There’s something about this time of year that stirs a mix of emotions. On the surface, Christmas looks like connection, celebration, lights and rituals. But beneath the surface, many women quietly begin to tense their shoulders and feel the heaviness this time of year brings. Not because they dislike Christmas, but because they know what’s coming and how much of it will land on them. And it’s rarely the big, dramatic tasks. It’s the thinking, the lists, the remembering, and the planning. The emotional labour of holding it all together so everyone else can have a “magical” time.

There’s a moment many clients have in therapy (sometimes early on, sometimes much later) when they realise that showing up to the room is only one part of the work. It’s an important part, yes. But doing therapy asks something a little deeper, a little braver, and often a little slower than we expect.

Have you ever felt surrounded by people, yet somehow still unseen? Like you’re speaking a language others don’t quite understand?

That quiet ache for connection is something many of us know well. It’s part of being human to want to feel known, accepted, and valued for who we truly are.

In therapy, I often hear people say things like “I don’t fit in” or “I can’t seem to find my people.” Beneath those words is a deep longing for belonging and connection. A desire to find a community where we can show up as ourselves without fear of judgment or rejection

For many people, taking that first step towards therapy can feel both brave and uncertain. You might wonder what to expect, what to say, or whether you’ll “do it right.” These worries are completely normal; most people feel a little nervous before their first session.

The truth is, your first therapy session isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about beginning a conversation.