Love in the City

26/05/2026

04/05/2026

18/02/2026

This is great! But it’s also important to note that very few counsellors are actually trained in couples therapy & relationship issues - even if they’ve done a short course. So, if you’re looking for relationship support, take the time to find someone who has specialist training & experience. You can always have an initial chat to find out more and then decide if they’re right for you
https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/helen-rice

18/02/2026

“We need more male role models out there, talking about /emotions & good mental health/ and normalising it, so that it becomes second nature to all of us



Life Hacks is available now on BBC Sounds, BBC iPlayer and YouTube, and will be broadcast on Wednesday at 8pm on BBC Radio 1.

Prince William has offered his advice to those struggling with their mental health, in a special Radio 1 panel discussion.

29/01/2026

An incredibly powerful article focusing on why so many men today feel so desperately lonely & disconnected. Hint: it’s not the unavailability of women, but rather our culture of homosociality - where men are brought up to gain validation & esteem from other men, while women are expected to provide intimacy, care and reassurance.


https://www.image.ie/self/homosociality-and-how-men-are-socialised-to-want-women-but-not-value-them-980727?fbclid=IwZnRzaAPoH5ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEendmmgfp_3H8FQU7cnIGb5OVFIh1V4D3w0pgsnFFAPyCm3i4gkFDT-gZa0B0_aem_OjhiGPacbtqfmF6WmlAfVg

In a culture shaped by homosocial masculinity, men are taught to want women, but rarely to like them, writes Roe McDermott.

24/01/2026

The BBC has found hundreds of short videos on TikTok and Instagram where male influencers secretly film women—often using Meta smart glasses—while offering “advice” on how to pick them up. These influencers then profit by selling coaching and courses.

Let’s be clear: secretly recording women without consent is a violation. Full stop. It turns women into content, commodities, and props for someone else’s brand.

But there’s a deeper issue here too.

If men genuinely want help with dating and relationships, learning from pick-up artists and influencer culture is ultimately a dead end. These approaches are built on performance, manipulation, and tactics—not respect, emotional intelligence, or real connection. They teach men how to extract attention, not how to build trust. And that’s why they fail.

Healthy, fulfilling relationships don’t come from scripts, hidden cameras, or “hacks.” They come from authenticity. From curiosity. From being able to see women as full human beings—not challenges to be overcome or content to be monetized.

We should be encouraging a culture where men are supported in developing confidence, empathy, and self-awareness—not one where exploitation is dressed up as self-improvement.

Real connection can’t be faked. And it definitely can’t be filmed in secret.

So-called manfluencers wearing smart glasses approach women and then post videos to TikTok.

20/01/2026

When it comes to s*x, consider there’s always something new to try out. Some useful tips here - including my #1 s*x therapy advice … don’t wait for the stars to align with your partner- just schedule time for it!

Experts share advice on how to restore intimacy, from changing venue to writing a ‘menu’ and finding your kink

17/01/2026

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62nzxqw45eo

Today’s article on the BBC about client notes being accessed by a hacker, could feel worrying or unsettling to anyone who has been in or is considering therapy.
This story happened in Finland. However I am truly shocked that this happened at all as the information gleaned appears to show a serious disregard for standard protocol by having so much information on record.
I want to reassure my clients and anyone considering working with me that I take confidentiality and data security extremely seriously.

My practice fully adheres to UK-GDPR requirements at all times. Personal information (such as names and contact details) is stored securely and separately from session notes. Notes themselves are intentionally brief aide-memoirs only — they contain no personally identifiable information, no diagnostic labels, and no opinions or judgements about the individual. They exist solely to support continuity of care and professional reflection. All records are destroyed after 5 years.

This is written in my contract & I’m always happy to talk this through with my clients as would any good therapist. Privacy, safety, and trust in therapy are fundamental and non-negotiable.

Meri-Tuuli Auer told her counsellor things about her life she didn't want her closest family to know.

13/01/2026

In January, it’s good to remember:
Pressure isn’t the path. Commitment is.

Pressure may create short bursts of change, but it rarely creates change that lasts.
It often leads to burnout, avoidance, or shame when life doesn’t move fast enough.

Commitment looks different.
It’s quieter. Kinder. More consistent.
It’s choosing to keep showing up for yourself—even when motivation is low, even when progress is slow.

You don’t need to push harder.
You need a way forward that you can actually sustain.

Reflection:
What would commitment look like for you this month if pressure wasn’t part of the equation?

💾 Save this as a January reminder
🤍 Share with someone who’s maybe trying too hard