Blog
- Parenting to support emotional regulation Part 2
- Is an autism assessment the right thing for my child?
- Parenting to support emotional regulation – extending learning beyond the therapy room – part 1
- Winter Wellness: Practical Ways to Cope with Shorter, Colder Days
- What to Expect: The ASD Assessment Experience at Headspace Guildford
Parenting to support emotional regulation Part 2
See our first blog on extending the learning beyond therapy here Parenting to support emotional regulation Managing big feelings is hard for all of us,
Is an autism assessment the right thing for my child?
Today’s blog was written by Mia Daley and Dr Ellie Atkins. When considering if an autism assessment and diagnosis is the right thing for your
Parenting to support emotional regulation – extending learning beyond the therapy room – part 1
Therapy and time with the psychologist at Headspace Guildford is one part of supporting your child or young person. But there are more hours out
Winter Wellness: Practical Ways to Cope with Shorter, Colder Days
As we reach mid-December, we’re amid days that are shorter, darker and colder. With the festive season around the corner, it’s an exciting time for
What to Expect: The ASD Assessment Experience at Headspace Guildford
Today’s blog was written by Phoebe Edwards, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford. Autism, sometimes referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder/Condition (ASD/C), is a developmental condition
A summary of ALL Headspace Guildford’s blogs!
Want help navigating our blogs. Here’s an index of all the blogs to help find the support you need
Being real (and why it’s scary sometimes)
I like writing blogs, because I want them to be a way that everyone can access good quality, evidence based psychological information. There is so
Having fun and looking after your mental health this summer
Today’s blog was written by Rachel Howard, Assistant Psychologist and Dr Ellie Atkins, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Headspace Guildford. Headspace Guildford have recently posted a
Policies, Press Releases, Parliamentary Bills: 2023 so far!
Today’s blog was written by Rachel Howard, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford. What has happened so far in 2023? Today’s blog from Headspace Guildford covers
The end of one chapter and the start of another
Today’s blog was written by Rachel Howard, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford. Have you just finished school or university? This time can be very conflicting.
Our Guide to Coping with Stress
Today’s blog was written by Rachel Howard, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford. Two words that I always see paired together are ‘exams’ and ‘stress’!
ASD assessments : The Headspace Guildford way
Today’s blog was written by our excellent Assistant Psychologist Gemma Darling. Gemma has been integral to the design and setting up of our autism assessment
Journeys towards and into Clinical Psychology
Today’s blog was written by Freya Love, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford. This blog is a continuation of our series here at Headspace highlighting the
When you feel helpless, help others
How do we support people who need our help? I remember vividly the weeks leading up to the national lockdown due to coronavirus in March
Relaxation using guided imagery
Today’s blog was written by Freya Love, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford. This blog is the second in our series of relaxation techniques and will
Journeys towards and into Clinical Psychology
As a practice we recognise that Clinical Psychology is a hard profession to get into. This is even harder if you are from the global
Supporting people in loss
Recently, in the community where I live, 2 families have lost one of their parents. Both families have young children. 2 families grieving the loss
Action for Happiness
Today’s blog was written by Freya Love, Assistant Psychologist and Dr Ellie Atkins at Headspace Guildford. We are wishing everyone a very happy new year
Looking after your mental health in the Holiday Season
Today’s blog was written by Freya Love, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford. Today is December 8th, and is the time of year that many
A self care advent calendar
It’s that time of year again. Things start to get really crazy. If you’re a parent you’ll be juggling Christmas mufti days and reindeer runs
Journeys towards and into Clinical Psychology
Welcome to the start of our new blog theme on ‘Journeys towards and into Clinical Psychology’. This blog introduces the series. The first blog will
Relaxations: Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Today’s blog was written by Freya Love, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford. Before reading this blog, let’s take a moment to check in with how
New beginnings
Today’s blog was written by Freya Love, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford. Today is the first day of my new job here at Headspace Guildford.
Settle and chill…teaching ourselves, our children and our puppies to be calm
Usually at this time of year I write a post about going back to school and perhaps how anxious you, or your children (or both)
Feelings about transition
Today’s blog was guest written by our brilliant young blogger Evelyn Sunset This is how I feel about moving to a new school year: Nervous
Therapupdate 4: Lots of learning…
As I sit here writing I am sitting in the Headspace Guildford clinic room, simultaneously listening to firework sounds with the pup laying at my
The good stuff and the hard stuff (or pup-napping and sunshine)
I’ve been very nervous about blogging about our therapup, Seren, because I am anxious she might be stolen. After I first advertised the blog on
What happens in a virtual psychology session?
We’re all now very familiar with video calls. But you might be wondering what happens in a virtual psychology session. At Headspace Guildford we’ve been
Thera-pupdate #2: Mixed emotions and managing overwhelm
It’s still just over a week before Seren joins us at Headspace Guildford, but already emotions are running high. It’s so interesting that we so
The Headspace Therapy Puppy: Pupdate #1
This is the start of a very exciting journey for Headspace Guildford. We are about to be joined by our newest team member, Seren, a
Managing low mood through lockdown easing
This week’s blog was written by Assistant Psychologist Gabby Donaldson. With the UK taking its next step out of lockdown, there are a lot of
Working from home isn’t always easy and that’s OK!
This week’s blog is written by Jemima Onih. This pandemic has changed the way we work, the way we study and the way we live
Autism in Girls
This week’s blog is written by Assistant Psychologist Gabby Donaldson. Today I thought it would be good to think about autism in girls, as I
Random acts of kindness
This week’s blog was written by our Assistant Psychologist Gabby Donaldson. One year on from our first lockdown and it is clear the world has
Managing anxiety around lockdown easing
This week’s blog was written by our Assistant Psychologist Gabby Donaldson. Given the recent development in Coronavirus news, a roadmap out of lockdown, it is
Managing Your ‘Stress Bucket’
This week’s blog was written by our Assistant Psychologist Gabby Donaldson. Now that schools have re-opened, I wanted to reflect on the different emotions we
When anxiety is bothering you…
Today’s blog is written by Assistant Psychologist Gabby Donaldson. We have now done one week of our second national lockdown. For some, this lockdown may
Look for rainbows
This week’s blog was written by Headspace Guildford’s fantastic Assistant Psychologist, Gabby Donaldson. It’s so brilliant because it reminds me of the rainbows that went
Being kind because we’re part of something bigger
Last week I was talking about being kind. For that post I focused on the benefits to you. Today I want to continue to bang
Being kind is good for you
Last week I talked about managing uncertainty by sitting with it. This week I want to think about a different skill which I think is
Managing uncertainty
Let’s face it. This hasn’t been the easiest of years. Even if you loved lockdown or have welcomed the chance to be at home more,
School anxiety
It’s often around this time, two or three weeks into the school term, that you start to notice some signs. Having skipped in happily for
Talking and listening to young people
It’s everywhere isn’t it? The newspapers, the TV, Social media. Everyone is talking about the return to school. Everyone is talking about what that might
Last few places at our anxiety group
At Headspace Guildford we are running some anxiety groups next week (face to face and online versions). We’ve got just a few spaces left so
Nervous about coming to Headspace Guildford?
Here is some advice from another child who has been to Headspace Guildford and worked with Ellie. ‘Before coming to Headspace Guildford I was really
Black Lives Matter at Headspace Guildford
This post is jointly written by Jemima Onih and Dr Ellie Atkins as part of the work we are doing as a practice to be
It isn’t your fault
I’m working like mad at the moment getting the Headspace Guildford groups organised for the end of August. These groups are designed to help children
Finding our way
Creating a roadmap with the help of our BAME internships. The week that George Floyd was killed I was half way through the book ‘Biased’
Anxiety groups at Headspace Guildford
I read somewhere that we’ll remember this year for the rest of our lives. It’s been a rollercoaster of a time since Covid really started
Managing anxiety post-lockdown
From the children and young people we are talking to at Headspace Guildford, we know that there is a fair amount of anxiety out there
How worries spiral
This picture was on a train advert and I thought it was spot on. This is so often what happens in our head. One thought
The best and the worst of us
Let’s face it, there are some pretty tough things happening at the moment. There’s a killer virus, people have died, the economy is struggling and
Hold on…
I find that some days during lockdown are good, some even wonderful. To be at home, in the garden, enjoying the sunshine, with my family,
Ways to help big feelings
This week’s blog is guest written by one of our young people, Evelyn who is in Primary school. This is what she has to say:
Gratitude or Causal everyday magic
Today’s blog is about finding things to be grateful for, whatever situation we find ourselves in. It has been expertly written by Phoebe Crook, Assistant
Lockdown Patience
Today’s blog has been written by Phoebe Crook, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford. It’s about Patience during lockdown but will be just as relevant in
Lockdown exhaustion
Today’s blog has been written by Headspace Guildford’s Assistant Psychologist Phoebe Crook Today’s blog post is going to discuss lockdown exhaustion. At the time of
Not there yet: Finding our way to a new normal
It sometimes takes a while to publish a peer reviewed paper. It has been so with one of my papers. Having written this journal article
The NHS: Not perfect, but amazing
When I’m not working at Headspace Guildford, I work at St George’s Hospital in London. More of my time and headspace has been there in
Hang in there: We are in this together
Today’s blog has been written by Headspace Guildford’s very own Assistant Psychologist, Phoebe Crook. The weeks of lockdown are slowly turning into months and there
Getting through lockdown: Managing yourself
Today’s blog has been written by Phoebe Crook, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford. We know there are many challenges at this time, and many things
Using books in times of uncertainty – help for children and teens
Today’s blog has been written by the brilliant Phoebe Crook, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford In the current circumstances you might have more time on
Using mindful strategies with yourself and your child
Today’s blog is written by the wonderful Phoebe Crook, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford. Both you and your child might be feeling anxious due to
3 weeks into lockdown…
This week’s blog is guest-written by Phoebe Crook, Assistant Psychologist at Headspace Guildford. Thanks Phoebe! Whilst we may have been in lock down for nearly
Wellbeing quick tips for NHS staff
I’ve written a series of 5 mini-webinars aimed at NHS staff (although relevant to all) which may help at this time. They’re all 3-5 minutes
Stress and anxiety for children
Thank you to all those of you who shared the webinar I posted last week. I do hope you are keeping well and taking care
Managing C-19 stress/anxiety
This is a scary time for lots of people. It’s a stressful time for lots of people. We can’t just magic that away. But there
Coronanxiety #2: Understanding anxiety
Let’s face it. People are nervous, anxious or downright scared at the moment. So, I wanted to write today about anxiety, because I’m seeing so
Corono-anxiety
I’m writing this blog for anybody who is feeling nervous or anxious or down right scared about coronavirus. We can’t turn on any kind of
Recognising real pain, Not just preaching
I think there’s a real danger I could write this blog every week and sound completely sanctimonious. Here I am sitting in my high tower
Magic wands and hard work
In the final blog of the mini-series on myths in Clinical Psychology I will talk about a rather unconscious myth which is so often what
Myth busting: Psychologists know what you’re thinking
In our mini-series about the myths of Psychology, the next one is that Psychologists know what you are thinking or are analysing you in every
Myth busting #1 – My feelings are wrong
There are lots of myths about clinical psychology. I’m going to use the next couple of blogs to address these. One of the key myths
Kindness as a way of living
I’ve blogged before about the kindness of strangers (http://headspaceguildford.co.uk/the-power-of-kindness/ and http://headspaceguildford.co.uk/little-kindness-world/) and what a difference a simple, random act of kindness can make to someone.
New year reflections
I’ve been thinking a lot about what to write in this blog. Traditionally January is linked with fresh starts and new beginnings and with the
Values, mental health and climate change
When you write a blog which goes on your webpages, you’re representing yourself and demonstrating your views for anyone to read. It’s difficult because you
Practice Compassion
As I wrote last week (link) there is a lot of hype around Christmas. It’s tempting to get swept up in ‘silly season’ and rush
Looking after ourselves
Why is it always the way that when we need to look after ourselves the most, that’s the time when we’re least able to do
Is it the season to feel jolly?
Apparently ‘tis the season to be jolly. I’m not sure if I believe it myself. I think ‘tis the season to think you’re supposed to
Changing your world #2
Last week I used this quote “The world is changed by your example, not your opinion” (link here) and talked about how you could change
Changing your world
Last week I was talking about practising what you preach (here). I came across this quote which summarises it too… “The world is changed by
Practice what you preach
I truly believe in practising what you preach. If you’re not prepared to do something then you shouldn’t be asking other people to do this.
Fluffy + Science = formulation
I have a psychologist friend who says that thinking is the key work of a Psychologist and what makes us stand out from other professionals.
Why I’m not a fan of Halloween
I don’t mean to sound like boring old woman, but I’m not a big fan of Halloween. In fact I would go as far as
The power of kindness
Recently, I passed someone who was crying, sitting just outside the hospital where I work part of the week. I stopped and asked her if
Hope beyond the headlines
The world can be a depressing place. Headlines about Brexit stalemates and the climate and about bad people doing things all over the world. But
Bad feelings and riding the waves
Quite often people come to see me at Headspace Guildford and they aren’t feeling too good. Their feelings have got big and they are struggling
Beyond busy and making time for headspace
So often these days we use terms like ‘beyond busy’ and ‘at capacity’. It’s not always clear whether we have got busier or whether our
Skills for life
Last week I talked about this article about the skills needed to survive in the 4th industrial revolution and decried the potential loss of active
Are you really listening to me?
Apparently in 5 years’ time, the skills we need to thrive will have significantly changed. You can read the article I’m talking about here What
Back to school worries: NRTIHRN
Over the last couple of weeks, I have talked about how hard holidays can be. Perhaps that chimed with you – or perhaps not. Some
Comparisons and difference
We spend a lot of time wondering if what we are doing is good enough. If we are working hard enough, eating healthy enough, looking
Savouring the little holiday things
A long while ago I wrote this blog [http://headspaceguildford.co.uk/savouring-little-things-day-life-parent/] which talked about how you find the good in the things that are happening – realistically
It’s not all sun-filled bliss
People talk about holidays as being a well-earned break and a chance to relax. Adverts in particular portray the idyllic life, popping out for day
Beyond busy
It is pretty common these days to hear someone talk about how overwhelmed they are with the various juggles that life is placing on them.
Deathbed hindsight
I often think of that old adage about people on their deathbed who never say they wished they’d spent more time at work. I love
What life was like growing up
I promised here (http://headspaceguildford.co.uk/what-is-mental-health/) that I would post on how life growing up impacts on our mental health. This is a tricky area to write
Mental health is like running…
And just for clarification right at the start, I don’t mean running away. So, here’s what I do mean: I like to run. I’m not
Dealing with feelings is a whole lot of fun
I promised a post on all the fun stuff we do at Headspace Guildford. The way I figure it, if you’re going to give up
