As World Mental Health Day approaches, it is important to remember that 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 10 children are likely to have a mental health problem in any given year.

Needless to say, that as a psychotherapist I deal with many psychological and emotional issues on a daily basis; and although many of these are due to traumas and difficult childhood experiences, we should not forgot that we all have the capacity to empower ourselves by talking care of how we use our minds. This is why I also teach Mindfulness courses for beginners and for those who want to rekindle their meditation practice.

The benefits of Mindfulness meditation cannot be underestimated.

• reduces stress
• regulates and even recalibrates the nervous system
• helps to rewire and restructure the brain
• improves relationships by increasing our capacity for empathy
• better focus
• more cognitive flexibility
• improves self compassion, self appreciation and self honour

to name but a few, but more importantly Mindfulness helps us live in the here and now, the only place and the only time where mental health can be available to us. With regular practice, Mindfulness leads to calmness, peace, and well being. In my mind, the key to mental health is a quiet mind and an open heart.

My next course starts on Monday October 2nd at 7.15pm in Putney, SW15. Cost £72. Click here for details.