Articles by Kelly Hearn

04Dec

Dear Therapist..."What Does a Meaningful Life Look Like After 50?"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist, divorce, identity

Therapists

In this week's Dear Therapist, psychotherapist Kelly Hearn urges one recently divorced man to focus on what looks like fulfilment and contentment for him alone, before reaching for another relationship
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09Oct

Dear Therapist..."How Do I Balance All the Demands of Being a Teenager?"

Kelly Hearn

adolescents, deartherapist, teenagers

Therapists

In this week's Dear Therapist, psychotherapist Kelly Hearn advises one teenager who is struggling to meet all the demands – from family and school – at this tumultuous time
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11Sep

Dear Therapist..."I am Scared to Face My Mortality"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist

Therapists

Grieving a friend who died early has sent this writer into a tailspin about facing death. Kelly Hearn advises how to deal with death anxiety
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14Aug

Dear Therapist..."How Can I Deal with Distress Now I've Finished Therapy?"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist

Therapists

In this week's Dear Therapist, psychotherapist Kelly Hearn offers some practical tips to one reader who is struggling to deal with uncomfortable emotions now she's not in therapy
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17Jul

Dear Therapist..."Coping Mechanisms from a Hard Childhood Are Causing Me Problems Now"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist

Therapists

In this week's Dear Therapist, psychotherapist Kelly Hearn gives valuable guidance to one reader whose coping strategies from a difficult childhood are causing problems in their adult life
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19Jun

Dear Therapist..."I'm Full of Resentment"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist

Therapists

One reader confesses they are full of resentment, towards their partner, work and friendships. Do they need to speak up, or grow up, asks psychotherapist Kelly Hearn in this week's Dear Therapist
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22May

Dear Therapist..."Should I Open Up My Marriage?"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist, marriage, polyamory, sex

Therapists

If sexual intimacy in an otherwise loving relationship has dwindled, what might consensual non-monogamy offer? Psychotherapist Kelly Hearn advises one curious reader
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24Apr

Dear Therapist..."My Sexual Self is Dead"

Kelly Hearn

couples, deartherapist, love, marriage, sex

Therapists

In this week's Dear Therapist, psychotherapist Kelly Hearn offers her guidance on how to revive a long-dormant libido and redefine your relationship to your sexuality
» Read More

28Feb

Dear Therapist..."I Can't Be Around Cynical People"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist

Therapists

In this week's Dear Therapist, psychotherapist Kelly Hearn explores what might be behind perpetual cynicism, as well as unrelenting optimism
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31Jan

Dear Therapist..."I Don't Recognise My Own Behaviour"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist

Therapists

In this week's Dear Therapist, psychotherapist Kelly Hearn explains Jung's concept of the shadow to help one reader understand his out of character and self-destructive behaviour
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03Jan

Dear Therapist..."January Fills Me With Dread – Wake Me Up in March"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist, newyear

Therapists

In this week's Dear Therapist, psychotherapist Kelly Hearn highlights the powerful importance of self-compassion in the face of pressures to change at New Year
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06Dec

Dear Therapist..."I Can't Manage the Conflict Between My Siblings"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist, family, siblings

Therapists

Sibling relationships are often complicated. In this week's Dear Therapist, psychotherapist Kelly Hearn advises one reader who is stuck in a Drama Triangle with her younger sisters
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08Nov

Dear Therapist..."Should I Leave My Relationship?"

Kelly Hearn

couples, deartherapist, intimacy, love, relationships

Therapists

Do opposites really attract, in the long-term? In this week's Dear Therapist, psychotherapist Kelly Hearn helps one reader who feels stuck in a relationship with growing resentment
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11Oct

Dear Therapist..."I'm Jealous and Needy in My Relationship"

Kelly Hearn

attachment, deartherapist, jealousy, relationships

Therapists

Intimate relationships have the capacity to trigger childhood wounds like nothing else. In this week's Dear Therapist, psychotherapist Kelly Hearn offers her guidance to one reader who is worried about feelings of jealousy and insecurity
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13Sep

Dear Therapist..."I Gave Up Substances; Now I Just Have New Bad Habits"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist

Therapists

In the modern world, we have a wide array of means to distract ourselves from painful or uncomfortable emotions. In this instalment of Dear Therapist, psychotherapist Kelly Hearn offers two key questions you can ask yourself to avoid numbing behaviours
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19Jul

Dear Therapist..."I'm Living in House Share Hell"

Kelly Hearn

communication, deartherapist

Therapists

In this Dear Therapist, psychotherapist Kelly Hearn offers her suggestions for healthy conversation and debate to one reader whose living situation is dissolving into a conflict zone
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24May

Dear Therapist..."Negative Thoughts Are Weighing Me Down"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist

Therapists

In this week's Dear Therapist, psychotherapist Kelly Hearn breaks down different cognitive distortions that can lead to overthinking to help one reader with a busy mind
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26Apr

Dear Therapist..."I'm Tired of Being in Survival Mode"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist

Therapists

You've put in the effort to manage your mental health and anxiety, but you still feel like you're just surviving, not thriving – now what? Psychotherapist Kelly Hearn's advice: cultivate joy
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29Mar

Dear Therapist..."I'm Terrified of Leaving My Relationship"

Kelly Hearn

codependency, deartherapist, relationships

Therapists

Once the honeymoon period has passed, what is left? Sometimes, it's not everything that we hoped. Psychotherapist Kelly Hearn explores attraction and codependency in relationships
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01Mar

Dear Therapist..."Will I Ever Get Over My Divorce?"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist, divorce

Therapists

A shock divorce has left one reader scared she will repeat history, having watched her own divorced parents never let go of their anger and subsequent loneliness. Psychotherapist Kelly Hearn offers her insights
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01Feb

Dear Therapist..."I'm Walking On Eggshells Around My Partner"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist, relationships

Therapists

If arguments take weeks to recover from, it's understandable people may avoid them at all costs. Psychotherapist Kelly Hearn suggests another strategy: focus your energy instead on improving your ability to emotionally regulate and come back together
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04Jan

Dear Therapist..."What's the Secret to Healthy Long-Term Change?"

Kelly Hearn

change, deartherapist, health, newyear

Therapists

It's that time of year again when many make New Year's resolutions – but what does it take to build healthy habits? In this issue of Dear Therapist, psychotherpist Kelly Hearn advises on the secret to long-term change.
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30Nov

Dear Therapist..."Going Home for Christmas Makes Me Feel Like a Teenager Again"

Kelly Hearn

Christmas, deartherapist

Therapists

There's nothing like time with the family to make us feel like a teenager again, and not necessarily in a good way. Therapist Kelly Hearn offers her guidance for a family Christmas that helps you feel like your adult self.
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02Nov

Dear Therapist..."My Friendships Are All Changing"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist, friendship

Therapists

Friendships go through seasons, but just because this change is inevitable, doesn't mean it isn't painful. Therapist Kelly Hearn offers her advice to one reader: focus on the people, things and activities that give you the most back.
» Read More

05Oct

Dear Therapist..."What's the Best Way to Shift a Sudden Depression?"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist

Therapists

It can be alarming to find ourselves suddenly in the depths of a depression, especially if it's hard to explain. Psychotherapist Kelly Hearn takes from the teachings of Carl Jung to explore how depression can be a symptom of imbalance.
» Read More

07Sep

Dear Therapist: “I Dread the End of My Holidays”

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist, holidays

Therapists

Taking a break from day-to-day responsibilities is a huge part of why we love holiday time. But living for holidays isn’t really living; you need to carve out more time for yourself, explains therapist Kelly Hearn
» Read More

27Jul

Dear Therapist.."I Know I Need to Change, But I Have No Motivation"

Kelly Hearn

change, deartherapist, motivation

Therapists

Change isn't easy, but rather than waiting for the right conditions or motivation to take action, why not take be disciplined and get started today? Otherwise you might be waiting forever, says therapist Kelly Hearn
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29Jun

Dear Therapist..."I'm Having the Stereotypical Midlife Crisis"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist, middleage, midlife

Therapists

The typical midlife crisis might involve confusion and difficulty as we learn who we are and what we need in this next stage of life. Therapist Kelly Hearn advises one reader to go gently and find the positives in change.
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25May

Dear Therapist..."Everything is Stressing Me Out: Am I Depressed?"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist, society

Therapists

With everything going on in the world today and the cost of living starting to bite, tempers might be starting to fray as people struggle to contain their anxiety and stress. Therapist Kelly Hearn offers some practical advice to one reader.
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27Apr

Dear Therapist..."We Can't Stop Blaming Each Other for Everything"

Kelly Hearn

couples, deartherapist, love, marriage, relationships

Therapists

Getting stuck in a toxic pattern of blame and resentment is a common issue in long-term relationships. Therapist Kelly Hearn advises one reader to start by asking himself how he can change – not his wife.
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30Mar

Dear Therapist..."How Do I Deal with Communication Issues in My Cross-Cultural Relationship?"

Kelly Hearn

communication, couples, deartherapist, marriage, relationships

Therapists

In this Dear Therapist, Kelly Hearn advises one reader who is struggling with clashing communication styles in her cross-cultural relationship.
» Read More

01Mar

Dear Therapist..."I Don't Know If I'm Ready to 'Live with Covid'"

Kelly Hearn

coronavirus, deartherapist

Therapists

All Covid restrictions have been dropped in England, as we are urged to show personal responsibility and consideration for others as we learn to 'live with Covid'. Therapist Kelly Hearn advises two readers who don't feel quite ready to go 'back to normal'.
» Read More

05Jan

Dear Therapist..."Why is it So Hard to Make Healthy Changes?"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist, newyear

Therapists

Setting unrealistic and punishing targets in January won't have the same long-term impact as small, daily changes – therapist Kelly Hearn explains why in our first Dear Therapist of 2022.
» Read More

20Dec

Dear Therapist..."Christmas Triggers Old Disordered Eating Patterns"

Kelly Hearn

Christmas, deartherapist

Therapists

The Christmas and New Year period can be a minefield if you struggle to maintain a healthy relationship with food. Therapist Kelly Hearn offers some advice to one reader.
» Read More

17Nov

Dear Therapist..."I'm Thinking About Ending Therapy"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist

Therapists

In this week's Dear Therapist, therapist Kelly Hearn asks one reader on the brink of ending therapy to consider what else might be going on beneath the surface.
» Read More

20Oct

Dear Therapist..."The Grief of Losing My Husband Has Only Just Hit Me"

Kelly Hearn

bereavement, deartherapist, grief, loss

Therapists

In this week's Dear Therapist, Kelly Hearn supports a reader struggling in the aftermath of sudden bereavement.
» Read More

22Sep

Dear Therapist..."I'm a People Pleaser, And I Feel Undervalued"

Kelly Hearn

boundaries, deartherapist, relationships

Therapists

In this week's Dear Therapist, Kelly Hearn helps an exhausted and undervalued people pleaser, advising on the importance of setting boundaries
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25Aug

Dear Therapist..."Freedom Day Was a Misnomer – Life Still Feels Dominated by Covid"

Kelly Hearn

coronavirus, deartherapist

Therapists

Though Covid restrictions have now lifted in the UK, we can still feel the impact of the pandemic – in this week's Dear Therapist, Kelly advises one reader who is nervous about what the coming months will bring.
» Read More

28Jul

Dear Therapist ... "Is my drinking out of control because of Covid?"

Kelly Hearn

alcohol, coronavirus, deartherapist

Therapists

This woman used to drink a few nights a week. Now she thinks about it all the time, and worries her consumption of alcohol is out of control. What does our Dear Therapist author Kelly Hearn think?
» Read More

30Jun

Dear Therapist..."Our Sex Drives Have Changed and We're Out of Sync"

Kelly Hearn

couples, deartherapist, marriage, relationships, sex

Therapists

In this week's Dear Therapist, Kelly Hearn advises on a challenge that many long-term couples face: changing sex drives and a loss of sexual intimacy.
» Read More

02Jun

Dear Therapist..."My Mental Health Improved in Lockdown – How Do I Protect It Now?"

Kelly Hearn

coronavirus, deartherapist

Therapists

For some, the slowing down of life under lockdown provided an opportunity to self-care like never before – if this is you, how can you keep prioritising your mental health as life starts to open up again? Therapist Kelly Hearn advises.
» Read More

05May

Dear Therapist..."I'm Never Satisfied – I Always Want More"

Kelly Hearn

deartherapist, perfectionism

Therapists

Therapist Kelly Hearn advises one reader who is unable to feel satisfied despite having a life that looks good on paper
» Read More

31Mar

Dear Therapist..."I'm Bored and Burnt Out"

Kelly Hearn

burnout, coronavirus, deartherapist, work

Therapists

In this week's Dear Therapist, Kelly Hearn offers advice on bringing some vibrancy back into a life marred by burnout and boredom
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03Mar

Dear Therapist..."I've Forgotten How to Socialise! I'm Anxious About Lockdown Ending"

Kelly Hearn

anxiety, coronavirus, deartherapist

Therapists

After a year cooped up away from our usual interactions, many of us might be feeling social anxiety like never before. In this week's Dear Therapist, Kelly Hearn offers her advice: self-compassion and patience are key.
» Read More

17Feb

Dear Therapist..."I'm Scared I'll Never Find a Partner"

Kelly Hearn

coronavirus, deartherapist, relationships, single

Therapists

Introducing therapist Kelly Hearn, who along with Charlotte Fox Weber is here to answer your burning questions. This week, Kelly supports a reader struggling with being single in lockdown.
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28Apr

New Online Support Group Launched in Response to Covid-19

Kelly Hearn

coronavirus

Therapists

Therapist Kelly Hearn has launched new online reflective groups where participants can share their different feelings about coronavirus and the lockdown
» Read More