Talking Therapy with Alex Howard

Alex Howard is a London-based therapist with nearly 20 years’ experience. In this podcast series, Alex explores some of the issues that are common in today’s society – such as depression, anxiety and chronic illness – and tackles the stigma surrounding them. Each week, he breaks down therapy sessions from his YouTube series, In Therapy; answers questions from the community; and gives listeners some takeaway techniques that they can use in their own lives.

#20 Season one finale 06/03/2021

#20 Season one finale In this week’s episode, we draw a close to the first season of the Talking Therapy podcast. The team and I have decided to take a short break to focus more on my YouTube series ‘In Therapy’ but rest-assured, we will be back for season two! /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/19341737

#19 How to change your state 05/27/2021

#19 How to change your state This week, I discuss the power and importance of state, and how to change the states our body, mind and nervous system are in. I also talk about why people struggle with meditation, and offer some techniques to help. As always, I answer some of your questions – this week around the difference between optimism with toxic positivity, and where the people pleaser pattern comes from (nature or nurture?) /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/19246658

#18 Do you want to be a therapist? 05/20/2021

#18 Do you want to be a therapist? In this week's episode of Talking Therapy, I explain Therapeutic Coaching, the methodology that I co-created, and the one I use with my patients. I also talk about giving and receiving criticism, and answer your questions about committing to health practices and how often we should have therapy. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/19176647

#17 Mental Health: Why the stigma? 05/13/2021

#17 Mental Health: Why the stigma? On this week’s episode of Talking Therapy, I talk about the cultural stigma around mental health, how we can learn to ask for help and support, and why men in particular struggle to reach out. I also answer some of the questions you sent in, including one on FOMO/the fear of missing out, and another on the tools you can use to help build awareness of common thought and behavioural patterns. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/19093688

#16 How writing letters shifts stuck emotions 05/06/2021

#16 How writing letters shifts stuck emotions In this week’s episode of Talking Therapy, I reflect on Katie’s latest episode of In Therapy and discuss how writing letters can be used as a therapeutic tool. I also talk about how saying sorry can have benefits and drawbacks, and answer some of your questions on dissociation and forgiveness. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/19005587

#15 The power of focus and commitment 04/29/2021

#15 The power of focus and commitment On this week’s episode of Talking Therapy, I reflect on David’s most recent episode where he shared some recent successes. As part of this, I look at the importance of recognising that if we want the circumstances of our lives to be different, we have to do something different. I also talk about looking at what we do on a daily basis and its role in determining change. As always, I answer some of the questions you’ve sent in; this week, the focus is on gratitude, self-love & FOMO (fear of missing out) /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/18908120

#14 Unpacking toxic positivity 04/22/2021

#14 Unpacking toxic positivity In this week’s episode of Talking Therapy, I go into more detail on what toxic positivity is, what it’s not, why it can be harmful, and why when I talk about the dangers of toxic positivity. I reflect on Hannah’s most recent episode where we discuss the importance of being open and honest with friends and family about where she is in her recovery journey, and answer some of your questions around this. Finally, I speak about social overwhelm, and share three ways to help avoid it. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/18822755

#13 Why loving yourself impacts all other relationships 04/15/2021

#13 Why loving yourself impacts all other relationships In this week’s podcast, I reflect on self-love. I talk about the three ways you can cultivate self-love, including building self-awareness, challenging your inner critic, and making space for your feelings and emotions. I also talk about social anxieties as lockdown starts to ease in the UK, and how we can help manage these. As always, I answer some of your questions; this week we focus on how to stop caring about what others think and learn to believe you are enough, and taking on responsibility. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/18736424

BONUS Producer takeover! 04/01/2021

BONUS Producer takeover! This week, producers Oliver and Rachel take over the podcast and discuss what it's like to make In Therapy and Talking Therapy... /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/18553130

#12 How suppression can lead to depression 03/18/2021

#12 How suppression can lead to depression This week, I go into more depth about David's latest episode of In Therapy, where we talk about the impact of suppressed emotions on our mental wellbeing. I also answer some of your questions, including why we should write but not always send apology letters. I also give some advice for people who struggle with the therapeutic relationship. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/18349997

#11 How to manage boundaries at work 03/04/2021

#11 How to manage boundaries at work In this week’s episode of Talking Therapy, I put a spotlight on boundaries; I talk about what boundaries are and how to communicate them. I also answer some of your questions. This week, I’ll be looking at how to deal with judgement from others who don’t understand your situation; I look at how to balance an unstable work situation with your own healing journey, and I explore what you can do if you recognise therapeutic work would be beneficial, but you are not yet well enough to do it. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/18188243

#10 The Role of the Inner Child in Adult Life 02/18/2021

#10 The Role of the Inner Child in Adult Life In this week’s episode of Talking Therapy, I explore some themes that came out of Katie’s latest In Therapy episode, including looking at ‘get into jail free cards’ (how they impact us and how you can recognise them) as well as the concept of the inner child. As always, I answer some of your questions. This week, I'll be looking at how feeling unsafe as a child can manifest as an adult and whether everyone needs to do therapy to be happy. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/17997953

#09 Tools to help your relationship survive a pandemic 02/11/2021

#09 Tools to help your relationship survive a pandemic In this week’s episode of Talking Therapy, I focus on why the pandemic has put pressure on many relationships and share some tools and techniques to help navigate these issues. I also answer questions on whether the identity of ‘parent’ can become unhealthy and where to begin with emotional regulation. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/17910221

#08 Social media and YOU 02/04/2021

#08 Social media and YOU In this week's episode of Talking Therapy, I discuss the benefits and pitfalls of social media and why our relationship with it is key. I reflect on why we need to feel our emotions and the importance of experiencing these feelings in our bodies, rather than throwing them out at others. Finally, I answer the question: Isn’t it just better to be positive? /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/17818022

#07 Psychological scaffolding and the benefits of journaling 01/28/2021

#07 Psychological scaffolding and the benefits of journaling In this week’s episode, I explore some of the themes that came out of Katie’s most recent In Therapy episode, including using journaling as a tool to develop self-awareness and the importance of psychological scaffolding at the beginning of a therapeutic journey. I also answer questions on balancing feeling our emotions without getting pulled into a mind-emotion loop, and whether it’s harder to change the older we get. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/17723168

#06 Get 'RIDD' of your Inner Critic 01/21/2021

#06 Get 'RIDD' of your Inner Critic This week, I introduce the RIDD model, a technique that helps to retrain our minds to break the habit of the inner critic and take back control. I take a closer look at David’s latest episode, and also go into more detail about why I use some of the therapeutic approaches that I do, and why we don’t give our participants editorial control. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/17634398

#05 Why you can't sleep 01/14/2021

#05 Why you can't sleep In this week’s episode of Talking Therapy, I explore three reasons why sleep can be challenging for some, including the state of your nervous system, what’s happening for you emotionally, and what’s going on for you physically. I take some time to reflect on Lauren’s latest In Therapy session and discuss balancing your own needs with being there for others. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/17546468

#04 Top Tips to Get Through Lockdown 01/07/2021

#04 Top Tips to Get Through Lockdown In the first Talking Therapy episode of 2021, I focus on the impact tighter COVID-related restrictions might be having on us, including feelings of overwhelm, frustration, and emotional and physical tiredness, and share some of my tips for helping you navigate these unusual times. I also answer some of the questions you’ve asked on my YouTube channel over the past few weeks. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/17448233

#03 How to Set Boundaries and Survive Christmas 12/24/2020

#03 How to Set Boundaries and Survive Christmas This week’s Talking Therapy with Alex Howard is a pre-recorded Christmas special. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/17309291

#02 The 5 Masks of the Inner Critic 12/17/2020

#02 The 5 Masks of the Inner Critic In this week’s episode, the key focus is on the inner critic. I delve into what the inner critic is, the five masks it wears, and how you can build awareness of your own inner critic. I also answers a question on the relationship between grief and the inner critic - a theme which comes through very clearly in David’s latest In Therapy episode. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/17234768

#01 Why depression isn't a one-size-fits-all 12/10/2020

#01 Why depression isn't a one-size-fits-all This week, we talk a little bit about what goes into creating a series like In Therapy, from the participant recruitment process to ensuring I'm fulfilling my duty of care as a therapist. I also answer some of your questions from David’s first episode, which centre around the different types of depression, and my views on positive thinking and whether it can be helpful. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/17139845

Introducing: Talking Therapy 12/03/2020

Introducing: Talking Therapy Introducing Talking Therapy with Alex Howard. A podcast that will explore issues common in today’s society – such as depression, anxiety and chronic illness – and tackles the stigma surrounding them. /episode/index/show/talkingtherapywithalexhoward/id/17047877

Talking Therapy with Alex Howard

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