Boundaries in psychotherapy… When I’m working with someone I never assume that the way I relate to others, process information, and communicate will be the same for the person on the other side of the room/on my screen. First and foremost, I’m there to support their mental health and this must be done in a […]
Anti-Oppressive Practice
Anti-oppressive practice… By its very nature, psychotherapy risks being disempowering even before you enter the room (or Zoom call). Therapists often only consider what happens in appointments to try and mitigate this risk, but there are many contact points whilst navigating the mental health system where this can happen too. For example: 1. It can […]
What are trauma and PTSD
What are trauma and PTSD… It can be confusing and distressing to not have a name for what you’re experiencing mentally and physically. ‘Post-traumatic stress disorder’ (PTSD) is a medical, diagnostic term for the range of: behaviours, psychological and somatic reactions, and relational difficulties that may be experienced in the aftermath of a traumatic event. […]
Meeting A Survivor Where They Are
Meeting a survivor where they are… Psychotherapists are offered an insight into a survivor’s life at the point they meet, as well as making contact with their past. The impact of barriers to accessing specialist support (waiting times, funding or lack thereof, practical accessibility needs, the impact of blame/shame/guilt, etc.) should form part of the […]
Stigma Around Stress
Stigma around stress… There are a lot of ways we negatively internalise our stress responses. Examples I hear are: ‘I think I’ve got bipolar because my moods change so much.’ ‘I feel like I should be able to cope better, people go through much worse than this.’ ‘Some days I can’t get out of bed […]
Stress in December (part 2)
Stress in December (part 2/2)… Managing the different parts of our selves and identities during stressful times such as Christmas isn’t simply about seeking affirmation. For many it can be the difference between being harmed or staying safe around others. Staying quiet about your mental health struggles around people who are unsupportive might be the […]
Stress in December (part 1)
Stress in December (part 1/2)… When we’re stressed, we can get ‘locked in’ to what’s causing that stress. This can be heightened by what we’re thinking, feeling, and physically experiencing in response to stress. For example: headaches, stomach pain, anxiety, anger, and finding it hard to think about much else. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic can […]
Finding the Person Amongst Their Mental Health
Finding the person amongst their mental health… Where our lived experience of mental health difficulties sits within our sense of self and personal identity varies from person to person. Some people have a positive connection to their mental health even if they’ve struggled with it, making meaning out of their lived experiences to enhance their […]
When Trauma Re-surfaces
When trauma re-surfaces… There are a lot of myths about trauma, one of which is that you process what happened straight away and that you can process it quickly. For some people this is true, but for others the impact of trauma can push to the front of your daily life at unexpected times, in […]
Rewind Therapy
Rewind Technique for Trauma… One thing that makes life with trauma unbearable is its ability to forcibly shape your experiences of your self, relationships, and the wider world as you navigate everyday life. As you try to move forward, the events of the past keep pulling you back. People often think you have to talk […]