Latest articles on counselling and therapy

When someone tells you negative things that other people have said about you, it's hard to think beyond the stinging words of what has been said. This can happen in every type of relationship, but for this article, I have used romantic relationships...

If I were to mention the words ‘domestic abuse’, the first thing that would likely come to mind for you would be violence. Whilst arguably all violence within a relationship may constitute domestic abuse, not all domestically abusive...

The #Metoo movement, and the courage of survivors speaking out about their abuse around the world, show signs of a growing awareness and acknowledgment of the scale of sexual abuse. Equally strong are the voices of those who seek to deny this...

What is violence in the home?The UK government’s definition of domestic violence is any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, assaultive and coercive behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 and over who are or have been...

Addiction specialist Patrick Carnes coined the term the ‘Betrayal Bond’ to describe the intense, trauma bond that often develops between an abuser and their victim. The terms victim and abuser are very imperfect, and I acknowledge that....

If you have been in an abusive relationship and are ready to start dating again you may experience anxiety which can feel huge. You may even doubt your choices and decisions. As part of the grooming process of an abusive relationship your ex would...

Domestic violence is such an epidemic that at one point or another it is inevitable that as counsellors we will come into contact with a survivor. Therefore we need to be prepared and have the understanding of the dynamics at play and the complexity...

Often described as 'just' emotional abuse, I think that it can be incredibly damaging, particularly as it can be so difficult to both see and describe. It can deeply affect your relationship to yourself, and you may find yourself losing trust in...

Anxiety, depression, anger, sorrow, rage, confusion, frustration, loneliness, isolation, post-traumatic stress disorder, identity issues, relationship problems, bullying, sexuality, postnatal depression, stress, grief, shame, control issues. These...