The Psychology Behind With Dr Linda Papadopoulos

Comedian, writer and presenter, Iain Stirling sits down with Linda to discuss his journey from studying Law at Edinburgh University, to Children's TV presenter and the award winning comedian that we stands before us today after a hilariously inappropriate stand up gig changed his life course.  Iain is a stand up comedian originally from Edinburgh in Scotland, who you may recognise as the dulcet tones of the narrator of ITV's Love Island. Behind the sharp delivery and wit, Iain is a very thoughtful soul with a lot of insight into the importance of embracing failure, acknowledging and navigating self worth and why it's so essential that you take the time to find your "why?" in life.  If you're interested in exploring more of Iain's work, his book 'Not Ready To Adult Yet: A Totally Uninformed Guide To Life' is out now.  You can also check out Linda's book mention in the episode 'Unfollow: Living Life On Your Own Terms' online and in store now.

While learning how to love and look after ourselves is an important lesson, it's also vital that we know how we can help other people feel good about themselves too.  In this minisode, Dr Linda explores 5 tips on how you can help someone feel good about themselves. Sometimes, it's the small things that make a big difference.  Let us know what topics you'd like to hear Dr Linda tackle by getting in touch with @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram.

Ricki Hall opens up to Dr Linda about his battles with drug and alcohol addiction that have plagued him for over a decade, and culminated in a life changing episode earlier this year.  In this extremely candid interview, Ricki traces his first dalliance with alcohol back to his teenage years as he discusses the impact that it has had on his life and relationships. Now sober and looking forward to the future, Ricki reflects on his stints in rehab, how he battles every day with his addictions and how fitness helps to keep him on track.  Ricki Hall is a successful male model, who you may recognise for his inimitable style and high profile campaigns for H&M with David Beckham, Lyle & Scott and Diesel. He also collaborated with Indigo & Goods London on a vintage sportswear brand.  Huge thank you to Ricki for sharing his story to help others.  If this story resonates with you or a loved on, then there is help at hand. Please reach out to someone close to you or contact talkfrank.com, drinkaware.

Dr Linda sits down with Lorna Cordwell, Head of Counselling at Chrysalis Courses, to answer the burning question on our listeners' lips:  How do I get into a career in Counselling?  Whether you're interested in exploring a second career, or are just starting out with a passion for helping people, Dr Linda and Lorna are on hand to help advise you on how to pursue and what to expect of a  career in the mental health services. For more information and advice make sure you visit chrysaliscourses.ac.uk Huge thank you to Lorna for taking the time to help us answer your listener questions.  https://www.chrysaliscourses.ac.uk/

In a society that fetishises success, it's crucial that we take the time to remind ourselves that failure is also a huge part of success. We will all and do all experience failure at some point in life, and the best way to move on from it is to embrace it and learn from any mistakes.  In this episode, Dr Linda explores how you can do exactly that.  Let us know what topics you'd like to hear Dr Linda tackle by getting in touch with @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram. This episode is sponsored by Chrysalis Courses. Visit their website for more details on how you could take a step towards a career in counselling. chrysaliscourses.ac.uk

We've all found ourselves in a bad mood for seemingly no good reason. The thing is, bad moods are subjective; they manifest themselves in different ways in all of us.  In this episode Dr Linda explores the science behind and what we can do to turn our mood around and ensure we're not dwelling on those negative feelings.  Let us know what topics you'd like to hear Dr Linda tackle by getting in touch with @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram. This episode is sponsored by Chrysalis Courses. Visit their website for more details on how you could take a step towards a career in counselling. chrysaliscourses.ac.uk

Dr Linda explores the impact our emotions and psychological stress has on our eating habits. How it can influence the types of foods we consume and how our bodies react to them.  Let us know what topics you'd like to hear Dr Linda tackle by getting in touch with @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram. This episode is sponsored by Chrysalis Courses. Visit their website for more details on how you could take a step towards a career in counselling.

At its most basic, shyness is about being excessively self conscious. Analysing every interaction we have with another person to the point that it completely overwhelms us. In this episode Dr Linda breaks down shyness and provides 5 easy steps to help you reclaim your confidence in social situations. Let us know what topics you'd like to hear Dr Linda tackle by getting in touch with @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram. This episode is sponsored by Chrysalis Courses. Visit their website for more details on how you could take a step towards a career in counselling. chrysaliscourses.ac.uk

Mild depression and mood swings are very common amongst new mothers, and it's no surprise, right? Giving birth and becoming a new mum is a momentous thing to go through, even before we consider the changes in hormones and sleep deprivation. This is often put down to a case of the 'baby blues'.  However, what are you supposed to do if these feelings don't go away - and you are concerned that it's beginning to affect how you bond with your child? It can be very isolating. In this episode, Dr Linda takes a look at how you can spot the signs of postnatal depression and what steps you can take to help yourself or someone you know who might need the support.  Let us know what topics you'd like to hear Dr Linda tackle by getting in touch with @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram. This episode is sponsored by Chrysalis Courses. Visit their website for more details on how you could take a step towards a career in counselling.  chrysaliscourses.ac.uk

No relationship is perfect, but there's a vast difference between imperfection and damaging. Toxic relationships thrive on contempt and power play and in turn can have a dramatic effect on how we value ourselves. They can also be very difficult to spot once you find yourself deeply involved in one. In this episode Dr Linda breaks down the telltale signs to look for if you think you might be in a toxic relationship and dishes out 5 tips on what you can do about it. Let us know what topics you'd like to hear Dr Linda tackle by getting in touch with @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram. This episode is sponsored by Chrysalis Courses. Visit their website for more details on how you could take a step towards a career in counselling.  chrysaliscourses.ac.uk

Happiness is a goal that we all share in life. Who doesn't want to be happy, right? Our mental health can have a massive impact on our physical health, so it's important to understand how our body reacts to our mood. But what do we truly know about happiness and how to achieve it? In this episode Dr Linda explores the 4 neurochemicals that help fuel happiness and provides tips on how you can maximise the benefits of these hormones to make sure that you feel happier in your every day life. Let us know what topics you'd like to hear Dr Linda tackle by getting in touch with @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram. This episode is sponsored by Chrysalis Courses. Visit their website for more details on how you could take a step towards a career in counselling. chrysaliscourses.ac.uk

Do you feel like you're going round and round in circles, and never moving forward with life? You might be feeling like you're stuck in a rut, which emphasises feelings of being trapped in a situation and a loss of control over your future - but there are ways that you can get out of that negative cycle. In this episode Dr Linda lays out 5 brain changing steps that you can incorporate into your daily life to help if you've found yourself feeling like you're stuck in a rut lately. Let us know what topics you'd like to hear Dr Linda tackle by getting in touch with @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram.

With everything that we see in films, on tv and in the news regarding airborn disasters,  it's no surprise that many of us have a fear of flying - right? And come the summer months when we're planning our summer holidays, we tend to find that these feelings and anxieties become more pronounced. But don't let a fear of flying stop you from enjoying a new adventure.  In this episode Dr Linda explores the science and studies behind our fears of flying and techniques that you can put in place to help you spread your wings and take to the skies.  Let us know what topics you'd like to hear Dr Linda tackle by getting in touch with @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram.

How we feel about and deal with our finances can have a devastating effect on our mental health. It can lead to distressing physical problems, stress, anxiety and depression.  Not only does the stress from debt impact our mental health, it also can affect our relationships with others.  Dr Linda provides insight into the links between debt and money issues to depression and anxiety and provides 5 easy steps on what you can do if you find yourself in this position.  We hope these tips have helped you and please feel free to rate, review and share the podcast with someone that you think may like it. Let us know what topics you'd like to hear Dr Linda tackle by getting in touch with @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram.

We all experience anxiety on some level. It's a normal reaction to life and is a beneficial reaction to stress. However, it has a tendency to become a problem when creeping anxious thoughts start to dominate your daily routine. But there are things you can do to help control these feelings. Dr Linda provides insight into how anxiety affects our brain and the steps we can take to try and overcome it. We hope these tips have helped you and please feel free to rate, review and share the podcast with someone that you think may like it. Let us know what topics you'd like to hear Dr Linda tackle by getting in touch with @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram.

Just because saying Yes is the easier option, it doesn't mean it's right. It's important to learn the importance of saying No so that you can establish boundaries and avoid feeling resentful or put upon by others.  In this episode Dr Linda lays out 5 tips that can help you let go of the fear and harness the power of saying No.  We hope these tips have helped you and please feel free to rate, review and share the podcast with someone that you think it may help. Let us know what topics you'd like to hear Dr Linda tackle by getting in touch with @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram.  

When you have poor self esteem, it means that the way you process the world is always from a place of inferiority; which instantly puts you on the back foot.  In this episode Dr Linda explores how and why so many of us suffer with self esteem issues and provides 5 tips that you can learn to master to help you feel more confident in your skin.  We hope these tips have helped you and please feel free to rate, review and share the podcast with someone that you think it may help.  Let us know what topics you'd like to hear Dr Linda tackle by getting in touch with @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram.

1 in 5 13 - 18 year olds report being a victim of cyberbullying.  Bullying is an age old problem that has a serious impact on our emotional health. Cyberbullying has brought a whole new element to this as smartphones, tablets and laptops can make it feel as though the bully has invaded your home and your private space. It can feel as though there is no escape.  In this episode Dr Linda offers up insight on how to spot the signs that your child or loved one might be experiencing difficulties at the hands of a cyberbully and provides 5 tips on how you can help them.   We hope these tips have helped you and please feel free to rate, review and share the podcast with someone that you think it may help.  Follow @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram

Re-building your life after a traumatic experience is a slow process, but it's a crucial one. Whether you have recently suffered a bereavement, a life-threatening illness, a violent attack - whatever the trauma you've experienced might be - it's imperative that you understand the importance allowing yourself time to heal.  Symptoms of PTSD are not a sign of weakness. They are a normal human reaction to terrifying experiences.   In this episode Dr Linda explores how our brain reacts to trauma and provides 5 steps that you can try and implement in your every day life to help you cope.  Thanks to one of our lovely  listeners for recommending that we cover this important topic.  We hope these tips have helped you and please feel free to rate, review and share the podcast with someone that you think would find it useful.  Follow @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram

Forgiveness is one of the most important elements that can affect a relationship's chance to develop and grow in a healthy way.   Dr Linda explores the science and studies into the role of forgiveness and offers up five tips on how you can move forward and let go of resentment towards whoever has caused you pain. Whether that's a partner, friend or family member. We hope these tips have helped you and please feel free to rate, review and share the podcast with someone that you think would enjoy it.  Follow @DrLinda_P on Twitter and @drlindap on Instagram