Financial planning, like therapy or coaching, isn’t just about solving a problem. It’s about holding a safe space where real change can happen. That space might be a spreadsheet, a conversation, or a long-term plan, but for the work to go deep and stick, it must feel grounded, steady, and secure.

As clinical psychologist Jonathan Shedler once said, “The paradox of psychotherapy is that the more secure the boundaries, the more freedom there is within them, and the deeper the work can become.” This principle doesn’t only apply to therapy rooms; it applies to financial planning too.

Whether you’re supporting someone through a job transition, a difficult divorce, or the anxiety of an uncertain economy, the truth is: most people don’t just need a financial plan, they need a safe frame in which to hold their decisions. They need to know that they’re supported, that the process won’t push them past what they can handle, and that there’s room for reflection before reaction.

Life transitions often stir up vulnerability, and even though we might be talking about investments or debt consolidation, there’s always something deeper humming beneath the surface. That’s why developing your financial and emotional safety plan is helpful. A personalised resource you can use when things feel overwhelming.

Here are a few ways we can help you build that together:

1. Recognise early signs of overwhelm.

Learn to identify the signs that things are getting too much, be it sleepless nights, doom-scrolling financial news, or snapping at loved ones. These moments don’t mean you’re failing; they simply indicate that support is needed.

2. Identify grounding strategies.

Instead of reaching for impulsive solutions (like pulling out of the market or draining savings), explore healthier responses. That might mean taking a walk, calling a trusted person, or reviewing your original financial plan and why it mattered.

3. Create a financial support network.

Create a list of those you can contact, whether that’s a financial planner, therapist, accountability partner, or even a friend who “gets it.” Emotional support is part of financial resilience.

4. List accessible resources.

Compile a small toolkit, which could include articles you’ve read, crisis numbers, online budgeting apps, or previous plans you’ve worked on. Familiar resources provide clarity in chaotic moments.

5. Discuss environment.

What triggers your unhealthy money habits? Is it late-night online shopping? Is it avoiding post or email? We can work together to help you create practical changes in your environment to support better behaviours.

6. Write it all down.

Don’t just talk about the plan, put it on paper. Use calm, simple language. A one-pager that can be kept on the fridge or saved in your phone is far more helpful than a 12-tab spreadsheet when emotions are running high.

Planning isn’t just about preparation—it’s about protection

When clients know they have a plan to fall back on, they’re more likely to stay on track. And when they feel emotionally safe, they’re more open to exploring the real, sometimes uncomfortable, stories they hold about money.

Because it’s not just the plan that changes lives; it’s how well we can engage with it.