When I was a teenager, I kept a worry monster under my bed. Wendy the Worrier was round, green, had big staring eyes and a large grimacing smile. Her mouth was unzippable so, whenever I had a worry at night, I would write it down and feed it to her. Over time, her belly grew…
Ricky Hatton, who has died aged 46, was one of the most popular of British boxers, with a cheeky-chappy, hard-drinking persona that helped him build a vast army of fans. He would refer to himself as a “Manc scally”, and thousands of his supporters believed he was not just a fighter but also their pal….
There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate. — Linda Grayson This blog post was inspired by a recent conversation with my friend Sophie who offered me the first chocolate from the tube she’d just bought herself. “Would you like a Munchie?” “It’s not quite your last Rolo but…
For many of us, video games hold a special place in our childhood memories—friendly Mario Kart competitions, late-night battles with friends, and adventures that allowed us to escape into new worlds. But for Black women, these same spaces often come with a complicated reality. While the gaming industry has grown into a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse, Black…
3. Sparks of Hope: Protective Factors Against Suicidality: While much of the data reflected distress and hopelessness, people also spoke about moments that helped them stay alive. These protective experiences were not limited to formal treatment but emerged through connection, purpose, and feeling believed. These protective moments didn’t erase the pain but instead offered something…
Addiction and mental health are often seen as issues that exist in a vacuum, separate from a person’s physical well-being. But in reality, they are deeply intertwined. For many, a trusted primary care physician (PCP) is the first and most critical point of contact on the path to recovery. Many people in Liberty Lake look…
We hope that when someone is struggling with their mental health, they’re able to access help that is supportive, compassionate, and empowering. But what if they instead feel pressured or manipulated by the professionals meant to help them? This influence is called informal coercion – a common, yet often overlooked, part of psychiatric care. Informal…
Workplace stress therapy has become essential for millions of professionals struggling with overwhelming job demands, impossible deadlines, and the constant pressure to perform. If you’re feeling exhausted, burned out, or stressed by your never-ending to-do list, you’re not alone in this experience. This mounting workplace stress has reached crisis levels, with research from Harvard Business…
The FDA recently convened an expert panel which debated whether there should be stronger warnings about potential adverse effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) use during pregnancy. This comes after much previous debate around the current antidepressant black box warning related to increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young people aged 24 and younger….
Experiential therapy is an evidence-based therapy that emerged in the 1970s to 1980s. During its development, it was influenced by humanistic psychology and gestalt therapy. In experiential therapy, activities and experiences are used in addition to talk therapy. Sessions may focus on role playing, creative arts, guided imagery, or other activities that encourage emotional expression….