Family Estrangement – When ‘No Contact’ is the Only Choice
Posted by siteadmin on August 25, 2026
Family estrangement is a heavy, quiet grief that many people carry in total isolation.
It is rarely a simple or clean break. Instead, it brings up a constant roller coaster of different emotions—often all at the same time:
Deep grief for what was lost
Intense relief from protecting your peace
Sudden waves of guilt and self-doubt
Heavy anger over how things turned out
People often think distance is just about physical space, but it changes your whole being. It is a unique kind of heartache—mourning a relationship while the person is still here.
If you are walking this painful path too, please know that your pain is - Read More
Understanding Loneliness vs. Solitude
Posted by siteadmin on August 18, 2026
Understanding Loneliness vs. Solitude
In both personal and professional life, it is common to confuse being alone with experiencing loneliness. However, the distinction between the two is vital for mental wellbeing
Solitude (Being Alone) is a choice. It is a conscious, positive decision to disconnect temporarily to rest, recharge, and find focus.
Loneliness is a state of disconnection. It is not a choice. Because it stems from a lack of meaningful connection, an individual can feel profoundly lonely even while surrounded by colleagues, friends, or family.
Emotional Loneliness often feels like a lack of deep, intimate connection with a specific person, often resulting in - Read More
Past or Present?
Posted by siteadmin on August 13, 2026
Some people wonder why the counselling I offer incorporates looking at their experiences and situations in the past, as well as thinking about what’s happening right now
For me, this quote sums it up perfectly I think x
If we spend our time living in the past, we miss being able to experience what’s truly happening now or being able to fully embrace new ideas or situations that might benefit us.
Equally, if we spend our time living in the present, we miss being able to reflect and grow, extend our choices or make different decisions as we will always come up with - Read More
Grief Counselling
Posted by siteadmin on May 18, 2026
“When I lost my person, I didn’t just feel sad. I felt messy. Out of nowhere, old hurts and family stuff I thought I’d dealt with years ago came flooding back. I started counselling thinking we’d just talk about the loss. Instead, you helped me look under the hood at how my whole past shapes how I handle pain. You didn’t give me generic advice or tell me to look on the bright side. You just sat with me while I figured out the knots in my head. I’m still grieving, but the weight doesn’t feel like it’s crushing me - Read More
** Appointments Available**
Posted by siteadmin on April 1, 2026
** Appointments Available**** Free Initial Consultation**Are you considering counselling?Maybe you aren’t sure if it’s the right path for you or what it may entail?To find out how I work, what I offer and how I may support you please visit How I work – Sarah Coe (MBACP) – Individual Counselling or visit my counselling directory profile Counsellor Sarah Coe – Bury St. Edmunds – Counselling DirectoryPlease know that I currently have limited availability to accept new clients and all enquiries are dealt with in the strictest confidence.
Depression – one persons story
Posted by siteadmin on February 5, 2026
“This morning I argued with my wife. I had asked her to do something and she had done it differently to how I asked. I got upset and asked her am I so unimportant to you that you have to do everything your way as if my feelings, thoughts and decisions don’t matter?
She was confused by my outburst, by the tears running done my face.
After ranting at her for another few minutes telling her how useless I felt and unworthy
she told me that she didn’t feel that way about me, that it was how my depression felt about me and - Read More
“I DON’T KNOW”
Posted by siteadmin on July 3, 2025
“I DON’T KNOW”
It’s a phrase many of us use when our search to figure something out is in progress. But what else could it mean?
That phrase—”I don’t know”—can carry more weight in counselling than it first appears. It’s often not just about lacking information, but can reflect all sorts of inner experiences. Here are a few possibilities:
Emotional Overwhelm The person might be feeling so many things at once that they genuinely can’t untangle or name them. “I don’t know” becomes a stand-in for emotional overload.
Avoidance or Protection Sometimes it’s easier—or safer—to say “I don’t know” than to confront - Read More
Lets talk about Anxiety
Posted by siteadmin on June 26, 2025
Let’s Talk About Anxiety: You’re Not Alone
Anxiety isn’t just “nerves” or “overthinking.” It’s a very real response to feeling unsafe, overwhelmed, or uncertain—even when everything around you seems fine. And if that’s how you’ve been feeling lately, you’re not broken. You’re human.
Anxiety can show up in many different ways: racing thoughts, a tight chest, avoiding things that used to be easy. Sometimes it makes you feel like you’re living in fast-forward, struggling to find the pause button.
You are not weak. Living with anxiety means your brain is trying to protect you—even if it’s a little overprotective.
You don’t have to manage - Read More
Counselling as method for dealing with psychological distress
Posted by siteadmin on May 22, 2025
This book was one of the first “counselling” books I read many years ago; “Counselling for Toads” by Robert de Board.
Using the characters of Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows it follows Toad who is experiencing a depressed state and his good friends Rat, Mole and Badger who are afraid “he might do something silly”.
“First they nursed him. Then they encouraged him. Then they told him to pull himself together….Finally Badger could stand it no longer…”Now look here Toad, this can go on no longer,” he said sternly. “There is only one thing left. You must have counselling!”
Such a fabulous - Read More
What were you told you’re not?
Posted by siteadmin on May 1, 2024
What were you told you’re not?
Not sporty, not careful, not academic, not quiet, not practical, not thoughtful, not funny, not handsome, not sociable, not beautiful, not deserving, not…not…not
This can equate for many a innate sense of not feeling good enough, low self worth, low self esteem, a sense of lacking or being lesser in some way, low confidence and so much pain with . Pain that can show itself in depression and anxiety, skin conditions, ruminating, flu like symptoms, constant aches and pains, headaches, sickness…in short any way the body can try to express that sense of deep sadness and - Read More
Telephone