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	<title>Practical | Hammock</title>
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	<title>Practical | Hammock</title>
	<link>https://hammock.org.uk</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Why being ill triggers the inner critic and how to cope</title>
		<link>https://hammock.org.uk/2026/04/15/why-being-ill-triggers-the-inner-critic-and-how-to-cope/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ed.Hannifan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:01:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Practical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[acceptance and kindness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anxiety when sick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional wellbeing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inner critic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[low mood illness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mental health when ill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self compassion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self criticism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[therapy UK]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://hammock.org.uk/?p=2510</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Feeling low or self critical when ill? Learn why illness affects mental health and how to respond with acceptance and self kindness.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Over the past month, I’ve been under the weather. Nothing dramatic. No single moment that required stopping everything. Although, with ‘man-flu’, you just never know! It’s been this lingering run of colds, a sore throat that hasn’t shifted, a heavy, low-energy feeling in the body that never quite lifts. The kind of illness lots of people are describing at the moment. It’s stayed way longer than…</p>
<p><a href="https://hammock.org.uk/2026/04/15/why-being-ill-triggers-the-inner-critic-and-how-to-cope/" rel="nofollow">Source</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>BetterHelp alternatives in the UK: why some clients choose Hammock Counselling</title>
		<link>https://hammock.org.uk/2026/03/16/betterhelp-alternatives-in-the-uk-why-some-clients-choose-hammock-counselling/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ed.Hannifan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:17:50 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Practical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[affordable online therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[affordable therapy UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BetterHelp alternatives UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BetterHelp review UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BetterHelp UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counselling services UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hammock Counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[low cost counselling UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mental health support UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online counselling UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online therapy UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[psychodynamic therapy UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[therapist supervision]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[therapy comparison]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[therapy options UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[therapy platforms UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[weekly therapy sessions]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://hammock.org.uk/?p=2457</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[If you are searching for online therapy in the UK, you may come across both Hammock Counselling and BetterHelp. Both provide access to online counselling. However, the structure, philosophy, and pricing model of each service are quite different. Understanding these differences can help you decide what kind of therapeutic support feels right for you. Hammock [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you are searching for online therapy in the UK, you may come across both Hammock Counselling and BetterHelp. Both provide access to online counselling. However, the structure, philosophy, and pricing model of each service are quite different. Understanding these differences can help you decide what kind of therapeutic support feels right for you. Hammock Counselling was created…</p>
<p><a href="https://hammock.org.uk/2026/03/16/betterhelp-alternatives-in-the-uk-why-some-clients-choose-hammock-counselling/" rel="nofollow">Source</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<item>
		<title>Black-and-white thinking: how nuance creates choice</title>
		<link>https://hammock.org.uk/2026/01/12/black-and-white-thinking-how-nuance-creates-choice/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ed.Hannifan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:41:10 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Educational]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Practical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[all-or-nothing thinking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[black-and-white thinking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[choice and agency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cognitive distortions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counselling psychology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional flexibility]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional resilience]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fear of failure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inner critic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mental health awareness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mindset shifts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nuance in thinking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[perfectionism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[psychological wellbeing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reflective living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[relationships and nuance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self-compassion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self-judgement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[therapeutic insights]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://hammock.org.uk/?p=2278</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Have you ever noticed how quickly a small slip can turn into a full stop? You miss a day at the gym and suddenly think, “Well, that’s that ruined.” You say something clumsy in an argument and feel convinced, “I’ve messed this up beyond repair.” You start something with good intentions, hit a wobble, and [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Have you ever noticed how quickly a small slip can turn into a full stop? You miss a day at the gym and suddenly think, “Well, that’s that ruined.” You say something clumsy in an argument and feel convinced, “I’ve messed this up beyond repair.” You start something with good intentions, hit a wobble, and quietly abandon it altogether. It often happens so fast that we barely notice it.</p>
<p><a href="https://hammock.org.uk/2026/01/12/black-and-white-thinking-how-nuance-creates-choice/" rel="nofollow">Source</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<item>
		<title>This is the time to invest in yourself</title>
		<link>https://hammock.org.uk/2025/12/29/this-is-the-time-to-invest-in-yourself/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ed.Hannifan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Dec 2025 11:32:39 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Practical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reflections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[affordable therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cost of therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counsellors in training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[invest in yourself]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mental health support]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online counselling UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[private counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[start therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sustainable counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[therapy assessment]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://hammock.org.uk/?p=2250</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Forget “new year, new you.” This isn’t about grand resolutions or becoming someone completely different. It’s about choosing, in a calm and sustainable way, to start living more fully in the life you already have. The start of a new year often creates a natural pause. A moment where people take stock of their lives [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Forget “new year, new you.” This isn’t about grand resolutions or becoming someone completely different. It’s about choosing, in a calm and sustainable way, to start living more fully in the life you already have. The start of a new year often creates a natural pause. A moment where people take stock of their lives and quietly ask themselves big and sometimes difficult questions.</p>
<p><a href="https://hammock.org.uk/2025/12/29/this-is-the-time-to-invest-in-yourself/" rel="nofollow">Source</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<item>
		<title>Understanding anxiety: why it feels different</title>
		<link>https://hammock.org.uk/2025/12/15/understanding-anxiety-why-it-feels-different/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ed.Hannifan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:36:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Educational]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Practical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anxiety support]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[avoidance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[childhood experiences]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coping strategies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional awareness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotional wellbeing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[generalized anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[intrusive thoughts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mental health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nervous system]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[overthinking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[panic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[people pleasing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[physical symptoms of anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Psychotherapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self-understanding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[somatic anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stress response]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[talking therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[therapy for anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trauma and anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[types of anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[understanding anxiety]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://hammock.org.uk/?p=2231</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Anxiety is one of those words we all use, yet rarely mean in the same way. You might say, “I’m anxious,” and picture a knot in your stomach. Someone else might hear the same words and imagine racing thoughts, sleepless nights, or a feeling of dread looming over them. When we talk about anxiety, we’re [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Anxiety is one of those words we all use, yet rarely mean in the same way. You might say, “I’m anxious,” and picture a knot in your stomach. Someone else might hear the same words and imagine racing thoughts, sleepless nights, or a feeling of dread looming over them. When we talk about anxiety, we’re not talking about one thing. We’re talking about a whole constellation of sensations…</p>
<p><a href="https://hammock.org.uk/2025/12/15/understanding-anxiety-why-it-feels-different/" rel="nofollow">Source</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Why Hammock Counselling could be the right choice for you</title>
		<link>https://hammock.org.uk/2025/11/17/why-hammock-counselling-could-be-the-right-choice-for-you/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ed.Hannifan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 09:30:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Practical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[affordable therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[client-focused therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ethical counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flexible therapy sessions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hammock Counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[high-quality counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[low-cost counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[person-centred therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[proactive therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[psychodynamic therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recovery model mental health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supportive online therapy]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://hammock.org.uk/?p=1776</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Finding counselling that feels right, affordable, and truly supportive isn’t always easy. Many low-cost services exist, but often they leave you feeling like just another number, or they compromise on depth and quality. At Hammock Counselling, we do things differently. We combine person-centred care with psychodynamic insight, provide flexible session options, and maintain high professional [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Finding counselling that feels right, affordable, and truly supportive isn’t always easy. Many low-cost services exist, but often they leave you feeling like just another number, or they compromise on depth and quality. At Hammock Counselling, we do things differently. We combine person-centred care with psychodynamic insight, provide flexible session options, and maintain high professional…</p>
<p><a href="https://hammock.org.uk/2025/11/17/why-hammock-counselling-could-be-the-right-choice-for-you/" rel="nofollow">Source</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<item>
		<title>Investing in Employee Wellbeing: Why Hammock Is the Strategic Partner Your Business Needs</title>
		<link>https://hammock.org.uk/2025/10/01/investing-in-employee-wellbeing-why-hammock-is-the-strategic-partner-your-business-needs/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ed.Hannifan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:51:29 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Practical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[EAP programs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[employee therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[employee wellbeing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hammock Counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[productivity improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SME employee wellness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[staff retention]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[workplace mental health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[workplace resilience]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://hammock.org.uk/?p=1670</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[In today’s competitive business environment, employee wellbeing is a key driver of organisational success. Poor mental health costs UK businesses over £100 billion annually, largely due to presenteeism — when employees are at work but not fully productive (The Guardian, 2024). For SMEs and employers, this is a compelling reason to proactively invest in workplace [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In today’s competitive business environment, employee wellbeing is a key driver of organisational success. Poor mental health costs UK businesses over £100 billion annually, largely due to presenteeism — when employees are at work but not fully productive (The Guardian, 2024). For SMEs and employers, this is a compelling reason to proactively invest in workplace mental health.</p>
<p><a href="https://hammock.org.uk/2025/10/01/investing-in-employee-wellbeing-why-hammock-is-the-strategic-partner-your-business-needs/" rel="nofollow">Source</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>Effective Online Therapy in 2025: Where, When, How, and Why</title>
		<link>https://hammock.org.uk/2025/07/09/effective-online-therapy-in-2025/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ed.Hannifan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:26:33 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Practical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[affordable online counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flexible online therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hammock Counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online counselling UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online therapy from home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online therapy UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[remote therapy UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UK counsellors online]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video therapy]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://hammock.org.uk/?p=1655</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[What Online Therapy Looks Like in 2025 What do you picture when you imagine going to therapy? For some of us, it might be all-American, like Tony Soprano’s “shrink.” They sit in a high-backed armchair, in front of a wall lined with books on the various ways we may all lose our minds. You sit [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What do you picture when you imagine going to therapy? For some of us, it might be all-American, like Tony Soprano’s “shrink.” They sit in a high-backed armchair, in front of a wall lined with books on the various ways we may all lose our minds. You sit on a couch, before a coffee table, on which there are two glasses of water and a box of tissues. If you’re lucky, like the clients in BBC’s…</p>
<p><a href="https://hammock.org.uk/2025/07/09/effective-online-therapy-in-2025/" rel="nofollow">Source</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>Finding Your Feet Again: Grounding Techniques for When Life Feels Too Much</title>
		<link>https://hammock.org.uk/2025/05/10/grounding-techniques/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ed.Hannifan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 10 May 2025 07:37:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Practical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[calm anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grounding for anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grounding techniques]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[low-cost therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online counselling UK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stress relief techniques]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://hammock.org.uk/?p=1647</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[There are times when life feels overwhelming. Our thoughts race, our bodies tighten, and the ground beneath us seems to shift. In those moments, it can be hard to feel present or safe. Grounding techniques are simple yet powerful tools that help you reconnect with your body and senses. They bring your attention back to [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are times when life feels overwhelming. Our thoughts race, our bodies tighten, and the ground beneath us seems to shift. In those moments, it can be hard to feel present or safe. Grounding techniques are simple yet powerful tools that help you reconnect with your body and senses. They bring your attention back to the present, steadying you when emotions or thoughts feel out of control.</p>
<p><a href="https://hammock.org.uk/2025/05/10/grounding-techniques/" rel="nofollow">Source</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<title>Tips for Making the Most of Your Online Therapy Session</title>
		<link>https://hammock.org.uk/2025/05/07/tips-for-making-the-most-of-your-online-therapy-session/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ed.Hannifan]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 May 2025 10:33:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Practical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counselling session]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hammock Counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mental health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online counselling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[preparing for online therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[therapy tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[virtual counselling]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://hammock.org.uk/?p=1658</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Online therapy offers convenience, flexibility, and comfort – but like anything, there are ways to make your sessions more effective. At Hammock Counselling, we want your experience to be meaningful. The more you put in, the more you get out, and a little preparation can make all the difference. Why Preparation Matters for Online Counselling [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Online therapy offers convenience, flexibility, and comfort – but like anything, there are ways to make your sessions more effective. At Hammock Counselling, we want your experience to be meaningful. The more you put in, the more you get out, and a little preparation can make all the difference. Lockdown taught us many things about video calls – sometimes in hilarious ways.</p>
<p><a href="https://hammock.org.uk/2025/05/07/tips-for-making-the-most-of-your-online-therapy-session/" rel="nofollow">Source</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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