As far as emotions go, guilt is one of the most useless ones. It serves a minimal positive function but can also really ruin a person's day. Unlike some emotions, guilt is not time-dependent – it doesn't fade over time. It lurks. Guilt can also jump time. Things can happen during the course of life..
Read moreMe, Myself and I
Until recently, I lived at the back of the former home of J.M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan, by the sea in Rustington, West Sussex. I now live about 150 metres down the road, closer to the sea. We have two herring seagulls that live with us. They were here before us and came with..
Read moreTea or Coffee?
The “tea or coffee” bind is a very useful predictor for how well a session may go. Whilst I use an offer of a hot beverage, any kind of alternative choice will do. Here is how it works. When the client arrives, I quickly show them in, point out where the toilet is (many have..
Read moreProblem clients
I’ve been thinking about problem clients recently, as it is something I get asked about quite often by fellow therapists, especially those just starting out. “How do you deal with problem clients?” is a common question so I thought I’d write it up as a blog entry so I have something to refer people to..
Read moreCatastrophisation
I first came across the term “catastrophisation” many years ago during a conversation with a clinical psychologist at Southampton General Hospital. I understood that it is a concept often explored in CBT client work. Basically, it is making mountains out of molehills. Not an entirely uncommon thing to happen, but it is something that can..
Read moreDial 419 NLP Nigerian
I’ve just spent a few minutes googling the words "NLP career". It is interesting how many training companies are offering their services from the sales angle of "NLP as a new career." Nothing new, of course, but the question I have is just how many of these companies are actually making any money themselves? I..
Read moreThe Map is Not The Territory?
I must be getting old; either that or I am just getting tired. I've seen it happen to relatives and their peers who take up political causes, rage at the television news debates, get angry at the behaviour of the youth and lament the nostalgia of times gone by. So I think I am definitely..
Read moreLaw of Attraction
There seems to have been a new work ethic lurching about in recent years. It looks something like this: "If it seems difficult, or if it seems like hard work, then you are doing it wrong." The Law of Attraction people really seized the day with this one – formulate your desire, set your intention..
Read moreTeaching the Armless to Juggle
One tip I offer therapists in my Brass Bollocks workshop is that to get more clients, some may need to lower their claims of success. The main issue is that many such clients simply won't and don't believe the claims that are made, even if those claims are in fact accurate. Let me give you..
Read moreCold Callers
Today's idiot phone call. I get one or two a week. Ring, ring... Me: "Good afternoon, Andy Austin. How can I help?" Caller: "Hello, is that Mister Austin?" Me: "Yes, it is. How can I help?" Caller: "You run a plumbing business; is that right?" Me: "No, I don't." Caller: "Oh, you are a roofer,..
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