Blog
Compassion Focused Therapy: Counteracting shame and self criticism
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) developed by Paul Gilbert in 2000 is considered part of the “third wave” of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies emphasizing mindfulness, acceptance, values and goals. It was developed primarily for individuals who struggle with shame and self-criticism seen in a range of psychological difficulties (Gilbert and Irons, 2004) and is an integrative therapy drawing from various approaches like neuroscience, developmental, social, evolutionary psychology and Buddhist traditions. It has gained more popularity with increased research over the last ten years( Craig et al., 2020) demonstrating its contribution to developing compassion that reduces clinical symptomatology (Millard et al.,2023).
Lord Byron's Perilous Sailing to Messolonghi in the Greek War of Independence
Lord Byron in Albanian [Souliot] Dress, at the age of 25, after his graduation from the University of Cambridge (1809) and his tour of Ottoman Greece (1809-1811). Oil painting on canvas (1813) by Thomas Phillips (1770-1845), National Gallery of Greece.
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A remarkable episode in Byron’s Odyssey in Greece
200 years ago
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Why Study Psychology? Is this the University major for you?
There are many reasons to study Psychology. For instance, to gain a better understanding of people around you, to gain a better understanding of yourself and your potential, and not least because of the excellent career prospects offered to graduates.
Sustainable Gastronomy: Nurturing the Planet
In this fast-paced world, the concept of sustainability has permeated every aspect of our lives, inviting positive change and transforming our cultures. Even the realm of gastronomy, with its rich tapestry of flavors and experiences, has embraced this global movement towards sustainability.
What is Post Traumatic Growth?
Resilience and posttraumatic growth have aroused a growing interest in psychological research during the last decades. To move from trauma to growth is a challenging task and we all have been asked to do so and reflect on the possible long term positive effects as individuals, communities and nations, after the pandemic, leading to collective resilience.
Negative experiences can spiral to positive meaning making, including the recognition of personal strength, the exploration of new possibilities, improved relationships, a greater appreciation for life and spiritual growth. Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) can flourish upon educational experiences, emotional regulation, narrative development and change of our personal story as well the collective history.
It is possible to live authentically and be happy!
Do you know enough about building happiness?
Positive psychology is about building on strengths and virtues, but you may well ask how you can build something substantial when your foundations are rocky – when you know you carry trauma from the past. You may not even believe that you are entitled to positive feelings, because up to now they have evaded you and your defense mechanisms have become thick walls around you. Living in fear at a subconscious level that whenever someone triggers you, these walls may begin to crumble, will create chronic stress. You may try avoiding and even denying these triggers, because they leave you feeling vulnerable, turning to other shortcuts for quick relief. Is it the chocolate, shopping, sex, alcohol, and cigarettes amongst other, that brings you to the brink of joy, rapture, and comfort, or are they short lived? What about the scripts you follow, telling yourself stories about others, your feelings, and emotions – those mind-blowing games where you convince yourself that all the emptiness that you are experiencing is quite adequate, because that’s the reality of life?
Why studying English Language and English Language Teaching?
In today’s globalised world and in an era in which movement of diverse people across geographical borders for a range of educational, socioeconomic or sociopolitical reasons has become a norm, people’s ability to live in and with languages other than their mother tongue has become a valued personal, social, political and economic asset.
Nutritionist-Dietitian: A consultant or a nutritional therapist with empathy?
The nutritionist-dietitian has been defined in our consciousness as the consultant who fights for the aid of human health through the development of appropriate diet plans. But how simple is this after all? Are there many more?
