2022
2022 · 30. December 2022
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day can be difficult days for many people, but they don't have to be. My last column of 2022 explains why it's a bad idea to buy into unrealistic ideas about how you "should" be feeling at this time of year.
2022 · 16. December 2022
Treating anxiety can be reduced to one simple principle: ‘Anxiety is maintained by avoidance, and willing exposure is the active ingredient of recovery. That is essential; all the rest is commentary.’ My latest Southern Star column explores why tackling anxiety means tackling avoidance.
2022 · 01. December 2022
Tackling anxiety means choosing to do some hard things, such as facing feared situations, so you have to be motivated. To get motivated, ask yourself this: what have you lost to anxiety? My latest column looks at some ideas from anxiety expert Dr Jonathan Grayson on how to undertake this vital exercise.
2022 · 03. November 2022
Do you ever look back on something that once seemed important to you and wonder: wow, why did I think that was such a big deal? My latest Southern Star column explores why "nothing in life is as important as you think it is, when you are thinking about it".
2022 · 20. October 2022
Do you think and act in ways that are helpful – or unhelpful? What are the advantages and disadvantages to your thoughts, beliefs and behaviours? My latest column examines this simple but important cognitive exercise.
2022 · 07. October 2022
“There’s no point in trying”, “things will never get better”, “I’ll never be happy” – are there times you feel like giving up, like everything is hopeless? Don’t give into those feelings. Here are four tips on things you can do right now that will help lift those difficult feelings.
2022 · 03. October 2022
“Just stop worrying”, “think positive”, “don’t think about it” – if you’re a worrier, this isn’t helpful advice. My latest column looks at advice from CBT expert Dr Robert Leahy: learn to worry more effectively.
2022 · 08. September 2022
“She will think I’m stupid”. My latest column looks at mind-reading and takes a look at research which suggests we should be less shy of giving compliments to others.
2022 · 25. August 2022
Many people fear making mistakes and react with shame or embarrassment when they err. However, you cannot learn any new skill without making mistakes. My latest column stresses that instead of trying to avoid mistakes, you must be willing to make them.