Why do I find it so hard to ask for help?

New parenthood can feel overwhelming: you’re responsible for a vulnerable baby while exhaustion and other demands pile up, and loneliness can grow even as asking for help feels impossible. If you learned early to hide need and stay in control, a baby can unsettle that, stirring shame, anger, or helplessness. Therapy helps you understand these patterns, accept difficult feelings, and improve support with your partner and baby, making care feel calmer and more rewarding.

Nicholas Messing

3 min read

The Psychology of Wintering: Why Rest Is Not a Problem to Solve

In recent times I find people often treat low-energy seasons, both literally and metaphorically as obstacles to get through. In the press there is a strong narrative to “fight” the winter blues, to “overcome” burnout, and “push through” tiredness. What if we have got this approach entirely wrong? Katherine May, the British writer of a gem of a book: Wintering, frames these periods not as failures, but as necessary, restorative phases of the human cycle. Psychology offers us a

Dr Sarah Jane Khalid

2 min read

Just One Thing

One goal at a time is enough. It gives focus and lets you really notice how life shifts once that one change lands. Imagine choosing just one: a calmer mind, recognising your wins, better sleep, daily achievement and enjoyment, or greater self-kindness. Behaviour spreads—slips can snowball, but so can healthy habits. One well-chosen goal can start a ripple that quietly changes everything.

Dr Caroline Taylor

2 min read

The Psychology Of Nesting

The Psychology of Nesting - how major changes in life can be mirrored by a desire to change elements of our home.

Dr Julie Hannan

3 min read

Managing Perimenopause Anxiety

Anxiety is common in perimenopause and can appear even before hot flushes or cycle changes. Hormonal shifts, rising stress, poor sleep, and existing unresolved issues can intensify symptoms. Anyone can experience this, even without a prior history. CBT can help you understand triggers, develop healthier responses, improve mood and sleep, and manage stress, offering supportive space during this challenging transition.

Dr Shabnam Hariri

3 min read

Tis The Season To Be Exhausted

A compassionate guide to avoiding Christmas burnout

Dr Sarah Jane Khalid

4 min read

AI Therapy: A Psychologist’s Perspective

In recent months I’ve had a few clients share with me that they have used AI for psychological support between our sessions, writes Dr Prarthana Shetty. My initial reaction was curiosity, but I also noticed some defensiveness and skepticism. In the interest of keeping an open mind and trying to understand my clients’ experiences, I decided to try it myself. I used a popular AI chatbot and began with relatively basic prompts about everyday stressors. It produced a steady strea

Dr Prarthana Shetty

2 min read

Living with ADHD: Finding Focus and Compassion in Everyday Life

Living with ADHD can sometimes feel like being tuned into every channel at once — ideas, emotions, and tasks all competing for your attention. While this can bring energy and creativity, it can also make daily life feel overwhelming. At Hampstead Psychology, we work with adults and young people to help them understand their ADHD, develop practical strategies, and build a more compassionate relationship with themselves. Understanding ADHD Beyond the Stereotypes ADHD (Attention

Dr Jo Stuart

2 min read

Understanding Autistic Burnout: When Life Becomes Too Much

Autistic burnout isn’t the same as ordinary stress or exhaustion — it’s a deep, overwhelming fatigue that comes from navigating a world not built for autistic people. It can affect every part of life: energy levels, mood, memory, communication, and even a sense of identity. At Hampstead Psychology, we often hear autistic clients describe burnout as “hitting a wall” — a point where daily demands, masking, or constant sensory and social strain become too much to manage. What I

Dr Jo Stuart

2 min read

Why Healing Trauma Requires More Than Talking

If you’ve experienced trauma, stress, or chronic fatigue and feel disconnected from your body, therapy can help you begin to reconnect with it — one safe step at a time.

Dr Jo Stuart

3 min read

Do you put other's needs above your own?

One widespread problem that can last a lifetime, according to Dr Paul Lewis, is a tendency to put others’ needs ahead of your own. It becomes a habit and can go unnoticed. It is a problem that feeds on itself, because we can never please all the people all the time – but we can certainly keep on trying, sidelining we want from life. It can be changed. Firstly, lose the ambivalence: Looking after yourself is not selfish. There are ways to balance getting what you want while st

Dr Paul Lewis

1 min read

Goal setting and completion in therapy

How to set goals for therapy and ways to complete goals with compassion.

Dr Caroline Taylor

2 min read

Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Its Benefits

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has gained significant attention in recent years as a powerful tool for mental health treatment. This evidence-based approach focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, aiming to help individuals identify and change negative thought patterns. In this blog post, we will explore what CBT is, how it works, its benefits, and why it may be the right choice for you or someone you know. Understanding Cognitive Behavioral

Dr Jo Stuart

4 min read

ACT Core Principles: A Guide to Mental Flexibility

Life can feel overwhelming at times. Deadlines pile up, relationships demand attention, and your mind races with worries. How do you stay grounded when everything seems to pull you in different directions? The answer might lie in developing mental flexibility. This is where Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) steps in, offering practical tools to help you navigate stress with calm and clarity. ACT is not about avoiding difficult feelings or trying to control every thought

Dr Jo Stuart

4 min read

Can We Heal Our Attention Spans?

Do you ever feel like your attention span is shrinking? You’re not imagining it. Many of us report being more distracted, more restless, and less able to focus for long periods than we used to be. Between social media notifications, work demands, and family life, it can feel like our concentration is constantly under siege. But the big question is: can our attention spans be healed—or are we stuck with what we’ve got? Nature vs. Nurture: Where Attention Comes From Psychologis

Dr Jo Stuart

3 min read

How Self-Compassion Can Help Overcome Shame

Shame is a powerful and often overwhelming emotion that can affect every aspect of our lives. It can make us feel unworthy, isolated, and stuck in negative patterns. However, there is a gentle and effective way to counteract shame: self-compassion. By learning to treat ourselves with kindness and understanding, we can begin to heal from shame and build a healthier relationship with ourselves. Understanding Self-Compassion for Shame Self-compassion involves treating yourself w

Dr Jo Stuart

3 min read