Sexual difficulties are more common than many people realise. Challenges such as low desire, difficulties with arousal, painful sex, erectile difficulties, sexual anxiety, shame, or feeling disconnected from intimacy can affect people of all ages and relationship backgrounds. Whilst medical factors sometimes play a role, psychosexual difficulties are often influenced by emotional experiences, relationship dynamics, stress, past experiences, and the way our nervous system resp

Most relationships do not break down because of one big argument. More often, distance develops through a series of small moments that never get spoken about. A disappointment that is brushed aside. A hurt feeling that remains unexpressed. A need that goes unmet. Over time, these experiences can accumulate and turn into resentment. By the time resentment becomes visible, people are often surprised by how strong it feels. They may find themselves becoming irritated by things t

You may understand your reactions logically. You may know your partner loves you. You may know a disagreement does not mean abandonment. You may even recognise that part of your response comes from earlier experiences. And yet, in certain moments, something inside still reacts before you have time to think. A conversation suddenly feels overwhelming. You become emotionally flooded, shut down, defensive, distant, anxious, or desperate to repair things. Afterwards, you might fi

You may find yourself reacting strongly in relationships without fully understanding why. Perhaps you overthink conversations long after they’ve happened, become emotionally overwhelmed during conflict, shut down when things feel too intense, or struggle to trust that someone will truly stay emotionally connected to you. Part of you may want closeness and connection, while another part pulls away, becomes defensive, or fears being hurt. These patterns can feel confusing, espe

Do you often feel responsible for how other people are feeling? Perhaps you notice shifts in mood quickly. You try to keep the peace. You think carefully about how your words, tone, or decisions might affect others. You may find yourself carrying the emotional weight in relationships, families, or workplaces without even fully realising it. Many people who struggle with this are seen as caring, capable, thoughtful, and emotionally aware. They are often the ones others rely on

By the time many couples arrive in therapy, they are exhausted. They have usually had the same argument dozens, sometimes hundreds, of times before. What begins as a conversation about something small slowly turns into another evening of tension, silence, defensiveness, anger, or emotional distance. One person feels unheard. The other feels criticised. Both leave the conversation feeling alone. And somewhere underneath it all sits the quiet question many couples are too afrai

You walk into a room together. For one of you, it feels easy. Familiar faces, warm greetings, conversations that pick up where they left off. There’s a sense of belonging without having to think about it. For the other, it can feel very different. You say hello, try to join in, but something doesn’t quite land. The responses feel shorter. The connection doesn’t open up in the same way. You find yourself hovering on the edge of conversations, waiting for a way in that doesn’t

Recently, I’ve had clients coming into the therapy room struggling with symptoms that go far beyond what many people still dismiss as “just hormones.” After listening to Vicky Pattison speak openly about her experience, it really brought home how little progress we’ve made in recognising and responding to women’s health concerns particularly when it comes to hormonal, emotional and psychological wellbeing. There’s something deeply concerning about how often these experiences

Working with couples is, without a doubt, one of the most challenging areas of therapy, and also one of the most rewarding. It’s the area I’m most drawn to, and the one I’ve chosen to specialise in. Over time, I’ve undertaken further training to support this work, including an Advanced Diploma in Relationship Psychotherapy (Level 7), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Externship, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and integrating EMDR into couples work. These approaches don’t jus

Have you ever found yourself thinking…“Why does this keep happening to me?”“Why do I end up with the same kind of partner?”Or even, “Why do I react like this every time?” You’re not alone, and there’s nothing “wrong” with you. Relationship patterns aren’t random. They’re usually shaped by our earlier experiences, especially how we learned to connect, feel safe, and be loved. Often, these patterns come from: Attachment experiences - how safe, seen, or secure we felt growing u

When sex becomes difficult or fades in a relationship, people often assume something is “wrong” with them or their partner. In reality, intimacy is deeply emotional and when it changes, it usually makes sense. Intimacy Is About Safety, Not Just Desire Sex isn’t only a physical act. It’s shaped by how safe, connected, and understood we feel. Things like stress, resentment, disconnection, exhaustion, or past experiences can all affect intimacy even when love is still very much

For many people, sex is one of the hardest things to talk about even more so in therapy. You might worry about feeling embarrassed, judged, or not knowing where to start. If that’s you, you’re not alone. Sex Is Emotional, Not Just Physical Sexual difficulties are rarely just about sex itself. They’re often connected to things like: Emotional safety Attachment patterns Stress or exhaustion Past experiences or trauma Changes in relationships or bodies When intimacy feels diffi

One of the questions I hear most often in therapy is: “I already know where this comes from… but I still can’t change it. So how will looking back actually help?” It’s an important question and a very understandable one. Many people arrive at therapy with strong self-awareness. You might already recognise your patterns: You withdraw when things feel emotionally intense You become anxious when someone pulls away Conflict feels overwhelming You fear being too much… or not enoug

Why Do I Keep Repeating the Same Relationship Patterns? It is a question many people quietly carry “Why does this keep happening, even when I understand it, even when I want something different?” Whether it shows up in romantic relationships, friendships, or family dynamics, repeating patterns can leave people feeling confused, frustrated, and sometimes self-critical. Often, these patterns are shaped by something deeper than conscious choice. This is where schema therapy can

Every couple argues. It is part of being human. One partner wants to talk things through immediately, while the other suddenly becomes very interested in reorganising a drawer. One believes they are explaining; the other hears criticism. One reaches for connection, while the other reaches for space. Add neurodiversity into the relationship where one or both partners may have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or another neurological difference and conflict can begin to feel even more co

Have you ever wondered why your body reacts before you have time to think? Why a tone of voice, a smell, or a look can suddenly make you feel anxious, shut down, or overwhelmed? If you’ve experienced trauma, this isn’t a personal failing or a lack of resilience. It’s your brain doing exactly what it learned to do to keep you safe. Understanding how trauma affects the brain can be deeply reassuring. It helps explain reactions that often feel confusing or shameful and opens the

Psychological models commonly describe around nine narcissistic traits, such as a need for admiration, sensitivity to criticism, entitlement, difficulties with empathy, and an inflated or fragile self-image. Research shows that these traits can appear in many people at different times and intensities. What matters is not the presence of these traits, but how strongly they show up, how fixed they feel over time, and whether there is capacity for reflection, empathy, and repair

When couples come to therapy, they are often caught in painful cycles they don’t fully understand. Arguments repeat, trust feels fragile, or emotional distance grows despite both partners wanting closeness. Traditional couples therapy focuses on communication and understanding patterns, which can be incredibly helpful. However, for many couples, these patterns are rooted in unresolved trauma and past relational wounds. This is where EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Repr

For a lot of people, the festive period promises connection, closeness, and a sense of “this will make things feel better.” And then January arrives… and it can feel like coming back down to earth with a thump, especially in relationships. If things feel flat, tense, or more noticeable now the decorations are down and routine has returned, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common times I hear people say, “Something feels off between us.” Why it can feel so hard after

Schema Therapy is a compassionate, in-depth approach designed to help you understand the emotional patterns that shape your life. Many people come to this therapy feeling confused about why they react so strongly, fall into the same relationship patterns, or struggle with self-criticism despite trying so hard to change. Schema Therapy offers a way to explore these experiences with clarity and kindness. At its heart, Schema Therapy looks at the deeper beliefs and emotional the