In psychotherapy, the focus often lies on fostering connection and understanding. Richard G. Erskine’s eight relational needs offer a practical framework for understanding human relationships and guiding therapeutic work. These needs help therapists and clients alike...
Mental Health and Wellbeing Articles
Exploring Erskine’s 8 Relational Needs: Building Connection in Psychotherapy
What Is the Overlap Between Curiosity and Attraction?
Curiosity and attraction are often seen as distinct emotional or psychological experiences. Curiosity is the drive to seek new information or experiences, while attraction refers to a pull towards someone or something. Yet, there is a fascinating overlap between the...
What Can You Expect to Get from Talking Therapy? A Guide for Men
Talking therapy, also known as psychotherapy or counselling, is a powerful tool for addressing emotional and mental health challenges. Yet for many men, the idea of opening up about personal feelings can feel unfamiliar—or even daunting. This article explores what men...
The Long-Term Effects of Ignoring a Child’s Wants, Needs, Feelings, and Desires
Childhood is a critical period where emotional needs, feelings, and desires are nurtured to build a healthy sense of self. When a child’s emotional world is neglected—whether through outright dismissal or inadvertent ignorance—the repercussions can ripple far into...
Does Current Culture Around ADHD and ASD Encourage Unmasking or Exacerbate Features?
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of neurodiversity, including conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Social media platforms, online communities, and popular media have brought these...
Using the Pomodoro Technique to Alleviate Pain
The Pomodoro Technique as a Tool for Alleviating Pain Chronic pain or even temporary discomfort can feel overwhelming, making it difficult to focus, manage daily tasks, or even enjoy moments of rest. While medication and therapies play a significant role in pain...
Taking Down the Decorations: When Christmas Reveals Relationship Truths
The Christmas season has a way of bringing people together, often in ways that test the limits of our patience. Families crowd under one roof, old habits resurface, and unspoken tensions can bubble to the surface. For many, the end of the festive season brings not...
The Stresses and Strains of Christmas Celebrations and Their Impact on Mental Health
Christmas has always been a season I associate with joy, love, and togetherness. Yet, over the years, I’ve noticed how often the festive season feels more stressful than celebratory. The pressures to meet expectations—financial, emotional, and social—can sometimes...
Understanding Personality Adaptations: Vann Joines’ Model in Psychotherapy
The concept of personality adaptations offers a fascinating lens for understanding how individuals develop unique ways to cope with their environments and relationships. Vann Joines, a prominent figure in Transactional Analysis (TA), expanded on personality...
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