Books Simple Gifts In this book I reflect on the many joys of my quiet life in Nelson – the beauty of the environment, the pleasure of walking and swimming, family and friends – and on some underlying values and concerns. This book is perfect for the busy reader. Take just a few minutes to
Books Dealing with Depression "The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates Now that I have retired, this from Socrates is even more relevant! Dealing with Depression is a guide to living well, for those suffering from depression and those working with or supporting them. It's based on my years
Books Connection In my book Harnessing Hope I describe a number of strategies which can lift our mood and counter depression. These are arranged under the headings Body, Mind, Spirit as a reminder that we need to attend to each of these areas to maintain balance in life. Depression can be very
Books The Examined Life The Examined Life: How we lose and find ourselves by Stephen Grosz Chatto and Windus, London 2013 On first reading, Stephen Grosz's simply told vignettes of his patients seem lightweight. Other reviewers have likened Grosz to Chekov and Freud but if I was looking for either in-depth case
Books The Emotional Life of Your Brain The Emotional Life of Your Brain: How to change the way you think, feel and live by Richard Davidson with Sharon Begley Hodder and Stoughton 2012 252pp Richard Davidson is the Forrest Gump of psychological research. He has had a role in many significant milestones of psychological research throughout his
Books In Praise of Curiosity The sense of danger must not disappear: The way is certainly both short and steep, However gradual it looks from here: Look if you like, but you will have to leap. W.H. Auden 'Leap before you look' As a small child I was full of questions, as
Books In Praise of Conversation Only Connect!E.M.Forster When shy people talk to me about their fear of meeting others I teach them a few simple strategies for putting people at ease and explain that most of us love to talk about ourselves and will do so freely, given a good opening. I
Books Why Love Matters: Review Why Love Matters How affection shapes a baby's brain Sue Gerhardt Routledge 2004 246pp Sue Gerhardt is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist and co-founder of the Oxford Parent Infant Project which provides therapeutic help to parents with their babies. 'Babies are like the raw material for a self. Each
Books Born for Love Review Born for Love why empathy is essential – and endangered. Maia Szalavitz and Bruce Perry Harper 2010 374pp 'From birth, when babies' fingers instinctively cling to those of adults, their bodies and brains seek an intimate connection – a bond made possible by empathy, the remarkable ability to love and
Books Depression as a Spiritual Journey Depression as a Spiritual Journey by Stephanie Sorrell O Books 2009 249pp This helpful and original book is arranged in four parts: Part 1 Asking the Right Questions defines depression and provides the context for Sorrell's approach. Depression is likened to the archetypal quest in which the hero
Books Being Wrong: Review Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error Kathryn Schulz Portobello, London 2010 405pp > Why is it so fun to be right? As pleasures go, it is, after all, a second-order one at best. Unlike so many of life's other delights – chocolate, surfing, kissing – it does not
