Essex counsellors come together to support each other and the public

Calling all Essex based Therapeutic Counsellors Do you sometimes feel disconnected with the world of Mental Health? Do you think opportunities are difficult to come by? Do you sometimes need a source of support & information and a safe ‘go-to’ place to help with dilemmas? Would you like: A place to find local jobs, placements, courses, group supervision and CPD right here in Essex and reviews on them. A place to source referral suggestions and Supervisors A place to advertise your services and find the clients that need you. An opportunity to tell us all what you want and need, with the possibility that Therapy for Life or one of the members could really help you out. Therapy for Life Forum Sample Page We at Therapy for Life understand (thanks to our new networking evenings held in Southend-on-Sea) that there seems to be a need to connect the local counsellors in and around Essex, particularly near Southend-on-Sea. This will not only benefit our local counsellors but also the public accessing such a conscientious set of professionals. So I welcome you to join the ‘Therapy for Life’ Forum. It’s free to join and we encourage you to start posting as much as possible straight away, please share your knowledge and get involved (you can’t do anything wrong just go for it!) We’ve given you a blank canvas to be creative, interesting, informative and helpful and in return you could receive real support and opportunities. After all, it’s your input that will create more intrigue and make it great for everyone... Check out the Categories and Boards for discussion, if you’re anything like our networking group... you’ve got a lot to say! Look forward to hearing from you... Check out the Forum  Copyright © 2016 Therapy for Life, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Therapy for Life 10 Elmer Approach Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1LW United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

What influence do 'trendy' adverts have on our young people? They stop them smiling... that's what!

Two different adverts aimed at two different generations. Both advertising clothing and shoes. These both appeared in my house this week. 

The top advert shows a brightly coloured image, the model looking seemingly happy and confident. The emotions attached to it are light and easy going for me. 

Switch down to the lower advert for the younger generation. Both models are not only serious, but look shifty and angry. It's set in a gloomy subway, with dark drab colours. The magazine was full of this type of advert, what message is this sending to our youngsters? 

It's cool to be miserable? 

The pair of them look like they've been caught out, or up to something in the advert... does this also project that it's trendy to be hanging around dodgy tunnels getting up to mischief?

Look at me saying 'mischief', 'shifty' and 'dodgy'... I sound like my parents! But things like this do genuinely worry me. I showed the two adverts to my 17 year old son this morning, and it was even an eye opener for him to see the difference in what they project to us.

I asked him, "is it cool NOT to smile around your friends?" his answer was a thoughtful "Yes sometimes".

Science Bit:

Smiling releases endorphins and serotonin. Endorphins are natural painkillers. The more endorphins your brain releases, the more your body can fight off symptoms of illness. Similarly, serotonin is a brain chemical that acts as a natural anti-depressant

Is the media choosing to mimic a teenager's hormonal low points in advertising to get their attention? that would be a shame if they are, when probably all the poor kids want and need is something to lift them out of their low mood. Looking at a magazine full of ads like this will certainly not help any depression or down days.

"I couldn't imagine walking around all day without smiling, yet I see some kids like it constantly."

It's amazing what smiling can do for your health and moods... go on kids, give it a try!

Wear a smile for a day and see how you feel at the end...

If you are struggling to cope with life, don't hesitate to contact Sam or Jackie at Therapy for Life