The Archive

A soft watercolour image suggesting distance and gentle connection, representing the schizoid process

Why Questions Feel Like Criticism in the Schizoid Process

People whose internal world is organised around a schizoid process [this is jargon for people who need a lot of safety in their life] often experience ordinary questions as criticism. This reaction is not about being ‘overly sensitive’, nor is it a sign of...

A watercolour abstract image symbolising shifting emotional states

Understanding Ware’s Sequence in Transactional Analysis

Ware’s Sequence is a well-established concept within Transactional Analysis (TA) that explains how individuals move through ego states in predictable ways when stress, conflict, or relational pressure builds. Originally described by Paul Ware in the early 1980s, it...

Abstract watercolour representing neurodiversity in blended colours.

A Neurodiversity-Affirming Reading List for Therapists and Clients

I was chatting with some other therapists about good books for neurodivergent folk. They came up with a list. This aims to be a curated, community-informed reading list for therapists and clients exploring neurodivergence. All books listed: support the neurodiversity...

A watercolour image of two people working quietly together at a table, sunlight filtering through a window

Body Doubling for ADHD – Accountability and Focus Through Connection

For many people with ADHD, getting started can be the hardest part. Even when motivation is high, tasks can remain untouched, delayed by overwhelm, distraction, or inertia. One increasingly popular technique to break this cycle is body doubling: working alongside...

Watercolour abstract suggesting divergent attention pathways, evoking ADHD without text or symbols

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Self-Identifying as ADHD

Self-identifying as having Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) means recognising in yourself a pattern of symptoms that seems to fit ADHD and using that label personally—often before (or instead of) a formal clinical diagnosis. In the UK, formal diagnosis...

A softly painted watercolour of a person sitting at a desk, gazing out the window, sunlight spilling onto scattered papers.

Another Thought about Why We Put Things Off

Often when I really need to get something done I find that I don’t. Having spoken with many people, I find that there is a familiar set of circumstances: the creeping delay, the mental circling, the sudden urge to tidy the kitchen instead of starting the task that...

Watercolour of a calm office with an armchair and desk by a sunlit window

Staying Safe When Working Alone As A Psychotherapist

I was recently discussing with a colleague some new offices that they are considering. Part of the scenario was that they are hoping to offer late evening, face to face sessions. This got me thinking about the potential dangers of working alone. So I put together some...