Therapy Works

For this week's episode of Agony Aunties, we address a viewer's concern about her husband's consistent failure to acknowledge her birthday meaningfully, delving into the possible roots of his behavior stemming from his childhood. We'll explore the psychological implications of gift-giving, offer practical advice on how to communicate and understand these emotional blocks, and suggest alternative ways to ensure her birthday feels special. How does this resonate with you? What is your experience of giving and receiving gifts? Do you feel pressured by gift giving, or disappointed by it? We'd love to hear what your experience is like. Let us know in the comments. Otherwise, if you’d like to connect, I post regularly on Instagram, with more thoughts and some Monday Top Tips - http://instagram.com/juliasamuelmbe/And for more info, check out my website - https://juliasamuel.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this deeply moving episode of Therapy Works, Lottie Clark shares the story of her husband James’s battle with motor neurone disease. She opens up about the emotional and physical toll of his diagnosis, the challenges of caring for a loved one with a terminal illness, and the difficult decisions their family faced—including James’s choice to pursue assisted dying at Dignitas. Lottie speaks candidly about the impact on their children, the process of saying goodbye, and the long road of grief that follows loss.This conversation offers an intimate look at navigating life when faced with unimaginable circumstances. Lottie’s story is one of heartbreak but also of deep strength and unwavering love. She reflects on the power of open conversations, the importance of honouring personal choices in end-of-life care, and her ongoing campaign for assisted dying legislation. This is an episode about grief, but also about the extraordinary courage it takes to walk alongside someone through their final chapter.00:55 Facing a Terminal Diagnosis04:41 The Emotional Impact and Initial Reactions06:36 Planning for the Future13:01 Communicating with the Children15:11 The Decision for Assisted Dying26:55 Reflecting on the Impact of Loss27:26 Honest Conversations with Children29:32 A Final Family Trip31:44 Saying Goodbye33:12 Campaigning for Assisted Dying36:29 The Journey of Repatriation39:20 Finding Strength in Love50:22 The Complexity of Assisted Dying57:34 The Long Road of GriefIf you are looking to campaign, please find out more here: https://www.dignityindying.org.uk/This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try atbetterhelp.com/therapyworks and get on your way to being your best self.Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Therapy Works, we sit down with Michelle and Richard, who share their incredibly painful journey of losing their five year old son Rudy to a brain tumor. We’ll talk about our reflections on love, loss, and the balance between treatment and quality of life. They’re both very open about the impact this had on their family, including their daughter Elodie, and the crucial support of community and healthcare professionals. And, what’s very inspiring, is how much they were able to handle the loss and the aftermath with such grace. It’s truly impressive. For our Mother/Daughter segment, Emily, Sophie and I will all delve into the emotional and physical realities of grief, while also celebrating the enduring spirit of love that remains. If you like this episode, and want to connect, I post regularly on Instagram, with more thoughts and some Monday Top Tips - https://www.instagram.com/juliasamuelmbe/And for more info, check out my new website - https://www.juliasamuel.co.ukWild Nutrition are offering an exclusive limited time offer to Therapy Works’ listeners: 50% off your first 3 months when you visit wildnutrition.com/therapy, that’s wildnutrition.com/therapy for 50% off your first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to the Therapy Works podcast! We're starting Season 7 with a very special guest, James Middleton, as he opens up about the challenges he faced with dyslexia, self-doubt, and depression. He discusses the impact of societal expectations, the feeling of being a 'square peg in a round hole', and the eventual breakdown that led him to contemplate suicide. James reflects on the pivotal role his dog Ella played in his recovery, providing him with unconditional love and a renewed sense of purpose. The conversation highlights the importance of speaking out, seeking help, and the transformative power of animal companionship in mental health recovery. Tune in to hear James's heartfelt story, the significant support from his family, and the insights he gained on his path to healing.Show NotesYou can check out James’ Book hereOr find him on Instagram (with many great pictures with his dogs) - Emily mentioned a couple of resources, which I’d like to share here:Team Square Peg / Not Fine in SchoolOtherwise, if you’d like to connect, I post regularly on Instagram, with more thoughts and some Monday Top TipsAnd for more info, check out my new websiteWild Nutrition are offering an exclusive limited time offer to Therapy Works’ listeners: 50% off your first 3 months when you visit wildnutrition.com/therapy, that’s wildnutrition.com/therapy for 50% off your first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're almost ready to start with Season 7 of the Therapy Works podcast, and until then, I've been looking back at some of my favorite moments in the show's history. I can't help but remember this episode with Annabel Croft, where we discuss how one copes after losing a partner, focusing on finding joy, meaning, and connection through everyday activities and family support. We'll also touch on the importance of talking about the deceased, understanding different grieving processes, and the emotional challenges of handling a loved one's ashes while finding the right time to make decisions about them. See you next week for the start of Season 7! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.