Trauma is one of those things that can hit you like a train, completely upending your life in a way you never saw coming. Whether it’s a car accident, losing someone you love, a natural disaster, an assault, a violent relationship an abusive childhood or something else entirely, trauma leaves its mark. And the truth is, we all have our ways of coping—some healthy, some not so much. But finding effective strategies to handle trauma can make a world of difference in how we move forward.

Solitude can be a wonderful opportunity for some peace and quiet and some rest and relaxation, but it can become overwhelming and turn to loneliness if prolonged. Whether you’re considering a solo adventure or living alone and need some tips on overcoming loneliness, you may find a selection of the following tips useful. Choose the ones that feel right for you and put your all into it. And then consider the ones that don’t feel right for you, you never know, you might end up learning something new about yourself!

In a world where Instagram filters and magazine covers often set unrealistic standards for beauty, it's easy to feel like we don't measure up. But there's a bright side: the resilience model for body image. It's like a roadmap that helps us navigate the ups and downs of how we feel about our bodies, guiding us towards self-acceptance and confidence.

One of the most insidious tactics employed by narcissists in their manipulation and control of others is triangulation. This manipulation technique is designed to create tension, competition, and insecurity among individuals, often leaving victims feeling confused, isolated and powerless.

Over-thinking comes in a variety of forms, all of which come under the category of ‘cognitive distortions.’ These refer to patterns of thinking that are biased, negative, irrational, or inaccurate. These thought patterns can lead to emotional and behavioural challenges and can be distressing.

Intimate relationships are a complex and often wonderful collaboration of two people choosing to share their lives with one another. And they bring a whole host of potential complications with them. Different cultures, values, upbringings, experiences, desires, ambitions, family dynamics, non-negotiables and more can make coming together a real challenge, and that’s without the unforeseen ways we change as individuals as we age and grow.

Recognising narcissistic abuse in your relationships can be challenging because narcissists are very skilled at manipulating and ‘gaslighting’ their victims, leaving them feeling very uncertain about their doubts and wondering if it is in fact them that is the problem.

Gaslighting is a term that has gained prominence in recent years, shedding light on a form of psychological manipulation that can have profound and damaging effects on an individual’s mental well-being.

Human relationships are intricate and complex, involving a wide spectrum of emotions from joy and love to pain and suffering. Among the complicated dynamics that can emerge within relationships, the trauma bond stands out as a profound yet often misunderstood phenomenon.

Relationships are full of ups and downs and it’s widely agreed that disagreements and arguments in a relationship are normal and often a healthy way to overcome obstacles and frustrations within the relationship if done in a way that generates a productive outcome.

For some people, entering into unhealthy and toxic relationships can become a repeated pattern, and can leave them wondering why they are attracted to unhealthy people or why toxic people are attracted to them. It can be deeply upsetting and create fear of new relationships going forward when they always seem to end up with people who aren’t good for them.

What is burnout?

Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion often caused by prolonged and excessive stress. It is most often connected with work or other demanding responsibilities.

Burnout is characterised by a sense of overwhelm, detachment, cynicism and reduced effectiveness in our personal and professional lives and can impact various aspects of a person’s well-being leading to decreased motivation, loss of productivity, and overall lack of satisfaction in life.

If you are asking yourself this question, the answer is probably yes, however deciding whether or not you need counselling is a personal decision. A significant number of people put off accessing counselling support due to the stigma around it, believing it to be a last resort for people who can’t cope any more or for individuals who have serious mental health issues.

Ever wondered why people access counselling and therapy services and what they can be used for? Wondering if it could be helpful for you? People use counselling for a wide range of different reasons and you don’t need to wait until crisis point before you seek help, in fact, it’s encouraged that you seek help before it gets too difficult to manage.

Agoraphobia is a debilitating affliction affecting 1-2% of the population at any one time. It can be defined as the extreme or irrational fear of entering open or crowded places, of leaving one’s own home, or of being in situations where escape may be difficult or embarrassing.

When a decision has been made to disconnect from a close family member, even when you know it has been the right thing to do, it can leave you with feelings of self-doubt, shame, guilt and loneliness. The sense of disconnect is especially profound if you’ve no longer any family at all to turn to.

Health anxiety, also known as illness anxiety disorder or hypochondria, is a condition characterized by excessive worry and fear about having a serious medical condition. It can be a challenging experience, but there are strategies and techniques that can help you manage and cope with health anxiety.

Existential fear is an intrinsic aspect of the human experience, deeply ingrained in our consciousness. It is the profound sense of dread and anxiety that arises when confronted with questions about the meaning of life, our mortality, and the uncertain nature of the universe.

Over-thinking arises from an array of distorted thinking patterns and can feel overwhelming and even debilitating.

It is important to take a look at the different types of thought distortions that may be contributing to your over-thinking in order for you to increase awareness and begin to manage your thoughts more easily.

Short-term therapy, also known as brief therapy or time-limited therapy, has gained popularity as a valuable approach in mental health treatment. This form of therapy aims to address specific issues within a limited number of sessions, typically ranging from 6 to 20, rather than the more extended and traditional open-ended therapeutic models.