holding the heavy stuff

Holding the Heavy Stuff is a unique, illustrated self-help guide for anyone who has struggled with low mood, worries, self-doubts or mean thoughts about themselves and then found it difficult to move their life forward.

It is for people who feel overwhelmed or consumed by worries about the future, or find themselves stuck reliving moments from their past.

It is for those who have days, weeks or months when sadness takes over and getting through each hour feels challenging.

It is for those who can't imagine life getting better as the world gets worse.

It is for people who feel dumped on or knocked off track.

It is for all of us who face tragedy and difficulty and feel weighed down.

Perhaps you struggle to live the life you want or are holding too much heavy stuff. The more you try to fight this internal pain, the more you have it. Instead of struggling against it, this book offers a different approach. You will learn ways to carry the heavy stuff with you as you go where you want to go.

Published by Robinson (Hachette)

Stuff That Sucks: Accepting what you can't change and committing to what you can

Each of us has thoughts that are painful at times; sometimes the pain is sadness, sometimes worry or anger or shame or grief or some feeling that you don't even have words for. 

If you are a young person struggling with your emotions, you do not want to be told that 'everyone feels like that' or that 'you will grow out of it'. You want to feel that your emotions are valid and that the person offering help truly understands how painful life can feel at times. With a strong emphasis on validation and compassion, Stuff That Sucks encourages you to accept your emotions rather than struggling against them. It also shows how to reconnect with what is really important to you, giving you the tools to help clarify your personal values and take steps towards living a life where those values can guide you in your day-to-day behaviour.

Published 2015 by Robinson (Hachette)

Stuff That's Loud: A Teen's Guide to Unspiralling when OCD Gets Noisy

Do you have thoughts that seem loud? Do your worries spiral out of control and then suck you in? Do intrusive thoughts show up and make you scared of doing certain things - or not doing things - a certain way? Do you ever get a feeling like something bad might happen? Does this loud stuff make you feel alone, or worse, crazy?

First, you aren't alone - even if it sometimes feels that way. And second, you are not crazy. But you might be struggling with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). And while OCD can be difficult, you don't have to let it have power over you. Instead, you can live a life full of meaning, great relationships and joy with the help of this book.

In Stuff That's Loud, you'll learn Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and ideas from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you break free from loud, spiralling OCD thoughts and behaviours:
- You'll learn to be curious about the world around you
- You'll use willingness to step forwards boldly 
- You'll develop flexibility skills to practice everywhere and everywhen
- You'll focus on living a life that you give a $#@! about

Life doesn't have to stay stuck any longer.

Co-written with Lisa Coyne

Published by Robinson (Hachette)