At the start of the year, many of us like to set new goals for ourselves, but sometimes they don't always work out. In this episode I talk about: - Ways to set new goals for ourselves, and how to break them down. - How creating new goals can challenge our script beliefs. - How younger parts of us are activated when it comes to creating change and how we can manage this. - How our self protective parts can sabotage us reaching our goals. - Ways in which we can 'get in our own...

Christmas can stir up lots of grief, whether it is grief we are experiencing now, or grief from many years ago. In this episode, I cover: - Why Christmas can intensify the feelings of grief. - Why it's important to give ourselves permission to do things differently. - Reduce pressure and expectations of ourselves during the festive season. - How our nervous system handles grief. - How connection with ourselves, others, the world and nature is so important d...

Christmas can be a tough time for so many of us. This season can stir up so many emotional memories from our past. In this episode I talk about ways in which our inner child and younger parts can show up, how to soothe and take care of those parts, and how to give our inner child the Christmas they deserve. Connect with Claire on: Website: https://www.claireratcliffepsychotherapy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cr_psychotherapy/?hl=en & @relationshiptherapyuk T...

In this episode I am sharing ways to help support yourself and your partner(s) if you are in a relationship, through the holiday season. Christmas time can be stressful with many expectations and pressures, so I wanted to share some ways you can look after and soothe yourself, and one another during the festive period. Connect with Claire on: Website: https://www.claireratcliffepsychotherapy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cr_psychotherapy/?hl=en & @relationshiptherap...

In this episode I talk about how to get the most from your couples and relationship therapy sessions. Therapy can be expensive and a long process, so I want to offer some ways which may help the process along. I talk about: Ways in which you can utilise the therapy process in between sessions. Learn how to self reflect and discover what you would like to change for yourself, the kind of partner you aspire to become. How you can look at the kind of relationship you want to bu...

In this episode, I talk about the power of appreciations in relationships. In long term relationships, we can often reduce the amount of appreciations we give compared to when the relationship started. I cover: - Why giving appreciations is so important - How appreciations can make you feel more connected and valued in your relationship. - How to give an effective appreciation. - Practical steps on how to do this. Connect with Claire on: Website: https://www.clairera...

This episode is answering questions that have been sent to me via social media. Here, I respond to questions: - How can I manage living with a Narcissist? What should and shouldn't I do? - I am attracted to someone at work.. What can I do? - I have anxiety when dating and feel so much better alone - What should I do? Please note the answers to these questions are not to give you advice but some suggestions of what to think about to help support you to make decisions that are right...

In this episode I talk about The Developmental Approach to couples and relationship therapy. I look at the different developmental stages that partners go through in their relationship, and the stages that partners can find the most challenging. I also talk about the reasons I find this approach to be helpful in supporting couples and relationships, and why it's one of my favourites! Connect with Claire on: Website: https://www.claireratcliffepsychotherapy.co.uk/ Instagram: h...

In this episode, I talk about burnout therapists can experience. I look at - How to recognise signs of burnout - How isolation as a therapist can contrite to this - The ways in which burnout can impact your therapy practice. - Ways to take care of yourself and prevent burnout in the future. Being a therapist can be very emotionally demanding, and it's important that you are fully taking care of yourself so you can show up for your clients without it having a detrimenta...

In this episode, I explore: - What burnout is - Ways we might experience burnout - Ways to slowly come out of burnout through regulating resources and reconnection. - How to prevent yourself from experiencing burnout again. Connect with Claire on: Website: https://www.claireratcliffepsychotherapy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cr_psychotherapy/?hl=en & @relationshiptherapyuk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cr_psychotherapy Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in...

In this episode I explore: - How we experience love - and why it can sometimes feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable. - The protective parts of us that rise up to keep us safe, but also keep love at a distance. - The subtle ways others might be trying to show us love (and why it doesn't always land). - How we can begin to soften, to notice, and to let love in.. slowly, gently, in small, titrated steps. Connect with Claire on: Website: https://www.claireratcliffepsychotherapy.co.uk/ Instag...

Are you tired and frustrated of repeating the same patterns in relationships? You keep falling for the same sort of partners and are left feeling alone, isolated and deeply unsatisfied? In this episode I cover: - The pattern we experience of falling for the same kind of person/personality. - What makes us drawn to these partners in the first place - How our younger parts or 'inner child' may be choosing our partners for us. - How to become consciously aware of this pattern - How to take care ...

Do you find it difficult to spend time alone? In this episode, I talk about what we do when we find it hard to be by ourselves, and how we 'fill the space'. I also cover: - How we can feel activated by having time alone - How to show our nervous system it is safe to be by ourselves. - How our attachment style contributes to the feeling of being 'unsafe' alone. - Tips and tools on how to slowly introduce small amount of time alone to show our nervous system it is safe. ...

Welcome to this weeks episode where I talk about Emotional Infidelity. Here I'll be exploring what starts to happen when we enter into infidelity territory and the blurring of boundaries. I also cover: How Emotional Infidelity can make us feel. How our 'younger parts' or 'inner child' can be active during this process Signs to look out for that we are entering into Emotional Infidelity ground. Ways to prevent this from happening. The grief that comes with moving away from the relationsh...

In this episode I talk about self trust, and the reasons why we stop trusting ourselves. I talk about the ways this may show up in our relationships and also explore how we can take small steps towards building trust within ourselves. I also reflect on how childhood experiences can lead us to rely on external validation and influence above our own wants, needs and desires. Connect with Claire on: Website: https://www.claireratcliffepsychotherapy.co.uk/ Instagram: https://w...

Hi, I'm Claire Ratcliffe, a Psychotherapist, Couples & Relationship Therapist and host of Healing Relationships. This podcast is your guide to understanding and healing your relationships - starting with the one you have with yourself, so you can feel a deeper sense of peace, trust and security in yourself and your life. Each week, I'll share insights, tools and real conversations about how to break and heal from old patterns, improve communication, and create connection that ...