Dear Listeners,

Thank you for listening to my post therapy talk podcast. This is an announcement ending, as I am putting a closure on this podcast.

My views on counselling and therapy:

I think these services can be useful especially if you are someone who is unable to/or finds it painful to open up to people who you know or who you are close to. Especially if you fear judgement from said people or you are from a culture that stigmatizes speaking to to others about your feelings/or traumatic experiences.

Counselling and therapy allows you to express how you are feeling in a safe non-judgemental space.

The criticisms I have about professional counselling and therapy services are the long waiting times if using a public free service and short time that is provided for these sessions. Usually 6-8 weeks only, which is far too short, as it could take months or years for someone to even see progress. Though everyone is different.

There is also the cost. To get immediate access to these services cost money (private) and the other services that are free (through NHS or similar health services in other countries), usually have a long waiting list, so a lot of people are not benefiting from the services or don't pursue with the service due to the long waiting list, which is totally understandable.

The quality of counselling and therapy can also vary. There are some that provide a really good service and some that really need to do better and make vast improvements. You will have to find the service that you feel the most comfortable with and where you think you will benefit the most from.

I hope these episodes have helped someone out there who is listening and that it may encourage you to talk to someone and get support, whether that be through therapy, counselling (even if it is for a short time, it is better to speak to someone than not at all). Or by confiding in someone you know who you can trust if you are going through any turmoil or trauma in your life.

Another recording which I hope will help someone out there who may be going through something similar.

Helplines and services:

Samaritans

Mind

NHS Mental Health

I have always said that the best thing about travelling is the people that you meet. So far, I have been very fortunate to have met some truly wonderful people in every travel destination that I have been to over the years.

This is also why I always say don't rely on what you've seen, heard or read on the news or in the media, as a lot of it is scaremongering propaganda. Yes, of course, dangerous places and people exist, but there are also a lot more absolutely warm, kind, generous and wonderful people as well as stunning locations out there on our amazing planet.

Location: Albania & Montenegro - June 2024