Sadly, the term mental health carries a hefty negative connotation. One that is difficult to overcome. Many people don’t like mentioning they’ve seen a psychotherapist because they’re worried that people will think there’s something wrong with them. But, does the term need to be so fraught? Read more
A chronic pain condition is not an easy thing to live with. Typically, the medical response is to chuck pain-killing drugs at the problem. However, psychotherapy, in the form of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy can do much to not only help alleviate your perception of pain, but to also help with the inevitable emotional problems (such as anxiety and depression) that come with having to live with pain for so long. Read more
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), male suicides are three times higher than female. And yet, women are more likely to seek out therapy than men. I’ve blogged about this problem before (click here). But, what can be done to help those who need it? Read more
A recent report has found that the our working culture of high stress and long hours means that there are more people off work with mental health problems here than in any other country in the developed world (click here) but, what’s to be done about it? Read more
When people first enquire about my services, one question I am asked more than any other is, ‘how long will this all take?’ It’s a difficult question to answer given that, at that point, I know next to nothing about you or what you want help with. It’s true that CBT and hypnotherapy are both known as brief therapies, but what does that mean exactly? Read more
A recent study found that many people are being wrongly diagnosed with depression and are being medicated when they don’t need to be (click here). Antidepressants are being handed out to people who are just going through a bad patch, or simply feeling a bit down in the dumps about something. In short, they’re being popped on pills whilst simply dealing with the realities of life. But, is depression ever normal and should it always be medicated? Read more
Yes, it’s that time of year again. People will be wishing you a ‘happy new year’ for the next two or three weeks and a fair few of you will be talking about (if not exactly making) their New Year’s resolutions. But, a resolution can be made at any time of the year, not just the beginning. Making one is easy; it’s sticking to it that’s the hard part. Hard, but not impossible, if you know what to do . . . Read more
A recent survey by health charity Mind has found that only one in five (22%) of employees felt that their employer took active steps to help them manage their stress. That’s leaving a lot of unhappy and unsupported workers. If you want to know what can be done about it, read on. Read more
Although the term ‘Skype’ is fairly new, video calling and (by association) video therapy are not. There are hundreds of studies, going back decades, that highlight the effectiveness of both video-conferenced and telephone-delivered therapy. But, who would benefit from counselling delivered this way and why would you want to do it? Read more
A video has been doing the rounds on the Internet recently, one that depicts a women going into total meltdown when she can’t get her Chicken McNuggets (click here). A warning though, if you do click on the link, whilst the video is hysterical, it’s also shocking and contains more than its fair share of foul language. Although perfect car crash TV (and leaving aside the possibility that the woman in it might be on PCP or crack), it’s also a perfect display of someone with anger management issues. Read more
