Relationship advice & insights.
I'm Mark Ryan, a BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and NCPS Accredited Relationship Therapist working with relationships, couples, individuals, and polycules across London. This is where I write about the things that come up most often in the therapy room; jealousy, coming out to a partner, separation, sex and intimacy, and the ordinary arguments that usually aren't about what they first appear to be about.
Some of what's here is written for couples working through something together. Some of it is for one person trying to make sense of their own experience before bringing a partner into it. All of it is grounded in research and real clinical practice, not generic advice dressed up as insight.
Browse the archive.
Search by keyword, or filter by topic, to find the article you're looking for or browse the newest articles blelow.
- Attachment 7
- Attachment and Patterns 2
- Communication 5
- Communication and conflict 7
- Consensual Non Monogamy 2
- Couples therapy London 76
- Emotional Abuse 4
- Ethical Non Monogamy 2
- Grief and Loss 1
- Infidelity & Betrayal 5
- Jealousy 3
- LGBT+ Therapy 19
- LGBTQ+ Couples 13
- Labels 4
- Mental Health and Wellbeing 19
- Money and Relationships 4
- Neurodiversity and Relationships 2
- Non-Monogamy and Open Relationships 5
- Parenting 4
- Polyamory 2
- Pre-Marital Therapy London 1
- Relationship Therapy London 1
- Relationship therapy London 74
- Separation and Divorce 7
- Sex and Intimacy 9
- Summer 4
- Trust and Repair 4
Meeting the Inner Child: Understanding a Core Part of Ourselves
Many of our adult struggles—like anxiety, low self-worth, or difficulty with relationships—can trace their roots back to unmet needs from childhood. The concept of the inner child helps us understand how early emotional wounds continue to shape our daily lives. In this article, we explore what it means to reconnect with your inner child, how it shows up in everyday patterns, and how therapy can offer healing, safety, and transformation.
Learning to Love the Skin You’re In: Rebuilding Your Relationship with Your Body
For many of us, our relationship with our body is one of the most private — and most complicated — relationships we will ever have. It’s shaped by our earliest experiences, our culture, the media we consume, and the words spoken to us by parents, peers, and even strangers. At its worst, a poor body image can cast a shadow across every area of our lives — how we relate to others, how we show up at work, and even how we experience intimacy.
But this relationship, like any other, can be repaired. With care, attention, and sometimes therapeutic support, we can begin to reclaim a sense of connection with our bodies — one that is rooted in compassion, not criticism.
The Post-Christmas Blues
The Christmas season is often filled with joy, connection, and celebration. It’s a time when routines are set aside, indulgence is encouraged, and relationships take centre stage. But when January arrives, many people experience a stark emotional contrast—what is often referred to as the post-Christmas blues.
This feeling can manifest as a general sense of sadness, lack of motivation, exhaustion, or even anxiety. For some, it can be a mild dip in mood; for others, it can feel like an overwhelming weight. Understanding why this happens and finding ways to manage it can be key to moving into the new year with resilience and hope.