There are times when something doesn’t quite feel right, but you’re not sure what you need. 

Perhaps you’re feeling more stressed than usual. You’ve got a lot going on and can’t quite see the wood for the trees. You keep going over the same thoughts, or you know that something needs to change but aren’t sure where to start. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you need therapy. 

Sometimes, having an hour to stop, think and talk things through with someone who is trained to listen can be enough to help you understand what is going on and what you might want to do next. 

That’s the idea behind a Wellbeing MOT. 

 

So, what is a Wellbeing MOT? 

A Wellbeing MOT is a confidential, one-to-one conversation with me, lasting around 60 minutes. It’s an opportunity to take a step back from the busyness of everyday life and give some attention to how you are actually doing. 

I structure the conversation so that we have time to explore what is currently going on for you, what may be contributing to how you’re feeling and what you would like to be different. 

It isn’t therapy, and there’s no expectation that you will continue with further sessions. Instead, it’s a focused opportunity to reflect, gain some perspective and consider what might be helpful from here. 

 

You don’t need to be in crisis 

We often wait until things become difficult before we give our emotional wellbeing much attention. Looking after ourselves doesn’t have to start at the point when we’re struggling to cope. 

A Wellbeing MOT can be useful when things are generally manageable but you feel that something needs a little attention. It might be a period of change at work or at home. Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed, lacking motivation or finding it difficult to switch off or perhaps you simply have a sense that you’re not quite where you want to be. You don’t need to arrive with a clearly defined problem or a diagnosis. We can start with whatever is on your mind. 

 

What happens during the hour? 

Although the conversation is informal, it isn’t unstructured. As we have a limited amount of time together, I guide the conversation so that we can make good use of the hour. 

We might explore: 

• What is happening for you at the moment? 

• How are you feeling and what might be influencing that? 

• Are there any patterns or pressures that you’ve noticed? 

• What would you like to be different? 

• What might help you to move forward? 

There may be some reflection on past experiences where these are relevant, but the focus is on helping you make sense of where you are now. My role isn’t to tell you what you should do. It’s to provide a space where you can think things through with someone who is outside of your everyday life and who can sometimes offer a different perspective. 

 

What do you get from it? 

That will be different for everyone. 

For some people, it may simply be helpful to have said things out loud and had someone really listen.  

For others, the conversation might help them identify what has been contributing to how they feel, recognise a pattern or clarify something they have been struggling to put into words. 

You may leave with some practical steps to consider. You may decide that you would benefit from further support or you may simply have a clearer sense of what you need. There isn’t a prescribed outcome. 

The purpose is to give you some time and space to stop and pay attention to yourself. 

 

An hour can be enough to start a different conversation with yourself 

We’re often very good at carrying on; getting through the working week, looking after other people and managing the practical things that need to be done. We’re so bust with the day to day; it can be surprisingly difficult to find time to ask ourselves how we’re actually doing. 

A Wellbeing MOT offers a relatively simple way to make that space. It’s not a replacement for therapy when therapy is needed, and it isn’t intended for people experiencing a mental health crisis. 

But for someone who is wondering whether they need some support, or simply feels that it would be useful to pause and reflect, an hour can provide a valuable opportunity to do just that. 

 

Sometimes you don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need some space to think.