New month, new pictures... the same deeply meaningful work 🌱

My studies in psychology gave me a solid foundation, but lived experience shaped the counsellor I am today. After a serious car accident in 2013, I experienced first-hand how powerful hope, resilience and compassionate support can be.

Completing my Honours in Applied Psychology and volunteering with people facing trauma and various difficulties continue to shape how I support clients.

I feel deeply honoured to guide clients toward clarity, strength and meaningful change.
Please feel free to reach out or visit my website for more information - www.roxannegoodchild.com ☀️

🙌📷: @yellowteapot

#MentalHealthSupport #Resilience #TraumaSupport #AppliedPsychology #Hope

Changing the Narrative on Suicide – Start the Conversation
The theme of #WorldSuicidePreventionDay2024 🎗- A conversation may be the crucial first step to getting practical, tangible and effective help.
A focus on wellness has shown to be an integral part of feasibile and reliable suicide prevention programmes (J Grad Med Educ., 2016).

Change your narrative and please reach out 🙏🌱

More at www.roxannegoodchild.com ☀️

#wspd2024 #changingthenarrativeonsuicide #suicideprevention #wellnessintervention #strongertogether #holisticcounselling #traumacounselling #counselling #wellness

We so often mindlessly go through our days...
In order to slow time down, we can practice slowing down, and practice presence and mindfulness. This is about changing our attitude toward our experiences and becoming more curious.

This weekend, intentionally set out to engage with something new / old with curiosity. Reach out if you need assistance! Let me know how it goes 👇🌱

More at www.roxannegoodchild.com ☀️

#perspective #personal #plan #prioritise #pause #practisemindfullness #time #timemanagement #counselling #wellness

Intentionally set time aside to s t o p.
When you're stressing, overthinking or time is just moving too fast, pause.
Breathe.
Remind yourself of your priorities and values, and that this will pass.
Tomorrow we'll look at another useful technique to try in this space you've created 🤗

More at www.roxannegoodchild.com ☀️

#perspective #personal #plan #prioritise #pause #time #timemanagement #counselling #wellness

Plan and prioritise.
It can help us to more intentionally choose how we spend our time if we're aware of our values.
Susan David has a great resource. Pop me an email or DM, and I'll send it on 🤗🌱

More at www.roxannegoodchild.com ☀️

#perspective #personal #plan #prioritise #time #timemanagement #counselling #wellness

The way we choose to spend our time is personal to us- based on our priorities, personalities, values...
Send a DM or email goodchild.wellness@gmail.com for a great free personality test resource 🙌

More on my website ☀️ (link in bio)

#perspective #personal #time #timemanagement #counselling #wellness

✌ A favourite quote at university: “If you enjoyed the time you wasted, then it wasn't wasted time” - John Lennon.
First up, let's reframe "Wasted time"... Did you intentionally choose your activities? Were the actions aligned to your values? Did you enjoy the way you spent your time?
This can help us think about the way we use our time...

And if the answer to these were "no" (because, if we're honest, they are at times!) make sure to catch tomorrow's post 🤗

More at www.roxannegoodchild.com ☀️

#perspective #time #timemanagement #counselling #wellness

SA elections today! 🗳💪

Voting offers the opportunity to exercise our agency which benefits our mental health!
It's an affirming action and can be viewed through the lens of selfcare; a way to more fully engage & partipate with life, which in turn enhances feelings of connection and belonging.

More than 2 billion people will head to the polls in 50+ countries this year- the most voters in history.

So consider casting your vote today if you're in SA- as well as having a societal and practical impact, it will benefit your physical and mental wellness too 🌱

#SAelections2024 #SouthAfricaElections #ElectionDay #voting #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #physicalhealth #physicalwellness #wellbeing #counselling #wellness

Perhaps a more helpful way to view challenging circumstances 🌱

We can *choose* to take this perspective...
As Psalm 16:6 beautifully puts it "‭The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places..."

Definitely difficult at times. But also so possible 🤗

For more resources or to make a booking, go to www.roxannegoodchild.com, email or DM ☀️

#circumstances #boundaries #counselling #wellness

If you find yourself facing tough changes at the moment, take heart ❤

It can be hard seeing the good,
especially in hard, unwanted or unexpected changes. Even more so at this time of year when our capacities tend to be lower...

But here's where the beauty is-
If we choose to see it, we can make it though the difficult things and in the long, difficult process, become so much [stronger/ wiser / braver/ fill in yours here!] not inspite of the challenge or change...
But because of it.

And if we can't see it or can't see it yet, that has it's place too 🤗

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For assistance with this, DM or email or website 🌱

Nearly half way through November and #MMHM 🙌

I have had a few male clients speak about the stigma they feel is still present when they first seek counselling... The fact that they chose to take the step anyway? - GOLD.

So encouraged that this is slowly changing though.
And that awareness is growing.
And grateful for efforts and people speaking out about the stigma that surrounds men (and anyone else!) reaching out for assistance.

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Need assistance with this too? DM/ email/ website in bio for info or bookings 🌱

#movember #mensmentalhealthmonth #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #mentalwellness #counselling #wellness

World Mental Health Day 2023 - Mental Health is a Universal Human Right 🧠🌱

The purpose of this day is to create awareness and discuss mental health, and the fact that it's always okay to ask for help 🤗.
This year's theme is especially relevant- mental health IS health, and so a human right 🙌. Take time today to ask yourself if you've been prioritising this aspect of your wellbeing...
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Do you have any questions around this? DM, email goodchild.wellness@gmail.com or website in bio ☀️

#WorldMentalHealthDay2023 #WorldMentalHealthDay #holisticmentalhealth #counselling #wellness

A powerful reframe 💪🌱

This view of trauma takes power away from what happened and puts it back in our hands.

It's a hard and hopeful truth.

We have the ability - with time, compassion and the right resources - to integrate really, really hard things in our stories.

Rooting for you 🤗

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Need assistance with this? DM, email or website in bio 🤗

Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, endorphin hacks 🌱🙌
- simple, accessible ways to release these chemical messengers

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which is responsible for allowing you to feel pleasure, satisfaction and motivation. The satisfied feeling we get when we accomplish a task?- that's a surge of dopamine in the brain.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which regulates your mood. When serotonin is at normal levels, you feel more focused, emotionally stable, happier and calmer.

Oxytocin is a hormone which is linked to feelings of bonding. Research has linked it to lower stress and anxiety and it also plays a role in regulating our emotional responses and pro-social behaviours- trust, empathy, processing of bonding cues and positive communication.

Endorphins are hormones that your body releases when it feels pain or stress. They help reduce stress, relieve pain and improve your sense of wellbeing.

(These suggestions are only meant to be used in the short-term or in conjunction with counselling. Always seek professional intervention if you are experiencing an extended time of low mood, feeling unmotivated or otherwise struggling to cope 🤗)

For more info or to gain assistance / further insight in implementing this, inbox or email or website 🌱

#happychemicals #dopamine #serotonin #oxytocin #endorphins #hormones #neurotransmitters #counselling #wellness

Neurotransmitters and hormones are chemical messengers that our bodies rely on to function.
Next week, we'll look at four hormones and neurotransmitters that contribute to happy, pleasant emotions and how to hack them 🙌

(These suggestions are only meant to be used in the short-term or in conjunction with counselling. Always seek professional intervention if you are experiencing an extended time of low mood, feeling unmotivated or otherwise struggling to cope 🤗)

For more, inbox or email or website in bio 🌱

#happychemicals #hormones #neurotransmitters #counselling #wellness

PSA: You are not your emotion

Creating distance between ourselves and our emotions is helpful... the space created allows us to better deal with what we're feeling 🌱 - a suggestion from psychologist Susan David.
Next time you face a difficult emotion, try it out 🙌 [3]

Find out more at website in bio 👆☀️

#emotions #emotionalhealth #emotionalregulation #emotionalwellness #health #holistic #holisticwellness #feelings #kindness #curiosity #counsellor #wellbeing #counselling #wellness

Once we've identified the emotions, we can more readily find what they might be trying to communicate... Emotions can provide accurate signals to what we value / if value being threatened, what we believe to be true, our desires or what we may need.

See a brilliant @susandavid_phd video in the comments about finding the function of our feelings 👇🌱. [2]

#wtf #whatthefunc #emotions #emotionalhealth #emotionalregulation #emotionalwellness #health #holistic #holisticwellness #feelings #kindness #curiosity #counsellor #wellbeing #counselling #wellness

... and we can choose what we do with them!🌱

It's helpful to treat all of our emotions with kindness and curiosity. That way we can better assess what they're trying to communicate. [1]
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Actually feeling our feelings can be hard to navigate and even scary at times. If you need assistance with this, DM / email / website in bio 🤗

#emotions #emotionalhealth #emotionalregulation #emotionalwellness #health #holistic #holisticwellness #feelings #kindness #curiosity #counsellor #wellbeing #counselling #wellness

Truth 💪
Gently 🤗

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If you're in a rough patch right now and would like help figuring it out, DM or email goodchild.wellness@gmail.com for info or bookings 🌱
www.roxannegoodchild.com

#progressnotperfection #counsellor #wellbeing #counselling #wellness

We don't need to FEEL grateful to BE grateful.

What if we adopted gratitude as a posture and practice?..
We can intentionally choose a posture of gratefulness to improve overall wellbeing 🌱

What are you grateful for right now? 🤗

#grateful #gratitude #counselling #wellness

Boundaries are an essential part of healthy relationships!🌱

They're often taken for granted and go unsaid in relationships
but if someone has taken the time to lay out their boundaries more explicitly, it serves us well to pay attention- it's probably because they value the relationship 🤗

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Need assistance with this? Inbox, email, website for bookings or more info ☀️

#boundaries #relationship #life #counsellor #wellbeing #holistic #holistichealth #counselling #wellness

INVALIDATION

- the rejection or dismissal of a person’s thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behaviours as being valid and understandable.
Invalidation can cause significant harm to a person’s wellbeing.

Unfortunately, often people are not aware that their words or behaviours are invalidating. Sometimes invalidation is a form of manipulation or abuse; other times it may stem from a person’s inability to understand or empathise.

Although it shouldn't be needed 🤗, dealing with invalidation comes down to developing a sense of self-worth & -esteem, confidence and assertiveness.

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Need assistance with this?
DM / email / website to book or for any queries 🌱

Validation helps a person feel cared for and supported! 🌱

"Trauma [and emotions, experiences, etc ☺] is personal. It does not disappear if it is not validated. When it is ignored or invalidated the silent screams continue internally heard only by the one held captive. When someone enters the pain and hears the screams healing can begin." - Danielle Bernock

Validation can be an important of healing.
Think about how it feels when your partner understands why their actions caused upset or your boss truly listens to your differing point of view.

Recognising (*not* necessarily agreeing) that someone's feelings, actions and thoughts make sense can show that we are listening nonjudgmentally, that we value the other person and can help build stronger relationships.

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For more information or to make a booking, email or inbox / DM or website in bio ☀️🤗

Recognition and acceptance is key! ☀️🌱
...of your own or another person's thoughts, feelings, sensations and behaviors as understandable.
Validation is a way of understanding another person's point of view, or showing compassion and understanding for yourself 🤗

Next, we'll look at the importance of this practice on wellness areas and wellbeing 🙌

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For counselling info or to make a booking, inbox, email goodchild.wellness@gmail.com or website in bio 👆

A positive suggestion 🌱
If you find yourself thinking / overthinking / ruminating on the road not taken, may this thought bring some comfort.
And, with time, intentionality and practice, may we become more at ease with the inherent loss that comes with choice.

#hope #choices #difficult #loss #counselling #wellness @drcarolineleaf

A week into Autumn in SA 🍂
We can use the new season as a reset if we need to. It can be a good time to check in and ask ourselves how we're doing, which areas we'd like to change or need more help with, which relationships need extra attention, what / who we're grateful for...
Actually, any time is good for this if you sense you need a turn around or to make changes toward your growth 🤗 (that's why even this post is a week later 😉)

If you need assistance or want to speak about any of this, please feel free to contact me- inbox; goodchild.wellness@gmail.com or on website in bio.

#autumn #gratitude #hope #lessons #season #growth #mhn #counselling #wellness

Struggle with sleep? It's essential to health and wellbeing!
What better time to try these sleep hacks than on #WorldSleepDay 💤.

@theageambassador has named 5 counterintuitive things in @psych_today to try when conventional counting sheep methods aren't working.

1. Get out of bed. Foster the association of bed = sleep. This means trying to avoid linking the space with anxiety, frustration and wakefulness.
2. Don't go to bed when you are tired. Instead, make a point of getting to bed when you feel sleepy (eyes closing, yawning, head bobbing).
3. Take a warm shower or bath. Do this 60 to 120 minutes before going to bed to quicken the rate at which you fall asleep.
4. Worry earlier. Schedule "worry time" earlier in your day so that you're less likely to worry when you get to bed.
5. Try not falling asleep. Doing this eliminates the pressure of falling asleep.

If this is really a struggle for you or suspect there might an be underlying cause of your sleeplessness, feel free to contact me and we'll explore it ✨ - inbox or email goodchild.wellness@gmail.com 🌱

#sleep #sleepwell #nap #tips #sleeptime #wellbeing #health #bed #tired #counselling #wellness

Another post on treating ourselves with kindness. (Because we need it! 🤗- it's so easy to default to self-criticism).
Use this changing of seasons as a reminder that it's more than okay if some days seem slower, lonelier, more complicated or challenging... Perhaps choose to see it as a hopeful reminder that circumstances do change, and that we can experience growth and change in these times too. 🍂☀️

If this hasn't been your experience or if you find yourself needing help through a challenging season right now, please reach out.
Email / DM / website in bio to book or for any queries

#seasons #autumn #gentlereminder #gentleness #emotions #emotionalregulation #wellbeing #change #counselling #wellness

We can choose to respond to our struggles (& selves!) with harsh words and criticism. Or we can choose grace, compassion and understanding.

Next time life gets hard, try a softer approach. Try being kinder to yourself.

If you're struggling with this, let's talk - for queries or bookings visit the website (link in bio 👆), inbox or goodchild.wellness@gmail.com 🌱

#gentle #gentleness #difficult #sensitive #tough #emotions #emotionalregulation #counselling #wellness

Yes.
We -all- make mistakes and, if dealt with correctly, this can lead to growth!

Again, be gentle with yourself.
Acknowledge the mistake. Reframe & ask hard questions.

If you need help with this, please reach out ☀️-
Visit the website (link in bio 👆), inbox or goodchild.wellness@gmail.com for queries or bookings.

🌱 Self-compassion 🌱

#selfcompassion #care #selfcare #kindness #compassion #compassionateattention #gentle #learning #mentalhealth #holistic #wellbeing #counselling #wellness

Next year in and time for a reintroduction 🙌

I see clients online, and work alongside you for a variety of concerns, using a person-centered and eclectic approach. Healing, progress & growth involves improving specific wellness areas (physical, mental, spirual, social...) to enhance overall wellbeing.

Looking forward to the clients I'll meet, facing challenges & opportunities for growth and the new hopes this year will bring! 🤗🌱

Inbox, visit the website or email goodchild.wellness@gmail.com with any questions or to make an appointment ☀️

#wellnesswednesday #holistic #mentalhealth #physical #relationships #financial #spiritual #Bible #workplace #emotions #emotionalregulation #trauma #traumacounselling #copingskills #wellbeing #counselling #wellness

There can be pressure for things to seem new on January 1st. Be gentle with yourself. You can still take time to process last year if you need to, and set out certain aims for this year.

Take a look at @morganharpernichols 's reflection prompts on her website ☀️. A message inspired by mhn and @saltandgold that I found helpful too 🌱🤗

#newyear #2023 #counselling #wellness

Discard unhelpful patterns of thought, especially now nearing the end of the year where it can feel tempting to "stay positive & just get through these last weeks".

Need assistance with this? Inbox or email goodchild.wellness@gmail.com or visit www.roxannegoodchild.com 🤗🌱

#positivevibesonly -🙅‍♀️ #emotions #emotionalhealth #emotionalwellbeing #emotionalwellness #emotionalregulation #feelings #counselling #wellness

Necessary Monday morning reminder, especially for the nearing-end-of-the-year stress. Your value isn't tied to what you achieve 🤗

#Mondaymorning #mindful #mondaymindfulness #mindset #mindfulness #be #stress #value #counselling #wellbeing #wellness

... by regulating brain activity.
Focus on taking deeper, more intentional breaths today ☀️

Read more about this here: https://neurosciencenews.com/breathing-brain-21796/

#breathing #meditation #breathe #breath #health #mindfulness #breathwork #wellness #breathingexercises #nature #selfcare #fitness #healing #mentalhealth #breathingtechniques #peace #sleep #mindset #healthylifestyle #balance #relax #life #awareness #calm

Last day of #mentalhealthawarenessmonth
But here's to keeping aware of our thoughts and the rest of us all year round 🌱

#mentalhealth #halloween #thoughts #counselling #wellness

- Philippians 4:8 🌱

What we fill our minds with & think inevitably influences our attitudes, views, behaviour...
The Bible provides practical, real world tools that we can use to influence our mental health & wellness.

Contact me to find out more about Biblical counselling ☀️

#mentalhealthawarenessmonth #wisdomwednesday #bible #biblicalcounselling #counselling #wellness

Being / becoming mindful promotes mental health & overall wellbeing 🌱
Notice what's around you right now,
any sensations in your body,
what you're hearing,
your breathing...

If you need help with this, please reach out ☀️

#mindful #mindfulness #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #awareness #body #breathe #counselling #wellness

It's #WorldMentalHealthDay!
The focus this year is on understanding and shifting attitudes regarding mental health in 4 key sectors:
government,
media,
organizational
and the public
in the hope of prioritizing mental health and wellbeing for all South Africans 🇿🇦🙌

Read more here:
https://www.safmh.org/world-mental-health-day-2022/

#WorldMentalHealthDay2022 #mentalhealth #counselling #wellness

Some activities to consider that are specifically related to the mind & mental health 🧠🌱
• reading
• positive self talk
• being more mindful
• practising intentional gratitude
(There are many, many more & that address our physical, emotional, relational, spiritual... wellness 😊 which also aid wellbeing).
Which are you trying this weekend?

#mentalhealthawarenessmonth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #reading #positiveselftalk #mindfulness #gratitude #counselling #wellness

Take heart in the fact that real, lasting change takes time. You might not see the transformation tomorrow but the sooner you start, the sooner it will happen ☀️
Remind yourself of this fact as often as you need to this October 💚🌱

#gentlereminder #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #mentalwellness #counselling #wellness

Today is World Gratitude Day 🌱
Practising gratitude has shown to buffer against stress & feelings of inadequacy.
Take a moment now to name 3 things that you are grateful for 🙌☀️

#gratitude #gratefulness #gratefulnothateful 😂 #mentalhealth #physicalhealth #wellbeing #counselling #wellness

Reminder as we start this new week 🌱:
your anxiety & fear are only one interpretation of the outcome. Why not seek out & consider the other, hopeful alternative?

#reframe #anxiety #thoughts #beliefs #counselling #wellness

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@goodchild.wellness

Online counselling
toward your wellness

Name: Roxanne Goodchild Specialist Wellness Counsellor
Address: ZA

Reach out today

You are considered holistically (because you are a whole person!).

I assist individuals facing a variety of concerns and adopt a solution-focused approach to counselling, offering:

Trauma counselling
Biblical counselling and TPM
Emotional regulation
Coping skills
Strategies for wellness and wellbeing

You are unique, with your own strengths and weaknesses. With the right perspective and tools, you can overcome great challenges. In fact, there is much to be gained by working through your challenges - a fuller, more authentic and abundant life. But admitting that you're facing troubles, that you need assistance or that you do not feel fulfilled is the first step. If you need a safe space and an empathetic ear to work through your difficulties and to discover the hope that lies beyond what you have experienced, please reach out. Counselling assists in working through trauma and troubles and facilitates growth.

Contact me today with any questions or to make a booking for a counselling session- email here

Click to book

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