People Pleasing and Handling Xmas Expectations

People Pleasing and Handling Xmas Expectations

Ladies let’s face it: Christmas can feel less like a season of joy and more like a season of jobs! Between hosting, gift shopping, decorating, cooking, organising secret Santa exchanges, and making sure the dog doesn’t eat the tree ornaments, it often feels like...
Trauma and Childbirth

Trauma and Childbirth

As a Polyvagal Psychotherapist, I have supported a lot of women with trauma relating to childbirth. It can go unrecognised because there is the societal belief that giving birth is “natural” and that “women are designed to have babies”, etc. Often this is not the case...
What is Medical Trauma?

What is Medical Trauma?

Medical trauma can have lasting effects on the body and mind because we feel so vulnerable. We may realise that we cannot control our circumstances or we become aware of the limitations of our bodies and have to put our trust in the medical expertise of others. For...
Why Trauma Makes Certain Sounds Unbearable

Why Trauma Makes Certain Sounds Unbearable

Are you jumpy and do you startle easily when you hear a noise?  Or maybe certain sounds just really get on your nerves.  Did you know that when you are distressed you don’t hear properly and can even misinterpret someone’s tone of voice? ...
Part 3 ~ How to Set Boundaries in Close Relationships

Part 3 ~ How to Set Boundaries in Close Relationships

Part 3 ~ Setting Boundaries in Close Relationships: How to Establish Healthy Limits When you need to set boundaries with someone close to you, use calm, assertive language to discuss the boundary clearly and in advance, to give the person a head’s up that things will...
Part 2 ~ How to Set Boundaries to Protect Your Time and Energy

Part 2 ~ How to Set Boundaries to Protect Your Time and Energy

There is a need for a range of different types of boundaries in your life, because they apply in various mind, body, and soul human experiences. Physical Boundaries This includes recognising and talking about your own self-care needs (what you eat, how you move your...