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I came across a new simple self-soothing technique, and I do love to share ideas when I find something helpful. You're probably well aware that paying attention to, and modifying, your breathing is a powerful way to change your physiological state. When you feel yourself being activated - moving into fight-flight-freeze - you can use the breath to help you restore your body into a relaxed, calm way of being. Here's a great way of doing it. Breath in, and on each out-breath,

I learned a new word...and I love learning about language and meanings. So, my word today is antonym. It means the opposite. So, the opposite of dark is light, of up is down, of left is right. Simple, right? Well, not always. Oftentimes in psychotherapy it is very useful to find out what the antonym is for words clients use. For example, a client tells me they do not want to be anxious any more. What does that mean? For one person it may mean they want to be calm. For

“When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” —Winston Churchill What a superb quote. You can not be manipulated or controlled unless you somehow enable this by gifting the power to the other. When you tame the enemies within - the patterns of thinking, the assumptions, the insecurities, the fears - you can learn to stand strong and to be present in your own energy and stand up for what you believe is right.  When you do this, people will sense it and

Using sound to impact mood A wonderful conversation recently reminded me of the power of sound to affect a person’s mental state.  Music,...

Reality is a construct, it is our own, individual experience of the things that happen within and around us.  Neuro-science is...

Possibility thinking can be a powerful, energising practice.  It can also be a boon when times are tough and you are feeling stuck. It’s...

Space matters, and how we treat it matters too. The care we show for the things around us reflects the care we have for ourselves.  Our...

Do you feel you are good enough?  Adequate?  Sufficient?  Acceptable and loveable as you are? If you are not feeling enough, you are not...

"Silence is the most powerful scream." I saw this quote, and internally felt a strong ‘ouch.’  It really spoke to me of the unknown...

“The truth is you cannot love yourself unless you have been loved and are loved.  The capacity to love cannot be built in isolation.”...

I recently received this very useful list of websites and contact for mental health and wellbeing in the Darlington area.  Please spread...

I’ve long had a daily practice in my home that we find energising and uplifting.  We like to do it as a family, but it’s just as useful...

“Like a tree, our growth depends upon our ability to soften, loosen, and shed defences we no longer need.” Daily OM I received an...

The most common thing couples say they want when they come into couples psychotherapy is to communicate better. This week I’m sharing a...

I offer psychotherapy to individuals and couples based in Darlington, and working online for UK clients.  I work in an outcome-oriented...

Happiness comes in many guises – on the one hand you’ve got the hedonistic delight of eating your favourite chocolate, on the other is...

Happy New Year! As one year has ended and 2024 begins, it’s a good time to reflect and look forwards. A year is a long time, with many...

I am often asked by clients how to manage when feelings become overwhelming. There are many ways to calm your nervous system and come...

In therapeutic work we are addressing the individual and unique expressions that a person has. At the same time, we are working with...

I’m on a voyage of discovery with new words at the moment, the one I want to blog about today is velleity. The dictionary definition is...