Blog
Musings of a therapist
Learnings, tools and personal reflections.
What might be different after psychotherapy?
Each person has many and varied reasons why they seek out psychological support and what they hope to gain from it. Below are some examples of what may be different for you following a course of psychotherapy, psychological support or coaching, including developing a more balanced sense of self, improved emotional recognition and expression, increased awareness of strengths and resources and, finally, newfound meaning and perspective.
Demystifying psychological support: What we’ll explore in therapy
I've written this post to try and demystify the counselling and therapeutic process and give you an idea of the types of things we might discuss.
How does therapy work?
What you'll take from psychotherapy depends on what you're coming for and what you hope to achieve. Much like starting a health and fitness journey, you may come with one goal in mind, which may morph and change over time as you grow, develop strength and reframe what's important.
I’m struggling and need support. Can you help?
Here I provide a more detailed understanding of the types of clients I work with and some of the difficulties they might be experiencing.
Mindfulness: myths and misconceptions
Mindfulness has become a 21st-century buzzword in Western civilisations, synonymous with the wellness industry. However, it can sometimes feel overused and overemphasised. Here, I want to focus on some of the misconceptions that I often hear from clients in the therapy room, which can be significant blockers to their openness to engaging in mindfulness.
The benefits of mindfulness
Mindfulness is a key component of several psychological therapies, and there is good and evolving evidence for its usefulness in the therapy room. Below are several ways in which mindfulness helps, as well as considerations for who might benefit most from mindfulness practices.
The devastation of relationship loss: when relationships ends
When a relationship ends, the impact can be devastating. We don’t just lose a partner. Instead, we experience a fundamental shift in identity and assumptions about our reality and future.
ITV's "Anne": an evocative portrayal of grief and meaning-making
A review of ITV's "Anne" and its accurate and harrowing portrayal of grief, and one woman’s search for meaning, following the Hillsborough disaster.
Grief: 5 practical ways to support meaningful change
When you have experienced a bereavement or significant loss, the grief can feel overwhelming. It can consume your thoughts, challenge you emotionally and impact you physically. But how, I hear you ask, do I move forward and start to make meaning from my grief? Here are five practical suggestions to help make such a change.
How do I move on after a loss?
Moving on from a loss is, perhaps, the most common goal my clients have in our first session together. Clients will often come to me in a state of distress, sometimes days after a loss but more often months, and sometimes many years later.
Is online therapy right for me?
It's really important that you consider online counselling from a personal, practical and logistical perspective. It is not just about whether you believe online therapy will be the right fit for you but also, whether you have the setup to accommodate video counselling.