Briony McKean

December 10, 2025
Graphic with the text “Comparison at Christmas” and CBT Professionals logo, representing a blog on managing year-end guilt and self-reflection compassionately.

Why We Compare Ourselves to Others (And How to Stop)

The Psychology of Comparison: Why We Measure Ourselves Against Others – and How to Stop Comparison is a natural human behaviour. We all assess ourselves in relation to others at times — how we look, what we earn, how happy we seem, and how successful our lives appear to be. […]
December 2, 2025
Self-care strategies for everyday wellbeing – CBT Professionals psychology blog header

Self-Care Strategies for Everyday Wellbeing

Practising self-care is essential for maintaining a balanced, healthy, and fulfilling life. While the idea of self-care is widely discussed, consistently putting it into practice can feel challenging — particularly when life feels busy, stressful, or overwhelming. Self-care is not about indulgence or perfection. It is about intentionally supporting your […]
December 2, 2025
Graphic displaying the question ‘What does a CBT session look like?’ with CBT Professionals branding

What Does a CBT Session Look Like?

Many people feel uncertain or nervous before attending their first cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) session. Whether you’re seeking support for anxiety, depression, stress, or navigating life challenges, it’s completely normal to wonder: “What does a CBT session actually look like?”  In this guide, we explain how CBT works, what you can expect during a typical […]
November 26, 2025
Battling the Winter Blues: Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Coping Strategies for Mental Well-being

Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

As the temperature drops and the days grow shorter, many individuals find themselves grappling with a noticeable shift in their mood and energy levels. This phenomenon is often referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that occurs in a seasonal pattern, typically during the […]
November 26, 2025
Graphic with the text “The End-of-Year Guilt Spiral” and CBT Professionals logo, representing a blog on managing year-end guilt and self-reflection compassionately.

End-of-Year Guilt and Productivity Pressure

As the year draws to a close, it is natural to reflect on the past twelve months. For some, this reflection brings pride and satisfaction. For others — particularly perfectionists, parents, carers, and people balancing multiple responsibilities — it can trigger a quiet but persistent sense of guilt: “I didn’t […]
November 18, 2025
Cope with life overwhelm

Managing Overwhelm and Stress During Busy Seasons

  Many people assume that stress only peaks during major life events. In reality, overwhelm can arise at any point throughout the year. Demanding workloads, family responsibilities, financial pressure, social expectations, school terms, or unexpected changes can quickly increase stress levels — often before we consciously recognise what is happening. […]

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