Bronwen Davies Clinical Psychologist

14/03/2026

A reflection on end-of-life care…

There is something I wish more people understood about hospice and end-of-life care.

When someone receives a terminal diagnosis and hospice is suggested, it is because the disease process is already unfolding in ways that medicine can no longer stop or reverse. By the time someone begins receiving end-of-life care, their body has already begun the work of letting go.

We cannot change the outcome, none of us holds that power. Our role, whether we are a member of the hospice team, end-of-life doulas, caregivers, or family members sitting quietly at the bedside, is to advocate, to comfort, and to reduce suffering wherever we can. We ease pain, calm symptoms, listen closely, and tend to the physical, emotional and spiritual weight that often arrives in these moments. Sometimes, when comfort replaces crisis, people are gifted a little more time, which no one could have predicted, but time is never something we can promise.

In this work, we are not the driver of the bus. The course of the illness is not ours to control. Instead, we sit beside the passenger and make sure they are not traveling alone. We show up with presence, with care, and with love.

My hope for every person who is dying is that they are cared for well, that they feel seen and held, and that their landing is soft. At the end of the day, I truly believe that anyone who is providing end-of-life care has this goal in mind. 

xo
Gabby
www.thehospiceheart.net

02/03/2026

"Grief is universal. At some point, everyone will have at least one experience with grief. It may be from the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, or any other change that alters life as you know it."

While everyone experiences grief differently, here’s a rough estimation of what to expect when going through a difficult life event.

19/02/2026

Great tips!

19/02/2026

These diets have been shown to assist with mental health difficulties, particularly anxiety and depression:

A. Try it: Mediterranean diet
Get your starch with whole grains, starchy vegetables, and legumes.
Fill up on plenty of fruits and veggies.
Focus on eating fatty fish, like salmon or albacore tuna, in place of red meat.
Add in healthy fats, like raw nuts and olive oil.
Enjoy sweets and wine in moderation.

B. Try it: DASH diet
Embrace whole grains, vegetables, and fruit.
Get protein from chicken, fish, and nuts.
Switch to low fat or nonfat dairy.
Limit sweets, sugary drinks, saturated fats, and alcohol.

Studies show food could be a powerful tool for people living with depression and anxiety, in addition to seeing a mental health professional. Learn more here.

09/02/2026

Valentine's Day is approaching.
If you are currently single, the prospect of facing the much-commercialised "Day of Love" without a partner, may fill you with dread, disappointment, or irritation.
Now is a great time to learn to love your own company!

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to have tons of friends and a packed social calendar to be happy. But there's plenty to be happy about when you're alone, too.

13/01/2026

Useful tips on how to support a loved one who is struggling with mental health difficulties:

Without being thoughtful about what kind of support we offer, we risk burning out.

31/12/2025

It’s almost like disregarding boundaries harms relationships. A post on social media doesn’t create the estrangement, a trend doesn’t create the estrangement, a therapist doesn’t create the estrangement.

Estrangement happens when your presence is more hurtful than your absence.

31/12/2025

I'm not a fan of traditional New Year's resolutions because they tend to set us up for feeling disappointed in ourselves in subsequent weeks.

That being said, I do believe in growth, in change, and in working to improve our mental and physical well-being.

Here is an article on New Year's resolutions that focus on simple, sustainable lifestyle changes.

"Mental well-being resolutions:
Supporting your mental well-being can improve your mood, focus, and overall life satisfaction, and these resolutions offer simple ways to make that a daily practice... Try meditation.. Be more present.. Stop negative self-talk.. Limit screen time."

PS. You certainly don't need to aim to change all 23 things mentioned in the article! 😂 Perhaps just pick a few that feel manageable and will make a difference to your quality of life.

The New Year often signifies a fresh start for many people, but more often than not resolutions set on December 31 are abandoned a few weeks into January. Here are 23 New Year’s resolutions that you can actually keep.

27/12/2025

Stonewalling and silent treatment are cruel forms of emotional abuse.

25/12/2025

25/12/2025

You’re allowed to feel everything at once. Emotions aren’t opposites, they’re layers. Joy and sadness, hope and fear, strength and softness can all exist in the same moment. Your emotions don’t cancel each other out, you’re allowed to hold many feelings at once. Let yourself be human💜