Psychology, Actually

In this week's Inner Work, I reflect on the surprising grief that can emerge when we begin to understand our patterns more clearly. Sometimes the sadness isn't about what happened. It's about what didn't happen. The support, safety, consistency or care that might have changed everything. We explore grief, boundaries, childhood experiences and what happens when we begin to realise that our needs we...

Why do so many of us feel responsible for everyone else's emotions? Have you ever found yourself saying yes when you wanted to say no? Feeling guilty for setting boundaries? Or carrying the weight of other people's feelings long after the conversation has ended? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, I am joined by forensic psychologist Dr Nicole Harvey to explore the psychology of people pleasi...

What if your nervous system is paying attention to far more than you realise? In this week's Inner Work , I reflect on my conversation with Health Psychologist Dr Sula Windgassen and explore the idea that our bodies are constantly taking in messages about safety, worth and belonging. We consider what happens when we repeatedly dismiss our own feelings, stay silent when something doesn't sit right,...

When doctors tell us our tests are normal, many people hear a very different message: "It's all in your head." But what if that phrase is based on a complete misunderstanding of how the mind and body actually work together? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, I am joined by Health Psychologist Dr Sula Windgassen, author of It's All In Your Body, to explore chronic illness, pain, recurrent UTI...

What happens when you begin recognising old relational patterns… and start looking back at past relationships differently? In this week’s Inner Work episode, I reflect on grief, hindsight, growth, emotional memory and the complicated feelings that can emerge when we realise we might make very different choices now than we once did. We explore: changing values and priorities relational growth and s...

Why do some fears disappear whilst others seem to stay with us for years? Why can one bad experience shape the way we think, feel and behave long after the danger has passed? And why do humans keep expecting the worst, even when things are actually okay? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, I’m joined by Dr Martyn Quigley, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Swansea University, to explore the fas...

What happens when you begin recognising old relational patterns… and start looking back at past relationships differently? In this week’s Inner Work episode, I reflect on grief, hindsight, growth, emotional memory and the complicated feelings that can emerge when we realise we might make very different choices now than we once did. We explore: changing values and priorities relational growth and s...

Why do we keep repeating relationship patterns that no longer serve us? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, Dr Marianne Trent is joined by fellow Clinical Psychologist Dr Kate Sherratt to explore attachment, relational patterns, dating psychology, burnout, self-esteem and why our earliest relationships can quietly shape the way we navigate adult life. From people-pleasing and emotional shutdo...

What if the problem isn’t that you’re lazy… but that modern life is designed to overwhelm you? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, Dr Marianne Trent is joined by author Lily Silverton to explore the psychology of procrastination, overwhelm, attention, comparison and why so many people struggle to prioritise what actually matters. If you constantly feel behind, overstimulated or exhausted by c...

Why are so many employees burning out sometimes before their careers have even properly begun? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, Dr Marianne Trent is joined once again by educational psychologist Dr Adam McCartney to explore the psychology of workplace wellbeing, burnout, leadership, identity, organisational culture and the growing impact of AI on confidence and autonomy at work. We discuss...

Most therapy tries to understand what’s “wrong” with someone. But what if the person isn’t the problem at all? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, Dr Marianne Trent is joined by clinical psychologists Rosslyn Offord, Elizabeth Field and Polly Kaiser to explore narrative therapy a therapeutic approach that helps people separate themselves from problems, reconnect with identity, and rewrite the...

Why do people stay in abusive relationships? It’s one of the most common questions people ask after stories of trauma, coercion and abuse. But it’s often the wrong one. In this episode of Psychology, Actually, I explore the psychology behind the question “Why didn’t she leave?” through the lens of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir Nobody’s Girl https://amzn.to/4tAA93f - unpacking trauma, grooming, coerciv...

What do you do when your child won’t go to school… and it doesn’t feel like defiance? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, we explore emotional based school avoidance (EBSA / EBSNA) – why it happens, when it’s most likely to start, and what actually helps children feel able to return to education. I’m joined by Educational Psychologist ⁨@Dr. AdamMcCartney⁩ and we discuss the psychology behind...

What happens when fame arrives before you know who you are… and then disappears? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, I’m joined by 90s pop star Kavana (Anthony Kavanagh) to explore the psychology of fame, addiction, identity and recovery. We talk openly about the reality behind the spotlight - from chart success and public adoration to addiction, shame, and rebuilding a life when everything c...

Is it too late to become a clinical psychologist? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, I’m joined by trainee clinical psychologist Claire Dunn, who started her journey at 40 and secured a place on the doctorate at 47.Together, we break down what retraining in psychology actually looks like practically, emotionally, and strategically. Using real-life style examples of older applicants navigatin...

Most people think liver disease is only caused by alcohol. It isn’t. In this episode of Psychology, Actually, we explore fatty liver disease (now known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease), a common but often silent condition affecting 1 in 5 people in the UK. I’m joined by NHS health coach Sharan Verma, who shares both professional insight and her personal experience of lo...

Becoming an Assistant Psychologist in the UK can feel frustrating, competitive, and at times deeply personal – especially when applications don’t lead to interviews or offers. In this episode of Psychology, Actually, we explore why Assistant Psychologist roles are so difficult to secure, what experience is actually needed before applying, and how to navigate rejection without burning out or losing...

What if one of the most powerful tools for girls’ confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing was already on the school timetable?  In this episode of Psychology, Actually, we explore why girls in sport is about so mu...

We train psychologists to think brilliantly… but no one really teaches us how to feel. In this episode we explore embodied practice in psychology, including how to manage stress, anger, burnout, trauma, and emotional overwhelm through the body rather than just the mind. I’m joined again by Dr Sunil Lad, Consultant Counselling Psychologist and NHS Clinical Director, and we discuss why many clinicia...

Disability, Identity & Leadership in Psychology - Turning Difference into Strength! What if the thing that makes you feel different is actually the thing that makes you a better psychologist? In this episode we explore disability, identity, lived experience, and leadership in psychology, and how difference can shape powerful, compassionate clinical practice. I’m joined by Dr Sunil Lad, Consult...

How do international students actually become clinical psychologists in the UK? In this episode I speak with Dr Samuel Chu, originally from Hong Kong, who moved to London as an international student and is now a qualified NHS clinical psychologist. We unpack the real pathway into UK clinical psychology training, including Tier 4 student visas, international student fees, assistant psychologist rol...

Teachers are burning out. Classrooms are becoming harder to manage. And children are struggling to regulate their emotions in school. In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr Marianne Trent speaks with educational psychologist Dr Adam McCartney about what educational psychologists actually do in schools - and how psychological thinking can help transform behaviour, emotional regulation and staff...

What Teenage Mothers Really Need - A Psychologist’s PerspectiveTeenage pregnancy is often framed as a social problem, a failure, or a life “ruined.” But what if the real issue isn’t the pregnancy - it’s the stigma, judgement, and low expectations placed on young mothers? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Hayley Lugassy, an educational psychologist who became a mother at 15. We explore the psycholo...

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Emma Hepburn, Clinical Psychologist and creator of The Psychology Mum, to explore burnout, shame in mental health professionals, creativity in clinical psychology, and what happens when your body forces you to stop. We discuss how Emma’s illustrations began in NHS brain injury groups, how her “capacity cup” drawing went viral d...

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore what it’s really like working as a UK-trained Clinical Psychologist in the UAE. If you’ve ever wondered about relocating abroad, practising outside the NHS, navigating private healthcare systems, or balancing career progression with lifestyle changes, this conversation offers a realistic and informed perspective. I’m joined by Dr Jac...