by Michael Padraig Acton | Oct 4, 2024
If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of domestic violence, whether as a gatekeeper or an abusee yourself, consider enrolling in my Domestic Violence CPD Credential Course hosted by the Mental Health Academy. This course provides a practical approach to...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Feb 28, 2023
Last year, I was honored to be interviewed by Attachment Styles and Life Transitions Coach and Mentor, Michelle Cappelli Gordon. Michelle wanted to ask me about the first book in my Power of You series, Learning How To Leave. Here is the...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Feb 15, 2023
Last year, I was honored to be interviewed by Attachment Styles and Life Transitions Coach and Mentor, Michelle Cappelli Gordon. Michelle wanted to ask me about the first book in my Power of You series, Learning How To Leave. Here is the first part of the interview...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Feb 26, 2022
This article on male domestic abuse in elite sport was edited 4/5/22 following tragic death of Dwayne Haskins One in seven men are the victims of domestic abuse. That means there will be an average of two men in an NBA roster – or seven in a full NFL roster...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Dec 23, 2021
If you’ve been dumped at Christmas, the most important thing to remember is that Christmas is a religious date and a time for families to get together. Consider that a relationship breakup can be magnified at this time. At the same time, despite all the...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Nov 8, 2021
Commonly held ideas about toxic relationships are that they cause people a lot of harm and unhappiness over a long period of time. I would add that although a toxic relationship is one where the partnership is generally not working, it may seem to work some of the...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Sep 30, 2021
How do you know when you are in a dead-end relationship? This is a very good question because all relationships go through bad patches. I guess you may use the word ‘dead’, though, when you aren’t getting anything from the relationship any more....
by Michael Padraig Acton | Mar 21, 2021
Who falls in love quicker, men or women? Trust me, there is zero gender significance when it comes to falling in love and who does this quicker. Over the past thirty years, I have had to work fast and furious with people that fell in love, hard and fast, of all...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Feb 14, 2021
Active listening is a key skill that will help you to support a friend experiencing relationship problems. All therapists learn to use this tool. It is the ability to listen without interruption but listen for key issues that repeat or may be significant. Don’t...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Jan 7, 2019
Learn about the ways in which 10 celebrities ended their toxic and codependent relationships. The #MeToo movement has raised awareness of the oppression – of women and men – within the Hollywood industry and the workplace in general. One insidious form of oppression...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Jul 16, 2018
Codependency anxiety is the apprehension a codependent personality feels at the potential of being abandoned by their partner, friend, work colleague, sibling, parent or other significant person. The narcissist, anxious of being abandoned, plays on this feeling by...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Sep 29, 2016
Loneliness strategy (Teddy) Image Copyright: linux87 / 123RF Stock Photo And solitaire’s the only game in town And every road that takes him Takes him down And by himself it’s easy to pretend He’ll never love again Neil Sedaka/Phil Cody...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Jun 11, 2016
Forgiveness image copyright: olegdudko / 123RF Stock Photo If you have suffered a severe trauma – child abuse, rape, domestic violence, codependent relationships, the betrayal of a long-term partner, the violent loss of someone you love – your whole world will...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Jan 16, 2016
Loneliness image copyright: artter / 123RF Stock Photo Loneliness knows no boundaries and, considering the devastating effect it has on people from all walks of life, there is scant research in the psychology that lies behind this feeling of isolation and despair. If...
by Michael Padraig Acton | Jul 15, 2015
Is the fun-loving comedian you fell in love with turning into the immature clown? Has your partner’s sexy confident manner become oppressive and overbearing? When exactly did the qualities of attraction you most admired about your significant other become those...
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...
