by Michael Padraig Acton | Apr 2, 2015
Creating associations between activities is something us humans are good at and lies behind habit formation. Breaking those associations is often more challenging and habits can become so deeply ingrained that they override our real needs. When we become aware of a...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Feb 1, 2015
“To the mind that is still, the whole Universe surrenders” – Lao Tzu on serenity It’s the season of passion where many of us give the heart free reign over the head – at least for 24 hours. But it is not only love potions that form within this steamy...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Jun 18, 2014
Online dating is a 21st Century phenomenon and it is a natural extension of our social networking activity, especially if we have struggled to find meaningful relationships in our own backyard or we are on the rebound from a relationship break-up. For the fortunate,...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Apr 15, 2014
When you’re stuck, your past becomes tied up with your present and keeps you from taking new opportunities to live life in a different way. Spring is an ideal time to remind yourself that life is not like that. Each year, nature amazes us with new growth,...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Jan 17, 2014
Relationship reality-check With the whole country seemingly ‘loved up’ in celebration of St. Valentine’s Day, the state of our relationships comes keenly into focus this month. If you have recently suffered a relationship break-up, or if you are...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Nov 18, 2013
On the surface, coping with bereavement may seem to be very different to coming to terms with divorce or the dissolution of a long-term relationship, but there are areas of overlap and both situations require a profound readjustment. Starting with bereavement, the...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Jun 17, 2013
We all become annoyed with other people at times, but in a healthy relationship the downs are quickly resolved with no lingering ill-feeling or resentment. But it can be difficult to always be open about our feelings. And unfortunately, whether we’re talking...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Apr 15, 2013
It’s frightening to face up to the possibility that you and your partner may no longer have a future together but until you are honest with yourself about your doubts, you will be stuck in limbo, unable to move onto either the road to relationship recovery – or...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Feb 19, 2013
We ALL have our own stories and secrets. No one knows us as we do ourselves. But for some of us, holding on to the knowledge of something from our past can really bother us and start eating us up. Why is this? Are our secrets toxic? It’s not necessarily the...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Feb 14, 2013
The relationship with ourselves, friends & family St Valentine’s Day may be mostly all about romance and that special relationship between lovers, but it can also be a time to focus upon the health of our relationships in general: with our friends, family...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Dec 27, 2012
If the TV ads were to be believed, the Christmas and New Year period is a time when all families unite and happy couples giggle under the mistletoe, as they lavish gifts on one another. In reality, those idealistic images can be a source of pain for those whose...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Dec 24, 2012
Image copyright: marieappert / 123RF Stock Photo We’ve all had that horrible experience: you invite a couple over, or you meet them somewhere for dinner, and they start fighting, right there in front of you — the character assassination; the barely controlled...
by Michael Padraig Acton | May 5, 2012
Abuse takes many forms but it generally means that a person or people are making another or others hurt. Whether you are a child, adult, teenager; male, female, GLBT; rich, poor; educated or not, any one of us can be subjected to abuse. There are certain steps that we...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Feb 16, 2012
If your relationship is not bringing you the satisfaction you need, Michael wants to help. With over 20 years of experience behind him, and established clinics in central London, Exeter, Miami and Torbay, Michael and his team of qualified relationship experts...
