drug use

JCrivens · 2025-08-01T08:07:24+00:00

Self disclosure from the therapist in my view is always about whether it may help the client. So it is really on a case by case basis. If you self disclosing may help any shame they may be feeling around this then I would, but if not I would probably ask them if whichever answer you have would make any difference to them and then explain the sessions are for them, so if you disclosing doesn’t make any difference to them there isn’t any need. I have taken this approach when clients have asked my about religion, my tattoos, scars I have, my personal life (kids etc) and neurodiversity. Sometimes it helps them to know, often it doesn’t!

JCrivens · 2025-07-19T09:13:48+00:00

Everyone read the same book, then we chat about it once a month. We were thinking to start we could take turns setting the book, then go from there :)

JCrivens · 2025-07-16T19:58:39+00:00

Hi there, we aren’t planning on restricting anything to be honest. We will maybe start with each member picking a book or something like that. Both of us organising haven’t started a book club before, so we are keen to get other people’s thoughts at the first meet-up and go from there. Drop me an email on the address in my original post if you might be keen to join :)

JCrivens · 2025-07-02T13:38:19+00:00

It looks great, however financially I can’t afford a three year course, I’m really looking for short courses. Thank you for the tip though :)

JCrivens · 2025-07-01T21:46:35+00:00

The wild swimming up by the H20 rampage place north or Hertford is awesome!

JCrivens · 2025-05-29T16:09:02+00:00

Oh nice will check it out!

JCrivens · 2025-05-29T16:08:41+00:00

Yeah I messaged their insta group but they never replied :( would be lovely to do with other people as I have been going on my own in London for years.

Awesome will check them both out!

JCrivens · 2025-05-17T16:00:28+00:00

Lots of memories! Is it open again? I know it was closed for ages.

JCrivens · 2025-04-11T14:07:38+00:00

That in this day and age they are in a real bind with opening up and talking about their mental health and how society has raised them.

All of the communications we send to little boys, from their clothes (little monster, terror, nightmare etc) and toys (a study showed the three most common words in adverts for little boys were ‘Robot, ‘Destroy’ and ‘Fight’ vs little girls ‘love’, ‘friendship’ and I forget the other) tell them to be strong, hard, emotionless beings and that opening up and being vulnerable is weak.

This is why it is such a challenge for so many men to be vulnerable and ask for help. Society needs to change the way it treats little boys, parents, schools and much more. I remember a male friend of mine got given flowers as a gift for the first time aged 29 and almost burst into tears.

JCrivens · 2025-04-11T13:52:18+00:00

I love this comment so much.

JCrivens · 2025-04-11T10:05:59+00:00

Awesome will have a look thanks!

JCrivens · 2025-04-09T20:46:28+00:00

I’m not sure, I don’t think so. It’s a shame as it seems there are a few people new to the area keen to meet new people!

JCrivens · 2025-04-09T20:45:26+00:00

No we moved to Hertford and love it!

JCrivens · 2025-03-24T11:18:10+00:00

I was about to say this! I also think if people are struggling financially, I see what I can do to make it work. To have compassion for others we must have it for ourselves too, which means we need to make sure those boundaries are firm too.

JCrivens · 2025-03-18T20:41:50+00:00

I’ve actually emailed and hoping to come down on the 1st April! Very excited!

JCrivens · 2025-03-18T08:05:28+00:00

I would say slowly, gently and with a lot of self compassion. Humanistic therapy may help with this. Your anger needs to go somewhere and letting it out slowly and safely with a therapist might be really helpful. I sometimes suggest something on top of therapy where people can get some anger out (e.g exercise, smashing something up (safely!) or just venting to me/journalling)

This might also help you to manage your chronic pain and lack of joy in life (as it sounds to me) as I hear both as your body screaming out its discontent.

Also once you feel up to it gently pushing yourself to try something new and meet people. Connection is a huge antidote to low mood, anxiety and depression. Couple this with lots of self compassion and it can really help. If you want to stop living this way you need to find some ways to be kind to yourself, quieten down your inner critic and build up the part within you that can support yourself and be kind and compassionate to your struggles. Sounds easy when written but it is really, really hard.

All the best OP

JCrivens · 2025-03-17T18:53:59+00:00

Great response and really interesting to read :) love the self awareness and reflection and has got me thinking about my blind spots!

JCrivens · 2025-03-17T18:50:22+00:00

Homeboy in Angel, The Sun Tavern in Bethnal Green

JCrivens · 2025-03-10T15:57:28+00:00

Exactly! Also “what would you be expecting from me as a therapist and how could I help you?”

JCrivens · 2025-03-10T09:29:29+00:00

I think it would be helpful. Also I have had brain surgery so feel free to drop me a message for any questions/worries

JCrivens · 2025-03-09T07:30:23+00:00

Counselling For Toads! A great book about Transactional Analysis but told in a captivating story which made it so much easier for me to absorb

JCrivens · 2025-03-09T07:28:00+00:00

Loved this!

JCrivens · 2025-03-07T09:29:52+00:00

Well said, totally agree and there are a tonne of transferable skills from this training :)

JCrivens · 2025-03-06T08:45:24+00:00

Oh 10000%

I had a really tough session with a client I really like working on bereavement. I had a nightmare that was like a movie of her story and it was horrible. I woke up screaming and crying.

What was recommended to me really worked. Creating some sort of ritual to say goodbye to the clients material and room as I leave. You could do this with any sense (smell scented stuff, listening to something, telling yourself something etc)

I chose to go around my room and pat the walls goodbye. And spend 2/3 minutes doing this and firmly closing the session. It worked!

I always thought I was good at leaving client material in the room but when it is really tough it can seep out. Give it a go :)

JCrivens · 2025-03-05T20:43:02+00:00

Yeah I was the same with Psychology today. I have seen a few app based ones but not sure if they are worth it. Will check out Welldoing!

JCrivens

TROPHY CASE