Unbelievably six months has passed since I last posted an update, despite it floating around my to-do list. I do enjoy musing and writing, so it says a lot about how busy things have been, and it’s also made me wonder about the function of blogging, for me.

Perhaps the question, really, should be about what to blog?

When I first branched out into Private Practice, having worked until then as a full-time NHS employee, I looked around to see what other therapists and counselling sorts did, to get the message out to potential clients, that they were ready and available for work. I was struck by how many people emphasised the need to blog and post regularly on websites and social media, in order to establish an online presence and optimise showing up on google and other search engines.

Many therapists and counsellors feel they need to be continually active online in order to maximise their reach to new clients. Thankfully I’m generally busy enough that I don’t need to act from this rather anxious position!

I have noticed over time that some therapists manage this by blogging about ‘useful things’ such as ‘tips’ for good mental health… indeed, because I follow many other mental health and wellbeing organisations online, my newsfeeds are often full of advice on how to manage anxiety or open up about depression. This has left me feeling a couple of different things: firstly, hesitance to duplicate what’s already out there – there’s already loads – and secondly, uncomfortable writing what might sound like either ‘definitive’ or ‘simple’ strategies to overcome difficulties.

A growing body of evidence indicates that too much time spent online can be detrimental for people’s mental wellbeing… what do you think?

Everyones’ struggles, circumstances and psychological development is different, and many are complicated, so I would feel reluctant ‘prescribing’ advice online, without knowing my audience. This is especially true as the psychotherapeutic approach I take within my work is not to offer suggestions and problem solve for someone, but to help them develop to a point of figuring things out themselves… ultimately, in my view, more useful in the long run.

So this leaves me posting a post about what I don’t want to post, but feeling ok about that! It’s a way of saying ‘Hi, I’m still here!’ whilst staying true to myself, my training and what I know from experience to be helpful to clients.

Wishing you all the best for the forthcoming Spring… until next time!