Blog by Dan Roberts, Cognitive Therapist in East Finchley, North London.

Thoughts, reflections, advice...

» Overcoming traumatic stress

Traumatic incidents can be hard to overcome. But with the right help and support you can recover and get on with your life read article

» What is a Daily Thought Record?

A key aspect of cognitive therapy is writing down your 'automatic thoughts' daily - a simple technique that can make you feel a great deal better read article

» How to beat the January blues

January is not the easiest of months. So if the short, grey days are getting you down, try this simple mindfulness exercise to lift your mood read article

» Persistence: the key to change

Whatever problem you hope to solve through therapy, it's important to understand that persistence is the only route to genuine, long-lasting change read article

» Christmas wishes

I would like to wish all my clients, past and present, a very happy Christmas - and I have a few more wishes for everyone in the coming year... read article

» Learning self-acceptance

It's only human to try and avoid painful feelings or parts of us we don't like - but it's important to accept ourselves, warts and all read article

» Why men hide their depression

Men's depression has been in the spotlight recently. But why do so many depressed men go untreated and undiagnosed? read article

» Overcoming seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

It's natural for your mood to dip at this time of year - but if you suffer from seasonal affective disorder, winter can be a real challenge read article

» Should you take antidepressants?

There has been a huge rise in prescriptions for antidepressants recently. But if you're anxious or depressed, is medication really what you need? read article

» Why are some people happier than others?

A new study shows that the structure of happy people's brains helps them stay cheerful - but there's plenty you can do to feel happier read article

» Healthcare practitioners

If you're looking for a good osteopath, nutritionist or fertility expert in north or central London, these are the people I recommend read article

» Overcoming postnatal depression

Postnatal depression affects more than 1 in 10 women having a baby. It can feel really overwhelming, but there's no reason to suffer in silence read article

» Developing kindness and compassion

Research shows that compassion - for ourselves and others - can be deeply healing; especially if we are prone to depression or overly self-critical read article

» 5 simple steps to combat depression

When you're depressed, it seems like nothing will help - but there are plenty of small things you can do to lift your mood and start feeling better read article

» Love, friendship, connection

We all need varying degrees of connection - but strong, supportive relationships are essential for a healthy, meaningful life read article

» Staying calm during the financial crisis

The media is full of financial doom and gloom at the moment - but it's important to take the anxiety-provoking headlines with a pinch of salt read article

» Watch out for the 'S' word

If you say the word 'should' a lot, it's a telltale sign that you're being overly demanding of yourself, other people and life in general read article

» Overcoming a difficult past

The difficulties we face in adulthood are linked to painful experiences from our past. But those wounds can be healed read article

» Adding joy to your life

When we're feeling low, it can be hard to find pleasure or meaning in the daily routine. Use this simple mindfulness technique to add joy to your life read article

» Regression: how to grow yourself back up

Whenever you feel small or overwhelmed, or have that 'sinking feeling', you may have regressed: lost your adult self and turned into a child again read article