The Beast of Gloom is a tricky fella!3/20/2024 Unlike other challenges to your mental health, the Beast of Gloom (the name I chose for depression in my new children's book) is particularly tricky. When it takes hold, it can leave you in a double bind: · You over-estimate the severity or negativity of situations in your life; and · You under-estimate your own ability to handle those situations. To help kids who might be struggling with this, I like to help them draw or write out their account of what is troubling them. Often when we look at it on paper, and do this together, we can help them see that it is much smaller than we feared, or more easy to resolve. You can also help them to make lists, or draw pictures of, all their strengths and resources, so they feel better equipped to handle the situation. "Strengths and resources" can include you, as their source of support, their friends, their ability to make people smile, or even their favorite who they can cuddle when they need to. The Beast of Gloom can be daunting but, with the right strategies, it doesn't have to overwhelm you or your children. I hope you find this helpful. If not, let me know! Chris Warren-Dickins Psychotherapist & Author 
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Passing gloom3/13/2024 "Life leaps over oblivion lightly, losing only a thing or two of no importance, and gloom is but the passing shadow of a cloud." Life of Pi Yann Martel To me, this speaks to the temporary nature of depression, which is such an important message to convey to children. It might feel all-consuming at the time, but children need to hear that depression disappears as inexplicably as it appears. All of a sudden, things will start to feel better, and they will return to the things they enjoy. What we can do is reassure them that we will be there for them throughout; with an open heart and an open pair of ears, we are willing to meet them where they are. I hope this helps. Chris Warren-Dickins Psychotherapist & Author  The most confining prison3/9/2024 "There is no way to escape your nervous system. It controls your body temperature, the pace of your breathing, how you digest your food, your bowel movements, and a multitude of other functions. As a result, a dysregulated nervous system is the most confining prison that can trap you. But if you can understand your nervous system and the bodily cues of safety and danger, you can learn how to regulate your responses and harness the most effective key to free your mind." Beyond Your Confines The Workbook provides you with multiple opportunities to escape this confining prison. You will learn how to identify the cues of safety and danger, and use this awareness to regain control over your body and mind. Available in paperback and ebook. Chris Warren-Dickins Psychotherapist & author #BeyondYourConfinesTheWorkbook #BeyondYourConfines #mentalhealth #ChrisWarrenDickins  Publication day for workbook3/5/2024 Publication day! #BeyondYourConfinesTheWorkbook is available in paperbook and ebook as of today. Based on the popular Beyond Your Confines comes the invaluable companion guide to using your nervous system to free your mind. With the help of this workbook, you can practice techniques to regulate your responses to the stressors of everyday life. The aim is to become flexible, so you do not become overwhelmed. #BeyondYourConfinesTheWorkbook is available in paperback and ebook. Chris Warren-Dickins Psychotherapist & author #BeyondYourConfinesTheWorkbook #BeyondYourConfines #mentalhealth #ChrisWarrenDickins  And that makes a quartet!3/2/2024 For the last three years I have been working on some mental health related books. There are books for adults (Beyond the Blue, Beyond Your Confines, and Beyond Your Confines: The Workbook) and there is a children's book (The Beast of Gloom). Before I release any more, I would like to pause and gather feedback. Please let me know what you make of these. If you are a Kindle Unlimited member, these are available for free (for a limited period). Chris Warren-Dickins Psychotherapist and author  Chris
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