Starting therapy can feel as if you’ve arrived with an overfilled suitcase. It’s so full that it won’t close properly. Clothes are hanging out, dragging along the floor, becoming worn, torn and damaged and too heavy to carry. Often, the suitcase has become so full that you’ve stopped looking inside it. You may have forgotten…

Why AI Is No Substitute for Psychotherapy It is easy to understand why people turn to AI when they are struggling. It is always available, it responds quickly, and it can sound understanding. In the moment, that can feel helpful. But psychotherapy is very different from a chatbot that produces agreeable responses. Psychotherapy is based…

Many people describe themselves as overthinkers—caught in a constant swirl of thoughts, doubts, and what-ifs, in my work as a psychotherapist I like to reframe this experience using a gentler and more accurate word: rumination. The term overthinking can sound judgmental, as if you’re doing something wrong or failing to cope. In reality, rumination is…

When anxiety takes hold, it can feel like panic, dread, or a state of hyper-awareness — as if your whole system is on high alert and can be very distressing. Whether you live with anxiety or find it flares during stressful times, grounding techniques can help you come back to the here and now. These…

Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection, emotional processing, and personal growth. As a psychotherapist, I have seen firsthand how writing can help support people with their mental health. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma or simply trying to make sense of your emotions, journaling can be a gentle yet transformative practice. In this…

Counselling and psychotherapy can help couples in several ways: Improved Communication: Therapists can teach couples effective communication techniques, allowing them to express their needs and feelings more clearly and listen to each other more empathetically. Conflict Resolution: Couples therapy provides a safe space to address conflicts constructively, identifying underlying issues and finding mutually agreeable solutions. Understanding…

Just back from a fabulous trip to South East Asia with the added, unexpected bonus of obtaining some invaluable cpd (continued professional development) with an amazing lady, Gina Awad founder and lead of the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance & British Empire medal recipient. What a unique setting, on a sleeper train from Hue to Hoi…

The silent treatment is a form of emotional abuse , a strategy often used by those with narcissistic tendencies as a means of controlling another person; partner, friend, family member, work colleague, employee, even their own children etc. So what is the silent treatment; Not only does it include behaviours such as refusing to speak to…