Linda Hamilton Kinsale CBT

16/12/2022

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 is now online.

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.

01/12/2022

Tackling anxiety means choosing to do some hard things, so you must be motivated. To get motivated, ask yourself this: what have I lost to anxiety? My latest Southern Star column is now online.

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 exerc...

24/11/2022

What are the pros and cons of online therapy? My most recent Southern Star column is now online.

What are the pros and cons of online therapy?

03/11/2022

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 is now online.

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".

20/10/2022

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 Southern Star column examines this simple but important cognitive exercise.

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.

03/10/2022

“Think positive”, “don’t think about it” – if you’re a worrier, this isn’t helpful advice. A better idea, says CBT expert Dr Robert Leahy, is to worry more effectively. My latest column is now online.

“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.

08/09/2022

“She will think I’m stupid”. My latest column looked at mind-reading and examined research which suggests we should be less shy of giving compliments to others. The column is now online.

“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.

25/08/2022

Do you associate mistakes with feelings of shame and embarrassment? Maybe, but you can't learn any new skill without making mistakes. Instead of trying to avoid mistakes, you must be willing to make them. My latest column is now online.

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.

11/08/2022

Research shows worrying makes us less likely, not more likely, to solve our problems. And yet, worry can feel productive. What’s going on? My latest Southern Star column explores the difference between worrying and problem-solving.

Worrying about a problem helps us to solve a problem – doesn’t it? Well, no. Worrying and problem-solving are very different things. Indeed, research shows worrying actually makes us less likely, not more likely, to solve our problems. And yet, worry can feel productive. What’s going on? Let's...

03/08/2022

How to respond to toxic parenting: my latest Southern Star column gives six steps on how to handle a difficult parent in new, healthier ways.

Emotional abuse by a parent can cause deep and long-lasting pain. However, things can and do get better, if you take the right steps in your adult life. Let's examine six steps that will help you handle a difficult parent in new, healthier ways.

29/07/2022

"I am tired of hearing of people with OCD being incorrectly diagnosed, treated, and reported" - so true...

16/07/2022

Why do some parents hurt their children? My latest column looks at some of the most common reasons.

Toxic parenting can be manipulative and cruel, resulting in damaging emotional consequences. Why would a parent behave like this? Let's take a look at some reasons.