Category: Blog
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The Weird and Wonderful world of therapy (part two)
In ordinary social life, there is no equivalent to the psychotherapeutic situation. Anthony Storr, author and psychoanalyst Some of you may recall back in January, I began my little mini-series of articles exploring the World of therapy by firstly writing about some of the different types of therapy. For this month I wanted to explore…
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The M Word
Imagine the scenario. A group of friends having an enjoyable dinner, there’s been lots of chat and laughter. Then the bill arrives. It sits on a little silver tray. Waiting to be picked up. The atmosphere around the table shifts from one of joviality to something a little nervous. Some friends ordered more than others,…
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The Weird and Wonderful world of therapy (part one)
“…psychotherapy is also profoundly misunderstood and the subject of a host of unhelpful fantasies, hopes and suspicions. Its logic is rarely explained, and its voice seldom heard with sufficient directness.” School of Life, 2018 As we start the new year, I thought I’d pepper my monthly pieces of 2022 with some of insight into the…
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Getting even
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. Confucius, Chinese philosopher Earlier this year, I was victim of a mini vengeful act. I won’t go into the dull and personal details, but the essential elements were that someone decided my perceived electronic “rejection” of them (which I considered as holding my boundaries…
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The spell of the narcissist
This time of year, always gets me thinking of all things spooky. The nights are drawing in, pumpkins being carved, and scary stories told around log fires. I thought about taking more of a psychological slant this Halloween holiday. That being the spooky spell we can sometimes fall under when in the presence of a narcissist. …
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A fresh start
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” Seneca I’ve been battling a bit about what to talk about this month. Those who know me well, will know I am not often lost for words or ideas! My confused state reflects the kind of unsettled time we’re in as we slowly and tentatively step out…
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Tree hugging anyone?
“Finland is officially the world’s happiest country. It is also 75 per cent forest. I believe these facts are related.” Matt Haig I got lucky enough over my summer break to have my first experience of forest bathing in the very lovely setting of Kew’s Royal botanical gardens. I knew very little except that the…
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My 2021 Summer reading
And so, its Summer once more, where here in the UK you must be prepared for all meteorological possibilities. And what better time to lie in the sun or snuggle up somewhere (weather depending) and catch up on a bit of reading. Here are some books which tickled my psychological fancy this season, hope they…
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Eco-Anxiety – an anxiety unlike any other
“I don’t want your hope. I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic…and act as if the house was on fire.” Greta Thunberg During our deep lockdown days, one of the things I really treasured was the quiet as I currently live surrounded by traffic. A year ago, mornings were wonderfully silent, with…
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A new normal?
“ ‘The new normal’…We can’t even say the word ‘abnormal’…it reminds us of what came before. Better to forget what once was normal…” Zadie Smith (pre-Covid times) And so, it’s another change of seasons and as the blossoms come out of their hiding place, we too, are coming out of our covid-imposed lockdown. Pub gardens…
