Psychotherapists and Counsellors Answer your Questions

Yes absolutely :)

Yes absolutely :)

Most definitely! ...Don't we all? After decades of life struggles, I have now come to accept that some days are just easier than others & to always have hope when it's been a not so great day -...

Most definitely! ...Don't we all? After decades of life struggles, I have now come to accept that some days are just easier than others & to always have hope when it's been a not so great day - that there is always tomorrow to be better. In those darker moments, I also remember to feel gratitude for any small things I can in the present, no matter how small. I find this strategy continues to bring me hope and calm within a storm of any size.

Of course! Hair, moods, and nervous systems all have their own rhythms. I show up anyway.

Of course! Hair, moods, and nervous systems all have their own rhythms. I show up anyway.

Of course I do... I am human after all. Our energy, moods, outlook and daily life experiences shift with each moment and with each day, bringing a different flavour to how we experience the present...

Of course I do... I am human after all. Our energy, moods, outlook and daily life experiences shift with each moment and with each day, bringing a different flavour to how we experience the present moment with clients. Some days are just bad hair days. When I am having these kind of days, I always like to remind myself that clients place their trust in me and pay me to guide them through their challenges. I value and respect this deeply. With age and experience these days have become less and less, as I've learnt to put aside my stuff and be completely present for each client.

Oh yes :)

Oh yes :)

Absolutely! Some telehealth days you might catch me on a 'bad hair' day, possibly in my pyjamas, and always in slippers. For me, counselling is about showing up authentically and having a space where...

Absolutely! Some telehealth days you might catch me on a 'bad hair' day, possibly in my pyjamas, and always in slippers. For me, counselling is about showing up authentically and having a space where you can be yourself, however that looks.

I do notice days when my hair looks a little better or worse, but itâ??s rarely so bad that Iâ??d call it a â??bad hair day.â? Itâ??s all part of the normal ups and downs.

I do notice days when my hair looks a little better or worse, but itâ??s rarely so bad that Iâ??d call it a â??bad hair day.â? Itâ??s all part of the normal ups and downs.

Since my long-term hairdresser moved overseas, bad hair days seemed inevitable. I tried a few new places, and suffered a few terrible cuts and colours, until I found someone who really got me. I...

Since my long-term hairdresser moved overseas, bad hair days seemed inevitable. I tried a few new places, and suffered a few terrible cuts and colours, until I found someone who really got me. I related how similar this was to finding a therapist that fits. You want someone who understands you and is willing to listen to your needs before getting to work

Of course!

Of course!

Um...Yes Indeed. I'm human. It's Ok to not be ok. We don't do ourselves or each other any favours by creating images and standards that are unreal. Let's make compassion and being human great...

Um...Yes Indeed. I'm human. It's Ok to not be ok. We don't do ourselves or each other any favours by creating images and standards that are unreal. Let's make compassion and being human great again!

Absolutelyâ??I have â??bad hairâ? days just like everyone else! We all have moments when things feel overwhelming or donâ??t go as planned. What matters is how we handle those days, and Iâ??m a...

Absolutelyâ??I have â??bad hairâ? days just like everyone else! We all have moments when things feel overwhelming or donâ??t go as planned. What matters is how we handle those days, and Iâ??m a big believer in self-compassion and finding ways to reset and refocus. I draw on the same strategies I share with my clients: taking a breath, embracing imperfections, and remembering that itâ??s okay to have off days. Itâ??s all part of being human, and those moments often make us stronger and more relatable.

They are very rare as my daily practice of Focusing keeps me both anchored within myself and alert to any subtle stirrings inside me that need my attention or that need space and company.

They are very rare as my daily practice of Focusing keeps me both anchored within myself and alert to any subtle stirrings inside me that need my attention or that need space and company.

Haha, absolutely! I'm not perfect but I will always get up, throw a hat on if necessary, and say, I'm showing up anyway. The beauty is that even a day where everything seems to go wrong, it will pass,...

Haha, absolutely! I'm not perfect but I will always get up, throw a hat on if necessary, and say, I'm showing up anyway. The beauty is that even a day where everything seems to go wrong, it will pass, and we can try again tomorrow.

Of course! Like everyone, I have days that donâ??t go to plan. What matters most is how we respondâ??with self-compassion, humour, and flexibility. I find these moments help me stay grounded and...

Of course! Like everyone, I have days that donâ??t go to plan. What matters most is how we respondâ??with self-compassion, humour, and flexibility. I find these moments help me stay grounded and remind me that therapy is about being real and human, not perfect.

Totally, and on those days it's important to 'name it'. That is, I want to let whoever I am with know this is me, and not them. If I'm sensitive or vulnerable because life has been tough who can't...

Totally, and on those days it's important to 'name it'. That is, I want to let whoever I am with know this is me, and not them. If I'm sensitive or vulnerable because life has been tough who can't relate to that eh.

Of course.

Of course.

Errr, yeah!

Errr, yeah!

Is it possible to not have a 'bad hair' day? If you want to know how I deal with them, well, I usually cry. I'm human, just like you, and 'bad hair' days remind me I am not superwoman and I don't have...

Is it possible to not have a 'bad hair' day? If you want to know how I deal with them, well, I usually cry. I'm human, just like you, and 'bad hair' days remind me I am not superwoman and I don't have all the answers. I feel the same vulnerability and uncomfortable feelings that are part and parcel of being human. Professionally, 'bad hair' days look a little different and are dealt with by attending supervision to help me grow and process what's going on for me and how to better help my clients.

Literally? Not really - thanks to my shaved head, bad hair days arenâ??t really in the cards for me! But figuratively? Absolutely. Like anyone else, I have days where things feel harder, where Iâ??m...

Literally? Not really - thanks to my shaved head, bad hair days arenâ??t really in the cards for me! But figuratively? Absolutely. Like anyone else, I have days where things feel harder, where Iâ??m more tired, more sensitive to sensory input, or slower to process information. As an autistic person, these ups and downs are just part of life, and I think itâ??s important to be open about them. I see these â??bad daysâ? not as something to hide but as an opportunity to model authenticity - for myself and for the people I work with. Theyâ??re a reminder that being human (and neurodivergent) means having variability in how we show up in the world. Some days are smoother than others, and thatâ??s okay. In fact, itâ??s more than okay - itâ??s normal! For me, these moments are a chance to practice what I encourage in others: self-compassion, flexibility, and the understanding that struggling doesnâ??t mean youâ??re failing. Itâ??s all part of the journey, and sometimes, itâ??s on the tough days that we learn the most about ourselves.

Yes, there are days when I, like anyone else, may experience what could be called bad hair days. On those occasions, when I feel less centered or grounded, I have found solace and rejuvenation...

Yes, there are days when I, like anyone else, may experience what could be called bad hair days. On those occasions, when I feel less centered or grounded, I have found solace and rejuvenation through the practice of meditation. By taking time for self-reflection and mindfulness, I can cultivate a sense of inner calm and reconnect with a place of peace within myself. Meditation helps me to restore balance, clarity, and focus, allowing me to show up fully present for my clients and provide them with the support they need. It is through these moments of meditation that I replenish my energy and reaffirm my commitment to the therapeutic process.

Yes, bad hair days come with mid-life ... but I have found a great conditioner! I have my ups and downs, and days where my energy can be a bit low. But I find that being present and giving service...

Yes, bad hair days come with mid-life ... but I have found a great conditioner! I have my ups and downs, and days where my energy can be a bit low. But I find that being present and giving service to my clients helps me to move beyond these challenges.

Yes, unfortunately!

Yes, unfortunately!

Yes, everyone has â??bad hairâ? daysâ??even me! But Iâ??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 â??bad hairâ? daysâ??even me! But Iâ??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 lifeâ??s balance.

Doesn't everyone? I have had shit times and wonderful times. I have encountered a plethora of experiences, and I have learnt to embrace them all, because the good, the bad and everything in between...

Doesn't everyone? I have had shit times and wonderful times. I have encountered a plethora of experiences, and I have learnt to embrace them all, because the good, the bad and everything in between make us who we are. Our experiences shape us, and for that, I am grateful for even the most challenging things that have happened to me.

Of course! Thatâ??s what slicked-back buns are for!

Of course! Thatâ??s what slicked-back buns are for!

Of course â?? I'm human too! There are days when things donâ??t go perfectly, but I believe that being real and showing up authentically, even on the tougher days, is an important part of building...

Of course â?? I'm human too! There are days when things donâ??t go perfectly, but I believe that being real and showing up authentically, even on the tougher days, is an important part of building genuine, trusting relationships with clients.

Of course! Like everyone I am sometimes a bit tired, distracted, or in a mood that makes therapy a bit harder to do. I make mistakes, confront difficult aspects of my personality, and am frustrated by...

Of course! Like everyone I am sometimes a bit tired, distracted, or in a mood that makes therapy a bit harder to do. I make mistakes, confront difficult aspects of my personality, and am frustrated by my limitations. But I remind myself that doing my best is very important to me, which helps me carry on.

I don't have much hair but metaphorically I do!

I don't have much hair but metaphorically I do!

I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to be doing something I love completely and to have a very balanced work-private life.

I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to be doing something I love completely and to have a very balanced work-private life.

Every second day. Ha!

Every second day. Ha!

I have more bad hair days than good ones...

I have more bad hair days than good ones...

Yes I have had many but I make sure I am psychologically present for my clients.

Yes I have had many but I make sure I am psychologically present for my clients.

Of course. And I will continue to have 'bad hair' days in the future. It's not a question of having perfect hair. It's a question of tipping the balance in favour of having more 'good hair' days than...

Of course. And I will continue to have 'bad hair' days in the future. It's not a question of having perfect hair. It's a question of tipping the balance in favour of having more 'good hair' days than bad ones.

On occasion, I might have days where my hair is (by today's perfectionistic societal standards) aesthetically-challenged, but I find that these days generally lead to a greater appreciation of the...

On occasion, I might have days where my hair is (by today's perfectionistic societal standards) aesthetically-challenged, but I find that these days generally lead to a greater appreciation of the days in which my hair is perfectly well-behaved (or good).

All the time. I would only wish for more hair as I age but alas...

All the time. I would only wish for more hair as I age but alas...

Absolutely. Being a Counsellor doesn't mean that I don't experience what every person does. These can be rough days, especially when you just canâ??t get it to do what you want. It's funny how...

Absolutely. Being a Counsellor doesn't mean that I don't experience what every person does. These can be rough days, especially when you just canâ??t get it to do what you want. It's funny how something like hair can feel like such a big deal on certain days, even if itâ??s not the most important thing overall. I always say to myself...'tomorrow will be a better day'.

I do. Everyone does. When I do, life is challenging me to walk my talk.

I do. Everyone does. When I do, life is challenging me to walk my talk.

I occasionally have good hair days

I occasionally have good hair days

No, I have never had a bad hair day! I embraced my hair for what it is many years ago - dead straight, and going grey. I get comments on the grey all the time and people find it hard to believe this...

No, I have never had a bad hair day! I embraced my hair for what it is many years ago - dead straight, and going grey. I get comments on the grey all the time and people find it hard to believe this means I visit the hairdresser 3 times a year. That's definitely a good thing for me as I'm not one to enjoy sitting in the salon!!

Yes, just like anyone else, I definitely have my share of 'bad hair' days! These are the days when things donâ??t go as planned, or Iâ??m feeling a bit off or out of sync. I believe it's important...

Yes, just like anyone else, I definitely have my share of 'bad hair' days! These are the days when things donâ??t go as planned, or Iâ??m feeling a bit off or out of sync. I believe it's important to acknowledge that even as a therapist, Iâ??m human, and I experience challenges and frustrations just like everyone else. On those days, I try to practice the same self-compassion and mindfulness that I encourage in my clients. Whether itâ??s taking a moment to breathe, stepping outside for some fresh air, or simply reminding myself that itâ??s okay not to be perfect, these small acts help me reset and approach the day with a bit more ease. In a way, 'bad hair' days remind me that life is full of ups and downs, and thatâ??s perfectly normal. They also give me the opportunity to practice what I preach by being kind to myself and not letting the small things derail my sense of balance. Sometimes, those days can lead to moments of growth and reflection, which ultimately helps me connect more authentically with my clients.

Yes but I keep it cut short!

Yes but I keep it cut short!

Of course, I think everyone does! Sometimes you have to just do your best with what you've got to work with, and be kind to yourself.

Of course, I think everyone does! Sometimes you have to just do your best with what you've got to work with, and be kind to yourself.

Yes, like other humans, there are times of challenge. But, these days I have more internal resources and skilful ways of responding and view these challenges or walls also as Windows/opportunities.

Yes, like other humans, there are times of challenge. But, these days I have more internal resources and skilful ways of responding and view these challenges or walls also as Windows/opportunities.

Yes, of course! Without it I wouldn't be compelled to consider alternatives that are better and more in the service of remaining an effective therapist and more importantly, a better person to be...

Yes, of course! Without it I wouldn't be compelled to consider alternatives that are better and more in the service of remaining an effective therapist and more importantly, a better person to be with. It's a good reminder of my vulnerability and keeps me mindful about my own journey and personal practice. On a professional level, ongoing supervision is the place where these bad hair' days can be explored and worked through.

All the time. I have straight Asian hair and unbeknown to non Asians they are a nightmare to keep looking tidy!

All the time. I have straight Asian hair and unbeknown to non Asians they are a nightmare to keep looking tidy!