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 managed to stumble into a responsible vocation and that took any and all of the responsibleness available to me during … Read more
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 as people and therapists so that we remain healthy enough psychologically and physically, to be in the room with our … Read more
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 up feeling like I am in some way sexist, stupid or unethical. It is therefore a bit of a risk … Read more
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 with no background or direct experience working in mental health, can manipulate their figures and get a bonus/promotion to bolster … Read more
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 to me is that is has been fourteen years since the first edition of Jeremy Kyle and this is the … Read more
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 at school that stuck and have followed me into my adult life as being a key part of my moral … Read more
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 effects and a nice mellowing effect that chills people out and with little or no consequence. I also often hear … Read more
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 and the link is below: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/20/abandoned-at-18-the-young-people-denied-mental-health-support-because-they-are-adults Before I start though I must provide some balance to my own argument. I … Read more
Another blog! The Guardian website has a lot to answer for!! I read with interest yesterday an article on introversion by a writer who only recognised that they were themselves introverted after many years of forcing themselves to attend functions and go out to attend social events when they really did not want to. Their … Read more
Well. I am more surprised than anyone to be writing on here again so soon. My inspiration for todays ‘blog’ is again something that occurred whilst I was lying in bed this morning, minus the cream and brown furball who was literally in the doghouse and was made to sleep on the floor last night. … Read more