Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges, affecting millions of people worldwide. It can show up as constant worry, racing thoughts, difficulty sleeping, or even physical symptoms like a racing heart and shortness of breath. Whether you're dealing with mild anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, or panic attacks, counselling can provide the tools and support you need to manage anxiety and regain control of your life.
I specialise in helping individuals understand, process, and overcome anxiety through evidence-based techniques that promote emotional well-being. What is Anxiety? Anxiety is a natural response to stress or danger, but when it becomes overwhelming or persistent, it can interfere with your daily life. Some common types of anxiety that are presented to me include:
If anxiety is affecting your relationships, work, or daily well-being, through counselling I can help you develop coping strategies to manage it effectively. Signs That Anxiety Might Be Affecting Your Life
If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s important to know that you are not alone contact me—help is available. How Counselling Helps Manage Anxiety 1. Identifying Triggers & Thought Patterns Anxiety often stems from unconscious thought patterns and triggers. Counselling helps you: ✅ Recognise the situations or thoughts that trigger anxiety ✅ Understand how past experiences may be influencing current fears ✅ Develop healthier ways to respond to stress 2. Learning Coping Strategies & Relaxation Techniques With the right tools, I can help you to manage anxiety before it becomes overwhelming. With my techniques I can teach you: ✅ Breathing exercises to calm your nervous system ✅ Mindfulness and grounding techniques to stay present ✅ Counselling techniques leading to coaching to help you 'move forwards in your life' 3. Reducing Overthinking & WorryAnxiety can make you feel trapped in your own thoughts. Counselling and coaching can help you: ✅ Break the cycle of catastrophic thinking ✅ Learn to challenge irrational fears ✅ Gain perspective and emotional balance 4. Building Confidence in Social & Work SituationsIf social anxiety or work stress is holding you back, counselling and coaching can help you: ✅ Develop assertiveness and self-confidence ✅ Manage fear of public speaking or workplace anxiety ✅ Feel more comfortable in social settings 5. Improving Sleep & Daily Well-BeingAnxiety can disrupt sleep and leave you feeling exhausted. A counsellor can guide you in: ✅ Establishing healthy bedtime routines ✅ Managing racing thoughts at night ✅ Reducing stress through relaxation and self-care Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Counselling How long does counselling take to work for anxiety? It depends on the individual, but many people notice improvements within a few sessions. The key is consistency and applying the strategies learned in therapy. Do I need medication, or can counselling help on its own? Counselling is effective for many individuals without medication. However, in some cases, a combination of therapy and medication (prescribed by a doctor) may be beneficial. Can anxiety go away completely? While anxiety is a normal human emotion, counselling can help you manage it so it no longer controls your life. Many people experience long-term relief through therapy. Take the First Step Towards a Calmer, Happier Life If anxiety is affecting your happiness, relationships, or career, don’t struggle alone. Counselling can help you break free from anxiety and regain a sense of peace and control. Contact me today to schedule a confidential anxiety counselling session. Visit www.joannevogelcounselling.co.uk to learn more.
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Do you feel like you're drifting through life without a clear sense of direction? Are you stuck in a routine that no longer excites you? Perhaps you’ve achieved what you thought would make you happy, yet you still feel unfulfilled. If you’re feeling lost in life, you’re not alone—and the good news is, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
At Joanne Vogel Counselling, I help individuals find clarity, purpose, and confidence in their personal and professional lives. Life coaching provides a structured, supportive approach to help you rediscover what truly matters to you and take meaningful steps toward a more fulfilling life. Why Do We Feel Lost in Life?Feeling lost can happen for many reasons. Some of the most common include:
How Life Coaching Can Help You Find Your WayLife coaching is about moving forward—it’s not about dwelling on the past, but about finding solutions that help you regain confidence and direction. Here’s how it can help: 1. Gaining Clarity on What You Truly WantMany people feel lost because they’ve never taken the time to define what a fulfilling life looks like for them. Coaching helps you:
How long does it take to feel less lost?It depends on the individual, but many people start seeing positive changes within a few sessions. The key is taking consistent small steps that build momentum over time. Can coaching help if I don’t know what I want?Absolutely! If you’re unsure of your next steps, coaching is designed to help you explore possibilities, uncover passions, and gain direction. Take the First Step Toward Finding YourselfIf you’re feeling lost in life, the worst thing you can do is stay stuck in inaction. You have the power to change your direction, and we’re here to help. Contact me today to book a life coaching session and start your journey toward clarity and fulfillment. Visit www.joannevogelcounselling.co.uk to learn more. Are you feeling stuck in your job? Unsure of your next career move? Struggling with confidence in the workplace? Whether you're looking for a career change, aiming for a promotion, or feeling unfulfilled in your current role, career coaching can provide the clarity, confidence, and strategy you need to move forward.
At Joanne Vogel Counselling, I understand that your career is a significant part of your life. It affects your self-esteem, financial security, and overall happiness. That’s why career coaching isn’t just about job hunting—it’s about helping you align your professional path with your passions, values, and long-term goals. What Is Career Coaching?Career coaching is a personalised, goal-driven process designed to help you navigate career challenges, set clear objectives, and take practical steps toward achieving them. A career coach provides guidance, support, and accountability while helping you develop the skills and mindset needed for success. Who Can Benefit from Career Coaching?
Is career coaching only for people looking for a new job?No! Career coaching is for anyone looking to improve their professional life—whether you're job hunting, seeking a promotion, or struggling with workplace challenges. What’s the difference between career coaching and career counselling?
Take the Next Step Toward Career SuccessIf you’re feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or uncertain about your career, career coaching can help you gain direction, confidence, and success. Whether you need help with a job search, career transition, or workplace challenges, we’re here to support you. Contact me today to book a career coaching session. Visit www.joannevogelcounselling.co.uk to learn more. From Struggle to Strength: How Life Coaching Can Help You Navigate Relationship Challenges3/19/2025 Relationships are complex, emotional, and deeply personal. Whether you’re facing challenges with a romantic partner, struggling with family dynamics, or recovering from a painful breakup, relationship difficulties can affect every aspect of your life. If you’re feeling lost, frustrated, or uncertain about your next steps, life coaching can help you gain clarity, develop confidence, and create a path toward a healthier relationship.
At Joanne Vogel Counselling, we understand that relationships don’t exist in isolation—your personal growth and emotional well-being play a crucial role in your ability to build and maintain fulfilling connections. That’s why life coaching is an excellent tool for individuals navigating relationship challenges, providing practical strategies, emotional support, and a forward-thinking approach to positive change. How Life Coaching Can Help Individuals Improve Their RelationshipsNot every relationship challenge requires couples’ therapy. Sometimes, personal reflection, emotional awareness, and learning new skills are the key to transforming your relationship. Coaching focuses on empowering individuals to take control of their emotions, behaviours, and relationship dynamics. 1. Gain Clarity About What You WantMany people feel stuck in unhappy or unfulfilling relationships simply because they don’t know what they truly want. Life coaching helps you explore:
3. Break Free from Negative Relationship PatternsHave you noticed recurring issues in your relationships? Maybe you:
4. Boost Self-Confidence & Emotional IndependenceMany relationship struggles stem from self-doubt and low self-esteem. If you rely on external validation from your partner, it can create emotional strain. Coaching helps you:
If you’re unsure which approach is right for you, we can help assess your situation and guide you toward the best path forward. Common Questions About Life Coaching for RelationshipsCan life coaching help if my partner isn’t willing to participate?Yes! You don’t need to be in couples therapy to make a positive impact on your relationship. When you change the way you approach situations, communicate, and set boundaries, it naturally influences your relationship dynamic. How long does it take to see results from life coaching?Every individual’s journey is different, but many clients start seeing positive changes in their mindset and relationships within a few sessions. Coaching is about creating small, consistent improvements that lead to long-term transformation. What’s the difference between relationship counselling and life coaching?
Take the First Step Toward a Healthier RelationshipIf you’re ready to improve your relationships—whether you’re currently in one, recovering from a breakup, or looking to build stronger connections--life coaching can provide the clarity, confidence, and strategies you need. Contact metoday to book a consultation and explore how coaching can help you create fulfilling relationships. Visit www.joannevogelcounselling.co.uk to learn more. Relationships are the foundation of our lives, shaping our happiness, emotional well-being, and personal growth. Whether you are struggling with communication, trust issues, or simply feel disconnected, relationship counselling can help. But did you know that coaching can be a powerful complement to traditional relationship counselling?
At Joanne Vogel Counselling, we combine counselling and coaching to provide individuals and couples with a holistic approach to improving their relationships. While counselling focuses on healing past wounds and resolving emotional distress, coaching helps you move forward, build practical skills, and create a stronger, more fulfilling connection with your partner. The Difference Between Relationship Counselling and CoachingMany people wonder about the differences between counselling and coaching when it comes to relationships. Here’s a simple breakdown:
How Coaching Can Help Individuals in RelationshipsNot all relationship challenges require couples’ counselling. Sometimes, personal growth and self-awareness are the key to transforming a relationship. Coaching can help individuals in relationships by: 1. Improving Communication SkillsMany relationship issues stem from misunderstandings or ineffective communication. Coaching can help individuals learn how to express themselves clearly, listen actively, and manage conflicts constructively. 2. Building Confidence and Self-WorthInsecurity and self-doubt can negatively impact relationships. Coaching helps individuals develop self-awareness and self-esteem, allowing them to show up as their best selves in a relationship. 3. Recognising and Changing Negative PatternsAre you repeating the same mistakes in your relationships? Coaching helps individuals identify unhealthy patterns and replace them with positive habits and behaviours that support a strong and lasting connection. 4. Clarifying Relationship GoalsDo you know what you truly want from your relationship? Coaching provides clarity on your needs, boundaries, and long-term vision, ensuring you’re in a relationship that aligns with your values. How Coaching Can Help Couples Strengthen Their RelationshipCoaching is not just for individuals—it can be highly effective for couples who want to rebuild, reconnect, or strengthen their bond. Couples coaching can support relationships by: 1. Enhancing Emotional ConnectionMany couples drift apart over time. Coaching helps partners reignite emotional intimacy, fostering deeper understanding and closeness. 2. Resolving Conflict in a Healthy WayDisagreements are natural in any relationship, but how you handle them makes all the difference. Coaching teaches practical conflict resolution strategies to navigate disagreements without damaging the relationship. 3. Strengthening Trust and CommitmentTrust issues can undermine even the strongest relationships. Through coaching, couples can rebuild trust, set clear expectations, and develop a more secure connection. 4. Developing a Shared Vision for the FutureWhether it’s planning for marriage, children, or major life changes, coaching helps couples align their long-term goals and values, ensuring they move forward together. Why Choose a Combined Approach of Counselling and Coaching?Many individuals and couples benefit from a blended approach that integrates both counselling and coaching. This allows you to:
Take the Next Step Toward a Healthier RelationshipIf you’re ready to improve your relationship—either as an individual or as a couple--coaching can provide the support, clarity, and tools you need. Whether you want to strengthen communication, rebuild trust, or simply gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your partner, we’re here to help. Contact me today to learn more about how coaching and counselling can transform your relationship. Visit www.joannevogelcounselling.co.uk to book a consultation. If someone loses their partner due to a bereavement, although this is thought to be the most stressful experience you could have, there is an understood process of grieving that people around you can accept and help with.
However, if you lose your partner to divorce you may find there is no roadmap of how to process the loss itself or the development of a new life ahead independent of your partner. When we suffer a bereavement family and friends usually instinctively gather round and offer support, you can take compassionate leave from work. However, with divorce and separation family and friends may start to take sides and work may not even be aware that there is a problem. In these cases, your journey may have to be self-navigating. Some people may find it a relief – the end of an unsatisfying relationship, whereas others will keenly feel the loss and rejection. Feelings that can be experienced, such as anger, anxiety, resentment, fear or shame can all affect your mental health, even if you were the one that ended the relationship. It is also possible that there may be children involved in the break-up and this can cause emotional upheaval as one person is likely to become a part-time parent which can bring about feelings of loss or anxiety. Keeping the channels of communication open can be tricky sometimes, but having an impartial person to talk to can help you to communicate your feelings effectively. Conflict can take a huge toll on your confidence and this can be an exhausting time. Making some time for yourself to regroup and restore confidence in yourself can help you deal with what is to come. Counselling is often used for couples to try and save relationships, but also it can help you to come to terms with what can be a significant loss in your life by talking through your feelings and emotions. Although most women will experience the menopause at some point, this does not mean that it is necessarily easy.
The added challenges of peri-menopause (when the ovaries gradually begin to make less oestrogen) and early menopause (between the ages of 41-45) are very often under-estimated and the loss of fertility can be devastating if a woman had planned to have children and menopause occurs before they were able. Symptoms – and the impact of these- can vary greatly between people with many experiencing debilitating symptoms, whilst others seem to sail through with little or not issue. This sometimes rather brutal reminder of ageing can be a difficult time, and it is not always easy to talk about with anybody. There are many different symptoms, too many to list here, but these are a few of the most commonly experienced:
Menopause can bring about emotional symptoms as well as physical; and anxiety and depression are two that are commonly felt. Although most women will probably know to expect menopause, nevertheless it can still upset the balance of life. Menopause is commonly known as “the change” and is arguably one of the most significant changes in that it signifies the end of a part of life that is attached to the idea of youth. Ageing, although a normal, natural part of life can cause unhappiness as women compare themselves to younger people. Although some women do suffer during menopause, there are also lots of women who are quite happy with it and see it as the start of the next stage of their lives which can be a positive stage where we have gained from life experience, have greater wisdom and freedom from the constraints of young children. Whatever your feelings and emotions during this time, talking through them can help to accept and come to terms with the changes in life, which although may be difficult and distressing will pass and life will become easier. Depression is a mood disorder which can be described as feelings of sadness, anger or just generally feeling low. Of course, we all feel a bit low from time to time, and these feelings usually pass. But if these feelings last for longer than a few weeks and start to interfere with everyday life, it could be depression.
Symptoms of depression can vary, but include:-
Depression can also result in a person changing behaviour. They may find themselves avoiding friends and social occasions, or changes in sleep patterns. Food avoidance or eating too much. Drinking too much alcohol. Tiredness and lethargy can also be a symptom of depression. It may be difficult to talk about or explain these feelings to anybody but cutting off from other people can have an effect on relationships, work and general health. Why do some people get depressed? Research hasn’t come up with one reason why some people are more prone to depression than others, rather that there are probably various causes. Biological, environmental and social factors are implicated in research but this is still and ongoing question for researchers. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) over 3 million people worldwide live with depression, and each person will have differing contributing factors. Depression can affect people of all ages and from all walks of life, but unfortunately there is still a stigma attached to mental health issues. It is important to recognise that just like physical health, mental health issues are not necessarily preventable. Understanding this could lessen the stigma and result in more people getting the help they need. Counselling can help with depression by giving a person the opportunity to explore their feelings in a safe, confidential environment, giving space to talk and sort through their emotions. Stress is a part of life – everyday stresses like jobs, kids, money etc are probably experienced by most of us. However, when stress gets too much for us it can cause other issues that can be more serious.
When we get too stressed it can cause us to feel unwell and experience symptoms that are very real to us. Health anxiety (the expression used to be hypochondria) is when you spend lots of time worrying that you are ill, or that you are going to be ill, which can start to take over your life. Some symptoms can include
Stress or anxiety can cause symptoms like headaches or palpitations which can be mistaken for actual illness, and reassurance from your doctor may only bring temporary relief. Your mental health and wellbeing can very much influence your physical health, and so being careful to maintain good physical health and a healthy lifestyle can, in turn, have a positive effect on your mental health. With the COVID-19 pandemic still in our news and thoughts, this has, understandably been a time of great stress and anxiety for many, and now the restrictions have eased, a scary place to be. It is worth remembering that you do not have to do anything that makes you worried or uncomfortable, but rather take it at your own pace. It may be worth talking to people you socialise with that you are more comfortable wearing a mask or social distancing for now until you feel more confident. If your doctor has ruled out any physical problem then talking with a trusted person about your fears and anxieties can bring relief that you are not alone in this. Just sharing your thoughts and worries with someone can sometimes relieve some of the pressure you are feeling. According to studies the number of working women over the age of 50 has increased and is expected to continue to rise. This can bring about the issue of experiencing symptoms of menopause whilst at work which can be a difficult time for many as their symptoms can be debilitating, and because these symptoms are not necessarily widely understood, say by men or younger people for instance who through no fault of their own have no experience of this.
Some of the most common symptoms, say hot flushes or problems with lack of concentration could have a detrimental effect on their work. This can cause embarrassment and can, according to research cause some women to leave their jobs . Unfortunately there remains considerable ignorance and mis-understanding around the menopause, often being seen as taboo or even to be ridiculed. Although it is quite common for women to talk to colleagues of a similar age and experience in the workplace, many women could feel unable to ask for support from a line manager even if the challenges they are facing are impacting their work. It is not necessary for managers to be experts or know lots about the menopause, but just knowing how to support or signpost to an appropriate department like occupational health is enough. According to a government report, menopausal women are the fastest growing demographic in the workforce and sometimes the work environments like those with no control of temperature, tight fitting uniforms or stressful work load can make symptoms worse. By talking about this openly and thereby raising awareness and putting the correct support in place, hopefully we could get to the point that menopause is no longer a negative issue in the workplace. Any employer who wishes to employ and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce can work towards an environment where menopause can be talked about openly, freely and without embarrassment. |
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I provide counselling and coaching services in areas including Gnosall, Stafford, Telford and all surrounding villages and areas.
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