Excel Psychology Articles

The Power of Early Intervention: Why Couples Should Seek Counselling Sooner Rather Than Later

Unlocking Relationship Potential with Gottman Theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) For many of us, intimate relationships can bring both our greatest joy and deepest frustration. Have you ever noticed repeating patterns in your love life? Perhaps you’re always drawn to emotionally distant partners, or you feel overwhelmed when someone gets too close. These patterns often trace back to attachment styles—psychological blueprints shaped in early life that continue to influence how we connect as adults (Bowlby, 1969; Hazan & Shaver, 1987). Understanding attachment can shed light on why we love the way we do, and how therapy can help us build healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

How Attachment Patterns Shape Our Intimate Relationships – And How Therapy Can Help

For many of us, intimate relationships can bring both our greatest joy and deepest frustration. Have you ever noticed repeating patterns in your love life? Perhaps you’re always drawn to emotionally distant partners, or you feel overwhelmed when someone gets too close. These patterns often trace back to attachment styles—psychological blueprints shaped in early life that continue to influence how we connect as adults (Bowlby, 1969; Hazan & Shaver, 1987). Understanding attachment can shed light on why we love the way we do, and how therapy can help us build healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

How to Practise Active and Empathetic Listening in Relationships

Understanding before responding: Transforming the way we connect When it comes to nurturing a thriving intimate relationship, communication is often cited as the cornerstone. Yet, while we may think we’re great communicators, there’s an art to truly listening that is often overlooked.

Why You Might Feel Stuck — And What Psychology Says Can Help

There are times in life when it feels like nothing we do makes a difference. After facing repeated setbacks or difficult circumstances, it’s natural to feel discouraged and lose the motivation to keep trying. However, for people who experience persistent adverse events, this can lead to a belief that our efforts won’t change the outcome, even when opportunities for change are possible.

Why Do We Push and Pull in Relationships? Understanding Anxious and Avoidant Attachment Patterns

Have you ever felt like you’re always chasing closeness while your partner keeps pulling away—or the reverse, where you feel overwhelmed and need space just as they need connection most? You’re not alone. Many couples find themselves caught in this painful dance, unsure how to step out of the cycle.

Self-Care: Your Roadmap to a Healthier, Happier You

The dragonfly, with its delicate wings and agile flight, symbolises balance in the face of change. In neuroscience, a similar concept exists—allostasis—the body’s process of maintaining stability during times of change. Like the dragonfly, self-care isn’t about avoiding life’s challenges, but about navigating them with steadiness. By attending to physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing, individuals may be better able to manage the demands of daily life.

Practical Tips for Maintaining Mental Well-being

In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become an almost inevitable part of our lives. In our practice at Excel, we see firsthand the impact that chronic stress can have on an individual’s mental and physical health. It is essential to recognise the signs of stress and adopt strategies to manage it effectively.

A psychologist’s advice on how to cope with end of year burnout

As the end of the year approaches many of us begin an exhausted struggle to the finish line. The anticipation for some much needed downtime can start to make the days feel longer, the exhaustion feel somehow heavier, and the energy to be motivated or productive feeling like it needs a low power mode. As the stressors of the year have snowballed, alongside the looming pressures many of us face over the festive season, burnout may begin to tap us on the shoulder.

Sailing Through the Storm: The Role of Integration Therapy in Healing from Psychedelic "Bad Trips"

The resurgence of interest in psychedelic substances for therapeutic purposes has brought to light not just their potential benefits but also the challenges they can present. One of the most distressing experiences associated with psychedelics is what is commonly known as a “bad trip.” These intense, often overwhelming experiences can leave individuals feeling confused, scared, and even traumatized. Integration therapy has emerged as a crucial process for helping individuals navigate and heal from these difficult encounters.

How to Build a Happy Relationship: 3 Helpful Tips from Science and Therapy

Relationships can be the source of great joy, fulfillment, and growth. They can also require constant effort, communication, and compromise. How can we make our relationships happier and healthier? What are the secrets of couples who stay together and thrive?

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