Pieces of Mind
Exploring the science of being human and the patterns that shape how we work. These insights are a collection of things I've learned — shared simply without the psychobabble. Use what you find helpful, leave what you don't.
Most of us assume that our beliefs are things we've thought about and arrived at. We might think of ourselves as reasonably rational people who look at the evidence and draw conclusions. But there's a problem with this assumption. A lot of the beliefs that…
Read moreDeciding to begin therapy is a significant step. You're saying: "I'm going to invest time, money, and energy in making my life better." But then you visit a counselling directory — such as BACP, Psychology Today, or Counselling Directory — and feel overwhelmed by terminology.
Read moreIf you've ever looked into counselling, you've probably come across the term "person-centred." It's one of the most widely practised approaches in the UK, and it's the foundation of how I work. But what does it actually mean in practice — and why does it…
Read moreRelationships are present in every aspect of our lives — with our family, our friends, our romantic partners, our colleagues, and even ourselves. And the frustrating thing about relationships is that they are founded, built, and maintained through communication. Which would be fine, except that…
Read moreThere’s one word that I’ve found shows up with almost every counselling client at some point during our sessions. It’s so common that most people don’t even notice they’re saying it. Yet, it often has an extraordinary ability to make us feel guilty, anxious, and…
Read moreMy clients are usually in therapy because they want things to change. They don’t want to keep feeling the way that they feel, they want to have better relationships, or they might want their work life to improve. Yet, rather frustratingly, the best way to…
Read moreWhen I was young, my parents would often tell me to “take a deep breath” when I was overwhelmed or upset. It’s good, well-meaning advice that I basically never took. I guess I didn’t see the point at the time. Later, when I was in…
Read moreOne of the most common things I hear from clients is some version of: "I don't know why I reacted like that. It just happened and I wish it didn’t." Their partner raised their voice and suddenly their mind went blank. Their child had a…
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