How to cope with the stress of coronavirus / Covid-19 and self-isolation
depression
Mindfulness: The top 5 best mindfulness apps
Mindfulness has been trendy for a while, but it’s a bit more than just a fad! The NHS have approved its use with a variety of mental health difficulties. Most often prescribed for use with recurrent depression, frequently cited as helpful with anxiety, some studies show it helps with managing chronic pain; so if these […]
CBT – Core Beliefs
Core beliefs in CBT We all have central beliefs are about ourselves and our relations to others; they are like short cuts to which we revert, time after time. The problem arises when they become maladaptive, and in which case they often highlight an underlying belief about us being one of three things: unlovable, helpless […]
CBT – Intermediate Beliefs
Intermediate Beliefs are different from core beliefs and encorporate rules, attitudes and assumptions. We formulate these gradually through treatment, not right from the start. It can help to explain that different people have different beliefs because of different personalities and experiences, and that they may make things hard for us but that we can unlearn […]
CBT – Negative Automatic Thoughts and Thought Challenging
We all have negative thoughts from time to time; they are often what make us feel low or anxious. The thoughts themselves can be distorted or the conclusion from the thoughts may also be distorted i.e. I didn’t remember calling my friend back therefore I am a nasty person. Or our thoughts may simply be […]
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – Separating Thoughts from Feelings
Our thoughts and feelings can become fused, and when they are, they become distressing to us, but we don’t have to let them rule our actions and the meaning we get from life. Fusion happens when we create the following within our minds: Rules Reasons and justifications Judgements Thoughts about the Past Thoughts about the […]
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – Committed Action
When we are faced with challenging situations, distressing feelings, emotions and even pain and fatigue it is important to continue living a life which is as close to our values as possible. This can allow us to gain meaning, achievement and enjoyment from life despite these obstacles. Values Values can be imagined as a direction, […]
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – Part II
We can find great examples of those who found meaning, purpose and vitality in the midst of suffering in Mandela’s biography or those about holocaust prisoners. They, like people with long term pain or fatigue, are stuck but not broken. So when we look at people’s behaviours and thoughts, we don’t ask whether they are […]
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Part I
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of behavioural therapy which helps us deal with some of the harsh realities of life so that we can live it in a rich and fulfilling way. It’s particularly useful for those who are struggling with situations which may not change such as long term health conditions […]
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Asking Powerful Questions
Asking the right thing, at the right time, and listening to that answer is one of the most important skills any of us can ever learn. But it’s an art, not a science so here I’ve tried to look at how we can ask better questions which will in turn help therapists (and anyone trying […]