Pre-therapy Psychoeducation
A gentle introduction to your wellbeing journey at Alignment Psychology
Before beginning therapy, it can be helpful to understand the foundations of mental health and how everyday behaviours shape your emotional, cognitive, and physical wellbeing. This pre-therapy page is designed to give you clarity, confidence, and a sense of grounding as you prepare for your work with me.
Rather than overwhelming you with information, I focus on four core behavioural pillars that have strong evidence supporting their impact on mental health: sleep, movement, breathing, and food. These elements influence how your mind and body regulate stress, process emotions, and maintain energy throughout the day.
My approach integrates Holistic Psychology and Alignment Mentoring, meaning we look at your wellbeing through both a clinical and deeply human perspective - supporting your mind, body, and personal alignment with the life you want to create.
Why Psychoeducation Matters
​Understanding why you feel the way you do can be just as empowering as the therapeutic work itself. Psychoeducation:
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Helps you make sense of symptoms or patterns
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Reduces fear, uncertainty, and self-blame
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Supports early progress in therapy
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Provides tools you can begin using right away
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Creates a shared language between us for your sessions​
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Think of this as the warm-up before therapy begins—gently preparing your mind and body so you feel grounded, informed, and ready.
The four behavioural foundations
Providing psychoeducation on this page - not therapy
1. Sleep - Your Brain’s Daily Reset
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Sleep is one of the strongest predictors of emotional resilience. When sleep is disrupted, the brain becomes more reactive, less focused, and less able to process emotion.
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In therapy, we may explore patterns such as difficulty falling asleep, waking at night, racing thoughts, or exhaustion. Small behavioural adjustments or nervous-system tools can create meaningful change.
Key insights:
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Regular sleep and wake times help stabilise mood
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Deep sleep supports memory, learning, and emotional processing
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Sleep disruption can mimic or worsen anxiety and depression symptoms
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Pre-sleep routines calm the nervous system
2. Movement - Supporting Mood, Energy & Nervous-System Regulation
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Movement doesn’t need to be intense to be therapeutic. Even gentle activity can influence mood and stress levels.
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We work together to find movement that is realistic, enjoyable, and aligned with your energy—without pressure or perfectionism.
Why movement matters:
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Supports the production of “feel-good” neurotransmitters
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Helps regulate the stress response (fight/flight/freeze/fawn)
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Improves sleep quality
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Builds confidence, strength, and a sense of agency
3. Breathing - Your Built-In Regulation Tool
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Breath is one of the most direct ways to shift your physiology.
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I will teach simple evidence-based breathing strategies you can use between sessions to regulate your nervous system and reconnect with your body.
Breathing practice can:
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Lower stress hormones
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Soften anxiety and tension
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Enhance mental clarity
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Improve emotional tolerance
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Support grounding and emotional safety
4. Food - Nourishment for Body, Brain & Mood
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Food affects mood more than many people realise. Nourishment doesn’t require strict rules—just awareness, balance, and self-compassion.
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In therapy, we explore your relationship with food gently and supportively, without judgement or diet culture.
How nutrition influences mental health:
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Stabilising blood sugar supports emotional stability
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Certain nutrients support brain function and energy
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Regular meals reduce stress and overwhelm
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“All-or-nothing” eating patterns can affect mood and self-esteem
what to expect next
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When you begin therapy at Alignment Psychology, we’ll integrate your personal story with the four foundational elements. Together we will explore:
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What feels out of alignment in your life
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How your mind and body respond to stress
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What you want to shift, create, or understand
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Patterns that may be keeping you stuck
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Practical tools for immediate support
My role is to create a safe, grounded space where you feel seen, supported, and at ease as you explore your wellbeing.
preparing for your first session
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You may wish to reflect on any of the following before we meet:
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What has been feeling hardest lately
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Your current sleep, movement, breathing, or eating patterns
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What you hope therapy will help you change or understand
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What alignment means for you at this stage of life
There is no right or wrong place to start. Come exactly as you are.
ready when you are
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Your wellbeing is a whole-person experience, and therapy is most powerful when we support both the mind and the body.
These foundations help you begin the journey feeling informed, grounded, and empowered.
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When you're ready, you can take the next step below.
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