Bumpstead Counselling

08/03/2026

Yoga is a proven way to improve every aspect of wellbeing and forms the backbone of good mental health. It forms the basis of a somatic approach to trauma therapy which quite literally helps the body recover on a cellular level.

24/02/2026

This book has helped me to understand why as a therapist I see so many brave, scared, lonely young people. As a parent of young people this age I see my error of judgment when allowing my children pretty much unlimited access to their phones during their most vulnerable years.
I am sorry for my error.
Such a brilliant insight and call to action.

Check out this great listen on Audible.com. Brought to you by Penguin. THE NO.1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER A TIMES, FT, ECONOMIST AND INDEPENDENT BOOK OF THE YEAR Acclaimed psychologist Jonathan Haidt reveals how the decline of free-play in childhood and the rise of smartphone use among adolescents...

31/01/2026

This is so troubling, I see many emotionally immature young adults facing the challenges of social anxiety alongside crippling loneliness. It’s no wonder that ChatGPT and the like are attractive, these AI companions are transitional objects akin to early childhood teddies and comforters. Like interactions with “teddy”, chatbots are given the same status as a beloved childhood toy, and can be thrown away, picked up again, cuddled and hit…… etc. It’s what the young tranistion to I believe is more important, and as an older person I also believe that I am resonsible for reaching out and provideing the missing link….. the human response that teaches with unconditional positive regard alongside the missing bit , challenge conflict and conflict resolution (good old rupture and repair).

This is so troubling, I see many emotionally immature young adults facing the challenges of social anxiety alongside crippling loneliness. It’s no wonder that ChatGPT and the like are attractive, these AI companions are transitional objects akin to early childhood teddies and comforters. Like inte...

23/12/2025

18/12/2025

I am not surprised by this, the fear of connection and being in a relationship is something I encounter frequently in my practice. It is so very sad, but can be addressed and resolved.

Conversations around it often focus on the elderly. But by some measures, people in their 20s are the loneliest group in Britain

04/12/2025

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/adhd-uk_adhd-adhduk-activity-7402329175140757504-p1-M?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAAARGvRgBNBqf3PbE4TD8ExAr8cuQBpB_SkM&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=facebook

30/11/2025

Being alone kills us, it piecemeal takes the very essence of humanity. In the age of digital, made up connections, where the young have a thousand virtual (and so not real) friends and the old have nobody are we all missing a trick? Depression is the result of loneliness at any age…. and I see the young and the old suffering most right now. Lets make connecting with each other a priority from now on…. all of us but most especially to those who’ve spent their lives ensuring ours.

We all feel lonely from time to time. Age UK has information and advice to help if you or someone you know is feeling lonely.

19/11/2025

Never take your eye off the ball.

It’s International Men’s Day, and we want to talk about one of the biggest issues that men face today and what can be done to tackle it. Su***de is the biggest killer of men under 50, and men account for three-quarters of all deaths by su***de. Too often, the responsibility for getting help fa.....

15/11/2025

We need to be so careful not to stigmatise. This is DNA research, and any conclusions made about how this man was what he was must reflect the complexity of human development. There is enough hardship in neurodivergence without adding Hi**er.

Ground-breaking research has made some fascinating discoveries on the dictator, from his ancestry to possible neurological disorders.

05/11/2025

What can you do today to calm your nerves? For me; a simple fox red dog on a fox red morning. Magic.

02/11/2025

“Neoliberalism breeds psychological distress by working to obliterate solidarity, the very essence of humanity”

This quote from the article below helps with understanding how current beliefs about the power of the individual are destroying us. We, us humans, are social organisms and thrive in communities where each of us brings our individual strengths. Self respect and self esteem come from being a valued part of the whole. I don’t believe any of us are designed to be the “whole/perfect” and in striving for this we are systematically destroying ourselves (and each other). Imperfections are the essence and strength of humanity.

Join me to discuss this and find comfort and compassion from another, imperfect, human.

Research proves it. And I've lived it.