No-one is born with an instruction manual, so in the absence of a handbook to life, join us, our therapy family, as we create that Handbook To Happiness.
We're The Speakmans - comprising of 2 therapists, Nik & Eva, with 3 scientific research papers published, and a clinical trial backing up the efficacy of our self-developed approach; our daughter Liv, a University of Oxford Psychologist & Neuroscienti ...
... Read more
How does childhood trauma lead to weight issues, phobias, anxieties, OCD, low self-esteem, social anxiety, sleep issues, and other anxiety disorders in adulthood? If you’ve been a child, or had one, then this episode is for you! This week The Speakmans explore how your informative years really do shape your adulthood. They're joined by special guest, acting agent and drama school proprietor Carol Godby BEM, who for over 30 years has worked with, helped, positively impacted, observed and launched the careers of many young people. Carol brings a wealth of experience, in regards how both trauma and parents, can impact children. Liv shares her own experience of school bullying, and how finding a hobby built her up, and contributed to the confident woman she is today. An array of topics are discussed; including the pressures of childhood, and the importance of communication with your children, treating them as fellow humans, as opposed to lesser beings. Additionally The Speakmans discuss the impact of newer challenges facing children, such as the impacts of social media, gaming, and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on children's social skills.
In this week's fascinating OCD episode, The Speakmans will answer: What is an OCD? Are we born with it? Could it be genetic? And if there is a cause, what is this, and how do you find it? The Speakmans explain the difference between OCD & Pure O, plus discuss why it is we carry out OCD behaviours, as well as sharing the various types of OCDs that they’ve encountered in their clinic. They question whether intrusive thoughts are in fact just thoughts; discussing the reason we have these, and the science behind them. The family share the reasons why OCD often accelerates with each passing year, the link between OCD & confirmation bias, and why the 'OCD' label often only makes things worse. Liv shares her own OCD behaviours displayed when she sat her exams, but also the science behind this ritual thought process. In this week's Science Corner, she also discusses the triggers that often make OCD behaviours manifest. Hunter shares his OCD exam time behaviours, whilst the family question if Eva’s cleaning is a trait of OCD, or in fact just her high standards. Client case studies are discussed, with The Speakmans sharing their process used to cure OCD, in the hope this helps others who may too be struggling. This episode is filled with an abundance of incredibly helpful tips, and most of all, The Speakmans' absolute belief that everyone and anyone can overcome their OCD.
Procrastination is the thief of progress, opportunity, exciting adventures and brand new experiences. This week The Speakmans discuss why we procrastinate, and how we can make simple but positive changes to part ways with our procrastination. If your progress is plagued by the statement "I just don’t have time”, The Speakmans share how you can create this. They also explain why saying "yes" too often actually adds to the burden, anchoring you in this pattern of procrastination. In this episode, you’ll learn how to leave work at work, the impact of mess on the mind, plus the link between mental health challenges and procrastination, as well as the influence of the pressure to be perfect. In this week's Science Corner, Liv explains why we default to postponing our progress, and how catastrophising actually makes this worse. Whether it’s work, housework, going to the gym, or even taking steps to fulfill your dreams, in this episode you'll be presented with an abundance of simple tips, to help you prevent the pattern of procrastinating. If you're someone who puts things off, don't delay listening to this episode!
If happiness were a cake, this week The Speakmans' are sharing their magical recipe. Questions answered include: Are The Speakmans always happy? Were they born happy? Do Liv & Hunter feel pressure to be happy, being the children of therapists? How do The Speakmans' deal with life’s challenges? The family talk comparison and how this can crush your happiness, as well as discussing the influence of family, friends, work colleagues, low self-esteem, trauma and stresses, whether these be current, or in the past. Nik explains both how and why unresolved worries and anxieties grow, as well as why the line “I’ll be happy when…” defers your chance to be happy now. You will learn how life is like a game of snakes and ladders, and how and why having goals, no matter how small these may be, creates happiness; giving you focus, drive, energy and purpose. We hear how Hunter starts the day singing himself happy, even with an unexpected audience, and in this week's Science Corner, Liv shares how a fall or fail nearer to your destination actually feels so much bigger, plus how only 46% of people who are struggling with their mental health, actually speak out. In this episode, you really are gifted with The Speakmans' jam-packed toolbox for happiness.
An emotional episode underpinned by hope, help & healing. Addiction is often a taboo subject, but whether it’s alcohol, food, gambling, drugs, exercise, sugar or social media, this episode offers understanding, an explanation, and the answer as to how to heal from addiction. Eva opens up about how her life was affected, and why addiction can lead to catastrophising, self-hatred, feeling like life always goes wrong for you; and to making your world a very negative place. This week, The Speakmans are joined by Paul, who visited them in 2006 for help with his alcoholism. Paul shares his journey with alcohol from the age of 12, as well as his traumas from the age of 3, that led him to walk through The Speakmans' door. Paul shares his journey before meeting Nik & Eva, together with the growth of his issue from being a social drinker, to a daily drinker, when he would normalise and justify his behaviour, to avoid accepting his issue. Paul also shares his life now, 18 years after therapy with The Speakmans, and having faced further devastating trauma, as he bravely shares the harrowing and devastating loss of his daughter. In this week's Science Corner, Liv explains the science behind addiction, and why the need for our fix can accelerate, due to how the brain adjusts. She also explains how casinos use psychology research, and knowledge of how addictions are created, to manipulate customers into gambling more. Learn how people can affect your recovery, how childhood trauma can lead to self-medication in adulthood, and how you don’t need willpower if the cause of your addiction is effectively addressed. The Speakmans advise how to prevent weight gain if quitting smoking, the many reasons behind addiction, and their own ‘go to’ if they need to switch off. This episode offers you numerous tips to help you, or a loved one, from the path of addiction, to the path of freedom & happiness.