Val Seger-Bernard

14/04/2024

What plans do you have this week to boost your physical and mental well-being?
I’ll go first… I’m going to eat better and exercise 3 times during the week. It’s time I set aside some time to look after myself.

Did you notice the I’m going to.. that’s an intention. If we say to ourselves ’im going to try …. Or, Im thinking about….. ‘ then we’re really putting that into the future, which means to our unconscious, ‘I’ll do that some other time’.

It really doesn’t matter what it is, how grand or small, in fact small is good. We need to make it achievable and that way we get an added bonus of a sense of achievement as well as a boost to our wellbeing.

So who’s going to plan a small thing to add in this week? More time for a bit of self-care, better nutrition, more sleep, less booze, a walk when you can?

Whatever you choose, I wish you well. Let me know what you plan and what you achieve - much love 💗

23/03/2024

In answer to facebook’s question ‘what’s on your mind?’ The answer, as always is, too much!

We live in a world of constant overwhelm. We can become excessively burdened, by the amount of responsibility, information and stimuli all around us.

Often, on some level, we know we’ve reached a limit and we try to seek a ‘quieting’, sometimes with success and sometimes not.

As a counsellor, I always look for the way someone administers the ‘quiet’. Is it gardening, walks in nature, meditation, meeting friends? Or, is it alcohol, unhealthy relationships, drug use, prescription drugs, withdrawal? There are so many ways that we seek to soothe ourselves.

Firstly of course, you have to recognise the signs. Overthinking, stress, snapping at others, anxiety, headaches, tension, can all be signs. Endless scrolling, keeping up with the Joneses, striving for that next position at work…

Becoming more centred can help. I’m a fan of a pro’s and con’s lists! Write it down, prioritise what needs to be acted on and when, then build a plan. All of that can help you feel more in control.

Talk it through. Do you have a friend or family member who is good at grounding you?

Check your expectations of yourself and others. Do they need tweaking?

When your mind gets overactive and everything blurs together in a ‘equally important’ way, acknowledge that something’s going on, that you need to take a step back to see it all more clearly, take some action - talking, writing it down, do lists, whatever helps you assess and step back emotionally.
Then do some self care. Be nice to yourself, take a bit of time out and proceed more slowly.

Bonne chance et bon weekend ❤️

Val

16/03/2024

Is Counselling worth it?

Well, that's a question isn't it?! I would argue yes, of course I would, it's been my profession for a very long time. Over the years I have had the privilege to hear people's stories, their fears, their joys, their heartaches, and help them through all of it.

It's scary, I get that, I've been on the receiving end myself and what I can tell you, is that it is a unique relationship between the counsellor and client. Where else in life do you get to talk about what really matters or what's really going on? Yes, we have fiends and family who will help and that's fantastic and always to be encouraged. However, those same friends and family have a biased view of you, despite how they might try to be impartial, their emotions, roles, expectations will always be there.

So what can counselling offer that someone else can't? Freedom to talk without judgement, with support and with impartiality. It's a professional relationship with training, standards and ethics.

To sum it up,

Counselling is most definitely worth it if you want a safe space to talk about your thoughts and feelings. Want to gain insight into your behaviors and emotions and learn coping strategies to manage stress and challenges. Improve your relationships, enhance self-awareness, and promote personal growth.

It's a supportive environment where you can work through difficult issues with a trained professional.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch for more information and an informal discussion of what you need and what I can offer you.

[email protected]

more information about myself at www.maisondolive.co.uk

I practice face to face from Availes Limouzine health centre, and offer on-line sessions as well.

Have a great day everyone, Val :)

At Maison d'Olive we create luxury hand-dyed yarns using only the best materials. Each skein is lovingly and professionally dyed, making each one unique. We also run Textile Retreats from our farmhouse in the French countryside of the Charente. Stay with us, relax and learn new skills.

05/03/2024

What’s the purpose of counselling?

The purpose of counseling is to provide support, guidance, and a safe space for individuals to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It helps people gain insight into themselves, develop coping strategies, and work through personal challenges or mental health issues. Ultimately, counseling aims to improve overall well-being and quality of life.

At the very basic level, sometimes it’s just nice to have someone impartial, on your side, listening without judgement and opinion. Pretty rare in our daily lives!

If you’d like more information please contact me at [email protected]

04/03/2024

03/03/2024

These are my new business cards. I’m quite pleased with how they turned out. I love the idea of the dark cloud - notice all the hues in there? That’s exactly how mood is, it’s transient, changing all the time.
I had the cards made with pink, green and purple mood clouds too. Not every mood cloud is grey 🌫️

02/03/2024

Hi, welcome to my Counselling page.

Life can be very difficult at times and it can really help to talk things over with an impartial, trained professional.

I offer one-to-one sessions as well as online. My approach is warm, caring and professional, ensuring that you feel supported and heard throughout our sessions. Together, we work at your pace, focussing on your individual needs and empowering you to make positive changes in your life. Your comfort and sense of control are paramount.

This page is to help you get an understanding of the counselling service I offer, help you determine if I am a person you could approach for help, and to find out all the ins and outs and how you might benefit from becoming a client.

If you are ready to get in touch, please use the contact button to request more information.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Val