When some people hear the words “talking therapy,”  they often imagine something quite dramatic, scary even. A crisis. A box of tissues. A deep, dark secret finally being revealed. Or perhaps a silent therapist nodding thoughtfully while someone lies on a couch unpacking their childhood in great emotional detail, and whilst therapy absolutely can be a place to bring grief, trauma or life-changing events — that’s only one part of the story. In reality, talking therapy — especi

How naming what we feel can help us identify with and share our experience If you have recently become a mother — or are about to — you may have noticed something about how you feel that is hard to put into words. Yes, you have a baby. But something in you  has shifted too. You might feel more emotional than you expected. More anxious. More protective. More tender. More overwhelmed. You might feel joy and grief in the same afternoon. You might love your baby deeply and still

I’m currently immersed in research exploring emotional intelligence, and it has prompted me to reflect on how often we misunderstand what it truly means to be emotionally intelligent. Emotional intelligence — a term popularised by psychologist Daniel Goleman — is often reduced to being “good with emotions.” But in therapeutic work, it’s far more nuanced than that. It isn’t about being calm all the time, nor is it about being endlessly empathetic or emotionally expressive. At

Why So Many of Us Are Watching The Traitors : A Therapeutic Reflection on Human Behaviour Ten million people tuned into the most recent final of The Traitors with over Fourteen Million watching the celebrity spin off, what is it that we find so compelling? It’s hard to miss the cultural pull of The Traitors . Conversations in waiting rooms, group chats, and social media all seem to circle back to the same questions: Who can you trust? Who is lying? How would I behave in that

My Journey as an Adult & Children’s Counsellor Working in mental health has never been just a profession for me — it is a calling rooted in compassion, curiosity, and a deep belief in people’s capacity to heal. I’ve dedicated myself to supporting both adults and children through life’s challenges, transitions, and emotional wounds. My approach is grounded in person‑centred values: empathy, authenticity, and a genuine respect for each individual’s unique story. A Dual Speciali

Blue Monday is talked about as the most depressing day of the year. As a therapist, I’m less interested in whether that label is scientifically accurate and more interested in why it resonates so strongly.

This week, I have been reflecting on the act of giving ourselves permission. I even discovered that some of my peers actually write themselves permission slips as a reminder to lean into the things that we often forget to do for ourselves. What does "giving yourself permission" actually mean? A common theme I hear in the therapy room is not so much about what someone can’t do — but what they don’t feel allowed to do. Permission is a quiet thing; it is rarely spoken out loud.

This month marks one year of Lincolnshire Psychotherapy—one year of stepping fully into private practice, trusting my long and intensive training, my intuition, and the deeply human process at the heart of therapeutic work. After three years working as a Humanistic and Integrative therapist, stepping into private practice felt both exciting and daunting. Looking back, I’m struck by how much growth, learning, and gratitude this year has held. The Courage of Clients One of the

Christmas: A Season That Is Not Easy for Everyone Throughout much of the UK and the western world, Christmas carries a powerful cultural script: joy, closeness, abundance, family harmony, warmth. However, in the therapy room — and in life — the reality is often far more complex. For many people, Christmas is not simply a celebration. It’s a time when emotions intensify, memories surface, family dynamics tighten, and expectations skyrocket. As a therapist and as I reflect myse

Endings are never just endings. Especially in therapy. One of the most tender aspects of this work, which people don’t always discuss, is the ending. Therapy endings carry a particular weight. They can feel warm, bittersweet, proud, painful, or quietly significant. For me, as a therapist, they often encompass all these emotions at once. Endings are not simply the moment a client walks out the door for the last time; they represent a process. A transition. A relationship compl

Starting therapy can feel like stepping into the unknown. It is a personal and sometimes challenging process, but it can also be deeply rewarding.

Touch is one of the first ways we experience the world — and often the last language we lose. Yet in an increasingly digital and disconnected age, physical contact has become something of a rarity, even a taboo. Aside from the debate we are about to enter in this post about touch in the therapy room, it feels to me that human connection and touch is changing, and the covid pandemic had a significant impact on our relationship with touch. It is almost crazy to look back at a t

Finding the right therapist is a deeply personal journey. It’s essential to feel comfortable, safe, and supported throughout the process. However, knowing where to start can be challenging. Here are some key aspects to consider in your search. If you’re in Lincolnshire and considering counselling or psychotherapy, this guide will help you make the best choice for your needs. 1. Understand What You’re Looking For Before you begin your search, take a moment to consider the foll

Discovering Who You Are in Therapy: Meeting Yourself Beyond What You Were Told and Believe One of the most powerful — and sometimes unsettling parts of therapy is when someone begins to question: “If I’m not all the things people have told me I am… then who am I?” It’s a question that often surfaces once we’ve moved past the immediate reasons for coming to therapy — the anxiety, the exhaustion, the grief, the confusion. When the layers begin to soften, something deeper starts

“It’s Okay Not to Be Okay” Every year on 10th October , the world pauses to recognise World Mental Health Day  — a reminder that mental health is just as vital as physical health. This year’s theme, “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies” , feels especially relevant. We live in an age of constant change — climate crises, cost-of-living pressures, social unrest, and an always-on digital world. It’s no surprise that so many of us feel anxious, burnt

Anxiety, it is being talked about everywhere, on social media, in schools, everyday conversations and the therapy room. Pixar captured...

Mental wellness is a vital part of overall health, yet it often goes overlooked. Understanding mental health better can empower you to...

As human beings, we crave certainty. Our brains are wired to seek patterns, predictions, and safety. Yet, life repeatedly confronts us with moments of ambiguity. Whether we are waiting for a medical diagnosis, navigating relationship shifts, or standing at the edge of a major life decision, these in-between spaces can feel deeply uncomfortable. As a psychotherapist, I often see clients struggling not with what is known , but with what remains unknown . This discomfort isn’t a

Hormonal changes during pregnancy are staggering — estrogen levels can spike 1,000-fold, testosterone sixfold, progesterone 15 times the normal rate. And after birth, the placenta’s removal causes a hormonal crash that mimics withdrawal. No wonder so many mothers feel like they’re losing themselves

I recently listened to a podcast episode about the growing impact of pornography on the mental and relationship health of young people and adults. In the episode titled "The Big Porn Debate" from The Diary of a CEO podcast, host Steven Bartlett convenes a panel of three experts to explore the multifaceted impacts of pornography on individuals and society. The discussion features Dr. Alok Kanojia (a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and co-founder of Healthy Gamer), Dr. Rena Mali