Owen O’Kane’s Addicted to Anxiety: How to Break the Habit (2025) proposes that anxiety functions like an addiction. Behaviours and thought patterns that initially feel protective become cyclical habits that reinforce fear and avoidance. His framework is structured...
The Archive
Addicted to Anxiety by Owen O’Kane – A Balanced Review
Is Computer Programming a Form of Dissociation or Avoidance?
Computer programming is often celebrated for its creativity, logic, and problem-solving elegance. But what happens when our immersion in code becomes so complete that it detaches us from our emotional or relational lives? Could it be that programming is, at times,...
Choosing the Right Psychotherapy Modality
Psychotherapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. With a range of modalities available—from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to psychodynamic, humanistic, integrative and relational approaches—selecting the right one can feel overwhelming. This guide will help you understand...
Understanding the Window of Tolerance in Trauma Therapy
The concept of the Window of Tolerance, developed by Dr. Dan Siegel, has become an essential framework in trauma-informed psychotherapy. It describes the optimal zone of arousal in which a person can function effectively, think clearly, and engage socially. For those...
Questions to Ask a Firefighter Part in IFS Therapy
In Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, Firefighter parts are protective subpersonalities that react quickly and often dramatically when a person is overwhelmed by emotional pain. Their goal is not to cause harm, but to prevent further suffering—usually by...
Questions to Ask a Manager Part in IFS Therapy
In Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, Manager parts are proactive protectors that work to prevent emotional pain from surfacing. They strive to keep the system in control by managing behaviour, emotions, relationships, and external impressions. Unlike...
The Dangers of Using AI as a Therapist: When Speed Becomes a Threat
AI is being used in increasingly sophisticated ways to simulate human conversation and provide mental health support. While some apps and chatbots can offer valuable companionship or coping tools, using AI as a substitute for human psychotherapy carries significant...
Panic in the Therapy Room: Grounding vs. Internal Family Systems
When someone experiences a panic attack during therapy, the typical response is to help them “ground” — reconnecting with the present moment through the five senses, breathwork, or body awareness. This somatic approach often offers vital immediate relief. However, the...
The ‘F’s of IFS: A Guide to Internal Family Systems’ Core Process
I recently went on an Internal Family Systems (IFS). So that I have an easy reference, I am writing a few articles around what I learned. IFS was developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz and is a psychotherapeutic model grounded in the belief that the mind is naturally...