AJH Therapy

19/05/2026

Shoulds, Musts and Ought to’s. Unhelpful thoughts.

16/05/2026

We are loving these tips from the Mental Health Foundation for taking action on your mental health this 👏

Which ones do you already do, or would you like to do more of? Share in the comments 👇

30/04/2026

Talking to both a loved one and a counsellor can be highly effective together, but understanding the differences in what each type of support offers can help provide clarity 💙

Share to raise awareness 💙

20/04/2026

It is quite normal for us all to experience poor sleep. Our bodies have a natural rhythm and that pattern can get disrupted. If you’re struggling to get enough sleep, there are things to ask yourself:

Do I have any worries about failing at something important to me? Sleep problems often stem from a fear or worry, especially failure (maybe your job or a relationship) as your mind becomes hyper alert to keep you awake and on top of everything you need to deal with.

Do I feel guilty about anything? Feeling of guilt (past or present) can interrupt sleep, whether they are real or just worries.

Am I worrying about things that are out of my control? Sometimes we spend a lot of energy wanting or wishing for things we can’t have, or for other people to change, which we can never control.

Is it the environment? Is your bedroom comfortable - check the room temperature, are you warm enough? Is it dark enough? Is it clean enough, not dusty? Is it cluttered or full of stuff that doesn’t really belong in a bedroom? Is your bed right for the job? Make sure the mattress or pillows don’t need replacing.

Are there other factors – is it an underlying health problem? some medications can affect sleep, is it hormonal or physical?

Are you trying too hard to go to sleep? Trying too hard is the best possible way to ensure you don’t get to sleep. Telling yourself I MUST get to sleep now just makes the brain more active and alert, as it stays awake to perform the task you are currently doing – worrying.

Sleep is very important for our physical and mental health. Please don’t struggle. Have a look on a trusted website like the nhs and take a positive step to get on top of yours.

20/04/2026

A blustery day, but Vitamin D is on the to do list

06/04/2026

"LIFE IS CHANGE. GROWTH IS OPTIONAL.
CHOOSE WISELY" -Karen Kaiser Clark

This quote used to hang above the chair in my first therapy room.

06/04/2026

18/03/2026

This is something I've posted about before, but it really is worth repeating. Thinking processes can be flawed, and we often interpret events according to our current mood, meaning that on different days, the same event could create a different response.
Use these questions to challenge a negative thought:

• What really has just happened
• What am I telling myself about what has happened
• Is it as bad as I think it is
• What meaning or importance am I attaching to it
• Is it about me?
• What am I really reacting to
• Is that a memory or past emotion
• Am I catastrophising a normal event

You can also use the "best friend" test - how would you support someone if they came to you with the thought process you are experiencing? would you encourage them to think negatively?