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This episode discusses autism, sensory issues, communication problems, anxiety, masking, therapy and empathy. This episode of A Bunch of Therapists is proudly sponsored by The Awareness Centre, a leading counselling and psychotherapy practice in London with over 300 therapists, offering therapy both in person and online. With a range of fee options designed to make support more accessible, no GP referral needed, no waiting list, and appointments available seven days a week. Visit https://theawarenesscentre.com/ to find the right therapist for you. 🎧 Join us for an insightful conversation with psychotherapist and author Aimee Cliff as she discusses her own diagnosis and experience of autism, her journey into therapy, and the inspiration behind her book ‘How to Read Minds’. This compelling discussion explores the multi-faceted nature of empathy, the impact of masking, and the myth that autistic people lack the ability to feel empathy. In this compelling episode, Aimee openly shares: • Her experience of masking her struggles with life • Living with sensory issues, communication problems and anxiety • Being diagnosed with autism in her twenties • The diagnoses of two of her siblings • How her experience of therapy inspired her to become a therapist • Wanting to ‘look under the hood’ and better understand herself • Encountering research from the 1980s about autism and empathy during her training • How this research made her question her own abilities • Experiencing a crisis of confidence • Exploring the myth that autistic people lack empathy • Her research into the science and art of empathy • Writing her book ‘How to Read Minds’ This essential conversation offers valuable insight into autism, masking, empathy, therapy, and the importance of questioning assumptions about autistic people’s emotional experiences. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed: • Autism and adult diagnosis • Masking autistic experiences • Sensory issues and communication problems • Anxiety and the experience of therapy • The journey from therapy client to therapist • Research into autism and empathy • The multi-faceted nature of empathy • Questioning assumptions about autistic people • The science and art of empathy • Writing ‘How to Read Minds’ Find out more about ‘How to Read Minds’: https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/how-to-read-minds-the-science-and-art-of-empathy-aimee-cliff?variant=56347376550267 🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel 🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms 🗓️ New episodes every Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media: YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTV TikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapists Instagram: @abunchoftherapists Facebook: A Bunch of Therapists LinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode discusses cancer, death, suicide, self-harm, alcohol, palliative care, Covid lockdown, bereavement and prolonged grief disorder.  This episode of A Bunch of Therapists is proudly sponsored by The Awareness Centre Training School. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a therapist or are looking to enhance your clinical skills, TAC Training School offers a complete, supportive pathway into the profession. From foundation-level counselling courses to their BACP-accredited Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Diploma in Clinical Supervision, their programmes are led by expert tutors and designed to help you grow into a confident, ethical, and skilled practitioner. To find out more, visit https://tactrainingschool.com/and take the next step in your therapy journey. Michaela and Dipti meet Lucy Carpenter, Compassionate Employers Lead at Hospice UK, for a vulnerable, intimate and moving conversation about death, grief and transforming pain into purpose. Lucy shares her experience of caring for her father, Rob, after he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer when she was just 21. She reflects on the months of treatment, his move to palliative care during the first Covid lockdown, and being present at his bedside when he died. This honest discussion also explores the impact of losing Lucy’s uncle to suicide when she was 12, the strain this placed on her relationship with her father, and her experiences of prolonged grief disorder and self-harm. In this compelling episode, Lucy openly shares: • Giving up her training as a student nurse to care for her father • Supporting her father through painful and invasive cancer treatments • The period when her father went into remission • His cancer eventually spreading to his lymph nodes • Caring for her father around the clock during the first Covid lockdown • Being present when her father died • The closeness they developed while she cared for him • The impact of her uncle’s death by suicide when she was 12 • Her father turning to alcohol after the death • Developing prolonged grief disorder and beginning to self-harm • How the deaths of her father and uncle shaped her life • Becoming an advocate for good grief support • Her work with employers at Hospice UK • Helping workplaces better support grieving employees • Improving grief literacy across the workplace • Transforming personal pain into purpose 🔍 Key Topics Discussed: • Caring for a parent with cancer • Death and palliative care • Grief and bereavement • The impact of suicide on families • Prolonged grief disorder • Self-harm and emotional pain • Grief support during the Covid lockdown • Supporting grieving employees • Grief literacy in the workplace • Transforming loss into purpose Chapters 03:31 Normalising Conversations and Death and Dying 05:09 Navigating Bereavement: Cultural Differences and Societal Expectations 08:43 Addressing Grief Bereavement and Access to Bereavement Support 12:18 Lucy's Father Rob Diagnosed with Oesophageal Cancer 14:09 Navigating Remission and the Psychological Impact of Cancer 16:38 Rob's Cancer Returns and the Shift to Palliative Care 19:51 Rob's Determination to Travel and His Final Journey Home 21:45 Rob's Final Weeks and Death During Covid 27:13 Profound Impact of Lucy's Uncles Death 29:26 Processing Grief, Self-Harm, and her Father's Alcohol Abuse 32:13 The Transformative Power of Therapy in Processing Loss 34:57 Transforming Personal Grief in to Professional Advocacy and Support 37:17 Learning to Sit in Pain and Becoming a Grief Advocate 39:00 Reflecting on When Life Experiences Led to Adulthood 🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel 🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms 🗓️ New episodes every Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media: YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTV TikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapists Instagram: @abunchoftherapists Facebook: A Bunch of Therapists LinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode discusses childhood trauma, parental violence, homelessness, narcissistic abuse, and relationship breakdown. This episode of A Bunch of Therapists is proudly sponsored by The Awareness Centre, a leading counselling and psychotherapy practice in London with over 300 therapists, offering therapy both in person and online. With a range of fee options designed to make support more accessible, no GP referral needed, no waiting list, and appointments available seven days a week. Visit https://theawarenesscentre.com/ to find the right therapist for you. 🎧 Join us for a warm, candid and eye-opening conversation with psychotherapist, writer and media personality Kathleen Saxton as she shares her difficult childhood in Gravesend, her journey from corporate career to therapy room, and the inspiration behind her powerful new book 'My Parent The Peacock'. This compelling discussion explores how growing up with a narcissistic parent shapes us, and why helping victims recognise and validate their experiences is such vital therapeutic work. Hosted by: Michaela McCarthy (Founder of The Awareness Centre, The Awareness Centre Training School, and Creator and Host of A Bunch of Therapists Podcast. Senior BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Influential Leader) and Dipti Solanki (Therapist, Coach & Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC). In this compelling episode, Kathleen openly shares: • Growing up in Gravesend, Kent with an absent father and a violent mother • Her family being made homeless when she was just 11 years old • How that turbulent childhood drove her to become a high achiever • Succeeding in education and building a successful corporate career • The decision to retrain as a psychotherapist • Becoming engaged during her training to someone she later recognised as a narcissist • How that experience led her to pursue specialist training in narcissism • Finding the clarity and strength to end the relationship • Recognising the number of children of narcissists appearing in the therapy room • Writing 'My Parent The Peacock' to help victims name and validate their experiences • Helping readers begin to reckon with the damage caused by a narcissistic parent • Her work as a presenter and media commentator, including appearances on ITV's This Morning, The Times and Stylist This essential conversation offers invaluable insight for anyone who grew up with a narcissistic parent, has experienced narcissistic abuse in relationships, or is seeking to understand the lasting impact of narcissism on family dynamics. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed: • The impact of a violent and emotionally unavailable parent in childhood • Homelessness and instability in early life • High achievement as a response to childhood trauma • Recognising narcissistic behaviour in close relationships • Specialist training in narcissism and its application in therapy • Children of narcissists in the therapy room • Validating the experiences of those raised by narcissistic parents • The healing power of naming what happened to you • Writing accessible, warm therapeutic resources for the public • Transitioning from a corporate career to a career in therapy • The overlap between personal experience and therapeutic specialism 🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel 🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms 🗓️ New episodes every Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media: YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTV TikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapists Instagram: @abunchoftherapists Facebook: A Bunch of Therapists LinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode discusses anxiety, alcohol as a coping mechanism, narcissistic relationships, emotional manipulation, difficult experiences in therapy, non-monogamy, insecurity, authenticity and healing. This episode of A Bunch of Therapists is proudly sponsored by TAC Training School. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a therapist or are looking to enhance your clinical skills, TAC Training School offers a complete, supportive pathway into the profession. To find out more, visit www.tactrainingschool.com 🎧 In this episode, Dipti is joined by psychotherapist, counsellor and mental health writer Amy Sutton for an open conversation about anxiety, relationships and learning to live more authentically. Amy shares her experience of living with a constant sense of dread and using alcohol to calm her anxiety. She also reflects on narcissistic relationships, emotional manipulation and a difficult experience in therapy that left her questioning her own reality. This thoughtful conversation explores insecurity, the expectations placed on relationships, opening up a relationship, non-monogamy and what it can mean to move towards greater freedom, honesty and self-understanding. Hosted by: Dipti Solanki, Therapist, Coach and Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC. This episode also includes an introduction from Michaela McCarthy. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed: • Anxiety and constant feelings of dread • Using alcohol to manage anxiety • Narcissistic relationships • Emotional manipulation and gaslighting • Difficult experiences within therapy • Insecurity and relationship expectations • Monogamy and non-monogamy • Opening up a relationship • Authenticity, freedom and healing • Therapy and self-understanding 🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel 🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms 🗓️ New episodes every Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media: YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTV TikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapists Instagram: @abunchoftherapists Facebook: A Bunch of Therapists LinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists #TherapyUK #Anxiety #NarcissisticRelationships #Gaslighting #NonMonogamy #EmotionalWellbeing #Counselling #Psychotherapy #MentalHealth #Healing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode discusses addiction, recovery, emotional rock bottom, trauma, EMDR, flow states, boarding school, music, substance abuse and the possibility of profound change. This episode of A Bunch of Therapists is proudly sponsored by The Awareness Centre, with over 300 therapists offering online and in-person appointments, a range of fee options, no need for a GP referral and no waiting list. To find out more, visit https://www.theawarenesscentre.com/ 🎧 In this episode, Dipti is joined by psychologist and recovery specialist Josh Dickson for an honest conversation about addiction, recovery and the power of finding flow states. Josh shares how his unsettled childhood, boarding school years, music career and the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle eventually led him into substance abuse, emotional rock bottom and recovery. He speaks openly about the pull of belonging, the shame that can surround addiction, the grief of letting go, and why rock bottom is not always the dramatic moment people imagine. This thoughtful conversation also explores trauma, EMDR, addiction counselling, recovery work and how surfing, movement and flow states can support healing. Hosted by: Dipti Solanki, Therapist, Coach and Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC. This episode also includes an introduction from Michaela McCarthy. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed: • Addiction and recovery • Emotional rock bottom • Shame and belonging • Boarding school and early life experiences • Music and the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle • Substance abuse and self-soothing • Trauma and EMDR • Addiction counselling • Flow states and surfing • Resurface and trauma recovery • Healing, change and hope 🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel 🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms 🗓️ New episodes every Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media: YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTV TikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapists Instagram: @abunchoftherapists Facebook: A Bunch of Therapists LinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists #AddictionRecovery #TherapyPodcast #MentalHealthPodcast #EMDR #TraumaRecovery #FlowStates #RecoveryJourney #Counselling #Psychotherapy #ABunchOfTherapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode discusses betrayal, infidelity, self-abandonment, body dysmorphia, IVF, fertility struggles, shame, emotional disconnection and rebuilding your life after the end of a marriage. This episode of A Bunch of Therapists is proudly sponsored by TAC Training School. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a therapist or are looking to enhance your clinical skills, TAC Training School offers a complete, supportive pathway into the profession. To find out more, visit http://www.tactrainingschool.com/  🎧 In this episode, Dipti is joined by Love and Relationships Coach Alex Croxford for an honest conversation about the life that looks “right” from the outside, and what can happen when you feel disconnected underneath. Alex shares her journey from a successful career in TV, marriage, body image struggles and IVF, to facing betrayal, shame and the patterns of self-abandonment that shaped her relationships. This thoughtful conversation explores infidelity, emotional intimacy, perfectionism, self-forgiveness and what it can take to rebuild a more honest relationship with yourself. Hosted by: Dipti Solanki, Therapist, Coach and Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC. This episode also includes an introduction from Michaela McCarthy. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed: • Betrayal and infidelity • Self-abandonment • Body dysmorphia and perfectionism • IVF and fertility struggles • Shame and self-forgiveness • Emotional disconnection in relationships • Rebuilding your life after divorce • Therapy, coaching and personal development 🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel 🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms 🗓️ New episodes every Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media: YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTV TikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapists Instagram: @abunchoftherapists Facebook: A Bunch of Therapists LinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists #TherapyUK #Relationships #Infidelity #SelfAbandonment #BodyDysmorphia #IVFJourney #EmotionalWellbeing #Counselling #Psychotherapy #PersonalGrowth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode discusses gambling addiction, shame, co-dependency, self-esteem and masculinity. This episode of A Bunch of Therapists is proudly sponsored by The Awareness Centre Training School. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a therapist or are looking to enhance your clinical skills, TAC Training School offers a complete, supportive pathway into the profession. From foundation-level counselling courses to their BACP-accredited Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Diploma in Clinical Supervision, their programmes are led by expert tutors and designed to help you grow into a confident, ethical and skilled practitioner. To find out more, visit www.tactrainingschool.com and take the next step in your therapy journey. 🎧 Join us for a fascinating and refreshingly honest conversation with therapist and coach Joel Bild as he shares his journey from a teenage gambling addiction that spiralled out of control, to finding his way through years of self-exploration and ultimately training as a therapist. This compelling discussion explores the shame and co-dependency that can underpin addiction, and why that elusive sense of “feeling good enough” is so central to our wellbeing. Hosted by Michaela McCarthy, Founder of The Awareness Centre, The Awareness Centre Training School, and Creator and Host of A Bunch of Therapists Podcast. Michaela is a Senior BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Influential Leader. Also hosted by Dipti Solanki, Therapist, Coach and Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC. In this compelling episode, Joel openly shares: • His first encounters with gambling during his school years • Spending his bus money on fruit machines and the gradual pull of addiction • His family recognising the problem and referring him to therapy in his teens • The addiction spiralling out of control by the time he reached university • The long and non-linear journey of overcoming addiction through self-exploration • Waiting until he felt “grown up enough” to train as a therapist • Working with clients on confidence, self-esteem and addiction • His thoughts on co-dependency and the role it plays in addictive behaviours • Unpacking shame and how it keeps people stuck • Exploring masculinity and vulnerability • The search for that elusive feeling of being “good enough” This essential conversation offers valuable insights for anyone navigating addiction, struggling with shame, or on their own journey towards self-worth and confidence. 🔍 Key topics discussed: • Gambling addiction and how it can take hold from a young age • The role of shame in addiction and recovery • Co-dependency and its connection to addictive behaviour • Family intervention and the introduction to therapy • The long road of self-exploration and personal growth • Masculinity, vulnerability and emotional honesty • Confidence and self-esteem in recovery • Feeling “good enough”: what it means and why it matters • Using lived experience to inform therapeutic practice • Working with clients on addiction and self-worth 🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel 🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms 🗓️ New episodes every other Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on social media: YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTV TikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapists Instagram: @abunchoftherapists Facebook: A Bunch of Therapists LinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode discusses childhood trauma, disordered eating, neglect, abuse, PTSD, narcissistic abuse, self-harm and suicide. This episode of A Bunch of Therapists is proudly sponsored by The Awareness Centre Training School. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a therapist or are looking to enhance your clinical skills, TAC Training School offers a complete, supportive pathway into the profession. From foundation-level counselling courses to their BACP-accredited Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Diploma in Clinical Supervision, their programmes are led by expert tutors and designed to help you grow into a confident, ethical, and skilled practitioner. To find out more, visit https://tactrainingschool.com/ and take the next step in your therapy journey. 🎧 Join us for a fascinating and deeply personal conversation with psychotherapist Domenica Stilwell as she shares her journey from a childhood marked by anxiety, neglect and abuse to finding safety through therapy and becoming a specialist in trauma. This honest and illuminating discussion explores how disconnection from the body can be a response to childhood trauma, and why working with the nervous system is so powerful in facilitating healing. Hosted by: Michaela McCarthy (Founder of The Awareness Centre, The Awareness Centre Training School, and Creator and Host of A Bunch of Therapists Podcast. Senior BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Influential Leader) and Dipti Solanki (Therapist, Coach & Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC). In this compelling episode, Domenica openly shares: • Growing up in Poland and the traumatic experiences she faced in the family home • Developing an eating disorder at an early age as a response to anxiety, neglect and abuse • Living so disconnected from her body that she didn't notice a burn turning septic • A visit to her GP becoming the unexpected catalyst for beginning therapy • Working with a therapist to understand the roots of her disconnection • Discovering how her childhood experiences had shaped her relationship with her body • Finding a sense of safety through therapy that she had never felt in childhood • Being inspired by her own healing journey to train as a psychotherapist • Working as a lecturer and therapist specialising in trauma • Supporting clients experiencing PTSD and narcissistic abuse • Using nervous system work to facilitate healing in others This essential conversation offers valuable insights for anyone exploring childhood trauma, disordered eating, body disconnection, or the healing power of therapy. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed: • Childhood trauma and its lasting impact on the body • Disordered eating as a response to anxiety, neglect and abuse • Disconnection from the body and somatic awareness • The role of the nervous system in trauma and healing • How an unexpected moment can become a turning point • Therapy as a path to safety and self-understanding • PTSD and the effects of narcissistic abuse • Training as a therapist following personal experience of healing • Working with trauma in a therapeutic setting • The journey from surviving to helping others heal 🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel 🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms 🗓️ New episodes every other Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media: YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTV TikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapists Instagram: @abunchoftherapists Facebook: A Bunch of Therapists LinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode discusses anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, Bipolar Affective Disorder, and psychosis. This episode of A Bunch of Therapists is proudly sponsored by The Awareness Centre, a leading counselling and psychotherapy practice in London with over 300 therapists, offering therapy both in person and online. With a range of fee options designed to make support more accessible, no GP referral needed, no waiting list, and appointments available seven days a week. Visit https://theawarenesscentre.com/ to find the right therapist for you. 🎧 Michaela and Dipti meet Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Soumitra Burman-Roy to ask vital questions and challenge myths about mental health, neurodiversity and more. Born into a family of doctors, Soumitra joined the medical profession as a young man, but it was only when he walked into a psychiatric ward that he realised he'd found his calling. Having spent his young life 'trying to connect with people', he enjoyed the challenge of engaging with people with difficult or confusing behaviours and trying to understand and help them. He now works with patients and their families to tackle common and complex mental health problems including anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, Bipolar Affective Disorder and psychosis. In this fascinating and informative episode, Soumitra explains what psychiatrists do, how psychiatrists and therapists work together, what a diagnosis is (and when you might need one), why ADHD is on the rise, how our culture and our genes influence our mental health, and how to stay sane when it seems like the world has gone crazy. Hosted by: Michaela McCarthy (Founder of The Awareness Centre, The Awareness Centre Training School, and Creator and Host of A Bunch of Therapists Podcast. Senior BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Influential Leader) and Dipti Solanki (Therapist, Coach & Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC). In this compelling episode, Soumitra shares: • How he found his calling in psychiatry • Why he was drawn to understanding difficult or confusing behaviours • What psychiatrists do • How psychiatrists and therapists work together • What a diagnosis is - and when you might need one • Why ADHD is on the rise • How culture and genes influence mental health • How to stay sane when the world has gone crazy 🔍 Key Topics Discussed: • Psychiatry and how it supports mental health • Working with patients and families • Understanding diagnosis and when it can help • ADHD and why more people are talking about it • Anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, Bipolar Affective Disorder and psychoses • The role of culture and genetics in mental health • Making sense of mental health myths and misconceptions 🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel 🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms 🗓️ New episodes every other Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media: YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTV TikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapists Instagram: @abunchoftherapists Facebook: A Bunch of Therapists LinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode contains discussion around grief, loss, relationships, attachment, and food psychology. This episode of A Bunch of Therapists is proudly sponsored by TAC Training School. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a therapist or are looking to enhance your clinical skills, TAC Training School offers a complete, supportive pathway into the profession. From foundation-level counselling courses to their BACP-accredited Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Diploma in Clinical Supervision, their programmes are led by expert tutors and designed to help you grow into a confident, ethical, and skilled practitioner. To find out more, visit http://www.tactrainingschool.com/ and take the next step in your therapy journey. 🎧 Join us for an entertaining and enlightening conversation with academic, cook, Financial Times Book of the Year Author and psychotherapist Dr Andrea Oskis as she shares insights from her new book 'The Kitchen Shrink: How the food we eat is the key to how we love', exploring how food stories from therapy reveal the deeper truths about our relationships and psychological wellbeing. This thought-provoking discussion explores how food is fundamental to our emotional lives, profoundly affecting how we deal with life's big challenges - love, loss, separation and jealousy. Hosted by:Michaela McCarthy (Founder of The Awareness Centre, The Awareness Centre Training School, and Creator and Host of A Bunch of Therapists Podcast. Senior BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Influential Leader) and Dipti Solanki (Therapist, Coach and Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC). In this compelling episode, Dr Oskis openly shares:• How food stories told by clients in therapy explain how we form and sustain relationships• The 'fried egg theory of grief' and what it reveals about loss• The 'hot sauce paradigm' and its connection to relationship dynamics• Combining storytelling, recipes and Attachment Theory in therapeutic practice• How food affects our psychological wellbeing beyond basic nutrition• Understanding the emotional connection between what we eat and how we love• Practical insights for grieving partners and parents of picky eaters• Why there's a lot of discussion about eggs in this episode• How academic research, cooking and psychotherapy intersect• Recognising food as more than just sustenance in our emotional lives This essential conversation offers valuable guidance for anyone interested in the psychology of food, attachment patterns in relationships, or understanding how our eating habits reflect our emotional world. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed:• The intersection of food, psychology and relationships• Attachment Theory and how we form connections with others• The 'fried egg theory of grief' explained• The 'hot sauce paradigm' and relationship dynamics• How food stories reveal deeper psychological truths• Using recipes and storytelling in therapeutic practice• Food as a lens for understanding love, loss and separation• The emotional significance of what and how we eat• Consoling grief and supporting parents through food psychology• Why eggs feature so prominently in food and relationship narratives   🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms🗓️ New episodes every other Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media:YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTVTikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapistsInstagram: @abunchoftherapistsFacebook: A Bunch of TherapistsLinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode discusses childhood hardship, caring responsibilities, racism, perfectionism, overwork, stress, and serious health issues. This episode of A Bunch of Therapists is proudly sponsored by TAC Training School. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a therapist or are looking to enhance your clinical skills, TAC Training School offers a complete, supportive pathway into the profession. From foundation-level counselling courses to their BACP-accredited Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Diploma in Clinical Supervision, their programmes are led by expert tutors and designed to help you grow into a confident, ethical, and skilled practitioner. To find out more, visit http://www.tactrainingschool.com/ and take the next step in your therapy journey. 🎧 Join us for an honest and inspiring conversation with counsellor, coach and public speaker Maryane Mwaniki as she shares her journey from growing up with constant money struggles and caring for her mother from a young age, to becoming a high achiever in a demanding professional world before being forced to confront the cost of overwork. This thoughtful discussion explores how childhood experiences can shape perfectionism and work addiction, and why slowing down can be the beginning of a more balanced and fulfilling life. Hosted by:Michaela McCarthy (Founder of The Awareness Centre, The Awareness Centre Training School, and Creator and Host of A Bunch of Therapists Podcast. Senior BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Influential Leader) and Dipti Solanki (Therapist, Coach and Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC). In this compelling episode, Maryane openly shares:• Growing up in a family affected by ongoing money struggles• Caring for her mother, who lived with chronic ill-health and did not speak English as a first language• Advocating for her family from a young age• Becoming highly driven and high-achieving at work• Studying English and going on to work in Higher Education• Being the only young, Black female in a space dominated by older White men• Building a successful career at pace• Reaching a point of personal stress and overwork that led to serious health issues• Being forced to slow down and re-evaluate her priorities• Addressing what she describes as 'a work addiction'• Retraining as a counsellor after her recovery• Choosing to live a 'softer life' centred more on balance than perfection• Working now as a counsellor, coach and public speaker with individuals, couples and groups This essential conversation offers valuable insight for high achievers struggling with perfectionism, overwork, and the pressure of trying to 'have it all'. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed:• Childhood hardship and early caring responsibilities• Growing up with financial pressure and family advocacy• The roots of perfectionism and overachievement• Navigating race, gender and identity in professional spaces• The impact of chronic stress and overwork on health• Recognising and addressing work addiction• Slowing down and re-evaluating priorities• Recovery and career change• Retraining as a counsellor• Living a softer, more balanced life• Supporting individuals, couples and groups through counselling and coaching 🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms🗓️ New episodes every Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media:YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTVTikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapistsInstagram: @abunchoftherapistsFacebook: A Bunch of TherapistsLinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode discusses sex therapy, compulsive sexual behaviours, relationship dynamics, monogamy, conversion therapy, sex education, and pornography. This episode of A Bunch of Therapists is proudly sponsored by The Awareness Centre, a leading counselling and psychotherapy practice in London with over 300 therapists, offering therapy both in person and online. With a range of fee options designed to make support more accessible, no GP referral needed, no waiting list, and appointments available seven days a week. Visit https://https://theawarenesscentre.com/ to find the right therapist for you. 🎧 Join us for a refreshing and insightful conversation with sex and relationships therapist and author Silva Neves as he shares his transformative approach to understanding compulsive sexual behaviours through psychotherapy rather than addiction frameworks. This honest discussion explores how childhood experiences shape adult patterns, and why compassion and non-judgment are essential when working with complex relationship and sexual issues. Hosted by:Michaela McCarthy (Founder of The Awareness Centre, The Awareness Centre Training School, and Creator and Host of A Bunch of Therapists Podcast. Senior BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Influential Leader) and Dipti Solanki (Therapist, Coach and Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC). In this compelling episode, Silva openly shares:• His radical approach to treating compulsive sexual behaviours• Why addiction frameworks don't fit sexual behaviour patterns• Using psychotherapy to understand root causes formed in childhood• The stories behind compulsive behaviours• His perspective on monogamy• Thoughts on conversion therapy• Sex education and its impact• The role of pornography in relationships• Working with clients with compassion and non-judgment This essential conversation offers valuable insights for anyone interested in sex therapy, relationship dynamics, or understanding compulsive behaviours from a psychological perspective. Key Topics Discussed:• Compulsive sexual behaviours and psychological roots• Childhood experiences shaping adult patterns• Moving beyond addiction models in sex therapy• Monogamy and relationship structures• Conversion therapy and its implications• Sex education and awareness• Pornography and relationships• Compassionate, non-judgmental therapeutic approaches• Understanding clients' stories and experiences 🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms🗓️ New episodes every other Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media:YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTVTikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapistsInstagram: @abunchoftherapistsFacebook: A Bunch of TherapistsLinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode discusses supporting survivors of sexual abuse, undiagnosed dyslexia, overcoming adversity, football, youth work, and vulnerability. This episode is sponsored by The Awareness Centre.  The Awareness Centre offers counselling and psychotherapy in a way that feels genuinely accessible. From NHS talking therapies, private therapy, and a low cost counselling service, we love that they're making good therapy available to more people. To find out more about their services, please visit https://https://theawarenesscentre.com/ 🎧 Join us for an inspiring conversation with Humanistic Integrative Psychotherapist Anthony Bedward. Once a promising footballer, Anthony’s journey took a dramatic turn after an injury forced him to leave the sport behind. Facing undiagnosed dyslexia and leaving school unable to read or write, he went on to build a career as a youth worker and mentor before finding his calling in therapy. Anthony shares the emotional and financial challenges of training as a counsellor, the struggle with vulnerability, especially for young Black men, and his dedication to supporting survivors of sexual abuse and promoting emotional literacy. Hosted by:Michaela McCarthy (Founder of The Awareness Centre, The Awareness Centre Training School, and Creator and Host of A Bunch of Therapists Podcast. Senior BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Influential Leader) and Dipti Solanki (Therapist, Coach and Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC). In this compelling episode, Anthony openly shares:• Growing up with undiagnosed dyslexia and leaving school without qualifications• His early promise as a footballer and the impact of injury• Building a career as a youth worker and mentor• Facing redundancy and choosing a new path in counselling• Overcoming emotional and financial barriers as a student therapist• The challenge of vulnerability for young Black men• His work supporting survivors of sexual abuse• Advocating for emotional literacy in young men This essential conversation offers valuable insights for anyone overcoming adversity, navigating career changes, or interested in the importance of vulnerability and emotional support. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed: • The impact of undiagnosed learning difficulties• Football, identity, and life after sport• Youth work as a foundation for therapeutic practice• Navigating redundancy and career transition• Barriers to training as a therapist• Emotional literacy and vulnerability in men• Supporting survivors of sexual abuse• Advocacy and private practice 🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms🗓️ New episodes every Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media:YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTVTikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapistsInstagram: @abunchoftherapistsFacebook: A Bunch of TherapistsLinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode discusses eating disorders, cultural stoicism, vulnerability, depression, and body image. 🎧 Join us for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation with Dance Movement Psychotherapist and Transactional Analyst Sabine Tendas as she shares her transformative journey from struggling with an eating disorder in a culture that valued toughness to becoming a therapist who heals through the power of movement and embodied expression. This honest discussion explores how vulnerability and self-compassion can transform our relationship with our bodies, and why integrating movement into therapy offers profound possibilities. Hosted by:Michaela McCarthy (Founder of The Awareness Centre, The Awareness Centre Training School, and Creator and Host of A Bunch of Therapists Podcast. Senior BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Influential Leader) and Dipti Solanki (Therapist, Coach and Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC). In this compelling episode, Sabine openly shares:• Growing up in Sardinia in a culture that encouraged stoicism and toughness• Struggling with an eating disorder as a young woman• The shame and isolation of her eating disorder• Seeking therapy and experiencing the power of being supported and held• Learning to embrace vulnerability through her therapeutic relationship• The inspiration to train as a psychotherapist herself• Being a keen dancer throughout her life• Experiencing the healing power of movement during a period of depression• The realisation that dance could be integrated into therapeutic practice• Training internationally in Dance Movement Therapy• Her journey from Sardinia through Spain and Brazil to the UK• Developing a unique approach combining talking therapy with movement and bodywork• Working with clients to heal distress through physical expression• Using embodied therapy to access what words alone cannot reach• Transforming her own pain into compassionate therapeutic practice This essential conversation offers invaluable insights for anyone struggling with eating disorders, body image issues, depression, or interested in somatic and movement-based approaches to healing. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed:• Cultural messages about stoicism, toughness and emotional expression• Eating disorders as a response to emotional pain• The mind-body connection and embodied trauma• The healing power of being held and supported in therapy• Learning vulnerability and self-compassion• Depression and finding solace through movement• Dance and creative expression as therapeutic tools• Somatic therapy and body-centred approaches• Training in Dance Movement Therapy internationally• Integrating multiple therapeutic modalities• Accessing emotions through the body• Healing distress through physical expression• Using lived experience to support clients authentically• The transformative power of movement and embodiment 🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms🗓️ New episodes every other Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media:YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTVTikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapistsInstagram: @abunchoftherapistsFacebook: A Bunch of TherapistsLinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode contains themes of around racism, colourism, shame, educational inequality, and systemic discrimination. 🎧 Join us for a powerful and deeply personal conversation with psychotherapist Dr Derek McKenzie as he shares his extraordinary journey from facing severe racism and internalised colourism in 1970s South London to becoming a doctor who challenges Eurocentric norms in the therapy world. This honest discussion explores how childhood adversity and systemic barriers can be transformed into purpose, and why centring Black voices and experiences is essential for authentic therapeutic practice. Hosted by:Michaela McCarthy (Founder of The Awareness Centre, The Awareness Centre Training School, and Creator and Host of A Bunch of Therapists Podcast. Senior BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Influential Leader) and Dipti Solanki (Therapist, Coach and Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC). In this compelling episode, Derek openly shares:• Growing up in South London during the 1970s• Facing relentless racism on the streets as a child• Internalising colourist messages from family and society• Experiencing shame at being darker skinned and African• Struggling in school and leaving without learning to read and write• Becoming a young father at 16• Working hard to support his family from a young age• Training as a youth worker• Learning to read and write in his 30s• Aspiring to become a social worker• Excelling in exams but being rejected for a university degree in social work• The pivotal decision to train in counselling instead• Building a private practice as a psychotherapist• Completing a doctorate in recent years• Centring Black authors and voices in his PhD research• Challenging Eurocentric norms in the therapy world• Using his lived experience to transform therapeutic practice This essential conversation offers invaluable insights for anyone navigating racism, colourism, educational barriers, or interested in decolonising therapy and creating more inclusive mental health spaces. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed:• Racism and racial trauma in childhood• Colourism and internalised shame about skin colour and heritage• The intersection of racism and educational inequality• Systemic barriers to education and professional advancement• Young parenthood and early responsibility• Resilience and self-education despite institutional rejection• Career pivots and finding your path• The importance of representation in therapy training• Decolonising therapeutic practice• Centring Black voices and Black authors in academia• Challenging Eurocentric norms in mental health• Using lived experience to transform systems• Building authentic therapeutic relationships across difference 🎬 Watch full episodes of A Bunch of Therapists on our YouTube channel🎧 A Bunch of Therapists is available on all major podcast platforms🗓️ New episodes every other Thursday Follow A Bunch of Therapists on Social Media:YouTube: @ABunchofTherapistsTVTikTok: @a.bunch.of.therapistsInstagram: @abunchoftherapistsFacebook: A Bunch of TherapistsLinkedIn: A Bunch of Therapists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.