When the Strong Struggle: The Hidden Impact of High-Functioning Depression on Children and Families

High-functioning depression is often silent — but its ripple effects are not. While the person experiencing it may carry on with daily life, fulfilling responsibilities and appearing “together,” the emotional undercurrent can have a profound impact on the people around them, especially children. In therapeutic and educational settings, we often see children struggling with anxiety,Continue reading “When the Strong Struggle: The Hidden Impact of High-Functioning Depression on Children and Families”

🎵 Music and Emotions: Supporting Preschool Children’s Wellbeing through Sound and Song

In the hum and bustle of early childhood, big emotions often arrive without warning — frustration, joy, fear, sadness, or sheer excitement. For preschool children, who are still developing the language and cognitive tools to express and regulate these feelings, the journey through emotional awareness can be overwhelming. But one powerful, nurturing tool can helpContinue reading “🎵 Music and Emotions: Supporting Preschool Children’s Wellbeing through Sound and Song”

Behind Closed Doors: The Lingering Wounds of Coercive Control

“They never hit me. But they made me doubt my mind, my worth, my sanity. And that’s the scar I still carry.” Coercive control is an insidious, often invisible form of abuse. Unlike physical violence, it operates beneath the surface—through manipulation, isolation, control, and degradation. The amount of people who are met with statements suchContinue reading “Behind Closed Doors: The Lingering Wounds of Coercive Control”

“Never Quite enough”: The Trauma of Mediocrity

As a psychologist, I have often worked with teenagers and adults who can’t point to a single traumatic event in their past, but who carry a quiet heaviness — a sense that they were never particularly good at anything. These are often the clients who say things like: “I was never the top of theContinue reading ““Never Quite enough”: The Trauma of Mediocrity”

The Power of Music: A Psychologist’s Reflection on Wellbeing, Inclusion, and Emotional Regulation

Introduction Over the years, I have worked with children, young people, and adults struggling with emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, and sensory processing challenges. Many of them—particularly those with autism, ADHD, or other Special Educational Needs (SEN)—have faced significant barriers to self-expression, connection, and self-soothing. Yet time and again, I have witnessed how music reaches themContinue reading “The Power of Music: A Psychologist’s Reflection on Wellbeing, Inclusion, and Emotional Regulation”

“Endless Possibilities: Reflecting on Support for Children with Down Syndrome and Their Families”

Every year, World Down Syndrome Day serves as a reminder of the beauty of diversity and the profound value of inclusion. As a psychologist, I find this day offers an important moment to pause and reflect on the incredible resilience of children with Down syndrome and their families — and the power of meaningful supportContinue reading ““Endless Possibilities: Reflecting on Support for Children with Down Syndrome and Their Families””

Nurturing Healing: The Role of Nature and Social Connections in Trauma-Informed Practice

Trauma-informed practice is gaining recognition as a crucial framework in supporting individuals who have experienced adversity, emphasising the importance of understanding trauma’s far-reaching impacts on mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Integrating nature-based interventions and building supportive social connections offers a holistic pathway toward healing for both children and adults. This article explores how these elementsContinue reading “Nurturing Healing: The Role of Nature and Social Connections in Trauma-Informed Practice”