Our latest posts
Keeping safe in Lockdown
March 25th, 2020
The rapid changes of the last week are challenging, and we need to actively support our mental health during the lockdown. Both the threat from the virus and the changes in how we live are stressful, so you really have to look after yourself right now. Many of the things you regularly do to support your mental health, like going out places or getting together with friends, ar[...]
Coronavirus and mental health
March 23rd, 2020
Below is a link to a BBC article on basic mental health, including protecting yourself from what I would call the 'stress virus' associated with the news.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51873799
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Guidance for Psychological Therapists: Enabling conversations with clients taking or withdrawing from prescribed psychiatric drugs
December 23rd, 2019
New guidance gives psychological therapists information to help clients struggling with side effects and withdrawal issues which have resulted from an increase in the prescription of psychiatric drugs.
While this guidance is aimed at therapists, if you are interested in reading the guidance, you can find it here.
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Overcome trauma with yoga
October 8th, 2019
Trauma and distress become lodged in the body, so often it is useful to combine physical movement with a talking therapy to support recovery. Yoga is one way to do this, and in the video below Bessell van der Kolk talks about this.
https://youtu.be/MmKfzbHzm_s
Bessell van der Kolk talks about yoga and trauma
When considering taking a yoga class or creating your own pra[...]
Magic Mushrooms and depression
June 13th, 2019
Below is a link to a Guardian article about current research surrounding psilocybin (the active ingredient in 'magic mushrooms') and depression.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jun/10/magic-mushrooms-treatment-depression-aztecs-psilocybin-mental-health-medicine
If you have had any difficulty integrating psychedelic experiences, I can offer a confidential space[...]
Self-Care
February 14th, 2019
Often I hear self-care described in terms of what we can do. We can balance work with rest and play. We can care for ourselves through nutrition, exercise, socialising and getting support when things are difficult. Acting to manage life in this way is important, but I believe there are other aspects of self-care not considered so often, relating to our internal world. [...]
Narcissism
December 19th, 2018
For a good article on what narcissism is, and 'healthy narcissism', read Dale Kushner's article on Revisiting the Myth of Narcissus and “Healthy Narcissism” .
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How the Modern World Makes Us Mentally Ill
June 29th, 2018
This is a video from the School of Life that points to some of the challenges modern life hands us. Whether you agree with what it says or not, it's worth looking at to get you thinking about your lifestyle and what you believe.
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Coming off prescribed medication
November 17th, 2017
Medication prescribed to help people through mental health issues may itself become a difficulty, especially when taken long term. For anyone who wants to know more about medication, how it works and about the potential withdrawal effects of coming off medication I recommend coming off.com
Medication can be helpful in supporting people during difficult times but some eff[...]
The Guest House
September 23rd, 2017
Translated by Coleman Barks
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearin[...]
Suffering
April 1st, 2017
"Many people think that the point in life is to solve their problems and be happy. But happiness is usually a fleeting sensation, and you never get rid of problems. Your purpose in life may be to become more who you are and more engaged with the people and the life around you, to really live your life.” - Thomas Moore
Freud suggested that the mind seeks pleasure and a[...]
New Year's Resolutions
December 30th, 2016
Happy New Year!
I'm posting this a day or so early as most of us, myself included, make resolutions on the New Year. I'm not normally a big fan of New Year resolutions, as while about 60% of us make them, only about 10% of the resolutions we make stick. Partly this is because it's something we do because everyone else is, rather than because we are ready to make changes. P[...]
The trouble with happiness
December 17th, 2016
Happiness is something we all pursue, especially over the Christmas season. The modern fount of all wisdom, Wikipedia, defines happiness as "a mental or emotional state of well-being defined by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy". If I was looking for a picture to illustrate this then Jessica the cat lying before the fire might fit well.
H[...]
Christmas Holidays
November 12th, 2016
I'm taking a break over Christmas, from December 24th through to January 2nd. Apologies if you try to contact me during that time and I am slow to respond. Wishing you all a good Christmas season and, hopefully, some calm and restful time.[...]
Stress, fatigue and burnout
September 21st, 2016
Modern life can often be stressful. If it is stressful over a long period it can lead to fatigue, burnout, health and relationship problems. Without proper self-care, rest, relaxation and time, even the most resilient of us will reach a stage where we fall apart.
The most common cause of long term stress is working too hard. Our culture promotes this by valuing ‘high achieve[...]