Columns
These are my monthly columns from OurTown magazine, all describing a common issue and one of the ways I’ve successfully treated it. Click through the title to read the relevant column.
The Flying Scotsman – vaping – October 2019
Different Strokes – fainting – September 2019
Pains and needles – needle phobia – August 2019
Unquiet sleep – night terrors – July 2019
Known knowns – Impostor Syndrome – June 2019
Getting to the root – dental phobia – May 2019
Tomorrow never comes – procrastination – April 2019
Blood, sweat, and tears – hyperhidrosis – March 2019
Car keys and crosswords – memory – February 2019
Glass half empty – drink – January 2019
New dad, new dread – Male Post Natal Depression – December 2018
Spark of recognition – checking – November 2018
Right on cue – Yips – October 2018
Sophie’s Perfect Storm – Perfectionism – September 2018
Sweet smell of excess – Sweet tooth – August 2018
Turning down the thermostat – Hot flushes – July 2018
The itch/scratch cycle – Pruritis – June 2018
A glass half empty – Pessimism – May 2018
Keep hold and carry on – Parcopresis – April 2018
The Sands Of Time – Polyphasic sleep – March 2018
No Thanks For The Memories – Getting over an ex – February 2018
Dan’s Five Digit Discount – Kleptomania – January 2018
Noel’s Christmas Trips – Guilt trips – December 2017
Snap, Crackle, and Stop – Misphonia – November 2017
Secretive and sociable – Smoking – October 2017
Ups and downs at work – Upward bullying at work – September 2017
A Twitter pill to swallow – Social media and self esteem – August 2017
Pulled in all directions – Hair pulling – July 2017
Smoking + Chewing = ? – Nicotine Replacement Gum – June 2017
Exam nerves – a case history – Exam nerves – May 2017
Best man nerves – a case history – Public speaking nerves – April 2017
Exposure and Response Prevention – Coping with anxiety – March 2017
A question of memory – Limits of memory – February 2017
The tip of the iceberg – Secondary gains – January 2017
Chips and nuggets for Christmas Dinner – Restrictive eating – December 2016
Swearing can f-f-fade away – Swearing – November 2016
Craig’s list of life goals – Cannabis – October 2016
Stuttering to a halt – Stammering – September 2016
“School’s out for summer”– School refusal – August 2016
“All in the mind?” –Health anxiety – July 2016
In the wee small hours – Shy bladder syndrome – June 2016
“Smokeless” or “smoke less”? – Smoking reduction – May 2016
The mucky end of the stick – Fear of dog muck – April 2016
The sound of silence – Tinnitus – March 2016
Sian’s secret… – Working “content-free” – February 2016
Panic stations – Panic attacks – January 2016
Rage against the machine – Anger management – December 2015
The competitive Dryathlon – GoSober – November 2015
Friendships up in smoke – Stopping smoking – October 2015
Swimming against the tide – Avoidance and phobias – September 2015
The final countdown – Sleep problems – August 2015
Picking the right man… – Nose-picking – July 2015
Putting the genie back … – Problem drinking – June 2015
A yo-yo diet is a no-no diet – Weight loss – May 2015
Stream of consciousness – IBS – April 2015
Resit stress – coping with exams – Exam nerves – March 2015
Running out of steam – Vaping – February 2015
Sick to death of being scared – Emetophobia – January 2015
Comfortable with discomfort – Difficult situations – December 2014
A breath of fresh air – Stopping smoking – November 2014
Distinctly under par – Interview nerves – October 2014
A bitter pill to swallow – Trouble swallowing – September 2014
Truth and consequences – Hypnotherapy ethics – August 2014
Amanda’s in-flight movie – Fear of flying – July 2014
Marathons and Muhammad Ali – Sports performance – June 2014
Putting our heads together – Psoriasis – May 2014
A blinking nuisance – Blinking – April 2014
One more and I’m off – Drinking and stress – March 2014
You wouldn’t like him … – Anger management – February 2014
Opening doors for Donna – Dating confidence – January 2014
Alan the buffet slayer – Weight loss – December 2013
A breath of fresh air – Stopping smoking – November 2013
Cabbages and things – Assertiveness – October 2013
Hell and high blood pressure – Hypertension – September 2013
Staying up, sleeplessness … – Insomnia – August 2013
Can’t Smile Without You – Dental phobia – July 2013
Clowning ain’t no joke – Fear of clowns – June 2013
Katherine’s worry class – Anxiety – May 2013
Turning back the clock – Pain control – April 2013
Testing Times For Todd – Driving Test nerves – March 2013
Taking Back Control – Urge incontinence – February 2013
A Nail Biting Finish – Nail biting – January 2013
A Rush of Blood to the Head – Social blushing – December 2012
Stoptober to Govember – Stopping smoking – November 2012
A weight off Lily’s mind – Weight loss – October 2012
Beating Back to Work Blues – Post-holiday blues – September 2012
Hot and Bothered – Chocolate cravings – August 2012
Ice Cold For Alex – Eczema – July 2012
Of Mice And Men – Mouse phobia – June 2012
Bride And Gloom – Public speaking – May 2012
Saving Grace – Self-esteem – April 2012
Positive Shrinking – Weight loss – March 2012