Have you ever noticed yourself playing out the exact same argument with a new partner, or feeling irrationally triggered by a friend's seemingly innocent comment? Welcome to the world of core schemas . Developed by Dr. Jeffrey Young as the foundation of Schema Therapy, schemas are deep, enduring beliefs about ourselves and others that we form during childhood. Think of them as invisible emotional blueprints. While these beliefs helped us navigate our early environments, carry

Happy Valentine’s Day. Or, as it’s known in clinical circles: The Annual Festival of Attachment Activation. While the rest of Soho is currently battling for the last bouquet of overpriced roses or a table for two in a crowded bistro, let’s take a moment to look under the hood of the romantic engine. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why you keep dating the same "emotionally unavailable" person in a different leather jacket, or why you’re bored by the "nice" ones, you ar

In schema therapy, we view this relentless drive not just as a personality trait, but as a coping mode for a deeper, more painful internal structure known as the Defectiveness Schema.

For us at Soho Psychology, situated in the heart of one of London’s most historically significant queer districts, this month is a reminder of the deep intersection between history, identity, and mental well-being.

It is rarely "just politics." When public debates centre on your fundamental right to exist, express yourself, or access healthcare, the political becomes deeply, painfully personal. If you are feeling a heaviness in your chest when you scroll through the news, or a hum of background anxiety that won’t go away, you are not imagining it. You are reacting to a hostile climate. For LGBTQI+ individuals, the current political landscape isn't just a matter of differing opinions; it

London is a city of words. From the chatter of coffee shops in Soho to the fast-paced negotiations of the City, we are constantly communicating. Yet, for many of us, words can sometimes feel like a barrier rather than a bridge. When we are grappling with deep-seated trauma, exploring complex identities, or managing the high-pressure anxiety of city living, "talking it out" isn't always enough. This is where Art Psychotherapy  steps in. At Soho Psychology London , we understan

We all know the "London Dream." It’s the version of the city we saw in movies before we moved here: rainy romantic walks along the South Bank, cozy pints in centuries-old pubs, and a career in one of the world's most exciting financial hubs. But lately? The headlines haven’t exactly been rolling out the welcome mat. Between tightening visa rules, the cost-of-living crisis, and the endless discourse about everything that’s "broken," it is easy for an expat to feel less like a

Depression is more than just a fleeting feeling of sadness; it is a pervasive fog that can dull your enjoyment of life, drain your energy, and distort your perception of yourself and the world. For many professionals and residents in the city, the fast-paced nature of life can sometimes mask these symptoms until they become overwhelming. Understanding how depression operates is the first step toward dismantling it. By combining cognitive (thinking) and behavioural  (doing) s

Do you often feel like no one truly "gets" you? Do you find yourself constantly taking care of others, yet feeling like your own emotional needs are destined to go unmet? You might be dealing with one of the most common, yet hardest to identify, life patterns: the Emotional Deprivation Schema. Of all the patterns we see in the therapy room, Emotional Deprivation is often the most elusive. Unlike trauma or abandonment, which are defined by what happened  to you, Emotional Depr

London is a city of paradoxes. It is thrilling, diverse, and teeming with nine million people. Yet, for many international professionals who move here, it can also be one of the loneliest places on earth. If you have recently moved to London—or even if you have been here for a few years—you might recognize a specific, jarring feeling: You are surrounded by people on the Central Line, your office is buzzing, and your calendar is full, yet you feel profoundly isolated. At Soho

* At present Psychedelics are only legal in the UK when used research settings or used with medical prescription in Ketamine assisted Therapy clinics. This blog does not represent advice or encouragement to use psychedelics and only describes the current state of scientific understanding.  If you are considering taking psychedelics in a controlled, legal (outside of the UK) retreat or treatment environment please speak to a healthcare professional with relevant knowledge on t

* At present Psychedelics are only legal in the UK when used research settings or used with medical prescription in Ketamine assisted Therapy clinics. This blog does not represent advice or encouragement to use psychedelics and only describes the current state of scientific understanding.  If you are considering taking psychedelics in a controlled, legal (outside of the UK) retreat or treatment environment please speak to a healthcare professional with relevant knowledge on t

Client: Andrea A, Female I first met when Dr Wakefield a few years ago having been referred to him by another therapist. He was...

I’ve done several posts on my Instagram about things for clients to consider when starting therapy and during their therapy to try to...

Many people coming into therapy have experienced trauma in some form or another and their psychological, emotional and relational...

Anonymous, Female Client I have been in and out of therapy for many years; seeking out therapy when I hit a low point and then not...