When You Mourn the Parent You Never Had: Understanding Complex Grief

When a difficult parent dies, grief is rarely straightforward. This article explores complex mourning through a psychoanalytic lens, showing how we often grieve not only the person who has died, but also the parent we always hoped they might one day become.

Improving Self-Esteem: How Small Changes in Thinking Can Help You Feel More Confident

Self-esteem is not something we are simply born with; it develops through our experiences, relationships and the way we interpret ourselves. When negative beliefs become deeply established, they can affect confidence, relationships and life. This worksheet uses CBT-based reflective exercises to help you recognise unhelpful thoughts, challenge self-criticism and build a balanced sense of self-worth.

Preparing for the Work Between Sessions

Therapy does not only happen during sessions; much of the work continues in everyday life through reflection, curiosity and noticing our emotional experiences. These worksheets are designed to help you pause, explore your thoughts and feelings, and prepare for deeper therapeutic work. They are not tests, but invitations to understand yourself more fully over time.

Navigating the Borderline Between Spiritual Experience and Psychosis in Psychodynamic Therapy

In the therapeutic space, we sometimes encounter individuals who describe intense physical or spiritual experiences that can be challenging to interpret. These experiences may reside at the boundary between a meaningful spiritual journey and potential psychosis, presenting complex questions about safeguarding and clinical responsibility. In one recent case, […]

From Myth to Screen: Exploring Desire, Identity, and Connection in the Digital Age

The myth of Helen of Troy highlights the timeless struggles of desire and isolation. As we navigate the digital landscape, reflecting on these ancient themes through a psychoanalytic lens can help us foster genuine connections amidst curated identities and superficial interactions.

Recognizing Potential Mental Health Problems in Those We Care About

Mental health is an essential aspect of our overall well-being, yet it can sometimes be difficult to identify when someone we care about may be struggling. Unlike physical ailments, mental health issues don’t always have clear and visible signs. However, if we pay close attention, there are subtle […]

Breaking the Cycle of Avoidance: How CBT and Psychodynamic Therapy Can Help

Avoidance is one of the most common coping mechanisms people use to escape uncomfortable emotions, situations, or thoughts. It may provide short-term relief, but over time, avoidance tends to make things worse, leaving us stuck and feeling overwhelmed. At our Online Therapy Clinic, we understand that breaking the […]

Aristotle and Freud: Civic Friendship, Truth, and the Bonds of Society

Introduction Human relationships form the fabric of society, and how these relationships are understood has been a focal point for thinkers throughout history. From ancient philosophers like Aristotle to modern theorists like Sigmund Freud, the question of how individuals relate to one another, and how they negotiate the […]