All Posts

Couples work uses the same stuck-patterns framework , but focuses on how two nervous systems interact. 1. A focus on patterns — not blame We identify the repeating loops between you, such as: pursue / withdraw shut down / escalate avoid / chase freeze / fix conflict / distance Rather than “who is right,” we look at: “What pattern is the relationship stuck in?” This lowers defensiveness and increases understanding. 2. Understanding each person’s protective strategies Each part

Stuck-patterns counselling is a gentle, neuroscience-informed approach that helps people understand the protective emotional, behavioural, and relationship patterns that formed earlier in life — and how those patterns show up today.It ’s not about blame. It’s not about pathology.It ’s about understanding why your system does what it does , so you can create more choice and less reactivity. Below is what you can expect in both individual  and couples  sessions. Individual Sess

It’s completely normal to wonder: “If I start counselling, what are my chances of actually improving?” People don’t want to waste time, money, or emotional energy — especially if they’ve tried things before and felt stuck. While I can’t speak for every therapist or every client’s journey, we do  have strong research about what tends to influence outcomes in counselling. Below is a simple, honest breakdown of the factors that most shape success , how much each one contributes,

Dear You, in a moment that feels difficult to carry, I’m writing from a place you may not be able to sense yet—a place where you’re still moving through life one moment at a time, even if things feel tangled or unclear right now. Whatever is happening inside you—thoughts, sensations, questions, or even a kind of numbness—makes sense in the context of what you’ve lived through. There is nothing here that needs judging. Many of the reactions you’re experiencing are not random;

The prefrontal cortex (PFC)  is the part of the brain that helps us calm down, think clearly, make decisions, and choose how we respond.When we practice things like grounding, naming feelings, breathing, or staying present with emotions, we strengthen the connection between the PFC  and the limbic system  (the emotional/threat-response part of the brain). Stuck patterns show up when the limbic system is running the show  and the PFC can’t come online fast enough.Rewiring thes

I woke up one morning to a pain I had never felt before—sharp, relentless, impossible to ignore. At first, I told myself it would pass. But it didn’t. That pain spiked to 10/10 , dominating my life for six months before it slowly started to fade until eventually it went three year later. The physical pain was intense, but what made it harder were the ways I was stuck— the patterns my mind and body had learned over time . My nervous system was constantly on high alert, searchi

If emotional regulation is the skill that helps us navigate the waves of experience, then stuck patterns are the deeper currents that shape where those waves tend to take us. If you are considering Stuck Patterns Counselling, you might say: “I don’t know why I keep reacting this way.” “I thought I worked through this already.” “Part of me knows better, but I keep getting pulled into the same loop.” From a neuroscience perspective, that makes complete sense. The brain is desig

Emotions are not obstacles to overcome—they’re messages from the brain and body, guiding us toward our needs, values, and boundaries. Yet for many people, emotions can feel overwhelming, unpredictable, or “too much,” especially when old patterns get triggered. At Stuck Patterns Counselling , we often work with clients who know they want to respond differently—but their nervous system keeps pulling them back into familiar reactions. That’s where emotional regulation  comes in.