Endings and Beginnings
A Reflection for the New Year The New Year often arrives quietly. Not always with clarity or confidence, but with a pause, a moment where we look back at what…
How Childhood Relationships Shape Adult Attachment Styles
A large-scale longitudinal study offers fresh insight into how early relationships shape our relationships in adulthood. We often talk about how early life matters for adult functioning. But a recent…
Depression
Our mood is an emotional state, which colours the way we view life. Most of us have experienced transient lower-than-usual moods. We quickly readjust and function at our previous emotional…
Suicide Risk
Suicide is the intentional direct, and conscious taking of one’s own life. It is a substantial topic, and in South Africa, it continues to be a devastating (yet preventable) public…
The Shadow Self
The shadow self is a concept introduced by Carl Jung. It refers to the part of ourselves that we keep hidden, either because they are socially unacceptable, uncomfortable, or otherwise…
Men’s Mental Health
In a society where traditional masculinity often discourages vulnerability and emotional expression, men face significant barriers when it comes to addressing their mental health needs. The detrimental consequences of silence,…
Radical Acceptance
Radical acceptance is a concept rooted in dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) that involves fully accepting reality, even when it is difficult or painful, without judgment or resistance. It's about acknowledging…
True Self and False Self
Donald Winnicott, a British paediatrician and psychoanalyst, introduced the concepts of the "true self" and the "false self" as part of his psychoanalytic theory. These concepts are central to understanding…
Psychological Safety at Work
In a fast-paced and competitive landscape of today's workplace, fostering a culture of psychological safety is increasingly recognised as a crucial element for organisational success. Psychological safety refers to an…
Best Psychological Theory
There isn't a single "best" psychological theory, as the field of psychology is incredibly diverse, and different theories are useful for different purposes and in different contexts. The choice of…