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Men's Mental Health Awareness Month continues in November! In this podcast, I look into the importance of empathy for men and how it can help manage anger, foster vulnerability, and improve relationships by way of a thought experiment. Imagine a life where your close friends are gone, your internal guidance system is severed, and your worth is solely based on competitive wins or losses. This experiment sheds light on the daily struggles faced by many men - isolation, estrangement, shame, rage, and despair.

I think empathy is a key to change. By establishing empathy for ourselves and experiencing it from others, we can often understand more and address the root causes of our challenges. Coupled with a commitment to do things differently, empathy becomes a powerful catalyst for personal growth and healthier relationships.

Please do share your reflections and thoughts on this experiment and feel free to email me separately, I'd love to hear your insights. Take care of yourselves and stay tuned for more content.

Thank you for listening. If you do enjoy it, please feel free to share it, don't forget to subscribe to the channel to show your support. Also, please do subscribe to my YouTube channel for more content like this!

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If there’s anything else you’d like to know about John-Paul and how he might be able to help you, please do contact him via his website www.thistrustedplace.co.uk

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In today's podcast, join me as I chat with James Hawes, an experienced therapist and author of 'The Secret Lives of Men', to discuss the topics of men and anger, as well as empathy and intimacy and the effects all of these have on men's lives and relationships.

Anger is a complex emotion that can have a significant impact on men's psychological and physical health. Often associated with protection and survival, it can be a valuable asset if managed consciously, however, if left unchecked, it can have catastrophic consequences. A lack of empathy can similarly strain relationships and hinder personal growth, as can a lack of intimacy, which plays a vital role in healthy relationships.

James is a therapist with extensive experience working with men and has a deep understanding of the impact of these issues on men's lives. During our conversation, he shares his insights into anger, emotional fitness, and the importance of empathy and intimacy. He discusses various therapeutic approaches and exercises that can help men develop emotional fitness and connect with their emotions and emphasises the significance of creating a safe and supportive environment for men to explore their emotions and vulnerabilities.

We also touch on the role of banter in male relationships and how it can sometimes hinder vulnerability and intimacy. James provides valuable insights into how men can navigate these challenges and foster healthier connections with others.

In conclusion, anger, empathy, and intimacy are interconnected aspects that significantly impact men's lives and relationships. By developing emotional fitness, cultivating empathy, and embracing vulnerability, men can enhance their overall well-being and create more fulfilling connections with others.

Thank you for listening. If you do enjoy it, please feel free to share it, don't forget to subscribe to the channel to show your support. Also, please do subscribe to my YouTube channel for more content like this!

James' Links:

Link for website - https://synergycounselling.com/
LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-r-hawes/
Book from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1916279007?pf_rd_r=J98NF1AGJ2FB9E4WYXMB&pf_rd_p=6e878984-68d5-4fd2-b7b3-7bc79d9c8b60&pd_rd_r=bdc038e5-5dcc-4dee-9f71-8f763282ac09&pd_rd_w=EMxmG&pd_rd_wg=LrgDB&ref_=pd_gw_unk
X - https://x.com/jamesrhawes

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If there’s anything else you’d like to know about John-Paul and how he might be able to help you, please do contact him via his website www.thistrustedplace.co.uk

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1. Introduction to Nelly Khanum and her work with therapeutic art at the Fire Pit studio in London.

2. Nelly's personal journey into therapeutic art, finding creativity as a form of escapism and self-expression.

3. Description of the structure and format of Nelly's art therapy workshops, including:

- Challenging participants with activities like blindfolding, using two hands, and passing artwork around.

- Incorporating music, poetry, and affirmations to create a safe and supportive environment.

- Encouraging participants to express themselves freely without judgment or comparison.

4. The benefits of Nelly's art therapy workshops, including:

- Helping participants rediscover their inner child and sense of creativity.

- Building confidence, self-belief, and the ability to 'trust the process'.

- Facilitating connections and learning from one another in a group setting.

5. The challenges Nelly faces, such as coming up with new and engaging workshop ideas, and helping participants feel comfortable opening up.

6. Nelly's perspective on the innate nature of creativity and how it can be expressed in various forms beyond traditional art.

7. Nelly's advice for incorporating creativity and self-expression into everyday life, even in small ways. 8. Information on how to connect with Nelly and the Fire Pit studio, including their social media and upcoming workshops.

Nelly's social link: https://www.instagram.com/nellyk_arts/profilecard/?igsh=cG4wNGVqNjdydDR4

If you enjoy this thoughtful exchange, please feel free to SHARE it, don't forget to subscribe to the channel to show your support, it would be much appreciated. YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/JohnPaulDaviesTTP?sub_confirmation=1.

For additional resources and insights, be sure to visit my website at: https://www.thistrustedplace.co.uk?sub_confirmation=1.

Thank you, John-Paul

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If there’s anything else you’d like to know about John-Paul and how he might be able to help you, please do contact him via his website www.thistrustedplace.co.uk

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In this conversation, we explore the importance of ethical considerations and obligations that are involved in being a therapist in private practice, which are so important as we navigate our professional journeys.

We discuss a wide range of topics such as the key role of supervision, which provides therapists with guidance and support, insurance, necessary for protecting both the therapist and clients, the clinical will, outlining a therapist's wishes in case of incapacitation, and contracts, which establish clear boundaries and expectations between the therapist and their clients.

We also spend some time looking at the significant and ever-evolving use of social media by therapists, the importance of continuing professional development to enhance skills and knowledge, and the vital importance of self-care, which is often overlooked but is essential for maintaining a healthy therapist-client relationship.

I hope this conversation will really help anyone who's thinking about these important issues in the field of therapy. Whether you've been in practice a while or are just starting your journey in this field, this discussion is designed to provide valuable insights and practical advice that will be beneficial for your practice.

If you find this podcast helpful, please feel free to share it, don't forget to review to show your support, it would be much appreciated and please do follow this channel and my YouTube channel for more content like this! Thank you, John-Paul

YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@JohnPaulDaviesTTP

You can contact Michael on: https://clinicalwill.app and https://www.michaeltollerpsychotherapy.co.uk

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If there’s anything else you’d like to know about John-Paul and how he might be able to help you, please do contact him via his website www.thistrustedplace.co.uk

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How Music Therapy Can Change Your Life ft Bob Heath

🎵 The Power of Music Therapy: Benefits for Wellbeing and Psychotherapy 🎶

In today's video, I was really pleased to have music therapist Bob Heath as my guest. We discuss the incredible benefits of music, both psychologically and in terms of wellbeing. We also delve into the use of music in psychotherapy and explore what a session might involve. Bob shares his personal journey and experiences as a musician and songwriter, as well as his work in special education and as a music therapist.

Specific topics covered include:

- Bob's journey into music therapy began with his own deep connection to music, including his early experience sparking his curiosity and passion for understanding the therapeutic nature of music and later becoming involved in special education, where he witnessed the profound impact of simple musical techniques on communication and interaction with disabled young people.

- his experience of training as a music therapist at Bristol University,

- how he works with music in the therapy room, creating a safe space where clients can explore music without fear of making mistakes, encouraging clients to write their own songs and using their own words and melodies to capture their feelings and experiences,

- how his work is a life-changing profession that allows him to combine his love for music with a deep sense of purpose,

- advice he would give to people wanting to train, emphasising the commitment required to serve others and the importance of embracing the present moment.

If you find this podcast helpful, please feel free to share it, don't forget to follow the channel to show your support, it would be much appreciated and please do feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel more content like this! Thank you, John-Paul
YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@JohnPaulDaviesTTP

Bob's book link and website details:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Songs-Window-End-Life-Stories-ebook/dp/B09523RQ9V

https://bobheathmusic.com

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If there’s anything else you’d like to know about John-Paul and how he might be able to help you, please do contact him via his website www.thistrustedplace.co.uk

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This is a really interesting conversation I had with psychodynamic therapist and therapeutic coach Michael Toller, including:

- why Michael decided to train as a therapist following his career organising events and Club nights

- the pros and cons of training to be a therapist

- how Michael chose his modality of psychodynamic therapy

- how he set up his private practice, with coaching as a way to make the transition from his previous career to private practice

- how Michael sets up his 'portfolio career' now

- the great things and all the challenges of being a therapist and running his own business

- how being a therapist works well with having a family

- the importance of having a network of connections

- how he's developed as a therapist over time

- the process of developing his Clinical Will App and the importance of technology and entrepreneurship for Michael

- his interest in ethics as a therapist

- the distinction between therapy and therapeutic coaching

- advice for anyone coming into the profession

- what Michael has learned from his life and experience so far

You can contact Michael on: https://clinicalwill.app and https://www.michaeltollerpsychotherapy.co.uk

If you find this podcast helpful, please feel free to share it, don't forget to follow the channel to show your support, it would be much appreciated and please do feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel more content like this! Thank you, John-Paul
YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@JohnPaulDaviesTTPhis!

Support the show

If there’s anything else you’d like to know about John-Paul and how he might be able to help you, please do contact him via his website www.thistrustedplace.co.uk

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In this episode, I'm excited to share what's on the horizon for the channel! Join me as I also mention three fascinating books: 'Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence', 'The Art of Empathy', and 'The Expectation Effect'.

I'll uncover some intriguing insights from each, exploring the pitfalls of lying and the power of radical honesty, the vital role of empathy, and how the expectation effect might be able to transform our therapeutic connections.

I'm keen to hear your thoughts as ever, so do let me know.

If you find this podcast helpful, please feel free to share it, don't forget to follow the channel to show your support, it would be much appreciated and please do feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel more content like this! Thank you, John-Paul
YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@JohnPaulDaviesTTP

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If there’s anything else you’d like to know about John-Paul and how he might be able to help you, please do contact him via his website www.thistrustedplace.co.uk

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Exploring Red Flags and Narcissism: A conversation with Darren Magee

In this conversation, I sit down with experienced therapist Darren Magee for a deep dive into red flags or warning signs in relationships, particularly focussing on what they might be and how to recognise them and why we might ignore them. Darren has extensive experience of working with narcissism with both individuals and couples and there is often an overlap between these red flags and potentially narcissistic partners.

Our conversation covers a wide range of topics, offering valuable insights into the patterns of behaviour that might constitute worrying red flags, including 'love bombing', the significance of a pattern of minor rejections, struggles to communicate and comparisons with others, including exes/previous partners.

We dive deep into his perspectives on the stages of relationships, the psychology of someone with highly narcissistic traits, covert narcissism, the 'dark personalities' (including sociopathy) and the psychology of people who get into relationships of people with highly narcissistic traits and why they might deny or endure red flags and stay in toxic and coercive relationships.

If you find this podcast helpful, please feel free to share it, don't forget to follow the channel to show your support, it would be much appreciated and please do feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel more content like this! Thank you, John-Paul
YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@JohnPaulDaviesTTP

Support the show

If there’s anything else you’d like to know about John-Paul and how he might be able to help you, please do contact him via his website www.thistrustedplace.co.uk