In this heartfelt episode on improving toddler, and parental mental health, in the face of developmental delays, we are joined once again by “Kaly”. Kaly’s birth experience with pre eclampsia had left her and her baby grappling with profound physical and psychological traumas. Kaly knew they as parents, and their infant Georgia, needed support with the milestones of crawling, walking, talking, and social communication.

Joined by her passionate Psychodynamic Psychotherapist, Helen Viana, we explore Kaly’s journey through early child-parent interventions, and the importance of nurturing a supportive family environment and professional network.

Throughout their conversation, the story of a child facing delayed development unfolds, illustrating the resilience and adaptability of families during challenging times, and in raising a neurodiverse child in the COVID-19 pandemic with limited professional resources.

Online therapy sessions were a lifeline, as parents and therapist worked together to enhance the child's motor skills, speech and social interactions. Discover how this approach empowered the family to navigate daily challenges and foster a more supportive and understanding environment for Georgia.

From breakthroughs in pre-potty training communication, to the empowerment that comes from open dialogue, we uncover strategies that parents can use to connect with their children, and in meaningful ways with school settings.

In a world where there are long waiting times for help which still carries stigma, the stories shared in this episode highlight the power of community, professional support, and breaking free from shame.

We delve into the experiences of parents who have turned their unique challenges into sources of strength and empowerment, advocating for their child who learns to advocate for herself. Join us in this reflective exploration of resilience, post-traumatic growth and a celebration of neurodiversity.

This podcast supports NHS Charities Together, funding projects to improve healthcare for all. Donate the cost of a therapy session, or whatever you can, to help us reach our goal of £10,000 this year.

Resources:

Lifespan Psychology - The Diverse Practice®

Lifespan BOSS Coaching

Dr Esther Cole - Linkedin

Lifespan Psychology Instagram

Helen Viana email

Winnicott - Winnicott, D. W. (1960). The Theory of the Parent-Infant Relationship. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 41, 585-595.

Anna Freud - Freud, A. (1946). The psycho-analytic treatment of children. London: Imago Publishing.

Transform Autism Charity

Pre-potty training research

Schum, T. R., Kolb, T. M., McAuliffe, T. L., Simms, M. D., Underhill, R. L., & Lewis, M. (2002).

Narrative Therapy ideas i.e. “Sneaky...

Join us as we explore the complex journey of Long COVID recovery in this fascinating episode using Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). Dr Cole brings a fellow member of the Long COVID fatigue management group she attended on the show - “Mabel”. Together with Dr. Georgia Parratt, a Specialist Clinical Psychologist who facilitated the group, they discuss the emotional and physical hurdles Mabel faced, and how the group provided crucial coping strategies and support.

Mabel, who experienced the virus during the pandemic's first wave, shares her story of resilience and adaptation. They explore how she navigated the challenges of Long COVID, and repeated bouts of COVID, all while facing a lack of awareness and support until 2023.

By letting go of a tug of war with the Long COVID fatigue monster, we learn to prioritise time for self-care and recovery. These practices can lead to greater long-term productivity and well-being.

Dr. Georgia Parratt guides us through effective strategies for managing symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue using ACT. Mabel shares her personal experience of balancing identity with health struggles, and the importance of planning, pacing, and prioritising daily activities.

Through personal stories, the trio uncover the common struggles of feeling misunderstood and unsupported, and the power of community in offering validation and reducing isolation. This is a must listen for anyone experiencing respiratory illnesses and those caring for, or offering treatment to, others living with chronic conditions.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Breaking Through Therapy, leave a review, and follow us on social media for more impactful conversations on mental health and resilience.

This podcast supports NHS Charities Together, funding projects to improve healthcare for all. Donate the cost of a therapy session, or whatever you can, to help us reach our goal of £10,000 this year.

Resources:

Lifespan Psychology - The Diverse Practice®

Lifespan BOSS Coaching - https://bosstoday.co.uk

Dr Esther Cole - Linkedin

Lifespan Psychology Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lifespan_psychology/?hl=en

Lifespan Psychology LinkedIn

Lifespan Psychology Facebook

Crisis Numbers:

NSPCC

Samaritans - 116 123

Childline - 0800 1111

CALM - 0800 585858

If you are in need of urgent assistance for your mental health, please contact your GP or GP Out of Hours number on 111, call 999 or attend your nearest accident & emergency (A&E) department. If you are listening from overseas,...

In this fascinating episode, we explore the profound relationship between nutritional therapy, mental and physical well-being. Health Entrepreneur, Dave Ives, joins us to discuss the root causes and solutions for chronic inflammation. “Rachel”, a resilient heart attack survivor, shares her transformative journey of healing; one that challenged conventional medicine and highlighted the power of personalised nutrition for all of us.

Despite being active, fit, and health-conscious, in 2017 Rachel underwent emergency heart surgery and was fitted with three stents. It was a wake-up call that led her to deeply investigate what had gone wrong beneath the surface, when she’d invested over £20k on supplements in her lifetime.

Together, we delve into everything from the underestimated dangers of inflammation in the body, to the nuanced balance between omega-6 and -3 (hint: they’re like the accelerator and brake of your body’s inflammatory responses!).

Learn why your diet, genetics and absorption rates matter more than you might think, and how omega 6:3 ratio testing can guide your wellness choices and personalised nutrition.

Whether you're curious about preventative medicine, seeking alternatives to pharmaceutical treatments, or exploring how nutrition intersects with mental health, this episode is packed with tools for resilience, renewal, and real change. Ending with an exploration of childhood nutrition and the increased diagnosis of emotional and neurodevelopment disorders in childhood, this episode is a masterclass in preventative healthcare.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Breaking Through Therapy, leave a review, and follow us on social media for more impactful conversations on mental health and resilience.

This podcast supports NHS Charities Together, funding projects to improve healthcare for all. Donate the cost of a therapy session, or whatever you can, to help us reach our goal of £10,000 this year.

Resources:

Lifespan Psychology - The Diverse Practice®

Recommended omega 6:3 test kit and supplements in our Zinzino shop

Victorian Diet

Dr Tracy Marks on inflammation from omega 6 rich foods

Medical health benefits of Omega 3

Lifespan BOSS Coaching - https://bosstoday.co.uk

Dr Esther Cole - Linkedin

Lifespan Psychology Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lifespan_psychology/?hl=en

Lifespan Psychology LinkedIn

Lifespan Psychology Facebook

Contact Dave Ives, Healthpreneur -