Meet the Rainbow Team

Meet the Rainbow Team

We wanted to take the opportunity to highlight our updated ‘Meet our Team’ page.
Counsellor Profile – Paynter Paynt
Sophie, Rainbow Counselling

Sometimes it’s hard to approach an unknown ‘face’ and ‘name’ when you feel you wish to access counselling or coaching. It helps to be reassured that the person you will be seeing is trained, professional and above all non-judgmental, friendly and approachable.

We wish to reassure all potential clients that we take this seriously which is why our team have written some (recently updated) profiles about their training, counselling/coaching background and specialisms.

Our counsellors and coach work from various premises and on different days/times during the week, so you may wish to work with someone who is local to you. Some of our counsellors also offer sessions via telephone or zoom.

Please click on meet the team > to access their profiles and see who might be a good ‘fit’ for you and your needs.

Counsellor Profile: Jenny Anderson
Counsellor Profile – Nick Cocking
Counsellor Profile – Jess Bowler
The link between sleep deprivation and mental health

The link between sleep deprivation and mental health

It’s not just new parents and night shift workers who may feel sleep deprived. For many, suffering with poor sleep or insomnia can be a hidden and debilitating struggle. And a link has now been found between sleep issues and mental health.

The link between sleep deprivation and mental healthPoor sleep can affect an individual in many ways: difficulty getting to sleep, early waking, nightmares and problems staying asleep as examples.

A new study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health used a cross-sectional of 89,205 participants from the UK Biobank. The study demonstrates that people diagnosed with mental health conditions often have worse sleep quality and also that poor sleep can impact mental health. It’s not yet clear if one causes the other and if so, which one comes first so to speak. An interesting observation of the study found that sleep deprivation increases inflammation in the body, and inflammation is connected to stress.

Check out this article from the UK Therapy Guide for more observations on the study, including some tips for practicing good ‘sleep hygiene’ as recommended by the researchers in the study.

If you would like to book an appointment with a Rainbow counsellor, please send us a message with a brief explanation of your situation and we will recommend a counsellor to meet your needs.​

Finding ways to combat Climate Anxiety

Finding ways to combat Climate Anxiety

The hottest topic in the news at the moment is the climate crisis and let’s face it, it’s an issue that affects us all.

Many of us are understandably worried about what is happening in our world and we can feel anxious and at times, powerless, to change things.

Did you know this state of anxiety has a name – ‘Eco-anxiety’? The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy has commissioned research which finds that 23% of us are worried about the future due to concern over climate change (see the link to their article here for more stats on this).

Looking for some ways to help with this anxiety?

BACP recommends finding ways to talk about it, to process your thoughts and feelings, to receive validation that you are not alone. Give others time to talk – rifts are happening in families with 10% saying the issue has caused arguments between parents and children. Take time to hear someone else’s perspective. Practice regular self-care and avoid ‘doom-scrolling’ and sole focus on the negative. Reconnecting with nature is also a great anti-stressor and is a fantastic way of remembering that you are part of something bigger. To find out more please visit this article on BACP’s website >

And of course here at Rainbow our team of counsellors can help you to work through some of the issues related to this as well. If you would like to book an appointment with a Rainbow counsellor, please send us a message with a brief explanation of your situation and we will recommend a counsellor to meet your needs.​

Why is it so important to cry?

Why is it so important to cry?

We stumbled across this interesting article by the UK Therapy Guide and thought it was too good not to share.

Crying - why is it so important?In a world where crying is often seen as a weakness, as we grow more aware of the importance of mental health, it’s important to remember this most basic and yet key expression of human emotion.

The author reminds us that we come into the world crying, that it has physical and emotional benefits. They also explore difficulties that can arise if we find we aren’t able to cry, and how tears can overlap with other feelings, such as guilt.

Check it out here >

If you would like to book an appointment with a Rainbow counsellor, please send us a message with a brief explanation of your situation and we will recommend a counsellor to meet your needs.​

World Suicide Prevention Day

World Suicide Prevention Day

Each year on 10 September various organisations come together to raise awareness of issues surrounding suicide and work towards a world where fewer people reach the point of taking their own life. This year the theme is ‘Hope’.​

World Suicide Prevention DayThe Samaritans have pulled together some ideas for how to create hope in your life. These include a gratitude journal, going for a walk with a friend and taking time to pause and reflect. Check out these suggestions in their article here >

BACP members reflect on what Hope means for them as they work with clients in the counselling room. Check out some videos here >

Take some time to pause and reflect…

What creates hope in your life?
How do you find hope when you are struggling?

And as always, remember Rainbow counsellors are here to help if you or a loved one are battling thoughts of suicide.