Brandon Kayat Psychology

24/06/2025

June is Men's Mental Health month- a topic many of you will know that I am passionate about. Stigma surrounding help-seeking among men through years of gender-typing and norms of masculinity still prevails. This prevents many men from seeking the help that would empower them and transform their lives.

I discuss this topic in this month's blog with some practical tips for men going through difficult times as well as tips for their loved ones. Quality mental health is not just for the sick but for those who want to reach their full potential.

https://www.brandonkayatpsychology.com/blog-3-1/men-tal-health

28/04/2025

This month I deal with another contentious topic: who is the real victim in substance abuse?

There are many overlaps between someone who is intentionally manipulative or deceitful with the presentation of substance use disorder and substance dependence. This leads to many people vilifying the user as intentionally and consistently relapsing and lying to loved ones.

I deal with a more empathetic and professional approach to understanding and dealing with substance use disorder: one that does not avoid accountability but brings in an element of true assistance.

This is a highly misunderstood topic that leads to the fragmentation of families and social circles. Ironically, this occurs at a time where a person suffering with substance use desperately needs this social support.

Check out this month's blog on Substance Use for more information.

https://www.brandonkayatpsychology.com/blog-3-1/the-real-victim-in-substance-abuse

13/03/2025

As a result of moving to the UK, I have closed my private practice after a great period. Thank you for all the support. I am still available in my capacity as public speaker for mental health topics- please see my website.

This month's topic, I cover a very personal one: how to support those going through mental health challenges? We have all been there, where you feel that you need to help someone you care about but struggle to know how.

An appropriate metaphor is the pit. If you want to help someone out of the pit, it is important to make sure you are stable and securely anchored outside of the pit. You cannot help if you are in the pit yourself. Similarly, when we are helping others with mental health challenges, we need to make sure we are in a good mental health space. There is no shame in saying: "I am not equipped to help you as you need. Let me help you find professional help. "

Let me know if there are any future topics you would like me to cover in my monthly blogs.

Supporting someone through their mental health difficulties is not about having all the answers—it’s about being present, compassionate, offering help where you can, and knowing when to refer to professionals.

13/12/2024

A topic that is quite contentious in the hustle and bustle culture of 2024 is guilt-free relaxation. Some employers or managers may feel the need to reach out to their employees during their leave for seemingly small or minor matters. These are damaging for the individual who may be pulled back into negative thoughts or moods due to interactions with work.

A good employer understands the importance of allowing workers to be fully recharged and lead lives that are balanced. Unfortunately, the reality is that many workplaces will bully and threaten a person's job security if they fail to meet these unrealistic and unhealthy demands.

It is an employee's right to have leave and to do so without fear of their job security. This December, practice healthy and respectful boundaries with superiors and clients. You deserve it and will be more effective when you return to work. A good employer understands this. Let us build a workplace culture that promotes healthy and happy workers that do not succumb to burnout and other symptoms of poor mental health.

For more information, see this month's blog on my website for guilt-free relaxation.

https://lnkd.in/dnDwdThe

26/11/2024

This month we talk about one of the most difficult topics to discuss: shame. A persistent self-critique without any reason. It affects everyone, however, it is seldom recognized or understood. We would all like to believe we are shame-free, yet, the sad reality is that very few are.

Many people often confuse the healthy response, guilt, with the unhealthy phenomenon of shame. Here is this month's blog if you would like to know more about the silent burden of shame.

Instead of focusing on actions, shame targets the self- leading people to feel they are inherently flawed or unworthy. This is often without any particular actions to cause it. For example, rather than thinking, "I made a mistake," a person might think, "I am a failure." This int

19/11/2024

Celebrating International Men's Day today during Men's health and Mental health Awareness Month.

While the stigma of mental illness is damaging for all, men appear significantly affected by the interplay of this stigma with themes of masculinity and stoicism.

Before telling our men (young or old) "men don't cry", "toughen up" or "it's no use worrying about it;" let us consider carefully the impact of these words and the longstanding effects they have on our society.

Let us rather work for a climate of empathy and support for all genders and minimize the different mental health experiences of our communities. Help men and young boys to find the mental health support that we are all deserving of.

What type of man are we raising for tomorrow?

For more information on this crucial topic, please see the blog below.

https://www.brandonkayatpsychology.com/blog-3-1/the-men-in-mental-health

Credit: FFirst Responder Center for Excellence

10/10/2024

How am I nurturing my mental health?

Happy World Mental Health Day! Today, one of the stigmas I challenge everyone to break is the myth that "you need a big enough reason to go to Psychology."

Psychology is not just for the sick but for those who want to improve their lives. An athlete trains not just to lose weight or to fix a health condition but they train to stay in peak physical performance and condition. Therapy is the same. Take a few minutes today to consider how you are keeping yourself in peak mental condition.

Check out this month's blog where we break this myth that psychology requires you to meet a certain threshold. I am also offering a reduced rate group series, each comprising of 7 sessions for those who wish to try group therapy.

You don’t need a major reason to seek out psychological support. Sometimes, checking in with a therapist can be a proactive step toward optimizing your mental health and improving your overall quality of life.

25/09/2024

I am happy to announce that I will be offering a reduced for a 7-part series of online groups from October through December 2024. It is ideal for those who want to try therapy but find one-on-one therapy intimidating or require reduced rates.

R1400 for 7 groups of 9 minutes.

There will be 4 different primary groups that clients can choose from:

1) Men's Mental Health Support Group
2) LGBTQI+ Support Group
3) Mental Health Education: Conditions, symptoms and intervention (psychoeducation group)
4) Dream Interpretation and Analysis

Please feel free to share with anyone who might need this resource. Groups will be run on weekday evenings from 6pm.

19/09/2024

A topic that is quite taboo but so necessary to speak about is su***de prevention. On September 10th we celebrated World Su***de Prevention Day.

Feel free to read my latest blog on su***de prevention and risk factors. As always, please reach out to me for any help or sessions. This information is literally lifesaving at times so please feel free to share it with those who may need it.

Su***de is very often a brief window when someone cannot not access the mental health resources or innate hope within themselves to see through this window of despair. A person may believe it is all bad and will forever remain bad when, in fact, this is not the case.

06/09/2024

In honour of World Su***de Prevention Day, I will be returning to Lotus FM tomorrow at 8:10 to speak on the topic of su***de prevention and mental health.

http://listen.lotusfm.co.za/listenlotusfm/

Or on radio on:

87.7 or 106.8 FM

18/07/2024

Abusive relationships are far more common than one would think. In this month's blog, I take a look at the different forms of abuse, the effects of abuse as well as how to combat the repercussions of abuse.

www.brandonkayatpsychology.com/blog-3-1/understanding-abuse-and-the-psychological-effects

One of the most significant and severe symptoms of abuse is a low self-esteem and sometimes even victim-blaming. This is when the victim blames themselves for the abuse and comes to believe that they deserve this.

No matter who you are, no one deserves abuse. Healing from abusive relationships starts with this profound realisation and grows with all efforts at empowerment and building a positive self-image. We all deserve positive, supportive and affirming relationships in our lives.

There is also a strong correlation to exposure to abuse in childhood and exposure to abuse in adult relationships. In my experience with my clients, the effects of healing from childhood abuse is imperative to finding enriching and supportive relationships in later life.

Empower yourself as you deserve. You do not have to stay a victim. Contact me for more information if you require professional help on this transformative journey.

20/06/2024

A confusing topic for a great many people is the difference between anxiety and stress. The terms of often loosely thrown around and inaccurately used as synonyms for each other.

Check out this month's blog regarding the different presentations, courses, duration and causes of these two experiences. We also look at different treatment options that have been successful in treating anxiety.

Seek out help for anxiety or prolonged stress as soon as possible with myself or another trained professional. The sooner the better before such a time that these symptoms impact you daily functioning.

Stress and anxiety, although sharing many overlapping symptoms, are different to one another. Stress is often short-term and triggered by an external stimulus whereas anxiety is a mental health condition that is long-term and more due to more internal precipitants.