Whether receiving therapy on the NHS or privately, it is a significant step to choose to share our most vulnerable parts with someone. The therapeutic relationship is like no other, and can be the most rewarding and life-changing experience if we know what to look out for. Here are five ways on how we can make the most out of therapy…

Boundaries are a form of verbal and non-verbal communications we have with others and ourselves. They are similar to rules that we set that affect the way we are treated and interact with the world around us whether in our personal lives, at work, or with family and friends. Boundaries are a vital form of self-care as they allow us to value and honour our needs, feelings and expectations, allowing us freedom and accountability to others in the way they treat us. Through creating a space for our own freedom, we let go of the need to please others and self-sacrifice at the cost of ourselves and grow into our true, authentic selves. Boundaries are an essential form of communication as they provide safety and realistic expectations about how we want to treat ourselves and be treated by others, providing clarity and reducing feelings such as resentment, unmet needs and desires, anger and frustration.

Over the last few years, ‘self-care’ has become a popular term, appearing on social media feeds, advertisements and YouTube videos of bubble baths and face masks. Yet self-care doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate, it could reside in the everyday like having a morning routine, setting time for rest or eating regular meals. When we look at self-care as a by-product of advertising that targets a specific market, it can seem unattainable, but what if we reframe self-care as a form of self-investment? Read our blog post to learn how self-care can be a form of self-investment.

Therapy is an incredible opportunity for healing, self-discovery and learning. Taking the time to check in and ground ourselves before and after each session is just as important and can be part of a therapeutic self-care routine. Here are three tips on how to prepare for therapy and manage post recovery…