Mental health, emotional wellbeing & personal development
I devised a questionnaire to help you figure out how psychologically flexible you are. Psychological flexibility spans a wide range of human abilities to: recognize and adapt to various situational demands; shift mindsets or behavioral repertoires when we realise that our current ways of doing…
There are many instances where an individual’s thoughts represent an inaccurate view of reality. In fact, I have seen many clients who have thought one thing about a situation and when we have reviewed the evidence, we have both seen how the client’s thoughts have…
I’ve been a counsellor for so long that it all seems very normal and natural to listen to complete strangers tell me their deepest secrets. I do appreciate however how strange this must feel to someone who is new to counselling. I thought it would…
The loneliness of depression is partly what exacerbates the isolation of being depressed. Unfortunately, no one really wants to be around a depressed person. We all want to be around upbeat, happy people. Many of my clients tell me how lonely and isolated they feel…
Erectile dysfunction does not just affect the man who has it but also their partner. Since it is such an emotionally traumatic thing, it can even affect the whole family and friends if the mental effects are not dealt with. Adding to the potential…
We all experience intrusive thoughts, but it’s not the intrusive thoughts themselves that cause you distress, rather it’s how you respond to those thoughts that allows them to influence you and have power over you. Imagine yourself standing on a street and all around you…
I’ve often wished I had an “off switch” especially at times when my mind contains too many thoughts. Thoughts that I can’t seem to dismiss easily that lure me into the downward spiral of despair. Taunting me to investigate further into my fears and insecurities…
One thing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has taught me is how we all live on the same planet yet we all experience many different realities. No two experiences are the same even if two people go through the same circumstances. This is due to many differences…
The difference between goals and values is vast. Values add meaning and direction to your life. You can’t achieve a value as you can with a goal but you can live a life in accordance with your values. Goals should be set according to your…
One of the most annoying comments that I often hear directed at me is “You’re a psychologist so you shouldn’t have any problems”. There is this unspoken pressure to be perfect and to possess this all-knowing wisdom at any given time in life. I…
Positivity and Happiness “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”-Eleanor Roosevelt I love the above quote as it suggests that no matter what negativity is aimed your way, you still get to choose whether to acknowledge the negativity and believe it, take…
People pleasing People pleasing often comes from low self esteem. We don’t like ourselves enough and this increases our need for external validation. We end up running ourselves ragged in an attempt to feel better about ourselves. Not very clever is it? You will never…