Longest night and shortest day; finding resilience and hope
It was the Winter Solstice this week, marking the longest night and shortest day of the year, with the promise of more light to come. Christmas DisappointmentHowever, right now the Nation is reeling from the recent Covid news. I echo…
Just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse…
Just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse we’re facing more bleak news about Corona virus and the threat of further lock-downs. How do we stay strong, resilient and positive through this truly awful time? Well sometimes we don’t.…
Don’t underestimate the power of touch
This was a key finding from the world's largest study of touch which revealed results this week, linking positive attitudes to touch with greater well-being and lower levels of loneliness. The global study from BBC Radio 4's All In the…
How do we adapt to change?
Sometimes I feel lost for words for this new uncertain world which is enforcing change and limitation on most of us. This helps me realise we are in a global trauma. When we feel afraid we need to find safety in…
Tackling Racism
Like many sectors of society the therapy profession is reflecting deeply on issues raised by the death of George Floyd in America and the Black Lives Matter movement generally. Those of us who are white-bodied are starting the hard work…
Giving and receiving kindness in Mental Health Awareness Week
It's Mental Health Awareness Week and the trending sentiment is kindness (click this link to watch the Mental Health Foundation's one minute video). This lovely response to the coronavirus emphasises the small acts of care and compassion that are getting us all…
In praise of not taking up a new hobby during lockdown
Amongst the plethora of information flooding our inboxes and the media constantly reminding us that this is a time of unlimited opportunities for self improvement, I find myself writing in praise of ‘being’ as well as ‘doing’, of not being…
Life is Fragile & Precious (a client’s perspective)
How many of us are going about our daily lives right now, calm, with a sense of safety and a feeling of “all is well” ? As a child, I lived in constant fear that close behind me there was…
Lockdown: a therapist’s perspective
Like all in the caring professions therapists have been working overtime trying to respond to life in lockdown. How can we transfer our work online and still maintain the precious relational connection we have with our clients? How do we…
Looking for books on depression?
Here are three top picks from Bramham Therapy: Shoot the Damn Dog, by Sally Brampton A searingly honest account of what it’s really like to live with depression day to day by former journalist, Sally Brampton. In this book we…
Managing coronavirus anxiety
For any of us who struggle with anxiety, and even for those who normally don't, this is a difficult time. Coronavirus is all over the news, supermarket shelves are stripped of loo roll and every business and workplace seems to have…
Calling out sexual misconduct
Harvey Weinstein, former film producer and convicted sex offender, has been sent to prison for a minimum of five years. The story highlights the ongoing issue of sexual exploitation and coercive control. Over eighty women have come forward reporting abuse…