Psychotherapists and Counsellors Answer your Questions

Disconnection with nature and all it has to offer.

Disconnection with nature and all it has to offer.

Disconnectivity and obsession with thoughts.

Disconnectivity and obsession with thoughts.

Interpersonal trauma.

Interpersonal trauma.

That despite all our advances in technology, our lives are as busy and chaotic as ever! We are expected to take on too many roles and give too much of ourselves... there are just so many people who...

That despite all our advances in technology, our lives are as busy and chaotic as ever! We are expected to take on too many roles and give too much of ourselves... there are just so many people who are burning out due to the pace at which society expects us all to live. We all deserve to pause and rest at times. Balance is crucial.

One of the most significant problems we face in the world today is the overwhelming pace of life and the unrealistic expectation to have everything together at all times. Constant messages from...

One of the most significant problems we face in the world today is the overwhelming pace of life and the unrealistic expectation to have everything together at all times. Constant messages from various sources bombard us, suggesting that we're not enough as we are. This pressure to meet unrealistic standards can lead to stress, anxiety, and a sense of inadequacy. It's crucial for us to challenge these societal norms and cultivate a culture of acceptance, self-compassion, and authenticity.

Isolation. I do wonder if its easy to feel disconnected. I specialise in helping everyone to understand how they are responding to their circumstances or experiences or situation in life and feel more...

Isolation. I do wonder if its easy to feel disconnected. I specialise in helping everyone to understand how they are responding to their circumstances or experiences or situation in life and feel more in control.

Changing environments and the effect they have on our thought spirit and all.

Changing environments and the effect they have on our thought spirit and all.

I feel that there are many problems in the world today. The largest challenge I see is staying connected. With each other, with community, and globally. We have the world at our fingertips with...

I feel that there are many problems in the world today. The largest challenge I see is staying connected. With each other, with community, and globally. We have the world at our fingertips with technology, but never really connect with others.

Loneliness and lack of safe and secure connection with others.

Loneliness and lack of safe and secure connection with others.

This is a difficult question to answer. But here are some thoughts. Life is mysterious and complex. There are both breathtaking and devastating facets of life in both our inner and outer worlds. We...

This is a difficult question to answer. But here are some thoughts. Life is mysterious and complex. There are both breathtaking and devastating facets of life in both our inner and outer worlds. We have to deal with all of these. Often life twists and turns unexpectedly. I'm focussed on how we deal with the process of meeting challenges in life as well as specific problems. If pressed I would say that in the outer world environmental degradation and climate change, and discrimination be it racial, gender, religious or other forms would be topics that concern me a lot.

Our lack of self compassion, self acceptance and too much focus on bolstering self esteem and outer achievement has sadly affected our capacity to connect to others, to give and receive love and feel...

Our lack of self compassion, self acceptance and too much focus on bolstering self esteem and outer achievement has sadly affected our capacity to connect to others, to give and receive love and feel fulfilled. Untreated trauma can leave us struggling in relationships. Another concern I share with many is our disconnection from the Mother Earth and from what sustains us , leading to more destructiveness and sadly, more disconnection.

The destruction of natural habitats springs to mind. A lot of material things can be replaced, but the natural world doesn't come with this expendability. It saddens me to think of how many animals...

The destruction of natural habitats springs to mind. A lot of material things can be replaced, but the natural world doesn't come with this expendability. It saddens me to think of how many animals have been driven to extinction and how much rainforest has been lost during my lifetime alone.

One of the big challenges we're facing today is this kind of paradox. On one hand, technology has us more connected than ever, but it's also left a lot of people feeling isolated and disconnected....

One of the big challenges we're facing today is this kind of paradox. On one hand, technology has us more connected than ever, but it's also left a lot of people feeling isolated and disconnected. We've shifted from in-person relationships to virtual ones, and that's brought some real challenges, especially when it comes to making those genuine, meaningful connections. Plus, because we're always plugged in, it can be really tough to give our full attention to the person right in front of us when they need it most. And constant connectivity also make it difficult to truly listen. With all the distractions around us, it's easy to just skim the surface of conversations instead of really engaging and listening deeply. That's why we need to practice active and empathetic listening to foster more meaningful connections.

Managing the busyness without going crazy!!!!! COVID is a real challenge and is affecting people's sense of peace, creating anxiety and depression.

Managing the busyness without going crazy!!!!! COVID is a real challenge and is affecting people's sense of peace, creating anxiety and depression.

Information overload provided by the insistent and ongoing access through social media and technology - we need to learn to switch off technology, get back to basics... smell the air, feel the...

Information overload provided by the insistent and ongoing access through social media and technology - we need to learn to switch off technology, get back to basics... smell the air, feel the water... don't just throw down your cup of coffee... be in the moment! Hold that warm cup, smell the aroma, really take in that first sip, the second and just be.... we need to learn to be present.

Fast, fast, fast! Now, now now!! Money, money, money!!! Big, big, big!!!! Not to mention 24/7 availability & social media. All of this can create the pressure to be it all to everyone & yet often...

Fast, fast, fast! Now, now now!! Money, money, money!!! Big, big, big!!!! Not to mention 24/7 availability & social media. All of this can create the pressure to be it all to everyone & yet often results in disconnection from ourselves & our family & friends. I see this manifested in my clients as anxiety & depression & a loss of self esteem & meaning. Alienation from ourselves & others & the loss of meaning will I think grow as a problem unless we redress the imbalances in our lives.

The time that we have on this planet is quite short. We could choose to be a little kinder to each other while we are here. I believe that a lot of the world's problems could be reduced simply by...

The time that we have on this planet is quite short. We could choose to be a little kinder to each other while we are here. I believe that a lot of the world's problems could be reduced simply by caring well for our families.

I think a significant problem is that we are all so disconnected from ourselves, nature and one another. We have also forgotten how to breathe, relax and be, we make life so unnecessarily complex and...

I think a significant problem is that we are all so disconnected from ourselves, nature and one another. We have also forgotten how to breathe, relax and be, we make life so unnecessarily complex and forget that it is actually the simple things that nourish us.

Connectedness. I answer this question quite quickly, as it's a theme I can see recurring through many realms of my work. In this age of social media, digital demands, complex family dynamics and a...

Connectedness. I answer this question quite quickly, as it's a theme I can see recurring through many realms of my work. In this age of social media, digital demands, complex family dynamics and a shifting workplace culture, the ability for people, couples, families to truly connect is under more pressure then ever. When someone feels isolated, disconnected from support networks, family/friends or just that no one 'has your back', the feeling can be tremendously confronting and overwhelming. A real focus of my work is about 'bringing people back from that sense of isolation and being disconnected. Addressing the sense of isolation that Facebook, 24/7 work demands, smart phones, geographical pressures or poor communication can bring. I believe the demands of 21st century careers and technology have added a pressure and weight that is having real consequences and outcomes on relationships.

I sound like a broken record but truly it is all about that we just get in our own way. Sometimes we forget our strengths and highlight our weakness and become tunnelled in our vision of ourselves.

I sound like a broken record but truly it is all about that we just get in our own way. Sometimes we forget our strengths and highlight our weakness and become tunnelled in our vision of ourselves.

People today sometimes lose sight of the important things in life by focusing on the material things instead of the all important connection with family, love and friendship, as well as demonstrating...

People today sometimes lose sight of the important things in life by focusing on the material things instead of the all important connection with family, love and friendship, as well as demonstrating their resilience in always having hope for tomorrow.

People can have a tendency to be so mentally identified, they can disconnect from their natural being. I would place this as a root contender for pathology.

People can have a tendency to be so mentally identified, they can disconnect from their natural being. I would place this as a root contender for pathology.

Prioritising economics over environmental safety and social wellbeing

Prioritising economics over environmental safety and social wellbeing

Not taking the time to care for ourselves and spend time doing nothing and with people we love.

Not taking the time to care for ourselves and spend time doing nothing and with people we love.

Self-Awareness Communication (effective communication is based in self-awareness) Compassion (also based in self-awareness and self-compassion)

Self-Awareness Communication (effective communication is based in self-awareness) Compassion (also based in self-awareness and self-compassion)

I have no doubt in my mind that the most significant problem we face in the world today is mental stress. This happens when we have: * not healed past trauma * have not reached out for support to...

I have no doubt in my mind that the most significant problem we face in the world today is mental stress. This happens when we have: * not healed past trauma * have not reached out for support to manage difficult thoughts and feelings * when we take on too much in our lives * and when we simply don't spend anywhere near enough time looking after our physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Lack of supportive community. I think the individualistic culture is a huge problem and so many of our difficulties stem from lack of mature, capable community.

Lack of supportive community. I think the individualistic culture is a huge problem and so many of our difficulties stem from lack of mature, capable community.

The media.

The media.

The impact western culture has on our global health and wellbeing.

The impact western culture has on our global health and wellbeing.

Greed for money, power, status and the delayed care for our environment and fellow human beings.

Greed for money, power, status and the delayed care for our environment and fellow human beings.

Secure attachments, and difficulties in relationships, as people are more distracted these days by TV and mobile phones. There is a lack of connection within the family home.

Secure attachments, and difficulties in relationships, as people are more distracted these days by TV and mobile phones. There is a lack of connection within the family home.

I feel the most significant problem we face in the world today, especially the western world is that we are forgetting how to rest deeply. By resting deeply I mean within ourselves, connected to...

I feel the most significant problem we face in the world today, especially the western world is that we are forgetting how to rest deeply. By resting deeply I mean within ourselves, connected to ourselves. Social media, consumption and the need to be successful seem to be making our lives more complicated and we are loosing simplicity and mistaking more as more rather than less as more. In the past I feel we had more time to contemplate, reflect and connect to the awe of life. Our ability to sit in the awe of a sunset, sunrise, star gazing or tree gazing are diminishing and with that our connection to the miracle of ourselves, our planet and this life. We are distracted and my feeling is that awe, contemplation, reflection and quiet sitting are very healing and calming to our over worked, over thinking tormented psyche's. Deep rest, deep peace enjoying hobbies on your own or in community that nourish and calm us. Poetry, story telling, music, art, craft, nature, ritual all nourish and nurture our real connections to self and other.

Great question, with many answers. For me, I see one of the most significant problems we face is a lack of connection. In so many ways humans have become disconnected from ourselves, each other,...

Great question, with many answers. For me, I see one of the most significant problems we face is a lack of connection. In so many ways humans have become disconnected from ourselves, each other, nature, meaningful work, purpose, and spirituality. If we look at the root causes of dis-ease both emotional and physical I think the disconnection we feel in these areas of our lives is an important factor we need to address.

I think one of the most significant problems is disconnection with each other due to the use of technologies, that can be quite addictive. As with everything else though, technology can be used for...

I think one of the most significant problems is disconnection with each other due to the use of technologies, that can be quite addictive. As with everything else though, technology can be used for both positive and negative outcomes - it is a wonderful way to maintain connection through a pandemic such as the recent and ongoing COVID-19. Another issue we face is the backlash to more individual freedoms, and there has been an increase in racism, homophobia and transphobia in recent times; so advocacy for social change is important.

Impulsive behaviour that leads to a lack of respect

Impulsive behaviour that leads to a lack of respect

Pressure I think. People seem so short of time nowadays. I have noticed that I see more clients with work-related stress than ever before. I often wonder when it became the norm to live under these...

Pressure I think. People seem so short of time nowadays. I have noticed that I see more clients with work-related stress than ever before. I often wonder when it became the norm to live under these expectations and deadlines. I also find myself wondering how much further this can go.

Isolation and disconnection within our relationships.

Isolation and disconnection within our relationships.

Social isolation, even in big cities.

Social isolation, even in big cities.