PTSD and the Multiple Hourglass Metaphor

This short post concerns a specific metaphor that those affected by trauma may find helpful.…

Self Care and the Helping Hexagon

In my previous post on the Helping Octagon, I outlined eight roles relevant to helping…

Mental Health and the Helping Octagon

It seems like everyone is talking about mental health. This is most obvious in the…

The Day that Changed Everything: From Paralysis to Growth

Some people can identify a day where everything changed in a way that was previously unimaginable. For Dennie Coumans, this day came at the end of December 2017. What happened totally reshaped his life.

On Living and Dying: 2. The Simple Thing Wrong With Us

Are there people in your life to whom you feel, at some level, a need…

On Living and Dying: 1. Eulogy Virtues

One of my favourite places is a cemetery. It is not the kind of cemetery…

“Above All Else…” Reflecting on the Gifts of Richard I. Cook

Sometimes, people come into your life and – through a rare blend of qualities – support you through the challenges and struggles in a way that few can. Richard Cook has been such a presence in my life.

Adjusting to Major Life Changes

When stressful or traumatic life events come along, we all respond in different ways. One of these may seem counter-intuitive, that we can thrive and flourish following adversity. In this article, Stephen Joseph introduces the psychology of post-traumatic growth, with Steven Shorrock.

Navigating the New Reality

While we sometimes talk about the ‘new normal’, the only thing that is normal is change. So how might we navigate the new reality? The following five practices are important in adjusting and adapting and are supported by research on resilience and growth.

QF32 and Post-Traumatic Stress

Most of us will experience post-traumatic stress at some point in our lives, associated with critical incidents at work or events in our personal lives. For some, this progresses to a more severe disorder. In this article, Steven Shorrock reports on an interview with Captain Richard Champion de Crespigny, on his experiences post-QF32.