While patriarchy is a recognised, sometimes debated but unresolved societal issue, first identified by feminists more than six decades ago, toxic masculinity – harmful behaviours and attitudes perpetuated within the patriarchy – has only relatively recently entered into more mainstream discourse. As a bête noire among certain sections of the media, some likely (Grayson Perry) and…
The many crossroads and milestones of life, and our own emotional states, can present challenges to all relationships, even really good ones. Caught early though and attended to with curiosity and care in therapy, they need not become 999 crises.
… you can take a break from them. The post-Christmas divorce is now a well-documented phenomenon acknowledged by media and lawyers alike. D-day as it is sometimes referred to occurs in early January and is the day when there is an observable upsurge in couples officially calling time on their relationship. For many Christmas can…
Like any policy idea announced in the midst of a general election campaign, the Labour Party’s initiative to extend paternity leave from two to four weeks is likely to be dissected and demolished before the whole point of it disappears completely in a puff of smoke generated from the white heat of party political battling…
There are many reasons why people seek help from therapy and counselling. They might need someone to hear their story; they may want to work on a specific problem or they might need to work through distress in a safe setting. Ultimately though most people come to therapy because they want ‘something’ to change and…
Cyber-infidelity definitely seems to be ‘a thing’ now. For some, an abundance of social media ‘meeting’ places may sound the death knell of real and authentic human interaction but for others, social platforms provide an all-too tempting opportunity to engage in illicit online relationships. These relationships when played out in the ‘real’ world would be considered highly inappropriate and a betrayal of…
The Centre for Social Justice (CJS), a think tank set up by the Government, recently found that 62 per cent of teenagers sitting their GCSEs own a smartphone, compared to only 57 per cent who are still living with both parents. While there is much opining, moralising and ideologising that could be done and is…
I have to say when first reading this article on regrets of those over 50, I felt more than a little sad. Sad for the people who were now so regretful and saddened by the idea that there might be so much dormant regret awaiting couples in particular as, later in life, they see begin to see their…
Ok I’ll admit it. I’m a not-so-secret Corrie fan. Mainly I like the humour; it always seems well-scripted and well-placed among what are often frankly far-fetched and over-dramatic story-lines. Recently though The Street has been widely praised by mental health organisations for giving one its top comic characters; pub landlord and occasional Lothario, Steve MacDonald a…
With leftover turkey now finally disposed of and with only a few unappealing strawberry-flavoured Roses chocolates left to distract me; my mind is turning to 2015 and what it will bring. Like most people I’m also thinking about what I’ll resolve to do differently. Most professionals in the ‘life-improvement’ arena tend to think New Year’s…