In the final episode of our Wellbeing series, Ellie speaks to Dr. Nancy Bancroft about ways to protect yourself when working with trauma.

Working with trauma is not without its risks. Many therapists and other professionals who deal with trauma are at risk of developing secondary trauma, and even vicarious trauma long-term. So how can we build methods of protection to keep us safe, whilst pursuing work we are proud of?

Ellie and Nancy discuss how she works somatically with clients who have trauma, taking into account their body, physical health, and other elements that make up the whole person in the body.

Nancy shares her approaches to trauma, rituals she relies on to help her through sessions, and how she has built a thriving support network for herself as she’s transitioned into independent practice.

Dr Nancy Bancroft is a HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years experience working therapeutically with psychological and emotional distress, within NHS, academic and private contexts. She currently runs her clinic The Body in the Mind and is a Specialist Member of The Psychology Co-Operative.

You can find out more about Nancy and her work on Instagram and her website.

Do you find yourself saying ‘once I get past this hurdle, once I have this holiday, I’ll be happy’? Is happiness something to chase, or can we attain it in the everyday?

In today’s episode, Ellie discusses approaches to happiness with Zoe Mallett. Zoe is a happiness consultant, psychologist and creator. From crafting emotive content for brands, to elevating business cultures for good, Zoe uses her playful character, science-backed insights and experience to create purpose-driven, highly-engaging content for global brands resulting in millions of views.

Zoe shares her unique approach to cultivating happiness through mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and appreciating small moments of joy in her daily life. She also delves into the psychological aspects of happiness, the evolutionary roots of negativity bias, and practical strategies for managing screen time and stress.

You can follow more of Zoe’s work on her website, Instagram and TikTok.

When was the last good night’s sleep you had? If we’re stressed or overworked, sleep is often the first thing that suffers. We all know sleep is integral to our wellbeing, so how can we improve it?

Join Ellie as she speaks to sleep expert Dr Lindsay Browning about realistic approaches to improving your sleep habits and overall health. Dr Browning is a UK based chartered psychologist, neuroscientist, author and founder of Trouble Sleeping.

Dr Browning shares insights on creating optimal sleep environments, strategies to reduce sleep anxiety, and breaks down common sleep myths - it’s not all about deep sleep!

Key topics covered are:

• 03:06 Challenges in the Field of Sleep Therapy
• 06:46 The Importance of Quality Sleep
• 11:17 Understanding Sleep Stages
• 15:32 Sleep and Aging
• 17:34 Menopause and Sleep
• 19:47 Creating Optimal Sleep Conditions
• 26:09 Understanding the Impact of Irregular Sleep Patterns
• 26:35 The Importance of a Consistent Sleep Routine
• 31:39 Techniques to Combat Sleep Anxiety
• 41:17 Workplace Strategies for Better Sleep
• 45:33 Practical Tips for Self-Employed Practice Owners

You can follow Dr Browning on social media @drbrowningsleep and on her website Trouble Sleeping.