Bee Yourself Counselling

30/10/2024

I'm not one to blow my own trumpet - heck, I don't even own a trumpet. But this was wonderfully affirming, especially after the last two years of ongoing personal hurdles, so I went out and bought a trumpet. Thank you ThreeBestRated.com.au for the totally unexpected Award for being one of the Top Three Counsellors in Townsville. I had no idea there was such a thing. I am so pleasantly surprised. I'm all about quality, personalised service rather than conveyer-belt counselling. I'm incredibly humbled and grateful to be able to serve my clients during their time of need. 🦉

Expert recommended Top 3 Counselling Services in Townsville, QLD. How do we actually find? ThreeBestRated.com.au 50-Point Inspection includes everything from checking reputation, history, complaints, reviews, ratings, satisfaction, trust and price to the general excellence.

19/08/2024

Having lost two immediate family members in the last year (dad below) and my youngest brother, rocked my world in a way I did not expect. Dad's first anniversary comes up this week on Friday. My brother only passed away in March this year. As a grief counsellor I like to share the reality of death because we're not great at doing that in society IMO.

If you feel like your world has changed forever, due to the death of a person or a pet you loved, you are NORMAL. There is nothing wrong with you for having crying bouts, questioning the meaning of life in general, and having all those deep thoughts and feelings.

Death is pretty final and I say this fully believing in Heaven and fully believing my Dad (and brother) are in a much better place than we could ever imagine.

A shout-out to you today if you are feeling sad like me in the lead-up to an anniversary or for any reason related to death where you may need some reassurance and a virtual hug. xo

Hang in there. It's tough, some days are harder than others. If you go with the flow of feeling the feels instead of shoving them underwater and hoping they don't bob up, it works out better overall. Also love and support is what gets us through so accept this from your family and friends (who get it, not those who don't), or a good counsellor. And I find doing something that makes me feel closer to the person or pet I loved really helps - it's all about creating the continuing bonds. 🦋

09/07/2024

No wonder we love our pets, whatever their form. Their love is genuine, wholehearted, unconditional and trustworthy. 🌷🐝

30/06/2024

Peace, the elusive gem we strive for; yet God gives it freely. 🌷🐝

19/04/2024

What a great analogy for grief; all over the place and a rollercoaster indeed. Many people also don't realise Kubler-Ross' 5 stages of grief (Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance), which are cited w***y nilly for all types of grief and loss, were relative to terminal illness - makes more sense now huh? Even then, everybody's grief is so individualised. Death and grief can't be wrapped up neatly into tidy little theoretical parcels.

Many bereaved young people move back and forth between grief-focused and other activities. There's no neat pattern or timeline to this, we're all different and find our own way.

For advice from young people on coping with grief visit our website: ow.ly/oXaE50PNfIy

11/01/2024

You're not alone!

02/01/2024

30/12/2023

Many pet owners view their veterinarians as Super-Heroes. Vets are also human and have become very adept at hiding: depression, anxiety, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, burnout. Note: So often forgotten are the rest of the vet practice village without whom a practice would not exist. If you are a Vet Nurse, Vet Tech, Practice Manager, Practice Owner, Office Manager, or Receptionist, in need of support, please reach out to Madonna at Bee Yourself Counselling.

08/12/2023

Time for one of those uncomfortable DEATH posts. It's my dad's first birthday not on this earth. How do I handle it? Differently to how any other person on this earth handles the death of a loved one most likely. We were all taught from a young age how to grieve, sometimes this was helpful, sometimes it wasn't! This in itself, is worth looking at as you will learn so much about your attitudes to death from this. We also have different personalities and we all process, think, feel differently. We will therefore also all have different ways of remembering and honouring our person (or pet).

I have found as a grief and loss counsellor for people and pet owners that onlookers find it most comfortable to bundle every death into one simplistic basket; it's easier that way for them to offer the same platitudes, or ignore the death of said person (pet), or assume they know how someone is managing.

What I've learnt is that if you are uncomfortable dealing with feelings in general in your everyday life, the mention of the "D" word will bring up very uncomfortable feelings for you around how to be there for someone who is going through this inevitable journey. You may find it helps to step back, be the neutral observer of your OWN emotions first; be honest and think (to yourself) "Hmm, I feel really uncomfortable with this conversation. Wonder what that's all about?" and that's your first step in helping someone else! If you just blurt out stuff without first looking inwards it usually doesn't accomplish what you may desire.

As a grief and loss counsellor, and a person I've learnt people really don't expect much, just acknowledgement and a listening ear rather than "words of wisdom" or assuming you know what someone needs to hear to put it right. Sometimes the less said the better too, "Thinking of you today." "How you feeling about your dad/dog/cat/bird?" whatever. Don't feel like you have to be the fixer of the griever's emotions.

Love you dad. xo

05/11/2023

THE FRIDGE STALKER - Peter Pan my parrotlet has a new favourite spot. I freak out every time I open the fridge door and my stalker is right THERE! 🐦😆

02/11/2023

Oh yeppers, so true - and a whole lot more could be said about these precious small, medium or large gifts of unconditional love from God. 🐝

Sometimes you find wisdom in unexpected places - like on the announcements board in a London Tube station! We couldn't have said this better ourselves.

What would you say to somebody who told you 'it's just a pet'?

www.nevertearthemapart.org.au

26/10/2023

🐝🦉

22/10/2023

How's yer cammo eyesight? Two, three hour old curlew chicks hidden in the leaves and stones. First time I've been "gone for" by them. Bit of a crocodile hunter moment. That noise with the quick approach is actually my phone being "beaked.". Fair enough.

Totally deserved it and all I say is I wish human parents were as protective of their babies and kids.
Never tire of these lovelies making their nest in my garden. And now I retreat before I lose an eye. 😉

18/10/2023

We all crave true connection, the soul to soul type that can't be coerced, contrived or explained. And sometimes it comes from the most innocent and unexpected sources. 🐝 🐦💕

Photo of the day

11/10/2023

Coercive control now a standalone criminal offence... about bloody time!

17/09/2023

Oh the shenanigans of my tiny parrotlets. Delta green loves Peter Pan but the feelings are not reciprocated. Cracks me up.he doesn't fly away, just runs 🐦