I write about the science of mental health and wellbeing.

  • What does creativity mean to me

    What does creativity mean to me

    The 2025 Voices in Psychology prompt for The Psychologist was ‘what does creativity mean to me?’Here are my thoughts: Creativity is most traditionally associated with artistic expression, especially when it results in something that is striking in a tangible or obvious way. But from a scientific perspective, creativity is this and more, and it is Read more

  • Trinket culture and the psychology of collecting

    Trinket culture and the psychology of collecting

    As featured in Tyla 11/07/2025 In recent years, there’s been a noticeable rise in what some call ‘trinket’ culture, small, often cute collectible items such as Sonny Angels, Jellycats, and other niche figurines or plush toys. Psychological Needs and the Role of Collecting Collecting can meet several core psychological needs that support wellbeing. According to Read more

  • Braintenance – Review

    Braintenance – Review

    Braintenance: How to Create Healthy Habits and Reach Your Goals – Dr Julia Ravey If you’re looking for a practical and engaging guide to beating procrastination and building happier habits, I highly recommend Braintenance by Dr Julia Ravey. One of the things I really like about this book is its clear structure of Why, Sci, Try. For each Read more

  • Getting over your to do list burnout

    Getting over your to do list burnout

    Make a list, tick off the chores, feel ready to relax, then suddenly the weekend is gone?! To enjoy a relaxing and restorative weekend, rather than one full of admin and chores, healthy boundaries and self-reflection around your downtime are key. Self-care isn’t just for when things go wrong; it’s most effective when practised consistently, Read more

  • Reflective Practice: A Vital Skill for Every Aspiring Psychologist

    Reflective Practice: A Vital Skill for Every Aspiring Psychologist

    Reflective practice is a core skill for any psychologist. Whether you’re aiming to become a therapist, clinical psychologist, or working in research, educational, occupational or forensic settings, it’s a good skill to learn. At its heart, reflective practice involves actively thinking about an experience, particularly one you want to learn from, in order to improve Read more

  • Coping Creatively: Resilience Building Workshops

    Coping Creatively: Resilience Building Workshops

    On Thursday 12th July, we hosted our very first Coping Creatively workshop at Newbury Cancer Care. The event involved a brief introduction to wellbeing, resilience, and why creativity and creative activities can support our wellbeing, even during difficult times. We then got stuck into crafting. Whatever their experience, everyone who attended left having tried something new, or Read more