How to cope with the winter blues – part 1

by Andrew Webb | Nov 8, 2020 | counselling resources, couples, mental health, relationships, Society, the spark, Tips, topical

When the days start getting shorter and the nights longer, many people start to feel their mood drop. Unlike Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – a form of clinical depression – the ‘winter blues’ is a general term for the feelings of sadness and lethargy we can all...

Stop worrying and start living

by Andrew Webb | May 16, 2018 | counselling resources, couples and individuals, mental health, relationships, Society, the spark

The focus of this year’s Mental Health Awareness week has been ‘stress: are we coping?’  This got us thinking about books that have helped us cope with the stresses of life. One, in particular, is a recommended read for us. And it just happens to be the birthplace of...

How to fix a broken heart

by Andrew Webb | Feb 13, 2018 | case study, counselling resources, couples and individuals, mental health, relationships, Society, the spark, Tips, topical

Though we will all try our hardest to avoid it, at some point in our lives we will experience heartbreak. Whether it comes from the end of a relationship or a sudden loss, a broken heart can be and often is the greatest trauma we will ever go through. Dealing with a...

Myths about counselling – part 1

by Andrew Webb | May 16, 2018 | counselling resources, couples, couples and individuals, mental health, relationships, the spark, topical

It is not uncommon for myths about counselling to discourage or even prevent people from trying therapy. Popular misconceptions – given credibility by people who have often never had counselling – can colour our opinions of counselling and talking therapies in...

3 exam myths busted

by Andrew Webb | Apr 24, 2018 | Children and Young People, counselling resources, education, families, mental health, the spark, Tips, topical, young people

Exams are on the horizon for young people up and down the country. So we decided it was time to bust a few exam myths which can create unnecessary stress and anxiety before exams. Exam myths busted #1: poor exam results will ruin your life Exams are a part of your...

Conflict. It’s all about the brain…

by Andrew Webb | Jan 24, 2018 | Children and Young People, counselling resources, education, mental health, relationships, Society, the spark, topical, young people

Colleagues from The Spark attended the Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution’s Annual Conference (SCCR) last week entitled ‘Conflict. It’s all about the brain…or is it?’ The conference focused on how the interaction between our body, feelings and mind determines how...