First Aid for Feelings

First Aid for Feelings We support you to develop the essential skills for self-care and good health. Contact us to request an information pack and/or ask any questions you might have.

Whether you’re curious about any of the services we provide, or are ready to take the first step towards improving your health physically, mentally and socially – we are here to give you the information you are looking for. You can also book a free 20-minute discovery call with Thor, to talk about what’s going on for you. This informal discussion allows you to get a better sense of how we can help

you with your health. You can have up to three of these calls, completely free of charge so you can decide if our services are right for you.

A Live event about how sadness is essential for health and wellbeing. Learn how sadness arises and not always in obvious...
04/06/2026

A Live event about how sadness is essential for health and wellbeing. Learn how sadness arises and not always in obvious ways. We’ll explore caring for it with gentle, trauma-informed ways to support safety and nervous system regulation.

The 30 minute session on Insight Timer starts with a talk and Q&A and concludes with a guided meditation. Thursday with Thor helps you use meditation to navigate your feelings.

👉 Click link to set reminder to join and learn how to feel better

https://insig.ht/twBLWEo4u3b



IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Image shows a photo of Thor wearing glasses and orange v-neck jumper.

A text box reads: Feelings: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Sadness| Thursday with Thor. How meditation helps you care for sadness in trauma-informed ways.

Further text: 4 June at 5.30 BST Join In

Underneath is the logo of Insight Timer with a meditation bell. In the right hand corner is the icon for First Aid for Feelings in white which is a three-quarters-closed circle with a cross inside.

I support a number of people living with depression and anxiety connected with pain, fatigue and stress. For many, SSRIs...
04/06/2026

I support a number of people living with depression and anxiety connected with pain, fatigue and stress. For many, SSRIs (mood stabilising medication), can be an important and helpful part of that journey.

At the same time, I’ve noticed that for some people I work with, tinnitus—ringing or noise in the ears—can become more noticeable or more intense after starting medication.

Emerging research is beginning to shed light on why this might be happening. Scientists have identified a direct pathway in the brain linking serotonin-producing areas with the auditory system. This helps explain how increasing serotonin can sometimes influence how we experience sound, including tinnitus.

What I find particularly encouraging is that this research also points toward possibility. Recently published research shows that when this specific pathway was reduced in activity, tinnitus-like symptoms also eased. So rather than this being a fixed problem, it suggests there may be ways of working more skilfully with medication over time. For me, this really comes back to balance. SSRIs can be deeply supportive, but they’re not one-size-fits-all, and the wider nervous system response matters too.

👉 If tinnitus has become an issue for you—especially if it’s changed since starting or adjusting medication—it’s worth speaking with your doctor. A medication review can help you explore options that support both your mental health and help you feel better.

Link to the original research: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2509692123

If you’d like help to strengthen your skills and ability to advocate for yourself about your experience of tinnitus and medication (or anything else) bring this to your next consultation.
If you’re not yet in consultations you can have up to three free twenty minute Discovery Calls where we can explore how you may be able to help and support yourself with this.
If you've not been in consultations for a while remember that you can have a free twenty minute Tune-Up.



IMAGE DESCRIPTION

An image showing a black-and-white profile of a person touching their ear, which is highlighted in red to suggest pain or ringing. Text reads: “Is your tinnitus a medication side effect?” On the right is an orange atom-like “Research” icon. Across the bottom is an orange banner showing the cover of the First Aid for Feelings Manual (black with white text), the icon for First Aid for Feelings in white which is a three-quarters closed circle with a cross in the middle and the url for the First Aid for Feelings website.

I recently joined Dr Audrey Tang and Judith Crosier for another episode of Mental Health Matters from Wellbeing Media St...
04/06/2026

I recently joined Dr Audrey Tang and Judith Crosier for another episode of Mental Health Matters from Wellbeing Media Studio, this time focusing on Long Covid.

👉 Click link to listen to the episode

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2051682/episodes/19089353

So much is still misunderstood about Long Covid and how it impacts people and because the effects are not always visible, this can trigger shaming behaviours from those who don’t understand. Looking beyond the headlines we unpack the 3D reality of post‑viral illness, identity, and healing. Here are some of the key points we discuss:

Long COVID as a post‑viral condition
We explore Long COVID as part of a wider family of post‑viral illnesses like ME/CFS, and how trauma, culture, gender and class all shape whose suffering is seen and believed.

Why pain and fatigue need a 3D lens
We explain the 3D lens of BioPsychoSocial (Biology - Psychology - Social Context) approach and how it helps us to consider the reality of living with pain, fatigue and how those experiences are affected by context. This means treating each person’s “configuration” as unique.

Five types of tired (and why sleep isn’t always the answer)
I describe the five distinct kinds of tired—physical, wired‑and‑tired, emotional, environmental and repetitive—and share how each calls for a different response, from movement to sensory rest to emotional processing.

Identity, grief and trusting the body again
We talk about how Long COVID can shatter identities built on work and doing, the grief that follows, and practical ways to rebuild health and emotional literacy as well as a more compassionate relationship with the body.

Advocacy, boundaries and “Is it helpful?”
From navigating gendered healthcare biases and brain fog to setting boundaries with friends and family, I share grounded strategies for self‑advocacy—guided by one simple question: “Is it helpful?"

As you may heard me share before, I'm first and foremost a Health Activist so opportunities to speak with experts like Dr Audrey and Judith feel precious as well as playful and informative. I'm grateful for this opportunity to share what I've learnt through clinical practice as well as training and research with them and with you.



IMAGE DESCRIPTION

Square purple graphic for a show titled “Mental Health Matters,” featuring a head silhouette with heart and brain icons. Three portraits show expert hosts Dr Audrey Tang and Judith Crosier and guest Thor A Rain. Text reads: “Expert-Led Mental Health Conversation. Thursday 28th May. On this episode: Long Covid.” Logos for Wellbeing Media, several awards, and icons for YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms appear around the edges.

A Live event about why happiness can be a complicated feeling especially for those of us who have experienced trauma. In...
28/05/2026

A Live event about why happiness can be a complicated feeling especially for those of us who have experienced trauma. Includes tips for gentle, trauma-informed ways to strengthen skills and ability for happiness.

The 30 minute session on Insight Timer starts with a talk and Q&A and concludes with a guided meditation. Thursday with Thor helps you use meditation to navigate your feelings.

👉 Click link to set reminder to join and learn how to feel better

https://insig.ht/DPTE8zHYj3b



IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Image shows a photo of Thor wearing glasses and orange v-neck jumper.

A text box reads: Feelings: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Happiness | Thursday with Thor. How meditation can help you find your way to feeling happy. 28 May at 5.30 BST Join In

Underneath is the logo of Insight Timer with a meditation bell. In the right hand corner is the icon for First Aid for Feelings in white which is a three-quarters-closed circle with a cross inside.

This 18-minute meditation invites you to journey with the acorn as it becomes the mighty oak, a living symbol of patienc...
28/05/2026

This 18-minute meditation invites you to journey with the acorn as it becomes the mighty oak, a living symbol of patience, potential, and enduring strength.

Drawing on Celtic and English reverence for the oak, Native American wisdom of the acorn’s nourishment, and the Norse link to Thor’s enduring power, you are guided to root into courage and growth.

Connect with your inner resilience and ancestral knowing, trusting that within you lies the same steady unfolding—from small beginnings to grounded, unshakable strength.

👉 Click link to access this Free-to-Access guided meditation on Insight Timer

https://insig.ht/Aj6Vnbd0j3b

59% of those who use meditations apps choose Insight Timer, this is 30 million people! It’s free to download with Free-to-Access content and the annual subscription is $60 to access courses and premium content.



IMAGE DESCRIPTION

A photo of Thor wearing an Icelandic woolly jumper over an orange hoodie delighted to be holding an acorn for the viewer to see. Text reads: FREE-TO-ACCESS MEDITATION From Acorn to Oak, A bold red ribbon graphic on the left reads “NEW” in large white uppercase letters and in italics, “Listen on” above the gold bowl of the Insight Timer logo and the icon for First Aid for Feelings in white which is a three-quarters closed circle with a cross in the centre.

EXTRA EVENT!The Navigating Nine Core Feelings course is now LIVE and meditations focusing on feelings safer in the momen...
21/05/2026

EXTRA EVENT!

The Navigating Nine Core Feelings course is now LIVE and meditations focusing on feelings safer in the moment, caring for feelings like social anxiety and shame as well as meditations to support your body, breath and nervous system regulation will be published over the next few weeks.

In this 30 minute session on Insight Timer I will also share personal experience, including why there’s been a four year gap in releasing new content.

👉 Click link to set reminder to join and find out what’s happening

https://insig.ht/rspFAF3e32b



IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Image shows a photo of Thor wearing glasses and orange v-neck jumper.

A text box reads: New course and Free-To-Access content. Extra event. Further text: 21 May at 5.30 BST Join In

Underneath is the logo of Insight Timer with a meditation bell. In the right hand corner is the icon for First Aid for Feelings in white which is a three-quarters-closed circle with a cross inside.

A Live event about how pain can be caused by trauma as well as being traumatic exploring the dynamic between trauma and ...
21/05/2026

A Live event about how pain can be caused by trauma as well as being traumatic exploring the dynamic between trauma and pain. Includes tips for gentle, trauma-informed ways to support safety and nervous system regulation.

The 30 minute session on Insight Timer starts with a talk and Q&A and concludes with a guided meditation.

Thursday with Thor helps you use meditation to navigate your feelings.

👉 Click link to set reminder to join and learn how to feel better

https://insig.ht/grNSm3tJW2b



IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Image shows a photo of Thor wearing glasses and orange v-neck jumper. A text box reads: THURSDAY WITH THOR: Feelings: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Pain | Thursday with Thor. How meditation can help you understand and respond to pain better. Further text: 21 May at 5.30 BST Join In. Underneath is the logo of Insight Timer with a meditation bell. In the right hand corner is the icon for First Aid for Feelings in white which is a three-quarters-closed circle with a cross inside.

David Feinstein Phd, a leading researcher in the field of EFT has now published a comprehensive infographic drawing on m...
21/05/2026

David Feinstein Phd, a leading researcher in the field of EFT has now published a comprehensive infographic drawing on more than 300 peer-reviewed clinical trials about EFT, often referred to as Tapping.

This ten page infographic describes in an easy-to-understand way the mechanism of how Tapping works.

As many of you know firsthand I use EFT frequently with the people I support in consultations. It’s great to now be able to refer to this guide for those of you who like me, like to understand how ‘stuff’ works.

👉 I encourage you to have a look, and if you like you can download a pdf version to have for yourself. Here's the link:

https://energytapping.com/how-tapping-works-infographic/

A big thank you to EFT International for sharing this resource and helping me stay up-to-date with what's going on in the field.



IMAGE DESCRIPTION
A grey-toned illustration shows a seated practitioner and client in conversation, an outline of a head in profile showing the brain, overlaid with a large question mark. On the right, an orange atom-like graphic surrounds a solid orange rectangle labeled “Research” in white letters.

Text reads: “The HOW TAPPING WORKS Infographic” and “A Cutting-Edge Approach with Compelling Results Poses a Scientific Question: How Does It Work?”

Across the bottom is an orange banner showing the cover of the First Aid for Feelings Manual (black with white text), the icon for First Aid for Feelings in white which is a three-quarters closed circle with a cross in the middle and the url for the First Aid for Feelings website.

A Live event on Insight Timer exploring how anxiety shows up in both body and mind. Learn about tension, impact on breat...
07/05/2026

A Live event on Insight Timer exploring how anxiety shows up in both body and mind. Learn about tension, impact on breath, agitation, and intrusive thoughts, with gentle, trauma-informed ways to support safety and nervous system regulation.

The 30 minute session starts with a talk and Q&A and concludes with a guided meditation. Thursday with Thor helps you use meditation to navigate your feelings.

Thursday with Thor is about meditation and specific feelings

👉 Click link to set reminder to join and learn how to feel better

https://insig.ht/jfMWzyWHz2b



IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
Image shows a photo of Thor wearing glasses and orange v-neck jumper. A text box reads: Feelings: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Anxiety| Thursday with Thor. How meditation can care for anxiety in a trauma-informed way. Further text: 7 May at 5.30 BST Join In. Underneath is the logo of Insight Timer with a meditation bell. In the right hand corner is the icon for First Aid for Feelings in white which is a three-quarters-closed circle with a cross inside.

The “Navigating Nine Core Feelings” course is now LIVE on Insight Timer!This 10-part audio course gently guides you thro...
07/05/2026

The “Navigating Nine Core Feelings” course is now LIVE on Insight Timer!

This 10-part audio course gently guides you through anxiety, stress, fatigue, pain, happiness, sadness, fear, anger, and loneliness so you can recognise what you feel, why the feeling is there, and how to respond with more confidence and choice.

You get clear explanations, body-based insights, practical tools like the Feeling Chart and the ABC technique, and guided reflections to return to anytime.

For those of you who join the Live event on Thursdays will know that this course has been a labour of love and it feels simply marvellous to share the news that it's now 'Live'!

This course and the free-to-access recordings that will released on Insight Timer over the next few months would not be possible without the generous donations of so many of you. A deep bow of gratitude for your generosity, your trust in me and your courage to show up with yourself and for yourself as you do this work.

👉 Click link to access the course on Insight Timer

https://insig.ht/on4qywLZF2b

59% of those who use meditations apps choose Insight Timer, this is 30 million people. It’s free to download with free-to-access content and the annual subscription is $60 to access courses and premium content.



IMAGE DESCRIPTION

A bright graphic for a new Insight Timer course, set against a vivid orange background showing a portrait of Thor wearing an orange hoodie and T‑shirt. Text reads: Navigating Nine Core Feelings, Mindful Responses for Health and Healing. A bold red ribbon graphic on the left reads “NEW” in large white uppercase letters and in italics, “Listen on” above the gold bowl of the Insight Timer logo and the icon for First Aid for Feelings in white which is a three-quarters closed circle with a cross in the centre.

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Future Business Centre, Kings Hedges Road
Cambridge
CB42HY

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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