Talking Works

22/05/2026

Last week, my blog discussed the role of shame in our lives. That article promoted awareness of shame.

But what do you do with that awareness?

This blog article is a follow up. It thinks about how we might cross the bridge from Shame back to Vulnerability. Shame is not-OK. Vulnerability is absolutely OK!

If there is shame around you, psychotherapy can help. You can book a free consultation with me using the button on my website : www.talkingworks.uk

Acknowledgement to Hostick and Clarkson for their Bridges to Vulnerability Model (EATA Berlin Conference, 2017)

18/05/2026

Bag yourself a space.

Two of my therapy clients have recently completed their work with me and moved on — which is genuinely the goal, and always a privilege to be part of. The knock-on effect is that I have a rare couple of openings on my caseload.

People come to therapy for all sorts of reasons. A few of the most common:

• Anxiety, overthinking, or feeling persistently on edge
• Low mood, burnout, or a sense of going through the motions
• Relationship difficulties — at home, at work, or with yourself
• Grief, bereavement, or processing a significant change
• Past experiences that still feel unfinished
• Wanting somewhere honest to think things through and process

If you’ve been considering starting therapy, this might be a good moment. Drop me a message, or book a free consultation directly here:

https://calendly.com/talkingworksuk/30zoom

More info: www.talkingworks.uk

18/05/2026

This is a throwback to a few years ago whilst working with Space2BHeard as a baby therapist. I’m forever grateful to them for the opportunities they gave me!

16/05/2026

Set up for another day in the therapy room. Ego states, cats, buttons, drama triangle and pikachu. The only thing missing is a cuppa!

13/05/2026

It’s Mental Health awareness week, and my experience as a therapist suggests that shame is often lurking around many of us (myself included).

I remember the late Dr Mark Widdowson pondering at the Humber Counselling and Psychotherapy Conference “if we’re not talking about shame in the therapy room, are we really doing therapy?” - he’s got a point!

My latest blog explores some of our shame responses, illustrated by the compass of shame concept.

This year's Mental Health Awareness Week (11–17 May 2026) has a simple theme: take action. The Mental Health Foundation has been clear that the action doesn't need to be dramatic. It can be small, it can be quiet, it can take five minutes. What matters is that we move from knowing about mental hea...

07/05/2026

We're always talking about how to keep the body healthy, but what do we need to maintain a healthy mind?

Dr Dan Siegal and David Rock talk about the concept of the Healthy Mind Platter, where we aim to get a good balanced diet of Focus Time, Play Time, Connect Time, Physical Time, Time In, Down Time and Sleep Time.

My latest blog article goes into more detail. I'd be interested to know your thoughts...

We’re all familiar with the idea of a balanced diet — a plate filled with the right mix of nutrients to keep our bodies running well. But what about our minds? Psychiatrist and author Dr. Dan Siegel, along with health expert David Rock, developed a concept called the Healthy Mind Platter: seven ...

30/04/2026

Just wrapped up a gorgeous twilight walking session with a client — proof that the lighter evenings have officially arrived. 🌿

There's something genuinely special about combining therapy with time in nature. I find outdoor sessions have a different quality altogether: walking side by side, rather than face to face, seems to open people up in unexpected ways. Maybe it's our deep-rooted connection to the earth doing some of the work for us.

If walking therapy sounds like something you'd like to try — whether you're already a client or thinking about reaching out for the first time — please do get in touch.

chris@talkingworks.uk

27/04/2026

I’ve been thinking lately about how a lot of what clients bring into the therapy room relates to Karpman’s Drama Triangle. This is a key concept within Transactional Analysis - the type of psychotherapy I love to use in my work.

My latest blog (about time!) tells you more about this - and gives to ideas about how to avoid the invitations into the drama….

A summary of Karpman's drama triangle and the remedies for stepping off it

02/01/2026

I’ve been in and around Hull for almost quarter of a century now. I’ve stayed for a reason - and that’s mostly been about the connections I have made with the people in my life.

With roots in the nightclub industry and beyond into my psychotherapy career, I believe in the people of Hull. Our capacity to come together, to collaborate, to love, and to be joyful - even when times are hard (and they often are around here).

That’s why I want to support the One Hull, One Heart initiative. I’m sharing this logo (OUR logo) to spread the love. And to remind everyone that there is good news around.

I share this thinking of the many good news stories amongst my 3500 hour journey as a therapist - where I have helped so many people to get back on track, to find their autonomy, to find some happiness, and to move forward past some of their challenges.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year. I hope that 2026 brings you peace and happiness.

24/12/2025

I’ve probably not been as active on social media as I’d have liked to have been in 2025 - it’s been one busy year.

However, I do want to take time to wish all of my clients and followers a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

I hope you get a little time to recharge your batteries.