Earlier this month I was interviewed by radio DJ Graeme Smith. We chatted about strategies to preserve one's mental health during the holidays. Below is a link to the full podcast.

Have a listen, and let me know what you think!

​Chris Warren-Dickins LLB MA LPC
www.chriswarrendickins.com
Psychotherapist, author of Beyond the Blue, and LGBTQ+ advocate
​#beyondtheblue #beyondthebluebook

It was great to catch up with radio DJ Graeme Smith in his new podcast Outcast. Graeme asked to speak to me as the guest mental health expert, and I outlined some strategies for you to look after your mental health over the holidays. Below you will find an extract of the podcast, and here is full episode.

All the strategies are available in my new book Beyond the Blue, helping you get beyond depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, and trauma. Get your copy of Beyond the Blue here.

Stay safe during the holidays, folks!
​
Chris Warren-Dickins LLB MA LPC
www.chriswarrendickins.com
Psychotherapist, author of Beyond the Blue, and LGBTQ+ advocate
​#beyondtheblue #beyondthebluebook

In my previous post I identified some of things you want to avoid when seeking a mental health professional.

Here are some of the good things that mental health professionals can do for you.
There are some wonderful professionals out there.

You just need to know how to spot them.

Chris Warren-Dickins LLB MA LPC
www.chriswarrendickins.com
Psychotherapist, author of Beyond the Blue, and LGBTQ+ advocate
​#beyondtheblue #beyondthebluebook

"In their book Trauma & Recovery, Judith Herman sets out a three-stage process to escape the weight of the Ten-Ton Trauma:
1. Establish Safety;
2. Retell or Remember Your Trauma Story; and
3. Restore Connection with your Community."

It can be exceptionally hard to tell our trauma story, and reconnect with our community, if we are trapped under the weight of shame.

Recovery starts when we recognize the power we have in our present life.

Chris Warren-Dickins, author of Beyond the Blue

#beyondthebluebook #Shame #trauma ​

Don't worry, you don't need a unicorn. There are some great mental healthcare professionals out there, you just need to know how to recognize them.

​This first post identifies how to spot the unhelpful things some mental health professionals can do.
In the next post, I will set out how to identify the good mental health professionals.

Chris Warren-Dickins LLB MA LPC
www.chriswarrendickins.com
Psychotherapist, author of Beyond the Blue, and LGBTQ+ advocate
​#beyondtheblue #beyondthebluebook

"We expect the male labeled to be silent and strong, and thus not admit to vulnerabilities.  Depression is the king of vulnerabilities, and so shame silences you...
As the United States is a patriarchal society, this conditioning influences the dominant view of emotions.  The approach preferred by many with power or authority is to focus outwards, on achievement and power.  Depression, anxiety, and trauma are all rather inconvenient truths that many people would rather not hear about."
  
Untreated depression, anxiety, and trauma poses a threat to us all, so we need to challenge the assumptions we make about the male label.

Chris Warren-Dickins LLB MA LPC
Psychotherapist & Author of Beyond the Blue
www.chriswarrendickins.com

When I work with clients in conflict, often we need to clarify what constitutes abusive behavior. Sometimes there is a reluctance to categorize non-physical abuse as abusive, but it can be no less harmful.

To label behavior ‘abuse’ can help someone make an informed choice about what they need to do next. Often this decision-making process is informed by someone’s values and the pros and cons involved. Once someone sees that the other person’s behavior is abusive, this can often tip the balance so that someone takes steps to keep them safe.

Psychologist Beverly Engel offers the following pointers to decide whether the behavior amounts to abuse -

1. Domination - A desire and will to control as much as possible; how you think, what you do, how you do it, and how you feel
2. Verbal assaults
3. Abusive expectations in the form of incessant demands
4. Emotional blackmail, usually in the form of silent treatment
5. Unpredictable responses, so that you never know what is going to be a good or bad day
6. Incessant criticism so that you lose faith in yourself
7. Character assassination, so that little mistakes feel like you are endlessly causing catastrophes
8. Gaslighting so that you tricked into believing that what is true isn’t really true
9. Constant chaos, so that even when it is calm you feel as if you have to walk on eggshells
10. Sexual harassment
11. Financial abuse

You do not need to struggle alone. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek help from a trained professional.

​Chris Warren-Dickins LLB MA LPC
Psychotherapist
www.exploretransform.com