Are you sitting comfortably?  I am going to tell you a story called “The warm fuzzy tale”. There once was a happy land where “warm fuzzies” are given our freely to each other.  As the name would suggest, when someone received a “warm fuzzy” they feel warm and fuzzy...

Last Saturday afternoon Ripon celebrated St Wilfrid’s Parade.  The market square was positively buzzing with the people of Ripon who had all come to clap, cheer, dance and sing along as the City Band, Morris Dancers and floats which made their way through the city....

I recently listened to an interesting interview with Dr Tim Cantopher, a leading psychiatrist who has written a new book called “Overcoming anxiety without fighting it”.  Acceptance is the central premise to his book; acceptance of your anxiety, accepting it is a part...

I have absolutely loved this recent spell of hot weather.  It makes me feel energised and motivated to get outside and bask in the sunshine.  I have dug out my floaty dresses, gone for walks, enjoyed icecreams, been for picnics and dangled my legs in a paddling pool. ...

I am excited to announce the official launch of Gemma Antcliffe Counselling in Ripon.  Nestled in the tranquil, leafy area of Bishopton, my home-based practice provides a safe, private and comfortable space you can seek help and support. My practice is here for adults...

A recent study by Lancet Psychiatry show there has been an alarming rise in self harm among girls and young women.  16-24 year olds seem to be the most vulnerable, with 19.4% reporting self harm.  Speaking on Radio 4’s The Today Programme, a leading psychiatrist...

I used to have a supervisor who would often say “The problem with people is they just expect to be happy”.  And I have to say; in my experience as a counsellor people are often disillusioned by the fact that they just don’t feel as happy as they think they should.  In...

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) is a programme which began in 2009 and has transformed the treatment of adults presenting with anxiety and depression.  It aims to provide people with psychological treatment within 28 days of a referral.  Enabling...