Articles

People may call you shy or socially awkward, but only those with an actual social phobia, or social anxiety will truly understand the sickening fear that is associated with even the idea of meeting someone new. If the idea of being in a crowd of people, whether it be large or small, makes you want...

I never intended to get into coaching. The transition for me was organic and happened purely as a response to my clients needs. I can remember the moment I finally crossed the bridge into the world of coaching. It was my client Paul who, without knowing it, led the way and in doing so, opened...

Are you a worrier? Do you toss and turn at night replaying the problems of the day or running horror films in your head about what disasters the future holds? Perhaps your days are full of niggles and ruminations that keep you feeling edgy and ‘wired’? If so, you’re definitely not squeezing all the juice...

Rachel, at 22, had not expected to become pregnant so soon after her marriage. Although not planned, she soon got used to the idea and started excitedly looking forward to having a baby. She told family and a few close friends. She started shopping for baby clothes in her lunch hour at work. Then one...

Mindfulness is all about focusing; about paying attention in the here and now, in a detached and non-judgemental way. It is both the art and the skill of being present; of being aware of your awareness itself. It is a way of being truly conscious. So many of our responses are unconscious; if we are...

Are you haunted by your past? Do the ghosts of yesterday hang around, murmuring, moaning and groaning about old wounds and hurts; regrets about the things you did, or the things you didn’t do? Do they prod you with their spiky fork of guilt and shame for good measure? Perhaps it’s something about the end...

Do you feel safe? One of our most important human needs is for security. If we don’t feel safe, that sense of danger will grab our attention and send us some powerful, instinctive urges to take action. If there were bombs dropping outside your window right now, it’s a fair bet he would not be...

Our clients are often our teachers and, as they say, when the student is ready, the teacher appears. Sarah appeared at a time when I needed to learn a lesson. What she taught me has stayed with me ever since. A nervous breakdown Sarah was a nurse but, by the time she came to see...

When you’re feeling pulled in 50,000 different directions by your boss, your family, your friends, social commitments, etc., chances are it’s time to learn how to say no. You probably think this is easier said than done. Saying yes is the only way to avoid confrontation, isn’t it? Well… not necessarily. When I turned to...

‘I’ve always been a worrier.’  ‘I tend to over-think things’  ‘I’m too analytical’ These are some of the statements clients often make at the start of a first session. The trouble is, worrying can get to be a habit, and every worrying thought has an effect on how we feel emotionally and physically. It affects...