Acceptance doesn’t mean approval. Exploring self-acceptance, accepting others and the people we love, while recognising that understanding, boundaries and personal responsibility can exist alongside acceptance.
A personal introduction to Jack English Counselling, reflecting on why counsellors do not need to be perfect to offer a grounded, honest and human counselling space.
Real Connection vs Artificial Response In an age of instant answers, what still makes therapy deeply human? Over the past year, more clients have started saying something interesting in sessions: “I’ve been talking to ChatGPT about this.” “I Googled my symptoms and…” “I asked AI what it thinks.” There’s usually a pause after they say […]
Christmas is sold to us as a season of joy, warmth, celebration, and connection. But for many people, the reality is very different. The pressure to be festive, to “get in the mood,” to smile when you don’t feel like smiling, can make December one of the hardest months of the year. And when you’re […]
A straightforward explanation of the change and what it means moving forward. For years, I’ve worked under the name Just Jack Counselling Services. It started as a personal, down-to-earth way of showing people that counselling doesn’t need to be clinical, complicated, or wrapped in jargon. It was simple, human, and honest — just me, Jack, […]
We hear it everywhere: “Talk to someone.” It’s a message that’s pushed hard in mental health campaigns, social media posts, and even by well-meaning mates. And on the surface, it’s good advice. Bottling things up rarely helps, and reaching out can feel like a relief. But here’s the catch: who you talk to matters. Because […]
We’ve all felt it — that surge of anger, that rush of adrenaline, that “beast” inside us that’s ready to break free. Some people fear it, others try to bury it deep. But here’s the truth: we can’t get rid of it entirely, and we shouldn’t want to. Your anger and intense emotions are part […]
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) – two words that can make any man’s stomach drop. For many, it feels like the ultimate blow to masculinity. But here’s the truth: ED is rarely just about sex. It’s about identity, confidence, and self-worth. Despite how common it is—affecting an estimated one in five men at some point—it’s still one of the […]
Breakups hurt. Divorce changes you. And when you’re still raw, still trying to find your footing, the last thing anyone needs is to be targeted by people pretending to care—but really just circling, waiting for their chance to swoop in. Since separating from my wife and undergoing a very amicable divorce, I’ve been shocked by […]
We live in a world that still praises silence. Tells us to “crack on.” Pretend we’re fine. Keep the mask on and get through it. For a lot of people, especially those raised to believe emotions make you weak, talking about what’s really going on inside feels almost impossible. But here’s the truth no one […]
Changing the Narrative on Men’s Health For generations, men have been conditioned to keep their emotions under wraps. Society has fed men the idea that vulnerability is a weakness, that “real men” should be able to handle whatever life throws at them without ever asking for help. But times are changing. Men’s Health Month is […]
10th October is World Mental Health Day, a day set aside to raise awareness and remind us all of the importance of mental health. It’s not just another awareness day—it’s a wake-up call. Mental health is not something we can afford to ignore. Whether it’s stress, anxiety, depression, or just feeling overwhelmed by life, mental […]
The Silent Struggle: Battling Burnout and How Counselling Can Help In today’s fast-paced world, burnout has become more common than ever, yet it’s a problem many people still don’t fully understand. You might brush off feeling constantly exhausted or emotionally drained as just a part of life—but it’s not. Burnout is something real, and it […]
Hi everyone, Jack English here from “Just Jack Counselling Services.” Today, I want to talk about something that can make a massive difference in your mental health—giving up caffeine. Now, I’m not here to preach, but to share some personal insights and the benefits I’ve seen in myself and some of my clients have also […]
In my private counselling sessions I recognise patterns of behaviour, a theme, and these change from time to time but over the past 6 months the theme has most certainly been; clients wanting to give up Alcohol and Drugs and when asked what are the reasons for wanting to make this positive change in their […]
Hi my name is Jack English, I’m the owner and private counsellor of “Just Jack Counselling Services”. So what is this counselling article about? It’s somewhat of a reflection exercise I guess, and about setting the foundation of my future posts and articles and who and what Just Jack Counselling Services is and what it […]
As we approach remembrance and the festive season, the darker evenings and colder nights it makes me think of those less fortunate. The ones who are forced to live on the streets and of course those who “choose” to live on the streets because it’s better than their actual reality. It makes me think of […]
So I’m out and about and I stop at a fast food place for something to eat and decide to eat it in my car as it’s a nice day. Being a people watcher and someone who’s extremely aware of his surroundings, I notice two people stood next a car having a chat and I […]
I’ve spoken before in my last article about how one persons random act of kindness made me feel and what that actually did for me and Just Jack Counselling Services. I now want to briefly mention how that one random act of kindness has led into something bigger. After reflecting on how I was made […]
I briefly mentioned this on my socials however I said I would come back to it when I had more time, as it really deserves more than I had but didn’t want to not at least say thank you, equally I needed more time to process what an amazing thing this person/company has done, not […]
Mother’s Day, a day to celebrate and to show how much you appreciate your mother right? But do you think about those who don’t have a mother to celebrate? Yesterday was the 20th Anniversary for the Iraq War (Op Telic) where I had the honour to serve with the first battalion the royal regiment of […]
It goes without saying that you need to get your wife or partner under control, and if someone has a problem with her that they come to you as the man and the alpha in the relationship in order for you to check your wife back in her rightful place, a bit like when an […]
One of the ways I manage my own mental health is doing DIY projects around the house and garden. Having projects to keep me physically and mentally challenged (when the mood allows) has been a vital key to not losing my shit. Throughout Covid Lock-down I messed about with pallet wood in the back garden, […]
#OverThinker #MentalHealthMatters #Counselling #MentalHealth #Counsellor #Sharing #SelfDisclosure #LifeHack I’d like to talk a little about Overthinking, is this something you find yourself doing and if so how does it effect your life? This article is coming from my own personal experiences and what I find helps/hinders my personal life and also my working life. Before […]
#DomesticAbuse #DomesticViolence #SexualAbuse #MentalAbuse #Abuse This isn’t something I ever thought I would be writing as a War Veteran myself, equally it’s not going to be a subject that is well received by military past and present but it’s a subject I feel needs addressing. If you haven’t guessed by now I am speaking about […]
As a Counsellor for over ten years now I wonder who exactly is in more need of Counselling, is it the Victims of the Abusers, the sexual predators, the manipulators and game players or is it the victims. Of course it goes without saying that the Victims need Counselling and Support in order to get […]
It would fair to say that I can be somewhat out spoken when I see something in the workplace that I feel isn’t right. Throughout my working life I have ended up in trouble for speaking out and have even been sacked due to it but I have also left a position of employment due […]
Post-traumatic stress Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological and physical condition caused by a very frightening or distressing event. With PTSD, you often relive the event through nightmares and flashbacks. You may have problems concentrating and sleeping, and feel isolated and detached. The symptoms are often persistent and severe enough to have a significant […]
Self-esteem If you have low self-esteem, you may view life in a negative way which makes things seem hopeless or pointless. You might think you are worthless, and that other people are better than you. You may have difficulty saying what you really feel, or you may lack the confidence to be assertive. As a […]
Emotional distress Sometimes simply sitting down with someone who can help you put your feelings into perspective can be beneficial. In counselling, you can explore personal difficulties or feelings of dissatisfaction, and talk openly about aspects of your life, in a way that may not be possible with friends or family. Therapy can help you […]
Abuse is when the way others treat you becomes harmful to you. Abuse can take many forms, including emotional, physical or sexual. Therapy can help you address how this has made you feel and work through your feelings so you feel better about yourself. The BACP. (). What therapy can help with . Available: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-therapy-can-help-with/. […]
Careers You may benefit from career counselling when you are thinking about possible career movements or areas of study. A counsellor can help you set your personal goals and identify any factors likely to influence your decisions or affect your objectives. They will give you confidential guidance and help to ensure you are setting realistic […]
Sexual identity Working out whether we are more comfortable in same sex or opposite sex relationships is part of our sexual identity. You may feel really sure about your sexual identity or it may be more fluid and changeable. Talking to a therapist can help you explore these feelings. The BACP. (2018). What therapy can […]
Work related issues The average person spends almost a quarter of their adult life at work. It can give you a sense of purpose, structure and satisfaction while also providing the means to finance daily life. It can also cause stress, frustration, poor health and self-esteem issues. If you start to lose sleep, constantly dread […]
Life skills Therapy can help you identify the skills and capabilities that you have, and use them to the best of your ability. It can make you better able to change things to: make your life run better realise ambitions fulfil your potential be happier be more successful be less stressed become more peaceful, sociable […]
Depression can be a devastating illness that affects your body, mood, behaviour and thoughts. It is not a sign of weakness or failure, and it’s not something that can be changed overnight. Without treatment, symptoms can be present for years, preventing you from functioning to your full ability. The BACP. (2018). What therapy can help […]
Personal development Therapy can help you use knowledge, skills and experience to develop your self-esteem. This enables you to take responsibility for things like your: health career finances relationships emotions habits spiritual beliefs The BACP. (2018). What therapy can help with . Available: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-therapy-can-help-with/. Last accessed 17th November 2018. Counselling can help you be the […]
Suicidal feelings Many kinds of emotional pain can lead to thoughts of suicide. You may reach a point at which you feel you can no longer cope. You may not truly wish to die, but you may need help at that moment. Therapy could help by allowing you to share your thoughts and feelings and […]
Addictions “Addiction happens when you become overly dependent on something, often when you’re trying to escape from other problems. You can be addicted to many things including: alcohol drugs gambling sex the internet shopping Therapy can help you address the causes of your addiction to help you stop your addictive behaviour”. The BACP. (). What […]
Health related issues Therapy can help anyone who is generally worried about their health, or who needs help in coming to terms with being diagnosed with illness. Working through feelings such as ‘why me?’ can be beneficial to your quality of life. The BACP. (2018). What therapy can help with . Available: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-therapy-can-help-with/. Last accessed […]
Bereavement It is normal to feel angry, sad or lonely when a loved one dies or leaves. Even the loss of a pet can have a major psychological effect. Working through your feelings with a therapist can help you come to terms with your loss. The BACP. (2018). What therapy can help with . Available: […]
Sexuality For many people, coming to terms with their sexuality can cause a lot of anxiety and heartache. You may know from an early age that you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender . Or you may feel confused about your sexuality and take longer to work out what seems right for you. Therapy may […]
Self-harm Self-harm can be a way of coping with painful and difficult feelings and distress. You may harm yourself because you feel overwhelmed and don’t know how else to deal with things. Therapy may help you discover and deal with the feelings that are causing you to self-harm. The BACP. (2018). What therapy can help […]
The statistics for male suicides in the #NorthEast of #England are the highest in the country, research suggests that’s because Men don’t access #Support as much as women do. This is possibly because of the #Stigma that “Real Men” don’t show weakness and to talking about their feelings and emotions is seen as weakness. Well […]
Anxiety is common in mental illness or after extreme or distressing experiences. You may feel intense apprehension or worry, accompanied by acute physical signs such as: sleeplessness rapid heartbeat palpitations dizziness irritability Therapy can help you with anxiety, panic attacks and phobias by giving you ways of dealing with situations as they occur and exploring […]
Disability Therapy can help you get to know yourself better, clarify issues that matter to you and develop your potential. It gives you the opportunity to work in ways which promote your ability to resolve problems, or to develop coping skills for things which cannot be changed. The BACP. (2018). What therapy can help with […]
Sex related issues Sexual difficulties can occur at any time, especially during times of stress and change. If sex used to be exciting but no longer seems so, therapy can help you look at why the change happened. In a good relationship, getting help should give you an opportunity to find some answers. The BACP. […]
Cancer If you have cancer, you may feel anxious and stressed about the changes in your body or the effects of your treatment. You may be angry and find it difficult to cope with feelings of loss of control. It can help to talk through these feelings with a therapist, as your friends and family […]
Loss is not just about death; you could also lose a relationship, a job or your health. Losing someone or something you love is very painful and you may experience many difficult and surprising emotions, such as shock, anger, grief and guilt. Therapy can help and support you through this difficult period of your life. […]
A phobia is an irrational, intense, persistent fear of certain situations, activities, things or people. Therapy can help you manage these thoughts and put them into perspective. The BACP. (2018). What therapy can help with . Available: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-therapy-can-help-with/. Last accessed 17th November 2018. Talking to a counsellor can help, There’s nothing to be afraid of… […]
Redundancy can lead to feelings of loss and confusion, as well as concerns about how to pay your bills. Therapy can help you work through issues of self-esteem and confidence, and the practicalities of redundancy. The BACP. (2018). What therapy can help with . Available: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-therapy-can-help-with/. Last accessed 18th November 2018. In today’s struggling financial […]
Stress Stress can be a positive thing and help you achieve your goals. But too much stress can put your health at risk and lead to physical, mental and emotional problems. Therapy could help you to manage your life differently or support you in developing coping strategies. The BACP. (2018). What therapy can help with […]
Spirituality is about how you make sense of the world and find meaning in your life. It can, but does not necessarily, involve specific religious beliefs. Therapists who are experienced in spirituality can help you find inner peace and a deeper sense of meaning and belonging. The BACP. (2018). What therapy can help with . […]
Anger is a normal emotion, but it can become uncontrollable and create problems for you, your family and y our personal relationships. Anger can stop you thinking clearly, make you act impulsively, or may make you aggressive and violent towards others. If you find it difficult to talk about how you feel, you may suppress […]
Sexual abuse Sexual abuse is when you are pressured to do something sexual against your will. It can include unwanted touching, photographs or rape. Some people blame themselves and do not report the abuse. Or they may have been influenced to trust the abuser or feel they will be punished for reporting it. Childhood abuse […]
Eating disorders Eating disorders are extremely common and can be serious or even life threatening if not treated appropriately. People often use dieting, bingeing and purging start as a way to cope with painful emotions and to take control. But if these behaviours continue, they will damage your physical and emotional health and self-esteem. Therapy […]
Infertility Being unable to get pregnant, or having repeated miscarriages, causes many complex and painful emotions. Infertility treatments can also be physically uncomfortable, time-consuming and exhausting, placing great emotional demands on those involved. Talking to someone who is not directly involved can help you to come to terms with the situation. The BACP. (2018). What […]
Trauma Emotional and psychological trauma can be the result of extraordinarily stressful events that shatter your sense of security, and make you feel helpless and vulnerable in a dangerous world. Trauma can be caused by a one-off event, such as a bad accident, a natural disaster or a violent attack. Or it can result from […]
Bullying is when other people have the power to cause you pain and distress through abuse, threats and intimidation. It can include emotional, physical, verbal and cyber bullying and can happen at all ages – in families, education and at work. Therapy can be helpful for both the victim and the bully. The BACP. (2018). […]
Bullying is when other people have the power to cause you pain and distress through abuse, threats and intimidation. It can include emotional, physical, verbal and cyber bullying and can happen at all ages – in families, education and at work. Therapy can be helpful for both the victim and the bully. The BACP. (2018). […]
Bullying is when other people have the power to cause you pain and distress through abuse, threats and intimidation. It can include emotional, physical, verbal and cyber bullying and can happen at all ages – in families, education and at work. Therapy can be helpful for both the victim and the bully. The BACP. (2018). […]
Financial debt If you have financial problems, you should seek financial advice as soon as possible. But it can also be helpful to discuss the emotional difficulties that debt may raise with a therapist. The BACP. (2018). What therapy can help with . Available: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-therapy-can-help-with/. Last accessed 17th November 2018. Financial debt can be crippling, […]
Financial debt If you have financial problems, you should seek financial advice as soon as possible. But it can also be helpful to discuss the emotional difficulties that debt may raise with a therapist. The BACP. (2018). What therapy can help with . Available: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-therapy-can-help-with/. Last accessed 17th November 2018. Financial debt can be crippling, […]
Financial debt If you have financial problems, you should seek financial advice as soon as possible. But it can also be helpful to discuss the emotional difficulties that debt may raise with a therapist. The BACP. (2018). What therapy can help with . Available: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-therapy-can-help-with/. Last accessed 17th November 2018. Financial debt can be crippling, […]
Child related issues Children and young people, and their families, can sometimes need extra support if they are finding it difficult to deal with or understand their emotions or behaviour. Children can find it hard to express their worries, and unresolved problems may extend into their adult lives. More serious issues like abuse and mistreatment […]
Pregnancy related issues The experience of pregnancy, whether planned or unplanned, can be confusing and stressful, and may cause mixed feelings. For example, you may have concerns about how it could change your relationships. Therapy can help you understand your feelings towards your pregnancy, or explore difficult emotions following a miscarriage, stillbirth or termination. The […]
Pregnancy related issues The experience of pregnancy, whether planned or unplanned, can be confusing and stressful, and may cause mixed feelings. For example, you may have concerns about how it could change your relationships. Therapy can help you understand your feelings towards your pregnancy, or explore difficult emotions following a miscarriage, stillbirth or termination. The […]
Pregnancy related issues The experience of pregnancy, whether planned or unplanned, can be confusing and stressful, and may cause mixed feelings. For example, you may have concerns about how it could change your relationships. Therapy can help you understand your feelings towards your pregnancy, or explore difficult emotions following a miscarriage, stillbirth or termination. The […]
Pregnancy related issues The experience of pregnancy, whether planned or unplanned, can be confusing and stressful, and may cause mixed feelings. For example, you may have concerns about how it could change your relationships. Therapy can help you understand your feelings towards your pregnancy, or explore difficult emotions following a miscarriage, stillbirth or termination. The […]
Mindful of the fact that most people don’t actually read much nowadays, it’s all watching video’s like YouTube, TikTok and so on however my intention is to still write small articles from time to time and I may even post videos however the thought of doing videos isn’t appealing to me as I’m an introvert […]