2024-02-27 11:08
In the dynamic field of mental health, the role of a clinical supervisor holds immense significance. For counsellors and psychotherapists looking to elevate their careers and contribute mean… Read More
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The Awareness Centre Blog
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panic attacks
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mental health
Talking Therapy is the Awareness Centre's blog, talking about mental health issues and personal development.
2023-11-17 11:55
Michael Swales graduated from TAC’s Diploma in Integrative Counselling programme a year ago. For Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, he reflects on his training experience and h… Read More
2023-11-17 09:37
Trainee therapist Tony Clark talks to us about male vulnerability and accessing therapy for Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month
Tony Clark is a trainee integrative psychotherapist work… Read More
2023-10-20 14:14
Violet Karamagi, is a Counselling Services Manager at The Awareness Centre in addition to her private therapy practice. She is a trained Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner and is curr… Read More
2023-10-20 10:24
Bonny Allyson is Lead Tutor for The Awareness Centre’s Foundation Certificate in Counselling. For Black History Month, she reflects on being a mixed-race, intercultural counsellor and… Read More
2023-09-21 17:12
Training to be a counsellor is about way more than discovering psychological theories and applying therapeutic skills – though these aspects are a critical part of your learning. It&rs&hell…Read More
2023-08-31 16:37
Starting Therapy in September
September marks the beginning of a new season, a time of transition and renewal. The summer holidays are coming to an end and the shorter days are looming ahead… Read More
2022-12-21 10:27
Panic attacks are a response to fear, danger or stress; where your body goes into fight or flight mode. They often seem to come out of nowhere and can involve very intense physical and… Read More
2022-12-12 10:12
The feeling of love, trust, and safety that comes from being with your partner is what we mean when we talk about intimacy in a relationship. It’s often considered the foundation of a… Read More
2022-12-07 14:05
Loneliness is a very personal emotion that can feel very overwhelming. Some people will experience loneliness when they’re on their own for a long period of time; when they haven&rsquo&hell…Read More
2022-11-30 09:24
The term ‘neuroticism’ is one that is often used to describe a mental illness of some description, but this isn’t accurate. There are no specific neurotic disorders because… Read More
2022-11-23 09:07
We all have different personalities. Some of us are more outgoing and confident, whilst others are more reserved and introverted. Some of us are naturally more positive and exuberant, whilst… Read More
2022-11-22 09:12
Low-Cost Counselling at The Awareness Centre
We are always so proud of the low-cost counselling service that we offer to our clients, continually working to serve and support our South Londo… Read More
2022-11-18 09:16
In previous generations, being single was something that was frowned upon, leading many people to believe that the only way to find real happiness was to be in a romantic relationship. As ti… Read More
2022-11-07 09:06
After experiencing a traumatic event, such as abuse or sexual violence, being involved in an accident, or going through a serious illness, some people develop anxieties about the event and h… Read More
2022-11-01 09:14
Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the UK. In England alone, three out of every 100 people are diagnosed with depression every week, with numbers increasing year… Read More
2022-10-17 06:31
One of the main issues couples attending relationship therapy face is a lack of intimacy; particularly couples who have been together for a long time. At the start of a relationship, you ent… Read More
2022-10-03 08:16
Single life can be incredibly fulfilling and hugely important for developing your self-confidence and knowing your self-worth. When you don’t have anyone else to focus on, you can chan… Read More
2022-09-27 08:34
With over 120 students and three core courses, our training school has gone from strength to strength since its inception, and this is only the beginning.
The TAC Training School core course… Read More
2022-08-12 15:02
No relationship is plain sailing. It takes a joint commitment to make them work, but sometimes, butting heads isn’t the issue. As people get content in relationships, they get more com… Read More
2022-08-12 15:02
Social anxiety, also known as social phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder in which a person experiences overwhelming fear and discomfort in social situations. It tends to be a long-term con… Read More
2022-08-12 15:02
Flashbacks can be incredibly scary and disorientating for a person to deal with, whether they’re emotional flashbacks or related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you experi… Read More
2022-08-10 15:33
We are very excited to announce that our Managing Director, Michaela McCarthy, has now taken her private practice to our new practice on Wimpole Street in Marylebone.
As well as being TAC&rs&hell…Read More
2022-08-05 10:08
The Awareness Centre (TAC) is delighted to be working with the NHS across four South London boroughs; Lambeth, Wandsworth, Sutton and Lewisham, ensuring that residents of those boroughs have… Read More
2022-07-28 11:44
If you spend a lot of time thinking you might be ill, or worrying that you might become ill, to the point that it starts to disrupt your daily life, you might have health anxiety, also known… Read More
2022-07-28 10:31
At some point or another, we will all experience loneliness. There are lots of reasons why you might feel lonely, and what makes you feel lonely might not be the same for someone else. Lots… Read More
2022-07-06 13:57
Somatic anxiety, otherwise known as somatic symptom disorder or somatization disorder, is one of the psychiatric disorders that fall under the general grouping of anxiety.
The word ‘so… Read More
2022-07-06 09:01
Sometimes dubbed ‘masochistic personality disorder’, self-defeating personality disorder is a proposed mental condition and personality disorder that causes those who experience… Read More
2022-05-31 13:08
Most people have something they’re slightly fearful of, be it spiders, small spaces, or even the ocean. For the most part, these fears don’t tend to cause too much – if any… Read More
2022-05-31 13:00
Most people are familiar with the term co-dependency, which is when a person has an emotional reliance on their partner and acts as a caretaker. This often results in an unhealthy, unbalance… Read More
2022-05-05 14:34
For most of us, an element of predictability in life brings a sense of confidence and security, and this is especially true for children. It helps them know what’s on the horizon as th… Read More
2022-05-05 14:29
For many people, receiving some level of attention – to a greater or lesser degree, depending on your individual personality – is a basically pleasurable experience. In general t… Read More
2022-04-26 07:24
Did you know that around 64% of us will abandon our New Year’s resolutions within a month? In fact, the second Friday of January each year is widely known as Quitter’s Day, where… Read More
2022-04-15 12:53
For many, university is a time of unprecedented excitement and opportunity. You’ll meet hundreds of new people, discover new places, explore the different corners of your individual in… Read More
2022-04-15 12:29
Life after divorce can be a challenge. Especially when there are children involved, or it turns into a difficult divorce. Although divorce is common nowadays – The Office for National… Read More
2022-04-15 11:58
Addiction takes many forms. It leads to both physical and mental symptoms, and if left unchecked, the consequences can be crushing. Gaining a better understanding of addiction is the first s… Read More
2022-02-04 13:41
Whether you’re considering moving careers, or are ready for your next personal development journey, counselling skills are incredibly transferable. From career-specific learnings such… Read More
2022-02-04 13:20
People go through breakups all the time, but some will struggle more than others when it comes to finding their feet again without a partner by their side. Being with somebody can help you t… Read More
2021-12-17 08:07
Christmas can be a difficult period for a number of reasons, and many people struggle with depression at this time of year. For some, the holiday period is generally stressful and overwhelmi… Read More
2021-12-07 11:15
We all get concerned about our appearance and see things we’re not happy with, but for people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) or body dysmorphia, these perceived flaws in their app… Read More
2021-12-07 11:14
The days are getting shorter and nights are becoming darker, and the weather is taking a turn. We’re stepping into winter, which can mean that some of us begin to feel low as the seaso… Read More
2021-12-02 09:26
There are various different forms of anxiety disorders, and the symptoms of these conditions can sometimes be exacerbated during certain times of the year. Christmas is a prime example of wh… Read More
2021-11-12 08:32
As with many career paths, there are several different routes you can take when it comes to becoming a counsellor. University might be the first choice that comes to mind, but there are many… Read More
2021-10-29 07:22
Most jobs require a set of specific skills, and in many cases employees can learn while on the job, developing these skills as they progress over years of employment. On the other hand, to b… Read More
2021-10-15 08:04
For someone living with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder), life can be tumultuous and chaotic at the best of times. Those with BPD can experience a wide range of symptoms, including lone… Read More
2021-10-08 10:36
The terms sociopath and psychopath are often used interchangeably to describe someone who is cold, calculating, and has no problems manipulating other people to get what they want.
When it c… Read More
2021-10-01 08:25
For many of us, the past year has been challenging, with most people having to try to cope with the mental challenges lockdown has presented. Whether it be combating loneliness, depression o… Read More
2021-09-24 08:26
We all overthink things from time to time, be it a difficult work email, a heated family discussion or even a passing glance from a stranger. While these fleeting worries are completely norm… Read More
2021-05-21 21:28
‘To be nobody-but-yourself – in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you somebody else – means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can figh… Read More
2021-05-05 19:53
The rise of social media has happened so quickly over the last few years that researchers had to scramble to keep up with how it might be impacting our mental health. However, despite the fa… Read More
2021-05-05 19:40
We are all impacted with low self-esteem from time to time, whether it’s because we are trying something new and aren’t yet feeling confident with the task, or because we are pus… Read More
2021-04-21 14:52
‘’Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.’’
Mark Twain
A ‘job for life’ is the exception rather than the norm thes… Read More
2021-04-21 13:22
Losing your job may come as a shock or a relief, depending on how happy you were at work.
If work fills a huge space in your life, and pretty much defines your identity, then losing your job… Read More
2021-04-05 13:50
According to the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), there are currently 5 million people in the UK working in the gig economy, which equates to about 15% of all of the full-time and part-time… Read More
2021-03-25 14:09
With a year of lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are pretty used to staying home right now. We have become so accustomed to the ‘new normal’ of being indoors that it may… Read More
2021-03-25 11:57
“They say love is the best investment; the more you give, the more you get in return.”
Audrey Hepburn
We are slowly entering a post-pandemic world after being in lockdown for the… Read More
2021-03-10 20:34
It’s no secret that 2020 has been a challenging year, with the coronavirus pandemic leading to the
nation moving in and out of lockdown over the last few months. As the first of the Co… Read More
2021-03-02 15:34
Lockdown has defined our lives for the best part of a year, and we’ve had to adapt to a ‘new normal’ during the Covid pandemic. The world may have felt quite scary at times… Read More
2021-02-12 18:13
The last year of lockdowns, social distancing, and restrictions has impacted almost every area of our lives. From the way we work to the way we celebrated (or not) Christmas.
One area that… Read More
2021-02-10 19:13
Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms from feeling persistently low in mood to experiencing suicidal feelings. Some of the other common symptom… Read More
2021-01-18 10:40
As 2020 came to an end, you may have been feeling excited for what the new year will bring. However, come the second week of January, most of us end up feeling very differently, and the Janu… Read More
2021-01-12 15:09
Looking for a career that is rewarding personally and professionally? And can bring meaning and purpose to your life? Then counselling could be the career move for you.
If you’re rese… Read More
2020-10-23 07:28
If you’re in a relationship, how truly do you hear and respond to what your partner is telling you?
Do your end-of-day interactions go something like this…?
Partner A: “I… Read More
2020-10-20 09:29
If you are in a bad mood, go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood, go for another walk. Hippocrates
Walking is one of the most easily accessible and versatile fitness activities. As… Read More
2020-10-15 11:04
Fear of abandonment is a type of anxiety that people experience when they are faced with the idea of losing someone.
Losing others, unfortunately, is a natural part of life. People move on… Read More
2020-10-13 08:22
In September 2020, the BBC released a short documentary following ex-England Cricketer and TV-presenter Andrew (Freddie) Flintoff as he revealed his own struggles with Bulimia and explored w… Read More
2020-10-08 16:50
For many of us, one of the only things that made the lockdown manageable and bearable, was the blue skies and sunshine over the last few months – and as the lockdown measures started t… Read More
2020-10-02 08:23
You may be familiar with the inner critic – that insidious voice within that talks down to you and makes you feel bad or sad. The inner critic is often said to be an internalised versi… Read More
2020-09-28 09:23
Relationships can bring such joy and connection and shared experiences. Relationships can also bring pain and heartbreak and disconnection. Being in a relationship can uplift and support. Or… Read More
2020-09-25 10:23
It’s no surprise that your health is front of mind during the coronavirus pandemic. Even the tiniest cough or moment of breathlessness can have you reaching for your thermometer to che… Read More
2020-09-18 09:11
Many women (80%) experience the “baby blues” in the weeks after having a baby, which is a short period after giving birth that’s filled with bouts of sadness, anxiety, stre… Read More
2020-09-15 13:40
What is Moral Injury?
The British Medical Journal has stated that Moral Injury may become the most significant injury for healthcare staff dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Moral Injury wa… Read More
2020-09-09 15:28
Let us start off by saying that helping others is by no means a bad thing to do. In fact, meeting the needs of others instead of ignoring them, is what helps to define humanity. However, whe… Read More
2020-09-08 07:36
Most medical professionals, especially those working in emergency departments, go into the profession with the knowledge that they will face confronting and traumatic situations, from treati… Read More
2020-08-25 09:00
“No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” C.S. Lewis
The fear of losing a loved one can be immense. If there is someone in your life who has become ill and has a termin… Read More
2020-08-18 10:14
A victim is defined as someone who is harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event or action, a person who is tricked or duped, or a person who has come to fee… Read More
2020-08-14 15:37
If you’re preparing to return to the workplace after lockdown then you may be experiencing mixed feelings about it. Part of you may be excited to be back among colleagues again. Anothe… Read More
2020-08-10 11:34
‘Class of 2020’ sounded very different at the start of the year for Year 11s: excitement at the start of a new decade, the chance to do their utmost in GCSE exams, and the opport… Read More
2020-08-06 10:02
What is Resiliency?
“Resilience” seems to be a bit of a buzzword during the current pandemic, but what does it really mean to be resilient? Are some people born more resilient th… Read More
2020-07-22 14:30
Throughout Covid-19, many young adults have taken the decision to move back in with their parents. This might be a temporary move as a plight to get out of the overcrowded capital, or a long… Read More
2020-07-21 09:48
How has coronavirus lockdown impacted you? Have you used the time at home to tick off lots of tasks and create new and exciting projects? Or has the pandemic experience left you feeling rath… Read More
2020-07-21 09:25
Although the government has not provided any guidance specific to counselling or psychotherapy, the reduction from two metres to one metre plus, on the 4th of July, has allowed many counsell… Read More
2020-07-13 10:18
The coronavirus pandemic has had a lot to answer for when it comes to our mental health. Anxiety is reported to be on the rise as we begin to leave lockdown behind and re-enter the world to… Read More
2020-07-13 10:02
Gaslighting is defined in the Urban Dictionary as “a form of intimidation or psychological abuse, where false information is presented to the victim, making them doubt their own memory… Read More
2020-07-07 08:30
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” Confucius
The modern world can be an overwhelming place and, if we aren’t careful, we can find ourselves… Read More
2020-06-30 13:14
At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the world shifted quite rapidly to working at a distance and online. Now that the pandemic is easing and the lockdown measures are becoming more… Read More
2020-06-29 11:56
‘Vulnerable’ and ‘narcissism’ aren’t usually two words you would put together in the same sentence. Think of a narcissist and you would probably imagine someone… Read More
2020-06-19 08:26
Today’s father comes in many forms. Gone are the binary roles of male breadwinner and female homemaker. The father who spends the majority of time at work and sees their kids on the we… Read More
2020-06-15 15:36
Over the last few months, many of us who have shared our home with someone – our partner, our parents, our kids, or our housemates – are likely to have been connected at the hip… Read More
2020-06-15 15:19
According to the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, more than 1 in 10 women develop a mental illness in the perinatal period (the period during pregnancy and after giving birth). However, the… Read More
2020-06-15 14:56
Being in lockdown with a partner during the coronavirus pandemic may have proved to be quite some test on the strength of your relationship.
It’s fair to say that being in lockdown, fo… Read More
2020-06-15 14:02
Has your self-esteem taken a knock during lockdown? Being shut behind closed doors for the best part of three months is bound to have had an effect on you. You may have taken week-on-week of… Read More
2020-05-24 08:34
Earlier this year, our lives collectively changed as we reacted to the Coronavirus pandemic. We all had to shift together to find a new way of living with new restrictions, new anxieties, an… Read More
2020-05-22 13:17
I have always been a very positive person but I am finding it near-impossible to be positive in the face of the current situation with the Coronavirus, and it is freaking me out. It is as i… Read More
2020-05-20 09:46
The more unlived your life, the greater your death anxiety. The more you fail to experience your life fully, the more you will fear death. Irvin Yalom
It’s probably not surprisi… Read More
2020-05-17 08:50
Nights through dreams tell the myths forgotten by the day. Carl Jung
One of the impacts of being in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic has been to experience more weird and wonderf… Read More
2020-05-14 10:17
There is no doubt that this period of isolation and quarantine has left a path of devastation in its wake. Levels of anxiety have increased for many, depression, loneliness, and pure fear ha… Read More
2020-05-11 10:33
Life under coronavirus lockdown may have brought up all kinds of issues for you, and you may have experienced all kinds of emotions. Now that we’re beginning to see signs of easing out… Read More
2020-05-05 14:34
Domestic abuse is an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner… Read More
2020-04-29 15:09
Counselling placements at The Awareness Centre (TAC) are still up and running and we are actively recruiting during the Covid-19 period.
All TAC’s clinical services have moved online d… Read More
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