Insights into a therapist’s patients. My very first client ducked his head as he came through the door to my counselling room. His arms and neck were decorated in bright tattoos. He sat in the leather chair opposite looking like he’d rather be anywhere but here. He held a bottle…

Can we find the path back to our true selves? — The Greek origin of the word Trauma means ‘wound.’ A wound can be an open, sore wound that is painful and exposed, or it can be an old wound that is covered over by layers of hard skin. Traumatic events leave both open and old wounds. …

Why I am taking a step back and letting go. — Dear daughter, I know that you are smart and that you know a lot but, trust me on this, you have not figured it all out yet. …

And why we need to go deeper to make changes — My client came to me because she realised that she was an enabler to her partner and had been for two years. She was sinking into a depression. As the therapy began to shine a light on issues she realised that she never put herself first; always his needs. He…

How to heal after betrayal. — Carla glances up at the camera in the corner of her kitchen. The green light is on. Carla has done her research and Google says that when the light is on green it means that she is being watched, when the light turns blue then the camera is off. …

It could be more than that. I’ll tell you how you can raise your confidence AND your self-worth. — Hands up if you feel that you could use a little more confidence. You are not alone. But what if your low confidence is having an impact on every aspect of your life; your decision making, your social life, your relationships, and work? Could it be more than a self…

A desert detox. — Back in the nineties and in my early twenties I travelled, mostly by road, through Greece and had gone across to Israel on a ferry. On the ferry I had met a bunch of colourful folk who were setting up a Rainbow Gathering in the Negev Desert. …

The many reasons why we tattoo. — Tattoo comes from the Tahitian word ‘tatau’ meaning ‘to mark’ and when we get a tattoo that is exactly what we are doing. Tattoos can be a meaningful symbol, a celebration, part of our culture or simply decorative marks on the skin. Pain anyone? Love them or hate them it…

A text message out of the blue. — My youngest child has finally told his dad that I am marrying. I’ve been divorced from his father for many many years but still my son was afraid to tell his father about my marrying again. We discussed how my twelve year old would tell his dad that in a…