Blog Posts
Defusion. How To Deal With Difficult Thoughts.
Ever got stuck in thoughts? Had a thought going round and round in your head that’s driven you bonkers? Humans are a rare animal indeed. We have language. Language is an amazing tool and has allowed us to dominate the planet. The downside of language though is that we get stuck in it sometimes, a bit like a fisherman getting tangled in his own net. The downside of thoughts It’s pretty easy for us humans to get fixated on a thought about ourselves or someone else, project ourselves into the future or ruminate on the past. All of those private…
Values Based Living. How to Connect To What’s Important.
The vast majority of people who come and see me in my therapy centre in Cheadle want me to get rid of something for them. They want me to get rid of their anger, anxiety, sadness, grief, depression, jealousy or other unwanted feeling. This makes complete sense. Humans don’t like pain. We want to get rid of it. I will invite each one of them, and you reading this blog post, to connect with the other side of that coin. What’s important in your life? What many of us forget is that whilst we are furiously trying to get rid…
Dealing With Jealousy
Is jealousy a big part of your life? Does the green eyed monster attack just when you least expect it? I’ve blogged a lot about jealousy through the years, mainly because it’s the issue that brought me into therapy twenty years ago. Jealousy Counselling Cheadle As a young twenty something man I would become insanely jealous of what my partner was doing, where she was going, who she was with, even what she was wearing. It became unhealthy for me. It kept me up and night and spoilt the relationship I had with her. We had unnecessary arguments about…
How To Prevent A Panic Attack
Are you experiencing anxiety? Do you find that things start to spiral and you end up having a panic attack? Panic attacks are a common behaviour for people with anxiety and build up to almost mythical levels of dread for many of the clients I see in my therapy centre in Wilmslow, Cheshire. A few facts about panic attacks You can’t be hurt by a panic attack. Nothing bad happens. Your brain may tell you that panic attacks are terrible but connect with your experience. Stand back and notice. Think of a time when you had a panic attack. Did…
When Depression Bites – PLEASE yourself
Counselling For Depression In Cheadle If you are struggling with depression, or any other mood altering condition like anxiety or stress, it’s really easy to get caught up in your thoughts and neglect yourself. I offer counselling for depression in Cheadle. When working with clients I will invite them to click in to PLEASE yourself mode. It’s about going back to basics and building from the ground up. So: Treat Physical Illnesses If you are on medication then make sure you are taking it. If you have any physical cuts or illnesses that need dealing with then get them…
7 Ways To Make Your Marriage Work Better
You may be looking for a Relationship Therapist in Cheadle because the connection to your partner is strained. You may need guidance on how to talk to each other in a way that increases safety and reduces conflict. It makes sense that you are struggling, most relationships have difficult times during their history. In this post I will discuss some things you can do to bring back the joy into your relationship. No Manual Provided For Your Marriage Think about the most important things you do in life. In most of them such and work, hobbies, driving, and academic…
Anger Management: Lies You May Be Telling Yourself
Anger Management In Cheadle Having offered Anger Management in Cheadle for many years now I’ve noticed there’s a lot of nonsense talked about anger, and many of the myths can perpetuate the problems anger creates. Here are five stories you might be telling yourself about your anger that [easyazon_link identifier=”1572244402″ locale=”UK” tag=”manchesterpsy-21″]Eifert, McKay and Forsyth[/easyazon_link] point out are just not true. Lie 1: Being angry and aggressive is instinctual to all animals Er, nope. Anger does serve a purpose when we need to defend ourselves but look at other animals. They only get aggressive when they are trying to stay…
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Explained On A Postage Stamp
In my counselling practice in Cheadle, Cheshire I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with many of my clients. Why? It works! In this post I will introduce you to the main concepts and explain how you can use them to move yourself towards a richer, more fulfilling life. Can you write small? If so you could probably explain ACT on the back of a postage stamp. (I have big scruffy handwriting so don’t ask me to do this!) Accept difficult thoughts and feelings Connect with what’s important in your life (your values) Take action towards your values There –…
5 Facts You Need To Know About Anxiety
Fact 1: I offer Counselling For Anxiety In Cheadle – It’s the most common issue that comes through the door. Yup. Anxiety beats all other issues into a cocked hat for popularity (or should that be unpopularity?)! On average half of the clients that I am working with will be dealing with anxiety. So if you’re experiencing anxiety then rest assured you are in very good company. Fact 2: The word “anxious” comes from the latin word meaning “choke”. Having anxiety often comes with physical sensations. You might feel tight chested; find it difficult to swallow; get butterflies…
This Is Water – Noticing
The video* of David Foster Wallace’s commencement speech starts with the tail of two young fish swimming along when an older fish swimming in the other direction says “morning boys, how’s the water?”. The younger fish look confused and one says to the other “what the hell is water?”. Sometimes I get to be the older, wiser fish and sometimes I’m one of the young ones. This is water is about all of us It takes me real conscious effort to see the water and occasionally when things are going wrong and I’m feeling anxious or scared I don’t see…