Talking Therapy with Alex Howard

In this week's episode, we draw a close to the first season of the Talking Therapy podcast. The team and I have decided to take a short break to focus more on my YouTube series ‘In Therapy' but rest-assured, we will be back for season two! I also answer some of your questions on emotional styles, the trauma that can manifest itself in shame, and how to recognise if you are socially anxious.  Until we return, remember to be kind to yourself and go gently.

This week, I discuss the power and importance of state, and how to change the states our body, mind and nervous system are in. I also talk about why people struggle with meditation, and offer some techniques to help. As always, I answer some of your questions – this week around the difference between optimism with toxic positivity, and where the people pleaser pattern comes from (nature or nurture?)

In this week's episode of Talking Therapy, I explain Therapeutic Coaching, the methodology that I co-created, and the one I use with my patients both privately and on In Therapy. I also talk about giving and receiving criticism, and answer your questions about committing to health practices and how often we should have therapy. I'm excited to share that the summer intake for our Therapeutic Coaching course is now open! If you're looking for a change in career, you've dreamed of working with others to optimise and transform their psychology, or you just want to go deeper into your own self-development, this could be the training for you! To find out more, click here https://www.therapeuticcoaching.com/free-webinar and sign up for my free 1-hour webinar.

On this week's episode of Talking Therapy, I talk about the cultural stigma around mental health, how we can learn to ask for help and support, and why men in particular struggle to reach out. I also answer some of the questions you sent in, including one on FOMO/the fear of missing out, and another on the tools you can use to help build awareness of common thought and behavioural patterns.

In this week's episode of Talking Therapy, I reflect on Katie's latest episode of In Therapy and discuss how writing letters can be used as a therapeutic tool. I also talk about how saying sorry can have benefits and drawbacks, and answer some of your questions on dissociation and forgiveness.

On this week's episode of Talking Therapy, I reflect on David's most recent episode where he shared some recent successes. As part of this, I look at the importance of recognising that if we want the circumstances of our lives to be different, we have to do something different. I also talk about looking at what we do on a daily basis and its role in determining change. As always, I answer some of the questions you've sent in; this week, the focus is on gratitude and self-love. Finally, I talk a little bit about FOMO - the fear of missing out - now lockdown is easing in parts of the world.

In this week's episode of Talking Therapy, I go into more detail on what toxic positivity is, what it's not, why it can be harmful, and why when I talk about the dangers of toxic positivity. I reflect on Hannah's most recent episode where we discuss the importance of being open and honest with friends and family about where she is in her recovery journey, and answer some of your questions around this. Finally, I speak about social overwhelm, and share three ways to help avoid it.

In this week's podcast, I reflect on self-love, which is one of the key themes which has come out of Katie's most recent In Therapy episodes. I talk about the three ways you can cultivate self-love, including building self-awareness, challenging your inner critic, and making space for your feelings and emotions. I also talk about social anxieties as lockdown starts to ease in the UK, and how we can help manage these. As always, I answer some of your questions; in this episode, I answer them on how to stop caring about what others think and learn to believe you are enough, and taking on responsibility.

This week, producers Oliver and Rachel take over the podcast and discuss what it's like to make In Therapy and Talking Therapy...

This week, I go into more depth about David's latest episode of In Therapy, where we talk about the impact of suppressed emotions on our mental wellbeing. I also answer some of your questions, including why we should write but not always send apology letters. I also give some advice for people who struggle with the therapeutic relationship.

In this week's episode of Talking Therapy, I put a spotlight on boundaries; I talk about what boundaries are, why they are important, and how to communicate them. I also answer some of your questions. This week, I'll be looking at how to deal with judgement from others who don't understand your situation; I look at how to balance an unstable work situation with your own healing journey, and I explore what you can do if you recognise therapeutic work would be beneficial, but you are not yet well enough to do it.

In this week's episode of Talking Therapy, I explore some themes that came out of Katie's latest In Therapy episode, including looking at ‘get into jail free cards' (how they impact us and how you can recognise them) as well as the concept of the inner child. As always, I answer some of your questions. This week, I'll be looking at how feeling unsafe as a child can manifest as an adult and whether everyone needs to do therapy to be happy.

In this week's episode of Talking Therapy, I focus on why the pandemic has put pressure on many relationships and share some tools and techniques to help navigate these issues. I also answer questions on whether the identity of ‘parent' can become unhealthy and where to begin with emotional regulation.

In this week's episode of Talking Therapy, I discuss the benefits and pitfalls of social media and why our relationship with it is key. I reflect on why we need to feel our emotions and the importance of experiencing these feelings in our bodies, rather than throwing them out at others. Finally, I answer the question: Isn't it just better to be positive?

In this week's episode, I explore some of the themes that came out of Katie's most recent In Therapy episode, including using journaling as a tool to develop self-awareness and the importance of psychological scaffolding at the beginning of a therapeutic journey. I also answer questions on balancing feeling our emotions without getting pulled into a mind-emotion loop, and whether it's harder to change the older we get.

This week, I introduce the RIDD model, a technique that helps to retrain our minds to break the habit of the inner critic and take back control. I take a closer look at David's latest episode, and also go into more detail about why I use some of the therapeutic approaches that I do, and why we don't give our participants editorial control.

In this week's episode of Talking Therapy, I explore three reasons why sleep can be challenging for some, including the state of your nervous system, what's happening for you emotionally, and what's going on for you physically. I take some time to reflect on Lauren's latest In Therapy session and discuss balancing your own needs with being there for others.

In the first Talking Therapy episode of 2021, I focus on the impact tighter COVID restrictions here in the UK might be having on us, including feelings of overwhelm; frustration; and emotional and physical tiredness, and share some of my tips for helping you navigate these unusual times. I also answer some of the questions you've asked on my YouTube channel over the past few weeks.

This week's Talking Therapy with Alex Howard is a pre-recorded Christmas special. With the festive season a challenging time for many (even more so during a global pandemic), I share my top tips to help you get through this time. I also talk about how to set boundaries, something which is incredibly important when it comes to navigating the festive season, and a theme which has come up time and again in my In Therapy series – most recently in Sally and Katie's episodes.

In this week's episode, the key focus is on the inner critic. I delve into what the inner critic is, the five masks it wears, and how you can build awareness of your own inner critic. I also answers a question on the relationship between grief and the inner critic - a theme which comes through very clearly in David's latest In Therapy episode.

This week, we talk a little bit about what goes into creating a series like In Therapy, from the participant recruitment process to ensuring I'm fulfilling my duty of care as a therapist. I also answer some of your questions from David's first episode, which centre around the different types of depression, and my views on positive thinking and whether it can be helpful.

Introducing Talking Therapy with Alex Howard. A podcast that will explore issues common in today's society – such as depression, anxiety and chronic illness – and tackles the stigma surrounding them. Visit alexhowardtv on YouTube and submit questions under the latest episode of In Therapy. Alex will answer a selection of questions in the following week's episode.