The Therapy Files

Content Warning: This episode discusses domestic abuse and may be difficult or emotionally challenging for some listeners. Please listen only if and when it feels right for you. If now isn't the right time, that's completely okay. Your wellbeing comes first, and this episode will still be here whenever you're ready.In this episode of The Therapy Files, Craig and Callum are joined by Gemma Lawford for a sensitive and important conversation about domestic abuse.

Together, they explore what domestic abuse can look like, how it can affect people emotionally and psychologically, and why it is so important to move beyond stereotypes or simplistic ideas of who abuse happens to.

The conversation considers the impact of control, fear, isolation, shame, and uncertainty, as well as the courage it can take for someone to recognise what is happening and reach out for support.

This episode is not intended to replace specialist advice, but to open up thoughtful discussion, raise awareness, and signpost listeners towards support.

Please take care while listening, especially if this topic feels close to home.

Support

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Call 0808 2000 247 — free, confidential and available 24 hours a day.

Men’s Advice Line
Call 0808 801 0327 — support for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them.

Galop LGBT+ Abuse and Violence Helpline
Call 0800 999 5428 — support for LGBT+ people experiencing abuse or violence.

Listeners outside the UK are encouraged to contact local emergency services, domestic abuse charities, or crisis support services in their own country.

The Therapy Files is back.

In the first episode of Series 5, Craig and Callum explore the complex and often heartbreaking subject of missing people. They discuss why people may go missing, the impact on families and loved ones, and the emotional weight of uncertainty when someone’s whereabouts are unknown.

The episode looks at UK and global statistics, including the fact that someone is reported missing every 90 seconds in the UK, and considers issues such as mental health, domestic abuse, homelessness, trafficking, voluntary disappearance, and unresolved grief.

Craig and Callum also reflect on missing people in popular culture, including music, documentaries, and television, asking why these stories continue to stay with us.

This is a thoughtful and sensitive conversation about absence, hope, fear, ambiguity, and the people left waiting for answers.

Support

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
For non-emergency missing person reports in the UK, call 101.

Missing People
Call or text 116 000
Website: missingpeople.org.uk

Samaritans
Call 116 123
Website: samaritans.org

Childline
Call 0800 1111
Website: childline.org.uk

Other organisations mentioned include Locate International, Look4them, the Missing Persons Information Hub, Barnardo’s, The Children’s Society, and UK Coroner Services.

Listeners outside the UK are encouraged to contact local emergency services, missing persons charities, or mental health crisis support in their own country.

TW: This episode alludes to violence and rape culture.

Join us, Callum & Craig as we finally sit down after a long hiatus for Episode 31 as we delve into the intricate world of Incels, examining their origins, community dynamics, notable figures, and the ramifications of their beliefs. Incels, short for "Involuntary Celibates," predominantly consist of men congregating in online spaces, attributing their romantic shortcomings to perceived attractiveness.

Research by O’Malley et al. (2020) reveals alarming patterns within the incel community, citing misogynistic tendencies, favourability towards violence, and resemblances to extremist groups. These groups revolve around five core beliefs, including the sexual market, demonisation of women, validation of masculinity, perceptions of male oppression, and alarming tendencies towards violence.

From a feminist viewpoint, these ideologies are concerning. Incels often propagate anti-feminism, blaming it for disrupting natural selection and contributing to a perceived 'rape culture'. However, this perspective disregards the societal roots of their struggles.

The episode takes a closer look at Incels and debates whether this group constitutes a terrorist entity. We explore potential strategies for intervention, rehabilitation, and deradicalization, including therapeutic and psychiatric interventions.

📚 References and Sources:

Get ready for another electrifying episode of The Therapy Files with Callum and Craig!

It's a milestone moment as we celebrate our 30th episode with a bang.

Join us as we sit down with the seasoned personal trainer, Calvin Williamson, for an eye-opening discussion on the connection between mental health and exercise. With his extensive experience and ongoing Physiotherapy qualification,

Calvin is the ultimate fitness guru to shed light on this topic. So, grab a seat and let's dive into the warm-up stretches!

You won't want to miss this!

References used in this episode

Anderson, E. & Shivakumar, G. (2013). Effects of

Bell, L. S., Audrey, S., Gunnell, D., Cooper, A.,

Ostrow, L., Jessell, L., Hurd, M., Darrow, S.M., & Cohen, D. (2017). Discontinuing psychiatric medications: a survey of long-term users. Psychiatric Services, 68, pp. 1232-1238.

Sharma, A., Madaan, V., & Petty, D. F. (2006).

Schuch, F., Vancampfort, D., Firth, J., Rosenbaum, S., Ward, P., & Reichert, T. (2017). Physical activity and

Schuch, B. F. & Vancampfort, D. (2021). Physical activity, exercise, and mental disorders: it is time to move on. Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 43(3), pp. 177-184. doi: 10.47626/2237-6089-2021-0237

Taylor, C. B., Sallis, F. J., & Needle, R. (1985).

We are back after what feels like far too long!

Join Callum & Craig as they sit down in what was their February 2023 episode - better late than never, right? In this episode, they investigate disability and its impact on the counselling space.

References used in this episode:

Well, hello, one and all. We wish you a happy Sunday, an extremely belated Merry Christmas, and a belated happy new year. Here at the Therapy Files, we’re starting the year off on a bit of a back foot – 2022 ended too quickly – in other words, in between managing our jobs and daily life, amongst a winter cold or two, we found ourselves somewhat surprised to be thrust unceremoniously into a new year!

We might be starting 2023 slower than we would have liked, but better late than never, right? We bring you our December 2022 episode on Stalking. A hard-hitting yet critically and often undiscussed area of criminological research – if you hadn’t yet guessed – this is one of Callum’s subjects!

In this episode, we cover:

· What stalking is

· Statistics

· Legislation (see links below for updated information)

· And as ever, Televisual and filmic representations of stalking.

As ever, if you need support after listening to this episode, please use the support resources below:

1. Suzy Lamplugh Trust (www.suzylamplugh.org) - The website of the National Stalking Helpline, providing information and advice on stalking and how to stay safe.

2. Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service (www.paladinservice.co.uk) - The website of the Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service, providing information on the service and how to access it.

3. Protection Against Stalking (www.protectionagainststalking.org) - The website of the Protection Against Stalking charity, providing information and support to victims of stalking and their families.

4. Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk) - The website of the National Domestic Violence Helpline, providing information on domestic violence, including stalking, and how to access support.

5. The National Stalking Consortium (www.stalkinghelpline.org) - A national organization that provides information, support and training on stalking, as well as a directory of local stalking support services.

6. The UK Network for Survivors of Stalking (www.stalkingvictims.org) - A website that provides information and support to victims of stalking, including a directory of local support services.

7. The police website (https://www.police.uk/) - The website of the police in UK, you can find information about stalking, how to report it and what to expect from the police.

References used in this episode 

Stalking: findings from the Crime Survey for England and Wales - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

Crown Prosecution Service. (2022). Stalking and Harassment. Retrieved from: http://www.cps.gov.uk

Corrin, L. (2012). Stalking: new legislation falls short. Retrieved from: http://www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Join Callum & Craig for another episode of the Therapy Files.  In this episode, they consider Counsellors & Psychotherapists and their experiences of mental health.  As two individuals who have experience of mental illness, they consider their own personal views and reflect on how their lived experiences of mental health have positively impacted their work as a qualified therapist and a trainee respectively.

References consulted for this episode:

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Need support?

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Visit the following organisations for support if you need it after listening to this episode:

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Contact us

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In this episode, join Callum & Craig as they sit down together to discuss what it's like being a trainee counsellor.  Callum being ther qualified one offers advice and support to Craig as he sets out on his trainee counselling journey - and to all those trainees listening in to the episode, of course as well as those who may be part of the general public or those who are toying with the idea of venturing into this profession.  A friendly, informal episode over a cup of tea between friends - what more could you want for a Sunday afternoon?

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Need support?

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Visit the following organisations for support if you need it after listening to this episode:

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Contact us

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Join Callum & Craig as they sit down again with Cathal Reid - a schoolteacher and men's mental health activist from Ireland.  This week, they examine Men's mental health support and Cathal & Craig share the story of how they discovered Mentell a national men's mental health charity based in Stockport, England, UK that promotes the notion that talking with other men can help.  As in the past, sitting in circle around a fire and offloading their troubles can help men better understand themselves. and others in a profound and remarkable way.  So, pull up a seat and join us as we continue this double-bill on masculinity and men's mental health 

Interested in Mentell and fancy joining a circle either online or in person? Visit www.mentell.org.uk and sign up if you feel ready to join in a circle, or even if you just want to know more about the charity.

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Need support?

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Visit the following organisations for support if you need it after listening to this episode:

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Contact us

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Join Callum & Craig as they sit down for another episode of the Therapy Files Podcast. In this episode, they welcome Cathal Reid, as schoolteacher and a Men’s mental Health activist from Ireland. This episode looks at how the socially constructed concept of masculinity is tightly intertwined with mental health – it also examines some of the effects that masculinity has on one’s mental health. Discussion is centred around personal lived experiences interspersed with some academic research and, as always, some statistics. If this sounds like something that may interest you, pull up a chair and join us.

References used in this episode:

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Need support?

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Visit the following organisations for support if you need it after listening to this episode:

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Contact us

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