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…
Talking about ‘mum guilt’
Kate Middleton opened up about ‘mum guilt’ and the challenges of pregnancy and birth last week in the Happy Mummy Happy Baby podcast last week. Mum to future king, Prince George, and his siblings Charlotte and Louis said she was “not…
Writing it real
I wanted to write a letter of thanks this week. My friend had helped me and a text or an email just didn’t seem ‘enough’ as a way to express my feelings of gratitude. I went to Paperchase to buy…
Prince Harry prioritises his own family’s mental health
Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s decision to move away from their day-to-day roles in the Royal Family highlights the pressures faced by those in the public eye. It’s hard to feel empathy for the wealthy and privileged – but famous…
Greta Thunberg’s Dad’s inspiring message to parents
“I didn’t do it to save the climate, I did it to save my child.” I found this recent statement by Svante Thunberg, father of teenage climate campaigner Greta, incredibly moving. Talking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Thunberg was…