The Richard Nicholls Mental Health Podcast

Send us a text Sometimes our brains take us back in time, whether we like it or not. A smell, a sound, a certain day on the calendar can pull us into the past like we’ve put on a pair of VR goggles. In today’s episode I'm talking about getting triggered, what that really means, and how we can gently take those goggles off and come back to the here and now. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.co...

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2025

Send us a text Self care and self awareness go hand in hand. By taking care of ourselves and recognising some of the reasons behind our urges and behaviours we can overcome so many obstacles. Today's episode is all about using the acronym H.A.L.T to help us remember that there may be other things going on with us. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bl...

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2025

Send us a text Today is all about Obsessive Compulsive Personality. OCD is talked about a lot because it's such a life destroying disorder, and so is quite obvious if someone has it. But when it's a personality trait people can often just get labelled as "difficult" and they don't seek help. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/...

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2025

Send us a text Personal growth can really only happen by having gone through some sort of pain, some bad experience. Living inside our comfort zones gets us nowhere unfortunately. What we need though, is the right mindset so that those bad experiences push us forward, not hold us back. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profil...

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2025

Send us a text This week I'm looking at the constant battle between our real self and our ideal self, and how those nagging “shoulds” (“I should be more productive,” “I should have my life figured out”) create unnecessary pressure and self-criticism. Dove Real Beauty Sketches https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrHoDJinMQI Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Lin...

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2025

Send us a text Today's episode is all about Commitment and why it's so important when it comes to personal development. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebook https://www.facebook.com...

Transcribed - Published: 11 April 2025

Send us a text Today's is a follow up from the personality disorders episode and is about how we can regulate our emotions when we're overwhelmed. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Facebo...

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2025

Send us a text Being behind on your goals doesn't mean rushing to get everything finished, it doesn't mean disrespecting yourself and not looking after yourself. One of the most important factors in getting through a busy life with a healthy and happy mindset is the quality time that you put to one side just for you. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links ...

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2025

Send us a text Not everyone benefits from traditional forms of self-care. Some people actually find it quite distressing. If you’ve had difficult experiences in your past—especially in childhood—you might struggle with the idea of sitting in silence with yourself. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net ...

Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2025

Send us a text Is there really such a thing as an addictive personality? Or do people who are addicted to something just need to prove to themselves that they DO have control? Let's explore the nature of addiction, debunk some common myths, and discuss practical strategies. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnic...

Transcribed - Published: 21 March 2025

Send us a text Not everyone likes labels when it comes to mental health issues, but for some people it can be quite reassuring to be told that their reactions to the world are so common that we even have a name for it. So today I'm giving you a very brief introduction to what we call Personality Disorders. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky ht...

Transcribed - Published: 14 March 2025

Send us a text Feeling anxious doesn't mean that we need to run and hide. Sometimes our emotions make mistakes and very often their instructions come from our beliefs. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richar...

Transcribed - Published: 7 March 2025

Send us a text Ever heard of Sensory Processing Sensitivity? It's a neurological trait that means that one in 6 people have super duper processing abilities of all of their experiences. Sounds like a superpower doesn't it? Some with it don't always think so though. Take the test https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/ Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social...

Transcribed - Published: 1 March 2025

Send us a text It may be Valentine's Day this month, a day to remind someone that you love them, but I think we very often need to bring it closer to home. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsrea...

Transcribed - Published: 1 February 2025

Send us a text Cognitive Distortions are the thinking traps where our mind convinces us of something that isn't actually true. Once habitual and almost a part of our personality, they can very often start the ball rolling for depression and anxiety. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https:...

Transcribed - Published: 1 January 2025

Send us a text For many, anxiety is all about being vulnerable to the possibility of rejection. It's normal for our brain to seek out what we fear and notice dangerous possibilities. But those with bad experiences may have been primed from an early age to expect rejection by default. Because of this, their brain is going to start perceiving rejection everywhere. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://ww...

Transcribed - Published: 1 December 2024

Send us a text Kindness is often linked with better mental health. It helps us to feel connected to others, creates a sense of belonging and reduces isolation. But I say there's a time and a place for it, and it might not be now and it might start closer to home. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net ...

Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2024

Send us a text "Awe" tends to be defined as the emotion we experience when encountering something with such perceived vastness that our brain might find it hard to comprehend how it can exist. Being "awed" by an experience can have some surprisingly powerful, positive effects on us. Awesome Links Watch All The Apple TV Aerial Video Screensavers https://bzamayo.com/watch-all-the-apple-tv-aerial-video-screensavers Elbow One Day Like This with the BBC Concert Orchestra and choir Chantage https:/...

Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2024

Send us a text In his letter from Birmingham Jail in 1963, after being arrested on the rather trumped up charge of marching without a permit, Martin luther king wrote, amongst other things, this quote. he said "There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love" in other words, if you feel disappointed it's only because you care about something. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https:/...

Transcribed - Published: 1 September 2024

Send us a text Often people will talk about the need to disappear away for a bit to "find themselves" when actually they already knew where they were they just didn't "know" themselves. Well, maybe we don't need to climb a mountain or hide in a retreat for a week to do this. Maybe we can get to really know ourselves a little bit more every day until we're fully clued up. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https...

Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2024

Send us a text Research has shown that hope can significantly improve mental health outcomes. It boosts resilience, helps you to cope better with stress and setbacks and means that you're more likely to engage in positive behaviours that support your well-being. But hope isn't something that just happens; it's something you might need to cultivate and it could even save your life. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon communi...

Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2024

Send us a text Are you living your life based on your values or your goals? What's the difference anyway? Let's find out. Link to values list https://richardnicholls.net/?post=episode-238 Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www....

Transcribed - Published: 1 June 2024

Send us a text Gaslighting is a phrase we use to mean being manipulated and to have your reality questioned. Cults have been doing it for decades, maybe even for thousands of years. Today I'm going to scratch the surface a bit. Come and have a listen. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads http...

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2024

Send us a text One thing we can all guarantee is that we'll all receive some sort of criticism at some point. The trick is to not let it get under our skin. Easier said than done though, but don't let that stop you. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnicholls...

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2024

Send us a text When "future you" doesn't even exist, it can be really hard to stick to your plan in the "now" to ensure that future you gets their needs met. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnicholl...

Transcribed - Published: 1 March 2024

Send us a text Back in 1995 when britpop ruled the charts and the UN designated it The United Nations Year for Tolerance, British Telecom started a friends and family service to make it cheaper to call a handful of your favourite people with the slogan It's Good To Talk. Everyone agreed. Hopefully we do still think that, don't we? Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Socia...

Transcribed - Published: 1 February 2024

Send us a text If you've ever set a goal for yourself and then found yourself deliberately sticking a spanner in the works knowing full well it'll cause you to fail then welcome to the human race. Because everyone does it. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richar...

Transcribed - Published: 1 January 2024

Send us a text I might not the young man I once was, but there is a certain childishness to me that I'm hoping can keep me young. Looking at the studies into attitude and ageing the odds are in my favour! Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Ins...

Transcribed - Published: 1 December 2023

Send us a text Having free will is generally thought of as a good thing but it also comes with responsibility. That's why decisions cause anxiety, whether it's about the little things or the big things. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Insta...

Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2023

Send us a text Most people live their life based around making other people happy to some degree. It's just how far we take it that determines whether or not it becomes a problem. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagra...

Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2023

Send us a text Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and its counterpart Complex PTSD, are life-altering conditions. And although the symptoms may often resemble Anxiety and Depression, they need to be worked on in slightly different ways. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.ne...

Transcribed - Published: 1 September 2023

Send us a text Prompted by a few emails over the years. Today is all about dealing with having an insecure attachment style and how to best cope in a relationship despite it. 36 questions that lead to love. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnicholl...

Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2023

Send us a text Today is all about biases. In particular the in-group and out-group bias that drives our emotions way more than it should in the modern world. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnicholl...

Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2023

Send us a text It's often said that there are 3 types of perfectionism. Self-Oriented Perfectionism, Other-Oriented Perfectionism and Socially Prescribed Perfectionism. Let's take a peek into them shall we? Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Ins...

Transcribed - Published: 1 June 2023

Send us a text I have a couple of catchphrases, or if you ask my wife I repeat myself a lot and can be boring and predictable, either way you'll often hear me say one particular phrase. "The brain can't separate fact from fiction." If you've got this far through my Podcast series and not heard me say that then I must boring after all because you clearly fell asleep, because I say it a lot. And for good reason. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters...

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2023

Send us a text Gratitude, even about the simpler things in life, helps to dilute down the frustrations about the annoying things. But it's not always easy to find reasons to be grateful is it? Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram http...

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2023

Send us a text Seeing as it's Spring, not that you'd know it *shakes fist at the clouds* a time for having a good old clear out. I thought I'd revisit an old topic and talk about the psychology of stuff this week. In particular the way our brain can get very confused. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholl...

Transcribed - Published: 28 February 2023

Send us a text Someone asked me recently what the difference is between meditation, mindfulness and hypnosis. So I thought I'd go into it a little today and encourage you to take some mindful moments to train your brain. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardn...

Transcribed - Published: 1 February 2023

Send us a text Are we ALL entitled to an opinion? Am I really worth L'Oreal's products? All these questions and more on this weeks exciting instalment! Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal ...

Transcribed - Published: 1 January 2023

Send us a text An increase in distress around the anniversary of a traumatic event is often called an anniversary reaction. It can range from feeling mildly upset for a day or two to more extreme reactions where someone experiences significant psychiatric or even medical symptoms. The good news is that we know when it's coming! Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls So...

Transcribed - Published: 1 December 2022

Send us a text When the oceans are filling with plastic, the cost of living is high and everyone seems to hate each other it's not easy to be the optimist and promote happiness. So what can we do? https://www.positive.news https://www.dailygood.org/ https://www.good.is/ https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/ https://happynews.com/ https://www.huffpost.com/impact/topic/good-news Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community ht...

Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2022

Send us a text "Comparison is the thief of joy" said Theodore Roosevelt over a hundred years ago. He knew it then and we all still know it now. But do we actually remember that when the time comes? Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/richardnicholls Social Media Links Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/richardnicholls.net Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagra...

Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2022

Send us a text The dictionary defines "to forgive" as this: Verb. To stop feeling angry or resentful towards someone for an offence, flaw, or mistake. But language evolves. And maybe, to you, forgive and forget doesn't mean letting go of something so as to feel better. It means forgive the abuser and forget the victim. And it shouldn't. Support the show Join our Evolve to Thrive 6 month programme https://therapynatters.com Join the Patreon community https://www.patreon.com/ric...

Transcribed - Published: 1 September 2022

Send us a text Hello listeners I have a special bonus episode for you today! I was recently contacted by TV legend Andrea Mclean. Andrea has been working in the media for years but recently made the decision to take her life in a different direction and created an online community called This Girl Is On Fire all about personal growth. This week is the launch of an App that accompanies it and so I thought it would be nice to get her on the podcast to talk a little bit about it. I hope yo...

Transcribed - Published: 4 August 2022

Send us a text Worrying about what people think is a common issue. Almost everyone comes into therapy with some aspect of this. It's worth drilling down on who we actually mean though, when we say to ourselves that we worry what "other people" think. Who are these anonymous other people? Submit a question to the Therapy Natters Show https://richardnicholls.net/question/ Listen to Therapy Natters - https://therapynatters.buzzsprout.com Social Media Links Twitter https://twitter.com/richar...

Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2022

Send us a text Because of what's called neurodiversity everyone's brain responds differently to stimulation. Whether that's environmental or chemical stimulation. Today's episode is about thriving in a stimulating world when our brain is sensitive to it. Submit a question to the Therapy Natters Show https://richardnicholls.net/question/ Listen to Therapy Natters - https://therapynatters.buzzsprout.com Subscribe to Richard's newsletter for free extra episodes and hypnosis downloads. https:/...

Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2022

Send us a text Today is all about losing concentration, procrastinating and the reason why to be at your best you need to rest makes so much sense. Submit a question to the Therapy Natters Show https://richardnicholls.net/question/ Listen to Therapy Natters - https://therapynatters.buzzsprout.com Subscribe to Richard's newsletter for free extra episodes and hypnosis downloads. https://www.richardnicholls.net Social Media Links Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Instagram&nbs...

Transcribed - Published: 1 June 2022

Send us a text Situational anxiety is different to a generalised anxiety and needs working with in a slightly more "cognitive" way. Today I talk about how to deal with some specific events that may be coming up in your life. Therapy Natters - https://therapynatters.buzzsprout.com Submit a question https://richardnicholls.net/question/ Subscribe to the newsletter for free extra episodes and hypnosis downloads. https://www.richardnicholls.net Social Media Links Twitter https://twitter.c...

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2022

Send us a text Did you know that after experiencing a negative stimulus in order to get your emotional state back to where it was before hand you need at least 4 experiences of something positive to erase the effects of that one experience of something negative? Therapy Natters - https://therapynatters.buzzsprout.com Submit a question https://richardnicholls.net/question/ Subscribe to the newsletter for free extra episodes and hypnosis downloads. https://www.richardnicholls.net Social Me...

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2022

Send us a text When it feels as if the world is falling apart, our instincts can kick in to try and protect us by creating an urge to control as much as we can. The thing is many of life's challenges are outside of our control anyway. Today we explore how to handle things when life feels out of control. Submit a question https://richardnicholls.net/question/ Subscribe to the newsletter for free extra episodes and hypnosis downloads. https://www.richardnicholls.net Social Media ...

Transcribed - Published: 1 March 2022