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Mental health guidance, therapy insights and practical support
Supportive, practical articles designed to help you better understand mental health, therapy and emotional wellbeing.
Whether you are exploring therapy for the first time, supporting someone else, or simply looking for reliable information, Horizon Connect provides clear and approachable guidance to help you take the next step with confidence.
We support people across Plymouth, Saltash, Ivybridge and surrounding areas, as well as online where appropriate.
Regaining Our Feelings Around Intimacy, Physical Connection, and Emotional Closeness
There are many people who quietly miss feeling emotionally and physically connected — not only with others, but sometimes with themselves too.
Often, this disconnection develops slowly.
Alan Stokes
4 days ago4 min read
The Pressure To Be Perfect: Why Perfectionism Quietly Damages Confidence, Relationships, and Emotional Well-being
The Pressure To Be Perfect
Many people wear perfectionism like a badge of honour.
Alan Stokes
Aug 104 min read
“Am I Good Enough?” — Understanding The Quiet Voice Of Self-Doubt
There are questions many people ask out loud.
And then there are the questions people carry silently for years.
One of the most common is:
“Am I good enough?”
For some people, the question appears quietly in the background of everyday life.
Alan Stokes
Jul 274 min read
Emotional Disconnection After Separation: Why Healing Often Takes Longer Than People Expect
After separation or emotionally painful relationships, many women expect themselves to
“move on” quickly.
But emotionally, things are often far more complicated.
Even when someone knows a relationship needed to end, emotional experiences can leave lasting effects on:
Alan Stokes
Jul 81 min read
You Don’t Have to Be in Crisis to Get Help: When Therapy Actually Works Best
There’s a common belief about therapy:
“It’s for when things get really bad.”
For many people, this belief delays getting support.
They wait until:
They feel overwhelmed
Things start affecting daily life
They’re unsure how to cope
But in reality, therapy often works best before things reach that point.
Alan Stokes
Jul 63 min read
When Your Confidence Takes a Hit: How It Happens and How to Rebuild It
Confidence rarely disappears overnight.
More often, it fades gradually.
You start to question yourself more.
You hesitate where you wouldn’t have before.
Decisions feel harder. Speaking up feels riskier.
From the outside, it might not be obvious.
But internally, something has shifted.
Understanding how confidence drops—and how to rebuild it—is key to moving forward.
Alan Stokes
Jun 293 min read
The Mental Load No One Talks About: Why You’re Always Tired
You’re not physically exhausted—but you feel drained.
You’ve slept. You’ve taken time off.
But the tiredness doesn’t fully go away.
It’s not just about how much you’re doing.
It’s about how much you’re holding in your mind.
This is often referred to as the mental load—and for many people, it’s constant.
Alan Stokes
Jun 223 min read
You are allowed to understand your needs without feeling embarrassed.
Many women spend years:
• overthinking their feelings
• avoiding difficult conversations
• feeling disconnected from their body
• struggling to communicate their needs
Alan Stokes
Jun 211 min read
Sometimes emotional disconnection happens so gradually, you barely notice it.
You still love your partner.
You still care deeply.
But something feels different.
You avoid difficult conversations.
You feel anxious before intimacy.
You struggle to relax.
You feel disconnected from yourself in ways you cannot fully explain.
Alan Stokes
Jun 161 min read
Exploring CBT Therapy Pricing in Plymouth
When life feels overwhelming, finding the right support can make all the difference. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a popular and effective way to manage mental health challenges. If you’re in Plymouth and considering CBT, you might be wondering about the costs involved. Let’s explore what you can expect when looking into CBT therapy pricing in Plymouth, and how to find the right support for you or your loved ones.
Alan Stokes
Jun 163 min read
Why Talking to Friends Isn’t Always Enough (And When to Seek Professional Support)
When something’s not right, most people do the same thing first:
They talk to someone they trust.
A friend. A partner. A family member.
And in many cases, that helps.
But sometimes, even after talking it through, nothing really changes.
You feel heard—but still stuck.
Supported—but still unclear.
This is where the difference between informal support and professional support becomes important.
Alan Stokes
Jun 153 min read
Why You Keep Repeating the Same Patterns in Relationships
Different person. Different circumstances. Different outcome.
But somehow, you find yourself in a familiar place again—
the same arguments, the same feelings, the same ending.
This is one of the most common and frustrating patterns people experience.
And it’s rarely about bad luck.
alison stokes
May 253 min read
Support for Parental Alienation in the UK
Parental alienation is a deeply painful experience. It happens when one parent turns a child against the other parent, often during or after a separation or divorce. This can leave the targeted parent feeling isolated, confused, and desperate for help. If you’re facing this challenge, it’s important to know that support is available. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
Alan Stokes
May 204 min read
Meet Ilze Zarovska Compassionate Therapy for Adults, Young People and Couples in Plymouth
Finding the right therapist often comes down to one question: Will I feel safe, understood and able to open up?
For many people, that is exactly why working with Ilze Zarovska through Horizon Connect can be such a strong fit.
Ilze is presented as one of Horizon’s experienced therapists and works with adults, young people aged 13+, and couples. Her approach is described as calm, compassionate and grounded in building strong therapeutic relationships.
Alan Stokes
May 192 min read
Meet Alan Stokes: Experienced Counselling and Practical Therapy Support in Plymouth
When people begin searching for therapy, they are rarely looking for “just someone to talk to.” Most are looking for clarity, relief, direction, and someone who genuinely understands how to help them move forward.
That is where working with Alan Stokes at Horizon Connect can make a meaningful difference.
Alan Stokes
Apr 282 min read
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