By Claire Hastings, Counsellor at InnerMe Counselling®
I haven’t sat down to write anything for a good few weeks now, and to be honest, I haven’t really been inspired to write anything.
Whether that’s down to the incredible summer we’ve had and feeling a need to slow down, I’m not sure, but what I realised today was that I published my first reflection or blog, on 7th August last year.
Looking back, these are the thoughts and reflections that I’ve published over the past year:
7th August 2025 – What’s in a name? A process to reflect what I offer
18th August 2025 – Curious About Counselling? I invite you to read this
1st September 2025 – Pause, Reflect and Write: It’s Not Just for World Letter Writing Day
21st October 2025 – Seeing Through the Eyes of Another
18th November 2025 – Pause, Breathe, Walk: An Autumn Reflection
12th December 2025 – A ‘Good Enough’ Christmas – Reflections on stress, perfectionism and expectations
1st January 2026 – New Year Resolutions? A different approach……………
26th February 2026 – Jealousy and Envy: Listening to What Hurts
26th March 2026 – When Resentment Takes Hold
23rd April 2026 – Fractured Landscapes and How We Heal: Reflections on an exhibition at the New Walsall Art Gallery
27th May 2026 – Between Who We Were and Who We Are Becoming – On women, life stages and becoming ourselves
30th June 2026 – After Your Counselling Session Ends
26th July 2026 – Shall I Put the Kettle On?
There are lots of infographics, blog posts and memes out there, telling you how to be, what to do, how to spot the signs of other people’s personalities, but as a person-centred counsellor, writing like that would really go against what it means to be a the very nature person-centred counsellor.
So, as much as people might find them helpful, my reflections have been general thoughts on topics, rather than how-to guides or manuals for self-improvement.
I find it interesting looking back at my year of writing because it also reminds me of my motivations for writing the different pieces.
I have always hoped, more than anything else, that they would provide an insight into me as a counsellor and as a person. Perhaps, when someone reads them, they might get a feeling of being seen and understood, even before we have ever met.
There is another thing I have been thinking about when I look back over the last year.
As counsellors, we don't really get to talk about our work in the same way that people in many other professions can. We can't share the stories of the people we work with or talk about their successes. The work is private and confidential, although sometimes there has to be a few exceptions.
I don't get to tell a persons story.
I don't get to share with others a persons successes.
Often, I may never know what happens next.
I do get to be alongside people for a small part of their lives. I get to listen, to be curious and to offer a space where someone can explore what is going on for them without judgement.
There is something uniquely special about that.
Perhaps this is what I mean when I say that I work quietly. What happens within the counselling relationship stays there, between two people. There are no before and after photographs, no testimonials telling someone else's story and no way of measuring all the small changes that might have happened over time of us working together.
What an absolute privilege it is to be trusted with another person's story, even for a short time.
I may not publish reflections as regularly in the future, but that doesn’t mean I’ve gone anywhere. I’m still here, working quietly and supporting those who find their way to me.
Over the coming months, I’ll also be spending some time reshaping my practice and my website to reflect some of the changes I’m making. It feels like another opportunity to pause, reflect and think about what my practice to be, and how I want to offer it.
If you’re visiting my website for the first time or finding me through LinkedIn or Facebook, you’re very welcome to have a look through the blogs and reflections I’ve written over the last 12 months. You may find something there that interests you, or perhaps something that resonates.
With warmest wishes.
Claire.
About Me:
I’m Claire Hastings, a BACP-registered counsellor and founder of InnerMe Counselling®. I work online and by telephone with people across the UK and Europe, supporting those navigating the emotional challenges that can arise during life’s transitions. You can find out more about how I work at www.innerme-counselling.co.uk
© Claire Hastings T/A InnerMe Counselling®