Latest articles on counselling and therapy

If you are suffering with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), it can feel overwhelming because you can’t focus on one issue or aspect and say that is the issue. I find that when people in general come for counselling, they would like a “magic bullet” to fix their issue. While it is possible there is one issue that is the cause of their distress, my experience suggests that while the presenting issue may be a major part of the issue, there will be other aspects that are...

Couples therapy includes working with couples in developing communication skills, amongst other skills that will improve the quality of their lives and therefore the quality of their relationship.  One aspect of communication that is really important is taking responsibility. In this article, I'd like to leave you with some "food for thought" on how to take responsibility - or let go of responsibility - in order to improve your relationship.Playing the blame game is easy. Taking the...

Its a 24/7 world, or so the media tells us. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, to name but a few of the social media platforms that demand our attention - both day and night. How many of you reading this article actually turns off their mobile phone at night? Or is your sleep disturbed by the pings of incoming messages? What is so urgent? Is it really so important that you can't deal with it tomorrow, once you have rested and recharged your batteries? How many of us have 'tools' from our employers...

Social anxiety can manifest itself in a number of ways. But all of these will have a common theme; they involve other people. If you had this whole planet to yourself chances are you wouldn’t suffer from social anxiety – yes the clue is the name! But its not just other people being around you that concerns you, its what you think they are thinking of you which is the hallmark of social anxiety.   If you live in fear of others judging you negatively, then its quite likely...

The history of the study of both risk and prevalence of mental health problems within gender, sexuality and relationship diverse (GSRD) communities has been one which reflects wider societal attitudes, first to homosexuality, and then to other GSRD people.  As medical science tried to frame homosexuality as an illness rather than a sin, it looked to an easy to study group, those who had already sought treatment for mental ill health. Given the prejudices held, it took until the late...

It’s really hard to know how best to inform the people in your life about a recent miscarriage. You might still be getting used to the news yourself, let alone thinking about how to tell other people about your pregnancy loss.

Breaking the news might feel especially difficult if your loved ones have been supportive and excited about the pregnancy. Or, if you have a lot of people to tell, that can feel equally overwhelming.

Talking about such a traumatic loss might seem really...

Our pasts cannot be changed, that is true. We cannot go back in time. We may feel that the past is behind us and we have moved on in life, so it is easy to think ‘What is the point of thinking about it, let alone talking about it?’ And yet, our pasts can affect how we currently think, feel and behave. It is as if a part of the past still haunts the way we are, affecting how we react and feel inside.   We may find ourselves reacting to someone’s comments, rather than...

With A-level students due to collect their results on the 16th and GCSE results out on the 23rd, the next few weeks can be an anxious, stress-filled time for both teenagers and their families. Following the highly stressful weeks and months of mock exams, homework, and preparation, these in-between weeks can be an anxious time filled with nerves and what-ifs for not only the teens themselves but their parents and loved ones.

Taking this time to prepare before the big day can help not...

Most couples cite a lack of communication as the main cause of the breakdown in their relationship. When couples first meet they talk about everything, all the detail of their lives, shared and separate. Gradually over time, there is a change and they talk about things (the mortgage, the kids) rather than themselves or the relationship. Often there is a feeling of having drifted apart. Feeling secure in your relationship needs time and mature communication between you and your partner to...