Therapy Works28 Feb 2025

EXPERT EPISODE: Owen O'Kane on why anxiety feels addictive

In this engaging episode, Owen O'Kane, a psychotherapist, former palliative care specialist, and ex-NHS clinical lead for mental health, shares his professional journey and deeply personal story. He reflects on his transition from nursing in palliative care to training as a psychotherapist, a shift inspired by witnessing the profound psychological distress many patients faced. Owen also opens up about his upbringing in Northern Ireland during the Troubles and the personal struggles of coming out as gay in a Catholic family. He highlights how his lived experiences shape his therapeutic approach, emphasising the power of empathy, trauma awareness, and emotional resilience in mental health care. Drawing from his latest book, Addicted to Anxiety, Owen introduces the concept that anxiety can function like an addiction, offering a false sense of safety while keeping individuals trapped in cycles of fear. He discusses practical strategies for managing anxiety, including learning to acknowledge, accept, and even befriend the anxious self rather than resisting it. His insights provide a fresh and compassionate perspective on understanding anxiety, helping listeners develop greater self-awareness and healthier coping mechanisms to break free from its grip. Buy Owen's new book, 'Addicted to Anxiety': https://amzn.eu/d/cxRKYCD Follow Owen: @owenokaneten Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Episoder(274)

Agony Aunties: How Do I Say Goodbye to Someone I Love?

A listener asks one of the hardest questions imaginable: how do you visit a close friend who is nearing the end of their life? Julia, Emily and Sophie explore how to show up with love when there are n...

14 Aug 15min

BONUS: Yasmine Naghdi on Why Confidence Isn't About Being Perfect

In this special episode of Therapy Works, in partnership with Code8's Confidence Comes From Within campaign, Julia is joined by Royal Ballet Principal Yasmine Naghdi for a fascinating conversation abo...

12 Aug 50min

Agony Aunties: How Do I Deal With a Difficult Mother-in-Law?

Family holidays are meant to be relaxing, so why do they so often leave us feeling exhausted? This week, Julia, Emily and Sophie answer a listener's question about navigating a passive-aggressive moth...

7 Aug 17min

Agony Aunties: Why Do I Keep Sabotaging Myself?

This week, the Agony Aunties answer a question that so many of us will recognise: why is it so hard to make the changes we desperately want to make? From skipping the exercise class you've already pai...

31 Jul 15min

Agony Aunties: Why Do I Feel So Lonely?

In this week's Agony Aunties episode, Julia, Emily and Sophie answer a heartfelt question from a listener who feels deeply lonely despite appearing successful on the outside. Together, they explore wh...

24 Jul 17min

BONUS: Manon Lagrève on The Confidence to Be Yourself

This week, Julia is joined by cook, bestselling author and content creator Manon Lagrève for a heartfelt conversation about confidence, family and the values that truly sustain us. Together they explo...

22 Jul 44min

Agony Aunties: Relationship Anxiety - Am I Overthinking or Is Something Wrong?

This week on Agony Aunties, they answer a listener's heartfelt question about what happens when a relationship begins to feel different. After two and a half years together, her boyfriend seems less a...

17 Jul 17min

Agony Aunties: Why Do I Feel So Lonely After Having a Baby?

In this episode of Agony Aunties, Julia, Emily and Sophie answer a heartfelt question from a listener who feels isolated after moving away from the city to start a family. Together they explore the un...

10 Jul 16min