Signs of Emotional Invalidation Do you struggle with expressing yourself? You feel overwhelmed or cry when trying to say what’s going on for you. You wonder why you can’t say how you feel and it leaves you not wanting to share too much. If you find that you say ‘I’m fine’ when asked how you...
Coping strategies for anxiety How do you stop being so anxious? Anxiety is one of the feelings you can have when experiencing a real or perceived threat. It is a natural survival response to keep you safe. Its purpose is to keep you alive. But what if you feel anxious when your life isn’t in...
‘Technically’ Connected? ‘Blue Monday’ in January has been manufactured as ‘the most depressing day of the year’ when we can often feel lonely. Taking into account: The weather, Length of time till next Christmas, Waiting for pay day Waning motivation for New Years Resolutions, its no surprise things feel tough in January. Feeling lonely...
The Trauma Response You hear about being ‘triggered’ all the time. It comes explicitly as a warning on a social media post or TV show. ‘Snowflakes’ are mocked for perceived lack of resilience and told they are ‘triggered by everything’. It describes emotional responses to different situations and the feelings this brings up –...
When work disappoints Sometimes things don’t work out as you need it to, projects aren’t signed off, staff change, shift patterns aren’t agreed or the flexibility promised just can’t be authorised right now – this is when we have disappointment at work. But what can we do with this? Here are ways to deal...
Can’t get to sleep? The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) unsurprisingly says concerns over the cost of living crisis are affecting mental health. 52% of therapists are reporting a rise in client insomnia. Wherever your stress is coming from, being able to get good sleep (enough, unbroken, restful) is vital. If you...
The psychology of online behaviour Have you ever shared something online and cringed later wondering why you said that? What happens to make you different online compared to real life? Take a look around any social media site and its pretty easy to find posts with very open personal traumatic experiences shared to...
Bereavement at Christmas The death of a loved one hurts. It feels like a physical blow to the body, leaving a gaping hole in your soul – and nothing can fill it. Physically you can’t eat or over eat for comfort, can’t sleep, have a tightness in your chest or throat, and feel weak...
What is change? Can’t cope with change? there has been a lot going on recently. Change happens all the time. Positive stuff like a pay rise or calling an old friend. Or painful – a bereavement, a relationship split, or being made redundant. It challenges how you think, work, the quality of your relationships, and...
6 tips for dealing with a difficult family It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Full of Christmas cheer, warmth and kindness. Opening gifts, eating good food and spending enjoyable time with family. Furthermore – time off work! What’s not to love. This is the perfect family stereotype, that in reality doesn’t exist –...