When life feels harder than it looks

Putting on a brave face just to get through the day can be deeply exhausting.  Anxiety, stress, difficult experiences, or the ongoing pressures of life can leave you feeling emotionally drained, overwhelmed, or unlike yourself.

You may notice that things which once brought you joy no longer feel the same, relationships feel harder to navigate, or everyday life feels more difficult to manage.

As an integrative counsellor, I work with adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, ADHD, relationship difficulties and life changes.  I have a particular interest in how attachment, relationships and past experiences can shape the way we relate to ourselves and others, understand our emotions, and navigate close relationships.

I offer a space where you can feel safe to speak openly, perhaps for the first time, without needing to filter yourself or hold anything back.

And together, we can make sense of things.

What you might be experiencing     

Anxiety can feel like it takes over at times - something more than worry that never fully settles.

You might find yourself overthinking conversations, seeking reassurance, replaying situations, or struggling to quiet your mind.  At times, you may feel emotionally overwhelmed or unsure why certain situations affect you so strongly.

Relationships can feel challenging -  perhaps you find it hard to express your needs, feel misunderstood, or adapt to others while losing sight of yourself.

You may also experience racing thoughts, emotional intensity, sensitivity to criticism or rejection, and difficulty regulating emotions while trying to manage everyday life.  For some people, this may also be connected to ADHD.

Over time, these experiences can leave you feeling mentally exhausted and disconnected from your own needs, especially if you've become used to coping, staying strong, or putting others first.

These responses don't just stay in the mind - they can show up in the body too, through tension, fatigue, restlessness, feeling on edge, or shutting down.

How I work

Our relationship is at the heart of the work - a space where you don't have to hold everything together.  As an integrative counsellor, I draw on different therapeutic approaches, tailoring therapy to your individual needs rather than following one fixed way of working.

We go at your pace, sometimes pausing, sometimes staying with things instead of pushing past them, gently noticing what's happening beneath the surface so your experiences and patterns can begin to become clearer.

Together, we may explore how past experiences and important relationships have shaped the way you see yourself, manage emotions, and connect with others.  We can also pay attention to what's happening in the present moment, including how your body responds through sensations such as tightness, changes in breathing, or moments of feeling more settled.

By understanding these patterns with curiosity and compassion, you can begin to develop a kinder relationship with yourself and create more choice in how you respond, relate, and meet your own needs.

What can change

Over time, things can start to shift - not dramatically, but quietly.

Less caught in spirals.  A little more space before reacting.  A little more steadiness inside.

Life can begin to feel less like something you're just pushing through, and more like living - more connected to yourself, more able to navigate relationships and life changes, and with more room to breathe.

Getting in touch

I know that finding the right counsellor is an important and personal decision, so I offer a free 15-minute introductory call to help you see whether working together feels right for you.

I offer in-person counselling sessions in Bushey, Hertfordshire, conveniently located for clients in Watford and the surrounding areas, as well as online counselling.

Contact Details:

Phone: 07707 381309

Email: myra@mistcounselling.co.uk

Website: www.mistcounselling.co.uk 

NB: If eligible, discounted sessions are available for online appointments only.

Training, qualifications & experience 

• Currently studying towards CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Attachment Psychotherapeutic Counselling

• CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

• CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies

• CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills

• CPCAB Level 2 Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills

• Complex Trauma Training Level 1 & 2 - Dr Janina Fisher

• IAN Attachment Course- module 1 and 2

• Polyvagal-informed: how nervous system states influence behavior and emotions - Deb Dana

• Working with Shame - Carolyn Spring

• Treating Adult Clients of Emotionally Immature Parents - Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD

• Clinical Solutions for Processing Childhood Trauma in Adults

• The Spider in the Glass Domestic Violence and Gender Based Violence Training

• The Spiderlings - Children and The Abusive Relationship Training

• BACP - Certificate of Proficiency

• Supported and counselled women affected by domestic abuse within a refuge setting.

• Placement with Place2Be supporting children and young people’s emotional wellbeing in schools using creative and child-centred approaches.