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: Home work balance
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”
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”
“Energy Vampires”: Who’s Draining You and Why It Matters for Your Mental Health
Often we don’t realise how much emotional weight we are carrying until we finally speak it out loud. Clients often come in describing exhaustion, burnout, irritability — but without a clear reason why. Their work might be manageable. Their sleep, sufficient. Yet they feel chronically depleted. As part of a session we trace this feelingContinue reading ““Energy Vampires”: Who’s Draining You and Why It Matters for Your Mental Health”
High-Functioning Depression: The Invisible Weight So Many Carry
In therapy rooms, classrooms, workplaces, and even among friends, there are countless individuals living with a quiet kind of suffering — high-functioning depression. They are the ones who keep going, who show up, who meet deadlines, care for others, and keep the house in order. On the surface, they seem fine — even successful. ButContinue reading “High-Functioning Depression: The Invisible Weight So Many Carry”
Sunlight, Shadows, and the Roads We Walk
There’s something about sitting in the sun that brings the past into soft focus. On a quiet day, when the world finally slows down, and the light drapes gently across the floor, you find yourself caught between now and then. Not in a sad way—more like a quiet ache. A gentle nod to the lifeContinue reading “Sunlight, Shadows, and the Roads We Walk”
The Power of Feeling Valued: Understanding the Psychological Impact of Respect and Demoralisation
By Dr. M – Psychologist As human beings, we are wired for connection. From infancy, our sense of self is shaped by how others respond to us (Bowlby, 1960). Feeling valued and respected is not just a pleasant experience — it is a fundamental psychological need that underpins emotional well-being, personal growth, and resilience. Conversely,Continue reading “The Power of Feeling Valued: Understanding the Psychological Impact of Respect and Demoralisation”
Dr M’s thoughts 