Why are stories so important to us humans?Human beings are the story species. From the earliest mythic hunts retold around tribal fires to the modern-day family evenings spent bingeing on the latest Netflix series, stories have captivated us. And yet, when it comes to our own life story, we are … [Read more...]
What is Belonging and Why does it Matter?
I was recently invited onto the Podcast ‘Conversations with Annalisa Barbieri’ to talk about the topic of 'Belonging'.The discussion centred around our mutual experience of growing up in cultures that were not of our families of origin. Annalisa is technically a ‘second culture kid’, and I am a … [Read more...]
What are the Benefits of a Twice Weekly Therapy Group?
Most therapy groups run once a week. In our practice at Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, we also offer a twice weekly group, but how does having a second session in the week help?Emotional bonds An essential aspect of any group therapy is building emotional relationships between group members, … [Read more...]
Practical Examples for ‘Food and Mood’
This blog follows on from my previous one called 'Food and Mood' and provides you with food examples.Wholegrain cereals, peas, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables are rich in a range of vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function well. They also digest slowly, helping … [Read more...]
Food and Mood
The links between mood, mental health, sleep quality and nutrition are areas of research interest. Associations between the type and quality of a person’s diet and risk of anxiety and depression are increasingly described in literature. Complexities around the multidirectional relationship between … [Read more...]
Can Chatbot Companions Relieve our Loneliness?
In recent weeks I have seen various articles espousing the virtues of having an ‘AI companion’ or chatbot friend. Apparently these are particularly popular with the younger demographic. One of these is ‘Replika’ - a prophetic name if there ever was one.Chatbot ‘friends’ are touted as being … [Read more...]
The End
Just as what goes up must come down, so whatever begins must end.Each of us comes to deal with this existential reality imposed on our own lives and all the living beings that we care for. As truly relational creatures we humans encounter the inescapable fact of death in those who die before us … [Read more...]
Some existential musings on love, generosity, and the relation between self and other (part two)
(Adapted from a presentation given at the SEA conference November 2022) - (Part two)Speaking of life itself as a movement of becoming. Have we forgotten the isness and replaced it with beingness, an allegedly unified subject of self-consciousness, contained and stuck within a name or a label? … [Read more...]
Some Existential Musings on Love, Generosity, and the Relation Between Self and Other
(Adapted from a presentation given at the SEA conference November 2022) - (Part one)Anne Carson (1998) wrote,"'Now' is a gift from the gods and an access onto reality. To address yourself to the moment when Eros glances into your life and to grasp what is happening in your soul at that … [Read more...]
You’re not watching me, Mummy!
Is it ever too late in life to change? Despite many decades of accomplished professional practice and conspicuous recognition for his achievements, the psychotherapist Irvin Yalom was stunned to discover he still had personal work to do.In his memoir, Becoming Myself , he recalls attending an … [Read more...]
What are Feelings Anyway?
Everyone knows what a feeling is, right? Well, it turns out that this is not the case and many of us are either unable to experience feelings at all, or get thoughts and feelings mixed up.Early on in my training I had a tutor who would tell us ‘when in doubt, hunt the feeling’. It is arguable … [Read more...]
Online Therapy: Good for Some, but not Everyone
Therapy over the phone and in more recent years on video has been around for a long time, but since the recent pandemic it has become normalised with lots of online therapy platforms emerging and an abundance of “mental health” apps.At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy we offer both face-to-face … [Read more...]
The Psychology of Mindful Eating
Mindful eating is based on the concept of mindfulness which in essence means engaging all your senses and eating without distraction. The aim is to be more present and aware during food preparation and mealtimes to reduce overeating, eating too quickly and ‘comfort eating’ (eating to deal with … [Read more...]
Defining Happiness
Happiness is linked to a sense of joy, ease, and gratitude. It is also linked with a general positive evaluation of one’s life, past and present, which usually contributes to positive expectations or and looking forward to the future.An ability to sustain a state of happiness depends on many … [Read more...]
Why we need a ‘Secure Base’
At the heart of the process of psychotherapy is trying to see more clearly what our basic needs as human beings are and how they can be met. Most clients seeking treatment are feeling uncomfortable because of difficulties in this domain.The sense of discomfort is often compounded because, … [Read more...]
