In this episode of our "Talk Room" series, titled "Being Your Best Self," we delve into the fascinating and complex topic of Boarding School Syndrome. Your host, Ian, along with co-presenter Wendy, welcomes Helen, an experienced therapist from Hope Therapy and Counselling Services, to discuss this often overlooked condition. Key Highlights: Introduction of Hosts and Guest: Ian introduces Wendy, a seasoned CBT psychotherapist, and Helen, a therapist with over a decade of experience, to our listeners. Defining Boarding School Syndrome: Helen explains that Boarding School Syndrome is a collecti ..read more

In the latest episode of The Talkroom podcast, hosts Wendy and Ian delve deep into the realm of sensory sensitivities, joined by the knowledgeable therapist Simon. Together, they explore various aspects of sensory processing disorder (SPD) and tinnitus, shedding light on these often misunderstood conditions. Simon's expertise adds a layer of depth to the conversation as he shares valuable insights and practical strategies for managing sensory challenges. Throughout the episode, the hosts and Simon emphasize the importance of understanding and accommodating sensory sensitivities in everyday lif ..read more

Exploring Death Anxiety - Key Takeaways from Our Latest Episode In our latest podcast episode, we tackled the profound and often challenging topic of death anxiety with the help of our expert guests, Wendy Castellino, Ian from Hope Therapy, and Simon from Simon's Listening Counselling Services. Here are some key takeaways from our insightful discussion: Understanding Death Anxiety Wendy Castellino shared that death anxiety encompasses the fear of dying, losing loved ones, and the existential dread associated with mortality. She explained that this complex issue can significantly impact an ind ..read more

Coping with Death Anxiety: Strategies and Resources Death anxiety, the fear of mortality or the dying process, can be overwhelming. Experts Wendy Castellino, Ian from Hope Therapy, and Simon from Simon's Listening provide insights into managing this anxiety. Understanding Death Anxiety Death anxiety manifests in various forms, including obsessive thoughts, health anxiety, and existential dread. It's a profound fear that can significantly impact one's life. Expert Strategies Mindfulness and Meditation: Wendy Castellino offers guided meditations on her website (www.WendyCastellino.com) and ..read more

In this episode, we delve into the critical issue of men's mental health, highlighting the unique challenges that men face and the importance of seeking support. The discussion covers the societal pressures and stigma that often prevent men from addressing their mental health needs, emphasising the need for greater awareness and understanding. Our expert discusses how mental health issues manifest differently in men, often leading to underdiagnosis and untreated conditions. Key topics include the impact of traditional masculine norms, the importance of encouraging open conversations about men ..read more

In this episode, we delve deeply into the topic of health anxiety, exploring its various dimensions and impacts on mental health. The discussion provides a thorough overview of health anxiety, a condition where individuals are excessively worried about having or developing a serious illness. This anxiety can significantly disrupt daily life, leading to constant checking for symptoms, frequent medical consultations, and persistent health-related fears. Our experts discusses the importance of understanding health anxiety and differentiates it from general health concerns. She emphasizes that wh ..read more

Welcome to our latest episode, where we delve into the intriguing world of mythomania – a condition characterised by compulsive lying. Today, we explore the psychological roots of mythomania, its impact on personal relationships, and strategies for support and healing. Understanding Mythomania Mythomania, or pathological lying, is a psychological condition marked by chronic and often elaborate deceit. Unlike occasional lies told to avoid trouble or spare feelings, mythomania involves a compulsive need to fabricate stories without a clear motive. This behaviour can stem from various psychologi ..read more

In this podcast episode, Ian and Wendy discuss the topic of how women can strive to "have it all" in today's society while maintaining mental health and well-being. Wendy, a highly experienced CBT psychotherapist, highlights the various challenges women face, including perfectionism, high work demands, childcare responsibilities, family obligations, societal expectations, body image pressures, hormonal changes, and the influence of social media. Wendy emphasizes the toll these pressures can take on women's mental and emotional health, leading to stress, self-criticism, and feelings of inadequ ..read more

We are living in a complex environment at the moment. Anxiety has increased due to the uncertainty and changes following on from the global pandemic and lockdowns. Global unrest and the current environment are currently feeding into people's anxiety at the moment leading to us becoming a 'nation of worriers' Learn about what worry actually is, GAD, and our top tips to help navigate these feelings. #anxiety #GAD #worry #counselling #mentalhealth High functioning anxiety treatment - Hope Therapy (hopefulminds.co.uk ..read more

Here Ian, Director of Hope Therapy discusses his own experience with employee mental health from his days of managing upwards of 200 people in enterprise companies. Listen to himself and Wendy take a deep dive into employee mental health and how critical mental health is to individuals happiness and performance at work, and how this in turn can affect the organisation as a whole. Employee Support - Hope Therapy and Counselling Services (hopefulminds.co.uk) #employees #employeemotivation #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness ..read more