People are much more likely to get caught up in addiction when important emotional needs cease to be met, perhaps because of loss, caused by the death of someone that we were very close to, a relationship ending, redundancy or illness, or by dissatisfaction arising from boredom or feeling trapped.…
This article looks at the topic of addiction and self sabotage but self sabotage is by no means only linked to giving up an addiction. We all self sabotage at times! What is self sabotage? Self sabotage has been defined as “the gap between intention and action”. We make an…
When a client comes to me looking for some help in overcoming addiction, whether it's to smoking, alcohol or drugs, or indeed any other type of addiction, I always spend some time explaining the role that our brains have in addiction. Having a basic knowledge of addiction and the brain…
This is the first of a series of blogs about overcoming addiction. Addiction spreads to every kind of pleasurable behaviour: drinking, cigarettes, drugs both legal and illegal, gambling, internet, sex, food, even exercise and shopping. Some activities or substances can generate a feeling that is so powerful that life without…
This final in a series of blogs about anger looks at more powerful ways to control anger, focussing on mindfulness, breathing and relaxation techniques and visualisation. Most people want to control their anger. Most, but not all, feel guilty after the outburst and want to stop. Indeed they may promise…
This fifth in a series of blogs about anger looks at more powerful ways of controlling your anger. Most people want to control their anger. Most, but not all, feel guilty after the outburst and want to stop. Indeed they may promise to stop, but “lose it” again and again.…
This fourth in a series of blogs about anger looks at powerful ways of managing anger. Most people want to control their anger. Most, but not all, feel guilty after the outburst and want to stop. Indeed they may promise to stop, but “lose it” again and again. Modern brain…
Angry thinking styles This is the third is a series of blogs about anger - an issue which brings a lot of people to counselling. Of course we all get angry and the way we tend to think when we are angry is pretty similar. It's worth being aware of…
Healthy and Unhealthy Anger This is the second in a series of blogs about anger and looks at both healthy and unhealthy anger. Anger is a very important emotion and healthy anger has been described as "a surge of calm energy, an empowered and energised feeling without tension or anxiety."…
This is the first in a series of blogs about anger and is a general introduction to the topic. Learning about anger management is a common reason why people come to counselling. We all experience anger. It is a normal emotion with a wide range of intensity, from mild irritation,…
The Six Stages of Sleep Retraining My previous two blogs looked at the key ways of establishing a good routine around sleep but with chronic insomnia and disturbed sleep, sometimes a more radical approach is needed. Retraining ourselves to sleep better will take time – our bad habits will probably…
Research shows over and over that establishing good routines and habits around our sleep can make the difference between insomnia and exhaustion and having a good restorative night’s sleep. This blog is a continuation of my previous one, looking at more tips for a good night’s sleep. Our brains may…