I came across a fascinating article in The Guardian this morning entitled ‘Why the Modern World is Bad for your Brain’, by Daniel J Levitan, discussing the effects on our brain (and therefore on us) of juggling many tasks, activities and external inputs all at the same time. The modern world, often referred to as…
Recently I read a piece in a newspaper on how the numbers of women being caught driving whilst over the legal limit of blood alcohol has doubled over the past 15 years. The article went on to say that 17% of female motorists believed that they may have driven whilst over the limit in the…
Addiction is most commonly associated with becoming reliant of a substance, such as alcohol or drugs, however behavioural addictions have more recently become recognised not only as genuine mental health disorders but as equally responsible as substance addictions for mental and emotional suffering. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the ‘bible’ on…
In May I wrote a blog entitled ‘What happened to a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down‘, wherein I drew an analogy between society’s addiction to sugar, and our need for immediate gratification and constant stimulus in daily life. It was therefore with interest, fascination and sadness that I this an article…
Most of us of a certain age will remember watching Mary Poppins as children; indeed the 1964 Disney film continues to occasionally grace our screens, usually around Christmas and at a less-than-prime viewing slot. Even for those of us whose memories of the film have faded, we probably remember the leitmotif of the film: Mary…
The topic of sex and porn addiction is one that is hotly debated in the media at present. It is also one that is hotly debated amongst psychologists/psychotherapists. But is it really an addiction? First off, perhaps part of the problem lies in the interchangeable use of the two terms: lay and professionals often refer…
Apparently January is the month when more couples file for divorce than any other. The reason given for this? After what is often a stressful festive period, couples spending extra time together suddenly realise that they don’t have nearly as much in common as they once did. Whilst this may well be true, I wonder…
Anxiety is a common psychological term and one that has entered cultural lexicon of daily life: if we are anxious, we all focus on what we can do to reduce our anxiety – as if anxiety is an externally generated condition that has descended upon us. Let’s be clear: anxiety is unpleasant and uncomfortable and…
The concept of energy psychotherapy may be unfamiliar to most and easily dismissed as something ‘new age’ sounding. However, in reality, working with body energy to heal trauma is neither a new concept, nor one that is apart from mainstream clinical psychotherapy. First off, what is energy psychotherapy? In brief, it is a directive method…
We are very excited to be moving to our new practice on The Drive in Hove. Both the building and location are superb and the rooms have been newly renovated to a high standard. We would like to welcome both clients and practitioners to our new consulting rooms. I hope you will love it as…
Love and anxiety are often thought of as opposites, but perhaps not in the way we usually imagine. We tend to think of love as a feeling and anxiety as a symptom. Yet what if anxiety fundamentally disrupts our capacity to love, connect, and empathise? This question is explored in an interview between Dr Geoff…
According to Carl Rogers, we all possess a self-actualising tendency: an innate drive towards growth and becoming more fully ourselves. The therapeutic process is, in many ways, about expressing ourselves from a place of authenticity rather than conformity. Whilst many people grow up seeking approval in order to feel accepted, psychotherapy offers the possibility of…