The BLOG · writing on therapy & GROWTHReflections on therapy, relationships, and the slow work of recovery from abuse and harm.
Articles exploring schema therapy, mental health, trauma recovery, and emotional wellbeing — For people doing the slow work of understanding themselves, their relationships, and the harm they've lived through.
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Allowing Space for Acknowledgement of Honest Mental Health Difficulties in Faith Communities and Churches
Creating emotionally safe faith communities begins with compassionate language and honest support. When churches listen, validate emotional pain, and walk alongside those who suffer, they reflect the heart of grace, mercy, and belonging.
When Choice Isn’t Really Choice: The Reality of Coercion
Coercion can appear in relationships, workplaces, churches, and faith communities through emotional pressure, manipulation, withholding, and spiritual abuse. This article explains the meaning of coercion, coercive control, and subtle threats, showing how they erode autonomy, trust, and wellbeing. Learn how coercion impacts intimacy, family, leadership, and religious settings, and discover strategies to recognise coercive behaviour, break unhealthy patterns, and seek safe, trauma-informed support
Family Estrangement: Grappling with the Pain and Confusion
A exploration of family estrangement, faith, trauma, religious trauma and boundaries — examining when distance becomes necessary and how healing can occur with compassion and discernment.
The Mistrust/Abuse Schema: When You're Always Waiting to Be Hurt
Do you find it hard to trust people, or expect to be hurt or betrayed in relationships? The Mistrust/Abuse schema may be at the heart of it — discover where it comes from, how it shapes your life, and how schema therapy can help.
The Emotional Inhibition Schema: When Feelings Feel Too Dangerous to Show
Do you find it difficult to show emotions, or feel more comfortable keeping feelings locked away? The Emotional Inhibition schema may explain that pattern — discover where it comes from and how schema therapy can help.
From Defensiveness to Dialogue: Tools for Healthier Interactions
Defensiveness is a common response to criticism, but it can harm relationships, families, workplaces, and faith communities. This article explores types of defensiveness, psychoanalytic roots, and impacts on communication. Drawing on John Gottman’s research and Schema Therapy, it provides practical tools to move from defensiveness to dialogue, strengthen emotional safety, and build healthier connections at home, work, and in spiritual settings.
Breaking the Scrupulosity Cycle: What Drives Religious OCD
Scrupulosity is a form of religious OCD where faith becomes entangled with fear, guilt, and intrusive thoughts. Learn how faith-sensitive psychologist Kylie Walls helps break cycles of obsession and compulsion using evidence-based, compassionate therapy.
You Can Have Faith and Still See a Psychologist
Feeling anxious, low, or overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’ve lost faith. Discover how therapy and Christian belief can work together to support mental health, strengthen resilience, and help you reconnect with peace through faith-sensitive care.
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