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As a Counselling Psychologist, I’ve noticed a growing trend: people are putting up their Christmas decorations and starting their Christmas shopping earlier each year. This phenomenon, often called “Christmas creep,” is more than just a quirky shift in the calendar—it’s a reflection of deeper social and psychological forces at play. Why Is Christmas Coming Earlier? There are several reasons for this early start: Retail Competition & Commercialisation: Retailers are eager to c

It’s a curious trend: scroll through social media or chat with new parents, and you’ll notice a surprising number of men lacing up their running shoes and announcing their plans to run a marathon—often right as their partners are expecting or have just welcomed a new baby. What’s behind this phenomenon? Is it a coincidence, or does it reveal something deeper about the psychology of new fatherhood? The Marathon as a Rite of Passage For many men, the transition to fatherhood is

Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, profoundly shaped the field of psychology and psychotherapy. While some of his theories have been revised or critiqued, several core ideas remain highly relevant and practical in today’s therapeutic world. Here are the top five takeaways: 1. The Unconscious Mind Influences Behavior Freud’s concept that much of our mental life occurs outside of conscious awareness is foundational. Modern therapy recognizes that unconscious thoughts

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing . It is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy approach primarily used to help people process and recover from traumatic experiences and distressing memories. How Does EMDR Work? Bilateral Stimulation: During EMDR sessions, a therapist guides the client to recall distressing memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation (such as side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones). Process

In life, we all encounter difficult emotions—grief, anxiety, anger, shame, or sadness. Our natural instinct is often to avoid these feelings, distract ourselves, or push them away. It’s understandable: facing pain is uncomfortable and can feel counterintuitive. Yet, the truth is that leaning into our difficult emotions, rather than running from them, is a far more powerful path to healing and growth . The Temptation to Avoid When we experience emotional pain, our minds quickl

When seeking mental health support in Ireland, it’s common to come across the terms counselling psychologist , psychotherapist , and counsellor . While these professionals all aim to help people improve their mental well-being, there are important differences in their qualifications, training, and the types of support they offer. Counselling Psychologist A counselling psychologist is a highly trained mental health professional who typically holds a doctorate-level qualificat

Understanding the Default Mode Network: The Brain’s “Wandering Mind” Have you ever noticed your mind drifting off when you’re not focused on a specific task—maybe replaying old conversations, worrying about the future, or just daydreaming? This mental “autopilot” is powered by a part of your brain called the Default Mode Network (DMN). The DMN is a group of interconnected brain regions that become active when we’re not paying attention to the outside world, such as when we’r