Dog Days
There is absolutely loads of research out in the world that clearly shows a link between pet ownership and mental health. The vast majority of it states that owning a pet such as a dog or cat is a good thing for a person’s mental health and can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. This popped into my head this morning as I watched the family dogs wander around the garden they love (but treat very badly!) whilst they went about doing the kind of things that dogs do. I am often fascinated by these creatures, fascinated and infuriated … Read more
Grief Goshdarn it
Grief. Had he not died in January, my Da would have been 80 yesterday. I can remember my family talking about what we would do to celebrate this milestone in his life a few years … Read more
My Parent. My Da.
Parenthood. I had avoided all forms of responsibility during my twenties and had no real interest in developing any actual important responsibility in my personal life during my thirties. After I hit thirty I had … Read more
Lack of Self Care… Beware!
Self care. The importance of this is something that is installed into the psyche of all trainee counsellors and therapists. From the first training session, we are rightly told that we must look after ourselves … Read more
Gender and the Therapeutic Experience
This blog is on a subject I have deliberately avoided in the past. The main reason for that when this subject has been discussed by me, in groups or with another therapist, I often end … Read more
Off-Rolled by the NHS
An excellent piece in the Guardian again today on one of the most insidious practices common in most NHS regions. Patient’s mental health status being manipulated so that a manager sat in an office, likely … Read more
Jeremy Kyle
So. It has finally happened. Someone who has appeared on Jeremy Kyle’s show has died, apparently as a direct result of being on the show and what happened to them whilst there. The only surprise … Read more
‘Judge not, that you be not judged.’
I do not ascribe one particular form of morality or goodness to any one form of religion or belief, but there are certain phrases and stories that I was told as a child in assemblies … Read more
Cannabis – ‘THC or not THC!’
Cannabis. Friend or foe? This is another one of those questions that provokes very polarised views amongst health professional and general public alike. Some view cannabis as essentially harmless, a ‘social drug’ with few side … Read more
What a Difference a Day Makes
Once again the Guardian inspires me! This time it is an article around mental health provision for young people and their experience once they reach the age of eighteen. It is well worth a read … Read more