How to deal with unpleasant thoughts and feelings - How Sean Connery gets me to the gym on a monday morning We humans have evolved to do whatever we can to avoid pain, whether it’s physical, emotional or psychological. Obviously avoiding physical pain is a good...
A problem shared (internet dating horror stories) “A problem shared is a problem halved” goes the old English saying. I heartily agree with that one. This is not just because I’m a psychotherapist and I know that just talking to someone about your problems can be...
Exercise as therapy for your mind We know that exercise make us healthier. It has the benefit of lowering blood pressure and reducing your risk of diabetes. But it’s so easy to NOT do it, right? Especially as it’s getting so cold and the sofa is so comfy. But...
Whatever you desire you unconsciously fear “Whatever you desire, you unconsciously fear. Whatever you experience, you unconsciously want.”1 Wait.. what? The thing I desire the most is the thing I fear the most? And what I'm experiencing now is what...
An Emotional Survival Guide for Christmas This Emotional Survival Guide to Christmas has been written to help you navigate difficult emotions over the ‘silly season’. Whether you are feeling anxious, stressed, lonely, sad, or suicidal even, here are my tips for...
What's on your "lemon day" list? When life gives you lemons do you make lemonade or do you reach for the ice cream? I have been known to do the latter when things go really downhill. Sometimes you just need a bit of sweetness in your life, but then I regret it the...
The waterfall - a pose to help with anxiety If you ever suffer from anxiety, whether it's just low level worrying and rumination or a full-blown panic attack, you know that it's not a pleasant sensation. As a therapist I give people strategies to help with anxiety....
“I eat the right food, exercise regularly, get 8 hours sleep. Why am I so tired all the time?”Not so long ago that was me. In fact some days it still is me. As a somatic psychotherapist I often hear this from otherwise medically healthy clients. What I tell them is...
The importance of scheduling time to do nothingHow are you feeling right now? Are you running on a full tank of fuel or are you about to break down by the side of the road? Your ability to react positively to the stressors you encounter in your daily life depends not...
(Or ‘Why we work with both the mind and the body in body psychotherapy’) As a remedial massage therapist specialising in body-mind massage, I would help my clients release the tension and stuck emotions in their body. They would report that they felt immediate relief...