Fawning is the trauma response that hides in plain sight. It’s the instinct to please, appease, and stay agreeable, even at the cost of your own needs or identity. Often praised as kindness or professionalism, fawning can become a lifelong survival strategy that disconnects us from who we really are. In this blog, we explore how fawning develops, how it shows up in everyday life, and how therapy can help you reclaim your voice and boundaries, without shame.

When your body feels stuck, your mind goes blank, or you retreat into numbness, you may be experiencing the freeze trauma response. Often misunderstood as a passive or last-resort reaction, freeze is actually a sophisticated, protective strategy of the nervous system. This blog unpacks freeze not as a failure, but as an intelligent adaptation, especially common in those with complex or early trauma. Learn how freeze shows up, why it’s not just a step after fight or flight, and how we can work with it in therapy.

The flight response is more than just running away, it’s what happens when our nervous system believes we can only survive by staying busy, staying ahead, or staying gone. In this blog, we explore how the flight trauma response shows up in everyday life: through restlessness, perfectionism, chronic busyness, and the fear of slowing down. We'll dive into the neuroscience behind why rest can feel unsafe, how these patterns are shaped by early experiences, and what healing might look like. This is for anyone who’s ever been praised for their productivity but secretly felt like they were running on fumes. Therapy doesn’t ask you to stop; it helps you feel safe enough to slow down.

What if your reactivity isn’t rage but protection? Explore the fight trauma response and how strength, control, and survival often come at a hidden cost.

None of these behaviours make us broken. They make us human. They are survival stories… sometimes inherited, sometimes rehearsed, sometimes so deeply entrenched we confuse them with our personality. Fight. Flight. Freeze. Fawn.

You don’t have to have a diagnosis to relate, you just have to have lived in a world where approval, safety, and belonging sometimes came at the cost of your Self.

Your Thoughts Are Lying to You (Sometimes) Not every thought you have is true. Some are distortions—old stories dressed up as facts, built more on fear than reality. Ever told yourself “I always mess this up” or “If this goes wrong, it’ll ruin everything”? These are thinking traps—like catastrophising or black-and-white thinking—and they’re incredibly common. They’re not signs that you’re broken. They’re signs that your brain is doing what it was wired to do: keep you safe. But safety and truth aren’t always the same thing.

Ever feel like you're stuck in the same patterns, making the same choices, and getting the same results? It’s not just bad luck, it’s psychology. The loops we get stuck in are often shaped by past experiences and subconscious beliefs. But the good news? You can break free. This blog explores why we repeat these cycles and how therapy can help you rewrite them.

We live in a culture that glorifies busyness, but true resilience comes from knowing when to stop. Rest isn’t weakness, it’s an essential skill for mental health. This blog explores the difference between true recovery and passive avoidance, why rest is necessary for emotional and psychological well-being, and how psychotherapy can help you break free from the cycle of burnout.

You’re getting enough sleep, so why are you still exhausted? Fatigue isn’t just physical, it’s mental, emotional, and deeply tied to stress. Overloaded decision-making, emotional strain, and chronic mental pressure drain you faster than a workout. This blog breaks down why your brain feels like it’s running on empty and how psychotherapy can help lighten the load. If you’re tired of feeling tired, this is for you.

You know what to do, so why aren’t you doing it? The answer isn’t willpower… It’s psychology. Learn why we self-sabotage and how to finally break free.

Struggling to get started? You’re not alone. We tell ourselves we’ll act when we feel motivated, but what if that moment never comes? Neuroscience shows that motivation follows action, not the other way around. Lee, Wye Counselling and Psychotherapy’s psychotherapist, breaks down why we stay stuck, how small steps shift our mindset, and how counselling helps build habits that work… even when motivation fails.

You don’t have to love structure. You don’t even have to want to do it. But if your mind feels chaotic, if stress and anxiety are wearing you down, routine might be the stability you need. The right structure doesn’t control you, it frees you to focus on what really matters. In therapy, we don’t force rigid schedules, we build flexible, realistic habits that support your mental well-being. If you’re feeling stuck, let’s create a system that works for you. Book a session today and start building the foundation for a steadier, stronger mind

Rituals aren’t just habits, they’re powerful tools for mental well-being. Whether it’s a grounding morning routine, a moment of reflection, or a symbolic act of closure, rituals help regulate emotions, manage anxiety, and create meaning. In psychotherapy, we explore how intentional rituals can support healing, resilience, and personal growth. If you're feeling overwhelmed or stuck, therapy can help you develop rituals that bring clarity, stability, and control back into your life. Let’s find what works for you, because healing starts with small, intentional steps.

Men often struggle in silence, prioritising work and family while their friendships fade into the background. But strong social connections, mentorship, brotherhood, and purpose, are foundational to mental health. When these pillars weaken, isolation, stress, and depression creep in. Psychotherapy helps men rebuild these essential connections, providing a space to navigate relationships, rediscover purpose, and strengthen emotional resilience. This isn’t about just talking, it’s about taking action to thrive.

Strength isn’t silence but neither it is emotional reaction. Real masculinity means embracing your power — not through dominance or emotional suppression but by mastering your inner world. In a time when social media often mislabels traditional masculine traits as toxic, it’s more important than ever to reclaim the values of resilience, leadership, and emotional integrity. Psychotherapy offers a space for men to strengthen our minds and hearts — to become not just tough, but truly strong. Start your journey today.

Leadership begins with the self. Using psychotherapeutic insights, this blog explores how mastering self-awareness, emotional regulation, and boundaries forms the foundation of resilient leadership. Learn to lead yourself first.

Leadership often comes with an invisible weight, the emotional burden of being 'the reliable one.' This blog explores why leaders burn out, the hidden psychological costs of responsibility, and how therapy can be a vital tool in breaking the cycle.

Change can be intimidating, but understanding the psychology behind it helps us move forward with confidence. This trauma-informed guide explores how our nervous system responds to uncertainty and offers practical strategies for navigating change with self-compassion.

Feeling stuck in life? A lack of adventure may be to blame. Adventure isn’t just for thrill-seekers—it’s a vital part of mental well-being. From boosting resilience to reducing anxiety, discover why challenging yourself in new ways is essential for growth and fulfillment.

Burnout isn’t a badge of honour, it’s a sign that something needs to change. Overworking may feel like dedication, but it often comes at the expense of your health and happiness. This blog explores how psychotherapy can help you find balance, let go of the burnout badge, and embrace a more fulfilling life.