"To survive, animals must avoid predators; humans must avoid loss of relationships"

Jon Frederickson

As psychotherapists, our work is fundamentally relational. We strive to create conditions where deep, lasting personal change can occur in how we relate to others, and ourselves. DW Winnicott’s significant contribution to psychology include highlighting the importance of early relationships, and introducing concepts such as the ‘holding environment’, The ‘Good-Enough’ mother, and the ‘True and False Self’.

Ever wonder why you avoid talking about a difficult subject or overreact to a simple comment? That's your mind activating a psychological defence mechanism. This is your mind trying to reduce anxiety, guilt, and emotional pain. Defences like denial, projection, and sublimation are the mental processes we use to manage overwhelming emotional states and maintain stability.

Your life can be said to be comprised of multiple compartments, such as family, friends, health, work, hobbies, and personal growth. Allowing one problem to consume your entire focus can undermine your overall stability. To maintain your balance and stability, you must intentionally focus on, protect and connect with all your healthy compartments.

Morita Therapy is a Japanese form of psychotherapy developed by psychiatrist Shoma Morita, which was influenced by Zen Buddhism. Its central premise is that suffering is perpetuated by the struggle to control or eliminate unpleasant feelings.

Harry Stack Sullivan is one of the forgotten figures in 20th century psychology, less mythologised than Freud, Jung, and Rogers. Yet Sullivan’s ideas and techniques remain relevant in today’s world of fractured relationships, digital isolation, and rising anxiety and depression.