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Kalsched, Trauma and the Inner World of Therapeutic Groups

Kalsched, Trauma and the Inner World of Therapeutic Groups

by John Dray | 24th Aug 2026 | Psychotherapist Resources

Donald Kalsched did not write a manual for therapeutic group work. His contribution is more indirect, and perhaps more clinically interesting. His writing gives psychotherapists a way of thinking about trauma, dissociation, archetypal defence and the inner protective...
What If My Coping Strategy Used to Be Brilliant?

What If My Coping Strategy Used to Be Brilliant?

by John Dray | 15th Aug 2026 | Mental Health and Wellbeing Articles, Mental Health Tips

People often come to therapy describing their own behaviour as a problem to be fixed. “I’m too avoidant.” “I people-please too much.” “I can’t let anyone in.” “I’m always overthinking.” “I’m too controlling.” These descriptions are usually said with frustration or...
Why Do I Push Back When Someone Tries to Help? A Gentle Introduction to Transactional Analysis

Why Do I Push Back When Someone Tries to Help? A Gentle Introduction to Transactional Analysis

by John Dray | 8th Aug 2026 | Mental Health and Wellbeing Articles

Some people come to therapy because they are tired of pleasing everyone. Others come because they notice a different pattern: the moment someone advises, questions, expects, or tries to help, something in them pushes back. They may argue, withdraw, go blank, do the...
Do Neurodivergent Brains Function Differently?

Do Neurodivergent Brains Function Differently?

by John Dray | 2nd Aug 2026 | Mental Health and Wellbeing Articles

It is common to hear that neurodivergent people “think differently” or that their brains are “wired differently”. Both phrases can be trying to name something real. Many autistic people, people with ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia or Tourette syndrome recognise enduring...
Why Do I Keep Pleasing People? A Gentle Introduction to Transactional Analysis

Why Do I Keep Pleasing People? A Gentle Introduction to Transactional Analysis

by John Dray | 1st Aug 2026 | Mental Health and Wellbeing Articles

If you are just beginning therapy, some of the language can feel unfamiliar. It may sound like you are expected to understand a whole theory before you can talk about your life. You are not. Good therapy should help these ideas make sense in ordinary human terms....
Can You Break an Exam into Smaller Chunks When You Feel Anxious?

Can You Break an Exam into Smaller Chunks When You Feel Anxious?

by John Dray | 20th Jul 2026 | Mental Health and Wellbeing Articles

When exam anxiety rises, the difficulty is rarely only the questions on the paper. The whole occasion can arrive at once: the room, the clock, the sense of being judged, memories of previous results, worries about disappointing someone, and the frightening thought...
What If I Cannot Explain What I Feel?

What If I Cannot Explain What I Feel?

by John Dray | 17th Jul 2026 | Mental Health and Wellbeing Articles, Mental Health Tips

A common worry about starting therapy is that you will be expected to sit down and say exactly what is wrong in articulate, emotional language. For some people, this is already manageable. They can describe feeling low, anxious, angry, or ashamed with reasonable...
What If Eye Contact Feels Too Intense?

What If Eye Contact Feels Too Intense?

by John Dray | 10th Jul 2026 | Mental Health and Wellbeing Articles, Mental Health Tips

Often eye contact is treated as a sign of attention, respect and honesty. Therapists are often trained to use it as a way of communicating presence. Yet for many people, direct eye contact does not feel neutral. It can feel intrusive, exposing, overstimulating, or...
Is My Problem Serious Enough for Therapy?

Is My Problem Serious Enough for Therapy?

by John Dray | 3rd Jul 2026 | Mental Health and Wellbeing Articles, Mental Health Tips

A common barrier to starting therapy is the thought: “Other people have it worse.” You may look at your life and decide that your distress is not dramatic enough, not traumatic enough, or not unusual enough to justify seeking help. This thought can be surprisingly...
When Anger Is Trying to Protect Something Tender

When Anger Is Trying to Protect Something Tender

by John Dray | 21st Jun 2026 | Mental Health and Wellbeing Articles, Mental Health Tips

Anger is often spoken about as if it is mainly a difficulty to be managed. We hear about anger management, anger issues, angry outbursts, angry people. Of course anger can become harmful. It can be used to intimidate, control, punish or avoid responsibility. When...
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Recent Posts

  • A calm watercolour-style image of a small therapy group sitting quietly in a softly lit room.
    Kalsched, Trauma and the Inner World of Therapeutic Groups
    by John Dray
    August 24, 2026
  • A calm watercolour illustration of a person holding a shield that has now become heavy, with warm muted tones suggesting protection and cost.
    What If My Coping Strategy Used to Be Brilliant?
    by John Dray
    August 15, 2026
  • A calm watercolour-style image of a person standing near an open doorway, looking thoughtful and self-protective rather than aggressive.
    Why Do I Push Back When Someone Tries to Help? A Gentle Introduction to Transactional Analysis
    by John Dray
    August 8, 2026
  • Watercolour illustration of a person resting in a calm, sensory-considerate room with softly patterned light and space for reflection.
    Do Neurodivergent Brains Function Differently?
    by John Dray
    August 2, 2026
  • A calm watercolour-style image of a person sitting thoughtfully in a quiet room, with a sense of warmth and emotional safety.
    Why Do I Keep Pleasing People? A Gentle Introduction to Transactional Analysis
    by John Dray
    August 1, 2026
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A calm watercolour illustration of a person holding a shield that has now become heavy, with warm muted tones suggesting protection and cost.

What If My Coping Strategy Used to Be Brilliant?

Aug 15, 2026

People often come to therapy describing their own behaviour as a problem to be fixed. “I’m too avoidant.” “I...

A calm watercolour illustration of a person gazing quietly at soft blurred colours flowing around them, as if emotions are present yet hard to name.

What If I Cannot Explain What I Feel?

Jul 17, 2026

A common worry about starting therapy is that you will be expected to sit down and say exactly what is wrong in...

A calm watercolour illustration of a person looking slightly aside while warm light falls across their face, suggesting discomfort without distress.

What If Eye Contact Feels Too Intense?

Jul 10, 2026

Often eye contact is treated as a sign of attention, respect and honesty. Therapists are often trained to use it as a...

« Older Entries
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