Insights and articles on mental wellness, personal growth, and the counselling journey
Online Counselling · Flexible Support
Ever feel like life moves so fast that you barely have time to check in with yourself? That's exactly why I created a space where support fits into your schedule... not the other way around.
I offer walking counselling sessions across the South Downs—a chance to slow down, move, breathe, and talk things through in a different way.
"It was really good to walk on the South Downs and feel truly listened to… whilst also doing something good for the mind and body. I highly recommend this approach."
A big thank you to everyone who came along to our first Men's Compass Room Pickleball Social.
Great energy all round … new faces, plenty of laughs, and learning the game together… a therapy session we can all do with now and then.
It's a great reminder of how important community, connection, and a bit of fun really are.
Looking forward to the next one on May 19th. If you're thinking of joining us, be sure to book early via the Men's Compass Room tab, as spaces are limited.
I recently completed the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) workshop in Brighton — a two-day, intensive suicide first aid training run by LivingWorks.
ASIST equips people with practical skills to recognise when someone may be thinking about suicide and to provide immediate, life-saving help. It's one of the most widely used suicide intervention programmes in the world.
As a counsellor, I believe this kind of training is not just important — it's essential. Being able to hold space for someone in their darkest moment, with both compassion and competence, is something I take very seriously.
Whatever you're going through — you are not alone.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to Samaritans (116 123) or text Shout on 85258.
I finally did it .... No scripts ... No filters ... my very first Radio show.
What do you think of the conversations? Is there something that resonates with you or someone you know, or a company .... I invite you to listen and to share.
If you would like to get in touch please do.
October 9, 2025 · Gary Jessop
A personal story about men's health, talking openly, and why we need to get checked.
The prostate. Even the word carries a tone of doom and gloom. But it's something most of us men will deal with eventually — and I want to share my experience, in case it helps even one person start a conversation, ask a question, or get checked.
I noticed I was peeing more often — a bit annoying, but nothing dramatic. I laughed it off with mates in the pub. I'd had a slightly enlarged prostate for years, but regular PSA checks were always good.
Then one day, after a long walk, I met a friend for a pint of Guinness — and saw thick blood in my pee. I stayed calm, went back and finished my pint, but couldn't stop thinking: Was that really blood? Or just beetroot? Classic denial.
I spoke to my sister. She said just four words: "Go to the doctor."
So I did. Blood confirmed. CT scan ordered. Urgent referral to a urologist. It was a worrying wait — because the word cancer naturally floats into your mind.
When the results came back, I met with Consultant Urologist Mr Ruairidh Crawford, who calmly explained everything:
Apparently, because the prostate had been restricting my urine flow for years, sediment had built up in my bladder — eventually forming into a stone. I'd heard of kidney stones, but bladder stones? Totally new to me.
Mr Crawford explained I would need surgery: a cystolitholapaxy to crush and remove the stone, and a TURP operation on the prostate to improve urine flow. A 45-minute operation, both issues sorted in one go.
The NHS wait time was around a year, so I researched further and found Mr Crawford also worked privately through the Nuffield. Same calm presence. Same professionalism. He walked me through all options:
For my case, TURP was the clear choice. The Nuffield could fit me in within a few weeks. I also signed up to KENZAI — an online nutrition programme — to prepare for the operation and support my recovery.
I went in under general anaesthetic. The bladder stone was crushed (harder than expected), and the prostate was trimmed down. I woke up a bit groggy, but with real relief: it was done. The nurses looked after me brilliantly, and I was home the next day to recover.
I now realise how much the enlarged prostate had been affecting me — constant tiredness, waking at night, sudden urges, low flow, avoiding beer, worrying about meetings, IBS symptoms, and even issues around sex. All things I had normalised without realising.
Final thoughts
Most men will deal with an enlarged prostate at some point. It's natural. We can't avoid it. But we can talk about it. And we should.
Women often speak more openly about their health. We men tend to bottle things up, ignore symptoms, or make jokes instead of taking action.
So if something's been nagging at you — go and get it checked. It's nothing to be afraid of.
If sharing this helps just one guy start a conversation, book an appointment, or feel a bit less alone… I'll be glad I spoke up.
Thank you to my Guru — Mr Ruairidh Crawford BSc FRCS (Urol)
September 29, 2025 · Gary Jessop
Can we be smarter than a smartphone?
We all know the feeling: you pick up your phone to check one message… and suddenly you've spent an hour scrolling through someone else's life. A life that's been filtered, cropped, and polished — rarely showing the full story.
We're more connected than ever, yet often less present than we'd like to be. Especially when we're with our children, our friends, or even alone with our own thoughts.
So here's the question: Can we make smart decisions about how we use our smartphones, and lead by example?
Our phones are incredible tools — essentially pocket-sized computers. But they're also carefully designed to keep us hooked. Notifications, endless feeds, and constant connectivity can start to feel like a trap.
Let's reframe the idea of a digital detox. It's not about restriction or punishment. It's about freedom — freedom to choose how you spend your time, freedom to be fully present, freedom to breathe again.
This summer, I took a break. I turned off my phone, wore a simple watch, and used a travel card — no apps, no notifications, no constant updates. I felt lighter, more present, and calmer.
Boundaries are for you. If you never unplug, you risk burnout. You deserve time for yourself, without the pressure to respond, react, or scroll.
🧘 The Challenge
Can you plan a weekend device detox? Because once you taste the quiet, the presence, the freedom… you might just want more of it.
Let me know if you try it — I'd love to hear how it goes.
I found the feelings cards — they can sometimes help us navigate to what is going on. 🎴
'Not all conversations need to be within four walls'
I have been shared this on the Brighton & Hove Smartphone Free Childhood WhatsApp. Please take a look, share and let me know your thoughts.
Created for kids aged 10–13 — the years when phone pressure hits hardest — this video is fast, fun, and covers:
Watch and share with any parent facing phone pressure at home. We were all children.
In 1993, Denmark made empathy a required class called Klassens tid ("class time") — 1 hour a week dedicated to practising kindness, talking about challenges, and building emotional awareness.
It's not just about good behaviour — it's training the brain. Research shows practising empathy strengthens the part of the brain that handles emotions and perspective-taking.
Beyond school, this focus on emotional intelligence helps make Denmark one of the happiest countries in the world 🌍💛
Moral of the story: Teaching empathy isn't just nice — it's powerful.
Source: Jessica Alexander, author of "The Danish Way of Parenting". Article shared via Katie Wood, Best Selling Author & Keynote Speaker.
In the moment, I saw these kids and thought how nice to see them in the moment — not on phones or any devices but in the here and now... laughing and jumping... having connection.
Perhaps this weekend we could all take a lesson from this and turn our phone off at 9 and put some healthy boundaries in so we can be in the moment and really notice what is going on around us.
