Over the past few years, I have seen a marked increase in clients coming to therapy not because they “can’t cope with work,” but because work itself has become harmful. They describe workplaces that are chronically stressful, hostile, and dismissive of their wellbeing. What begins as a demanding job slowly shifts into something more insidious:Continue reading “When Work Turns Toxic: Psychological Reflections on Burnout, Bullying and Gaslighting”
Tag Archives: Education
Why FlourishEd Approaches Matter for Adults Returning to Learning—Especially After Negative School Experiences
When adults choose to return to education, it’s rarely a simple academic decision. For many, it’s deeply emotional. It’s about revisiting a place that didn’t feel safe, stepping back into environments that once damaged confidence, or confronting old stories of “not being good enough.” And these stories run deep. Adult learners often carry decades ofContinue reading “Why FlourishEd Approaches Matter for Adults Returning to Learning—Especially After Negative School Experiences”
Trauma-Informed Awareness in the Workplace: Language, Policy, and the Culture of Care
Introduction Workplaces, like people, hold stories. Within every organisation are individuals who carry experiences of stress, loss, and sometimes trauma — experiences that may be invisible but deeply shape how they perceive safety, trust, and belonging. Trauma-informed awareness in the workplace invites us to look beneath behaviour and performance, to recognise that what appears asContinue reading “Trauma-Informed Awareness in the Workplace: Language, Policy, and the Culture of Care”
Creating Safe Spaces: Environment, Policy, and Practitioner Wellbeing in Trauma-Informed Practice
Creating safe spaces is at the heart of trauma-informed practice. This reflection explores how safety is built through the quiet art of noticing without judgement — in our environments, our policies, and our relationships. It reminds us that safety begins in the small moments, shaped by the calm, compassionate presence of practitioners who hold spaceContinue reading “Creating Safe Spaces: Environment, Policy, and Practitioner Wellbeing in Trauma-Informed Practice”
When Academia and Education Drain the Soul: Burnout, Stress, and the Hidden Costs
Education should be about inspiration—sparking curiosity, sharing knowledge, and shaping futures. Whether you’re teaching preschoolers their first songs, guiding teenagers through exams, or mentoring university students on their research journey, the profession starts with passion. But what begins as a vocation can too easily turn into a heavy burden. Overwork, being overlooked, subtle gaslighting, andContinue reading “When Academia and Education Drain the Soul: Burnout, Stress, and the Hidden Costs”
Getting to the Root: Supporting Children and Clients with Anxiety through a Root Cause Approach
“Anxiety is not the enemy—it is the messenger.” Dr. M This phrase echoes deeply in therapeutic settings. Throughout my work, I’ve found that the children and clients I meet are not always struggling with anxiety in its purest sense. Instead, anxiety often shows up as a symptom—a signal—of something deeper. And when we fail toContinue reading “Getting to the Root: Supporting Children and Clients with Anxiety through a Root Cause Approach”
The Soothing Power of Sensation: Why Early Sensory Experiences Matter for Babies’ Development
When you watch a baby reach for the grass beneath them, wiggle their toes in soft sand, or splash joyfully in water, you’re witnessing something profound. These simple, natural moments aren’t just adorable—they are crucial developmental experiences. As a psychologist who works with early childhood development, I often speak with parents and early years practitionersContinue reading “The Soothing Power of Sensation: Why Early Sensory Experiences Matter for Babies’ Development”
Dr M’s thoughts 