Jackie Parkes MBACP

0121 454 2209

07796 836739

Or email

 

Jackie Parkes Counsellor  B.A., Dip Counselling , Registered and Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Face to Face Counselling Birmingham available in Harborne and Quinton.

At the moment telephone and video link counselling are available due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

"There are as many nights as days , and the one is just as long as the other in the years course. Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word 'happy ' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness" Carl Jung

Interesting articles and resources

Please check back on a regular basis to find out more about issues that may concern you or a loved one.

To discuss how counselling may benefit you please contact Jackie Parkes on tel: 0121 454 2209 or mob: 07796 836739 or email: info@circle-counselling-birmingham.co.uk

Perfectionism and Christmas

There are increased expectations at this time of year that one should create a “perfect” Christmas, to cook a “ perfect “dinner,  to buy the “ perfect”  gift, be part of a “ perfect” family, to be happy. . There are more things to do. This can lead to/ increase feelings of low mood and other troubling emotions when you realise that you cannot meet some of these expectations.  

The more idealised the expectation you have the higher the level of disappointment and failure you can feel. This time of year can lead to increased feelings of isolation for many people, as the ideal family and relationship are highlighted.

What you can do?

You can help by looking at what’s good enough rather than what’s perfect. If you have already got high standards, you could start off by expecting 80% from yourself rather than 100%.  

You can start to look at yourself and others more realistically as a whole human being, with strengths and vulnerabilities. You might also realise that many people struggle at this time of year and that you are not alone.