The word ‘tealight’ is rich in meaning, for me at least.

My favourite drink in the world – along with so many other people – is tea. Tea is refreshing and contains water, the most precious thing available to human beings. We are so fortunate to have a super-abundance of water (and tea!) here on Earth.

Light is beautiful, the opposite of darkness (which is also beautiful). Light allows for such wonders as fire, electricity, and television.

But there is another layer of meaning to the word tealight, which is very dear to me.

When I attended psychotherapy, my therapist would always keep a tealight candle burning throughout each session. I thought it was a touching gesture of love and kindness, and the tealight candle to me represents peace and healing.

The candle is recognised among human beings as a sign of peace. We burn them in our churches to create a lovely atmosphere. We light them to remember loved ones who have passed, hoping that they are now at peace. I sometimes light them to marvel at the wonder of light itself.

Rest assured, I plan to carry on the tradition of my psychotherapist and light a candle in every Tealight Counselling session. As well as all the other reasons why I might do this, which are expressed in this article, the gesture is an invitation for God – who spoke light into being – to be with us as we engage in counselling together.