Psychotherapists and Counsellors Answer your Questions

Absolutely—I have messy days, tired days, and yes, definite bad hair days too! I think it’s important to stay real and human, both in and outside the therapy room. Life doesn’t require...

Absolutely—I have messy days, tired days, and yes, definite bad hair days too! I think it’s important to stay real and human, both in and outside the therapy room. Life doesn’t require perfection—it asks for presence, authenticity, and a sense of humour when things go sideways. Being a therapist doesn’t mean having it all together. It means being willing to meet ourselves, even on the rough days, with the same compassion we offer others. That’s where the real work—and the real connection—happens.

Of course not, I am super human. More seriously, I have bad hair days and days when I haven't slept well or have a cold or a pain in my back. I forget things and make mistakes. I also have hard...

Of course not, I am super human. More seriously, I have bad hair days and days when I haven't slept well or have a cold or a pain in my back. I forget things and make mistakes. I also have hard times and periods of stress. These are all part of life. If I let someone down at these times, I do my best to apologise, understand what has happened, and do what I can to make things better.

Yes, everyone has “bad hair” days—even me! But I’ve learned that accepting those imperfect moments helps me truly appreciate the great days. After all, without the bad days, how would we...

Yes, everyone has “bad hair” days—even me! But I’ve learned that accepting those imperfect moments helps me truly appreciate the great days. After all, without the bad days, how would we recognise and celebrate the good ones? Embracing both ups and downs is part of life’s balance.

Absolutely! I believe it’s important to acknowledge that we’re all human, and “bad hair” days are a natural part of life. Rather than avoiding or dismissing them, I welcome these moments into...

Absolutely! I believe it’s important to acknowledge that we’re all human, and “bad hair” days are a natural part of life. Rather than avoiding or dismissing them, I welcome these moments into the therapy session when appropriate. They can serve as valuable opportunities to model self-compassion, authenticity, and the acceptance of imperfection. By embracing these days, I aim to create a space where clients feel safe to bring their own struggles and imperfections without fear of judgment. Life isn’t always neat or polished, and therapy is a place where we can explore and work through those messy, challenging moments together. In many ways, “bad hair” days remind us of our shared humanity and the importance of showing up as we are.

Not sure what this question means exactly....are we talking about my literal hair? (yes, I have bad hair days like everyone) or my practice of therapy? Being human...I make 'mistakes' and always...

Not sure what this question means exactly....are we talking about my literal hair? (yes, I have bad hair days like everyone) or my practice of therapy? Being human...I make 'mistakes' and always will...but I strive very hard to be professional and make as few as possible avoidable blunders. However, when they happen, I take responsibility and act professionally to help heal the rupture in the relationship, or the 'mistake', and restore a feeling of calm and trust in the work. No-one is perfect, including a therapist, and sometimes the 'mistakes' can be a good source of growth for both client and therapist if reflected on together. To this end I encourage my clients to talk to me about any confusion or concerns they may experience.

Yes

Yes

Yes, certainly. I am just as human as the next person. My work affords me some advantage in emotional literacy but i cannot escape the difficult feelings we all have. I too must feel my feelings good,...

Yes, certainly. I am just as human as the next person. My work affords me some advantage in emotional literacy but i cannot escape the difficult feelings we all have. I too must feel my feelings good, bad or otherwise.

Nobody is perfect, and we all make mistakes!

Nobody is perfect, and we all make mistakes!

:-)

:-)

Yes but they are hard to predict - sometimes everything should be right but its not and vice versa. Becoming too sure of oneself and too confident is actually probably more of a problem than feeling...

Yes but they are hard to predict - sometimes everything should be right but its not and vice versa. Becoming too sure of oneself and too confident is actually probably more of a problem than feeling unsure. I often think of therapy as unique in that vulnerability and woundedness often puts one in a much better position to be present with the client. Having said all of the above it would be rare that I would proceed to therapy without having meditated first and generally meditation provides the essential preparation for therapy as it primes one for being fully present, which is the ultimate and necessary requirement for therapy.

Absolutely!! There are days when I am out of sync with my own self and this does impact upon my work in the therapy room and with associated administrative functions. I do notice times when I breathe...

Absolutely!! There are days when I am out of sync with my own self and this does impact upon my work in the therapy room and with associated administrative functions. I do notice times when I breathe a sigh of relief when a client phones in to cancel or rearrange an appointment. These are days when I do attempt to counteract the sense of being off centre' by increasing self care strategies including such things as taking time to go outside of my consulting room during breaks and briefly walking about in the fresh air and connecting with nature.

Of course.

Of course.

Of course.

Of course.

Like everyone else. I'm still human and life is not kinder to me than it is to everyone else. Fortunately I now have the tools to understand these moments and the capacity to not feel trapped in them.

Like everyone else. I'm still human and life is not kinder to me than it is to everyone else. Fortunately I now have the tools to understand these moments and the capacity to not feel trapped in them.

Yes and at the same time I also trust in myself. I trust that I am able to identify and own my 'bad hair' day and that I am also able and confident in raising any concerns appropriately, with the...

Yes and at the same time I also trust in myself. I trust that I am able to identify and own my 'bad hair' day and that I am also able and confident in raising any concerns appropriately, with the client and then with my supervisor. 'Bad hair' days unpacked, within the boundaries of roles, can be an opportunity for learning.

Not often. I do, however, like the concept of mental health days.

Not often. I do, however, like the concept of mental health days.

Of course! I am human after all. Some days I will second guess myself but I know after taking a minute to regroup that I've got this and we are all human.

Of course! I am human after all. Some days I will second guess myself but I know after taking a minute to regroup that I've got this and we are all human.