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You may have had a favourite teddy, blanket or toy as a child that helped you feel secure and safe.

These are not just toys, we create relationships with them that are meaningful to us and give us a feeling of calm. We may think that these comfort teddy's are only needed when we are children, but that is not the case.

In this episode, I talk to 24 year old Sid Batty, who has struggled with his mental health. Sid was a semi professional footballer whose career was cut short due to injury. He was diagnosed with OCD, Depression and Social Anxiety when he was 19.

Sid has a cuddly toy called QUACK the duck, who became his comfort teddy. I talk to Sid about the story of his mental health and how QUACK became a part of his life and recovery.

As ever, this podcast is all about hope and Sid's story is full of hope about how he manages his mental health with the help of QUACK.

I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it. We all have issues, so let's talk about them.

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What is the relationship between your gut and brain?
How do the gut and brain impact each other?
What does this relationship have to do with your mental health?

In the latest episode of ' I Have Issues,' I discuss the the gut / brain relationship and how this important connection impacts your mental health.

In this episode I'm joined by Dr Miguel Mateas. He is a neuroscientist, applied microbiologist, and nutrition practitioner with a multifaceted career spanning over two decades. As a researcher, clinician, author, and advocate, he has developed a unique expertise in neurodivergence, mental health, and the intricate world of the gut microbiome.

This comprehensive skill set has guided him through a remarkable journey across the diverse landscapes of science, biotechnology, and human experience.

I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it. We all have issues, so let's talk about them.

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Mental health researchers are very interested in the concept of RESILIENCE, why do some people seem have to more of this than others?

Why do some people seem to go through awful experiences in life and cope differently to another person?

Can you learn resilience and if so, how would that work?

In this episode I talk to James Elliott, a psychotherapist, resilience coach, ex British airborne forces, multiple world record holder, father, and author, with an MSc in War + Psychiatry.

James runs training and support for vulnerable veterans, and as a psychotherapist, works with veterans, prison leavers, and other vulnerable groups to help them cope with their challenges and find their way in life.

He has written a bestselling book - "Think Yourself Resilient.”

As ever, this podcast is about hope and James provides hope about how you too can beomce more resilent in your life.

I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it. We all have issues, so let's talk about them.

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Motherhood can be a rewarding but also challenging time in a woman’s life.

According to research conducted by The Mental Health Foundation UK, between 10% and 20% of women develop mental health problems during pregnancy or within a year of giving birth.

Motherhood can be additionally challenging if you have ADHD / Autism and are trying to parent children who are also neurodiverse.

In this episode, I talk to Laura Guckian. Laura has ADHD & Autism and is the mother to three neurodivergent children. Her journey through motherhood has had many challenges, including being hospitalised for two months with her mental health, after the birth of her first son.

Laura now uses her experience to help other mums. She is an accredited life coach for mums, and runs her practice called Mind Mommy Coaching. She also runs The Village, an online community which has helped over 4,000 Moms achieve positive mental wellbeing.

She also hosts the amazing ‘Momfessions’ podcast and her goal is to support other women through their motherhood journey. As ever, this podcast is all about hope and Laura provides hope for mothers who are dealing with similar issues.

I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it. We all have issues, so let's talk about them.

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The field of psychology and mental health is a diverse one and it covers all manner of treatments to support people who are struggling with their mental health.

Music therapy is an established psychological clinical intervention, to help people whose lives have been affected by injury, illness or disability.

Music therapists draw upon the innate qualities of music to support people of all ages and abilities and at all stages of life; from helping newborn babies develop healthy bonds with their parents, to offering vital, sensitive and compassionate palliative care at the end of life.

In this episode I to talk to Dr Shane Cassidy. Dr Shane is a senior music therapist and the founder of Neurolinks Clinic in Ireland, which provides music therapy for people who are living with a nuerological condition, their caregivers and famalies.

Dr Shane and I have a facinating chat about how music therapy effects the brain and how it it used to help people with all manner of neurological and psychological conditions.

You will never listen to music the same way again after listening to Dr Shane.

I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it. We all have issues, so let's talk about them.

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Post-Natal Depression effects 12% - 15% of women.

Depression is likely to be under-recognised during pregnancy and postnatally.

Mental health problems are as common in the perinatal period as they are at other times of life.

In this epiosde I speak to Sarah Hoover about her new book,'The Motherload, A Memoir. Episodes from the Brink of Motherhood.' This book is an honest and raw account of Sarah’s experience of living with postpartum depression. It’s also full of hope too about what recovery looks like and how healing happens.

Sarah lives in New York with her husband Tom and their two children. She is an art historian, cultural critic and now a best-selling author.

Sarah and I have a terrific conversation about her book and life.

Please do share this episode with anyone who you feel mey benefit from this information.

I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it. We all have issues, so let's talk about them.

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If you think you may have ADHD and are undiagnosed, then making sense of this can be overwleming, confusing and challenging.

In this episode I talk to Alex Partridge. If you are a regular listener to this podcast, I spoke with Alex in episode 39 about his ADHD Story.

Aged just 21, Alex founded UNILAD and LADBible, social news sites which now have a following of 100 million people around the globe. Aged 34, he was diagnosed with ADHD.

Alex is the host of the award-winning ’ADHD Chatter’ podcast which has helped countless individuals make sense of their own ADHD diagnosis. His first book 'Now It All Makes Sense,' is his story of ADHD and out now. His book is already a best-seller.

In this episode Alex and I talk about his incredible book and discuss how he made sense of his ADHD diagnosis. His book is filled with invaluable information about his life before his diagnosis and how he learned to live and thrive with ADHD.

Alex's stroy is filled with hope and this episode is not only for people who may have ADHD or undiagnosed ADHD, but also for their family and friends.

Alex's book is availble to buy now and I can't recommend it highly enough!

I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it. We all have issues, so let's talk about them.

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James Longman is the Chief International Correspondent for ABC News, USA. He has covered middle east conflicts, royal deaths and papal appointments.

In his memoir, 'The Inherited Mind: A Story of Family, Hope and the Genetics of Mental Illness', James examines his own mental health issues in the context of his family.

When James was young his father, struggling with depression and schizophrenia, sadly took his own life. As an adult, James began to question if his own bouts of depression were related and if by learning about his father, he could learn about himself.

In this episode I discuss James' thought-provoking book, what he learnt personally, and what scientific research is teaching us about 'The Inherited Mind'.

I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it. We all have issues, so let's talk about them.