Changing old patterns
Are you always putting your partner’s needs before your own? Do you feel responsible for someone else’s emotions or choices? If so, you may be experiencing codependency—an unhealthy relational pattern that can leave you feeling drained, anxious, or stuck. As a trauma-informed therapist based in Romford and Harold Wood, I support individuals who are struggling …
Continue reading “7 Common Signs of Codependency in Relationships (And What to Do About It)”
Watching someone you care about struggle with addiction is incredibly painful. Whether it’s alcohol, drugs, gambling, or another compulsive behaviour, addiction affects not only the person experiencing it but everyone around them. If you’re wondering how to help without enabling or losing yourself in the process, you’re not alone. As a trauma therapist in …
Continue reading “Supporting a Loved One Through Addiction: 5 Do’s and Don’ts”
Trauma affects far more people than we often realise—and its impact can shape every part of a person’s life, from relationships to emotional wellbeing, physical health, and the ability to feel safe in the world. Trauma-informed therapy is a compassionate, evidence-based approach designed to help individuals heal from past experiences in a way that feels …
Addiction and Learned Helplessness: How Are They Connected? If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction, you may have noticed a pattern of hopelessness or feeling “stuck”—like no matter what they do, nothing seems to change. This emotional state is often described as learned helplessness. But is addiction a form of learned …
When someone you love is struggling—whether it’s with grief, anxiety, addiction, or life’s everyday stresses—the natural instinct is to help. For many of us, that means offering advice, solutions, or reassurance. But sometimes, the most powerful way to support someone is not through fixing—but through listening. At its heart, listening is about being present, offering …
Continue reading “Listening Without Giving Advice: How to Truly Support Someone You Care About”
What Is the Father Wound? The father wound is a deep emotional injury caused by a strained, neglectful, absent, or abusive relationship with one’s father or father figure. This wound often develops during childhood and adolescence, but its effects can linger well into adulthood—shaping your sense of identity, self-worth, and capacity for connection. Often unrecognised, …
Continue reading “Healing the Father Wound: Understanding the Root of Emotional Pain”
When we hear the term PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), many of us think of combat veterans, survivors of natural disasters, or people who’ve endured single traumatic events. However, there is another related and often misunderstood condition called C-PTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). While both involve trauma and can deeply affect a person’s mental health, they …
Continue reading “Understanding the Difference Between PTSD and C-PTSD”
For those living with Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), the idea of finding a healthy, loving relationship can feel like chasing a mirage—always visible in the distance, never within reach. While the desire for connection runs deep, the path to intimacy is often obstructed by invisible scars, unhealed wounds, and deeply ingrained survival patterns. C-PTSD often stems …
Continue reading “Why It Feels Impossible to Find a Healthy Relationship After Complex PTSD”
Addiction is a complex, multifaceted issue that impacts millions of individuals and families worldwide. While genetics, environment, trauma, and peer influence all play a role, one often under-discussed yet critical factor is parenting. The way a child is raised—the emotional tone of the household, the boundaries set (or not set), the way love is …
Continue reading “How Bad Parenting Can Contribute to Addiction: A Hard Look at Root Causes”
When we hear the word “addict,” we often picture someone in a dark alley with a needle in their arm. But the truth is, addiction comes in many forms—and most of us are hooked on something, whether it’s food, work, exercise, social media, shopping, or a person! At its core, addiction is about losing control. …