in pain we breathe from the upper part of our chest. The aim is to breath from from ABDOMEN. If you rest your hand along the bottom of your rib cage horizontally and breathe your fingers should gently move apart. To keep breathing SLOW COUNT! Sit comfortably in a quiet spot. Hand under rib cage. Breathe in slowing to count of 3. (or one thousand...to get length between breaths, 2 thousand, 3 thousand etc) Breathe out to 3 (or 6 when you build capacity) Repeat.... COMMENT: have a go and let me know. :))

16.01.2022 Welcome to Reflective Counselling. For the last few years I have been on a journey to find my pathway to personal & professional well-being. Having been a teacher for many years I challenged myself to make a career move. To do so I had to examine my priorities, my strengths & view for the future. Volunteering with palliative children and restudying counselling paved the way toward Reflective Counselling! I offer a genuine confidential service based on an empathetic empowering... style using a range of personalised therapies including creative techniques like art, play, writing & mindfulness. My passion for helping children and adults to unpack grief, loss, bereavement and major life challenges is underpinned by my lived experiences. My authentic experiences within a range of education settings supports classroom mentoring, behaviour management and positive parenting help. Stay tuned to my site as I bring to you everyday insights and ideas which may help you to see a brighter, clearer future. Please contact me via this page or my email [email protected]

14.01.2022 Here is one link you can trust: mypolice.page.link/35am Great advice. Have a read! Happy Valentine's Day.

11.01.2022 Lets celebrate and congratulate important women in our worlds...heres some of mine!!

09.01.2022 New Challenges, New vulnerabilities!! Our lives are constantly changing. How we view new experiences can directly impact our behavioural and emotional responses. How we receive new information or stimulus can impact our ability to process and respond. Do you greet change, or as my Mum used to say, batten down the hatches and prepare to hide or fight ? The ongoing impact of the the fight, flight or freeze response on our brain & body can be detrimental to our ability to... function with any expectation of joy or effective problem solving. Yesterday was just such a day for ME - the first day as a new student at USC....my heart was pumping even before I successfully missed the first bus, infiltrated my way to a coffee spot laden with student cards, calendars, diary etc all distributed by bright youngsters younger than my own children! :) However, I survived (even thrived in small doses) I made 2 new study buddies, shared a wine overlooking the coast & went home laden with pristine text books & workbooks. I CANT wait to get my teeth into......well perhaps Ill have a cuppa first! Stay tuned for updates.

09.01.2022 Here is one link you can trust: mypolice.page.link/35am Great advice. Have a read! Happy Valentines Day.

06.01.2022 Welcome back to Reflective Counselling Well its week 2 of my mindfulness journey! Very timely if I may say as we new students face down 4 assessment pieces due in 3 weeks, plus the copious little homework tasks...my mindful breathing has helped, if only momentary :)) Another class challenge this week included - mindful eating. Sitting calming, eyes closed (not essential, especially if you are eating with others :)) & slowly chewing - appreciating our food in small bites, s...avouring the smell, taste & texture. Chocolate may be a compulsory step in this mindfulness activity!! I have decided to check out experiential actives I have not tried before which might add to my tool box of relaxation techniques. So I felt the need to mindfully visit my friend and colleague Kate @ Calming Nature Therapies for a morning of relaxed learning washed down with a cuppa by the water. Thanks Kate. I had never experienced Reiki although the info sheet described it as a safe, gentle & non-intrusive technique for restoring energy to mind & body, spirit & soul. I was defiantly in need of an infusion of all 4 elements! It did not disappoint. I felt profoundly relaxed, as though in a dream state, but not asleep. I even saw very clearly people in my dream giving me gifts....can not explain that. I had no after effects besides a sense of pleasant tiredness. I guess the message is ...all things can not be explained and you could ask....do all things need an explanation? A reminder for me, perhaps all of us, to open our minds to new experiences. Embrace our lives and fill them with richness, self-awareness and appreciation. Have a great week, be mindful even in small ways. Add a comment if you have an experience or suggestion to try! Until next week signing off. Cheers Shelley

05.01.2022 Happy Easter break from Reflective Counselling! Even though this special day may look different it can still have meaning, togetherness and a sense of renewal. Sometimes we are called upon to look at our lives through a different lens. This can be powerful and rejuvenating. It is ok to grieve a little for the loss of what was or could have been but it also allows us to explore gratitude for what we have. Today I am grateful for the special people and pets in my life, my garde...n, the weather... I have spent time writing cards (real paper versions) and of course texts and phonecalls to family and friends. In the midst of the chocolate haze today reflect with gratitude on all we have today. Until we meet again. Travel gently. Cheers Shelley See more

04.01.2022 Welcome to Reflective Counselling. Life is certainly precarious at the moment. A little sacrifice now could make all the difference. But consider social d i s t a n c i n g does not have to mean we forget to reach out to those we love. Send a text, write a letter, phone or skype. Social connection can make the difference to life. Reach out. Show you care. Its good for others and its good for you. Take care until we catchup again. Cheers Shelley

04.01.2022 Let's celebrate and congratulate important women in our world's...here's some of mine!!

03.01.2022 A huge thank-you to those who have liked, followed or responded in some way to my site Reflective Counselling. For me it is a leap of FAITH, choosing a new and unknown path for the future. I invite you to join me, comment or refer my site to others. If nothing else enjoy my photos and thoughts as I explore places and experiences, held together with ideas gathered from professional & personal networks and a little research to even things out! Remember, my posts are my thoughts, general insights and not intended as specific advice or diagnosis....also online lets be KIND to each. Please avoid using my page to slight or judge others....Its Sunday enjoy some rest & relaxation!!