Augmentive

Everything you need to know about UK therapists: types of therapists, qualifications, and more

According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of adults in Britain with depression doubled during the pandemic. This is just one example of how the pandemic has taken its toll on people's mental health. UK therapists are seeing an increase in patients with anxiety, depression, and other mental

Mind-body connection

Mind-body connection: Mental health and inflammation

From yogis to Eastern philosophers to integrative psychiatrists more recently, many have heralded the relationship between the mind and the body. In a previous article, we looked at the research on the connection between gut health and mental health. This time we’re looking at another link that has recently

Mind-body connection

Chilly dipping: What are the benefits?

Cold water swimming is all the rage at the moment, and for good reason. Whether you’re interested in going for a dip or for a lengthy swim, there are great benefits to plunging yourself into that ice-cold body of water. Let’s take a quick look at the most

Rain or shine, lace up and head into nature

At the height of the pandemic, we were only entitled to one walk per day. Back then, many of us rediscovered the joy of being out in nature. While we know, instinctively, that spending time in nature is good for us, we often underestimate the real extent to which it

Alcohol and our brains: What's really happening when we drink?

Alcohol is part of the fabric of our society. Here in the UK, 80% of us enjoy an alcoholic drink from time to time (although thanks to younger generations these numbers are now falling). We drink at big life events and social occasions. We drink to unwind after a busy

How to support someone who is feeling lonely this Christmas

Christmas is a time of celebration, yet seeing others surrounded by families and friends can often bring up feelings of loneliness and isolation, which may be even further heightened by the change in circumstances brought by the Omicron variant. According to data from the Office of National Statistics in 2017,

Getting Started

10 Wellbeing gift ideas for Christmas

The holiday season is a time of overindulgence, celebration with people we love… and panicking as we try to find the perfect gift. We’re all tempted to eat a little more than we need, drink a little more than we should, and exercise a little less than we’d

Therapy

How hypnotherapy can help improve your health and wellbeing

Hypnotherapy has been around since the 1800s. Before the advent of chemical anaesthetics, Scottish surgeon James Esdaile performed hundreds of operations in India using hypnotherapy as an effective anaesthetic. Ever since the late 20th century, hypnotherapy has served as a powerful complementary therapeutic and wellbeing tool. How does hypnotherapy work

Therapy

Mind-body connection: Gut health and mental health

Maintaining good gut health is important. Digestive problems can not only leave us feeling uncomfortable, tired and sluggish, but also affect our mental health in the long term. Gut health and mental health are closely interlinked. And it’s a relationship that researchers are now beginning to understand. The gut-brain

Coaching

Can smartwatches and fitness trackers augment mental health?

You’re in the therapy room and the therapist asks you how you’ve been feeling since your last session. If you are anything like me, you may struggle to remember what you had for dinner two days ago, let alone to recall events and feelings that you’ve experienced

Sustainable success: Noticing and managing the signs of a brewing storm

Are you familiar with any of the following: Feeling like you are losing control or needing to take control of your life, or having difficulty relaxing;Mood swings;Trouble sleeping;Uncharacteristic mistakes;A sudden lack of confidence;Feeling sad or down;Crying for no apparent reason;Feeling worried or anxious;

How to deal with hybrid working and take care of your mental health

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented changes to the world of work, including hybrid working. How do we deal with the practical and mental challenges of hybrid working? How a hybrid working pattern can impact your mental healthHybrid working means spending some of your time in the workplace and

How to navigate GDPR as a clinician

GDPR may have come into effect on 25 May 2018 but many clinicians are still unsure as to how compliant they really are. The lead-up to GDPR was stressful for many, but therapists and counsellors faced unique challenges to ensure compliance. Since leaving the EU, the UK operates according to

We had our first hybrid event in collaboration with Dr Chetna Kang, psychiatrist & BBC presenter!

Dr Chetna KangTo honour World Mental Health Day, last Thursday we hosted our first hybrid (online & in person) event in collaboration with Dr Chetna Kang. Cheta spoke about what we should expect good mental health to look like, as part of an interactive and energising evening talk, breaking down

What does it mean to be a mentally healthy person?

We’ve all got a pretty good idea of what it means to be physically healthy. But defining good mental health can be a little trickier. What does it really mean to be a mentally healthy person? What does good mental health look like? Answering these questions will help you

What to expect during your first therapy session

If you’ve decided to start therapy, congratulations on making such a fantastic first step! If you’re still thinking about it, that’s good too. Starting therapy for the first time can be pretty nerve-wracking, especially as you might have no idea what to expect. To help you prepare,

Getting Started

Stuck on a waiting list? There are some things that you can do in the meantime...

Wherever you are in your journey with achieving good mental health, you are not alone. There are some things that you can do to take control right now, whether you are on a waiting list, unsure about seeking support or able and willing to invest in your wellbeing. Picking up

What is EMDR therapy? All about the technique Prince Harry uses for anxiety

Earlier this year, Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey created The Me You Can’t See, a documentary series about mental health and emotional wellbeing. As part of the programme, Harry revealed that he had undergone EMDR therapy to help him process his mother’s death. What is EMDR therapy, who

5 ways to support someone living with anxiety

We all feel anxious occasionally. It’s a normal part of life. But for someone with an anxiety disorder, feelings of fear or worry are with them most of the time. Anxiety can look and feel different to different people. Severity also varies. However, there are a few common symptoms

Creative

Is music therapy for me?

The effect of music on the human mind has fascinated people beginning with the 4th century BC, long before experimental psychology had been established. Aristoxenus, a Pythagorean philosopher, was of the belief that music should be classified by the effect that it has on people, rather than its structure. Although

Creative

How can dramatherapy heal trauma?

We know that there is no one-size-fits all in terms of achieving good mental health. What works for you might not work for me, and vice-versa. However, it’s very likely that if we try to access mental health support through a quick therapists directory search, we may end up

Creative

Art therapy: A low pressure environment for self-exploration and healing

Whether you consider yourself to be a creative person or not, there is a good chance that art therapy will help you to know yourself better and process your past experiences, as well as improve your mental health. You don't need permission to engage with the arts A lot of