Psychology
Codependency: when caring for others costs you yourself
Codependency is a popular idea, not a diagnosis. Caring deeply for family is healthy; losing yourself entirely, or enabling someone's harm, is not.
27 Sept 20268 min read
Counselling
Also known as Counseling, Counsellor
A talking therapy in which a trained counsellor listens without judgement and helps you work through a difficulty and find your own solutions. It suits life problems more than severe mental illness.
In Psychology
In counselling, a trained counsellor listens to you talk about your thoughts, feelings and circumstances, tries to see things from your side, and helps you find your own way forward. Counsellors do not usually tell you what to do. Sessions typically last 50 to 60 minutes.
It suits difficult emotions such as stress, worry or anger; life events such as illness or bereavement; and problems in relationships, at home, at school or at work. NICE also lists it among the options for less severe .
For conditions such as , , or , a specific treatment — such as with a , or a doctor's assessment — is more appropriate.
Where this comes up
Psychology
Gaslighting: what it is, examples, and how to respond
Gaslighting is a pattern of manipulation that makes you doubt your own memory and judgement. It is not the same as an ordinary disagreement.
27 Sept 20268 min read
Psychology
Maslow's hierarchy of needs: what he said, and what the evidence shows
Maslow proposed five human needs in 1943, but he never drew the famous pyramid, and the strict step-by-step order has weak support. The core idea still helps.
27 Sept 20267 min read
Psychology
Narcissistic personality disorder: what it is, and what it is not
Narcissistic personality disorder is a real but uncommon diagnosis. Most people called “narcissists” online have never been assessed — and many do not have it.
27 Sept 20268 min read
Related terms
- PsychotherapyTalking therapy, Talk therapyTreatment through regular, structured conversations with a trained professional, to help with mental illness, emotional problems or unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour.
- Clinical psychologistPsychologist, TherapistA psychologist trained to assess and treat mental health problems with talking therapy and psychological testing. They are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medicine.
- Cognitive behavioural therapyCBT, Cognitive behavioral therapyA structured, time-limited talking therapy that helps you notice and change the thoughts and behaviours that keep a problem going. It is a first-line treatment for depression and most anxiety problems.
- StigmaMental health stigma, Self-stigmaNegative attitudes, stereotypes and discrimination directed at people with a condition. In mental health it is the shame and fear that stop many people from seeking help.