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Time to Change is a growing national movement working to change the way we all think and act about mental health problems. Kingston upon Thames became a Time to Change Hub in 2018. 'Borough Business' is the Kingston upon Thames Chamber of Commerce magazine and their latest issue for January 2019 is explaining to businesses why it's 'Time to Sign Up to the Employer Pledge'. Read all about what signing up means and how 'Time to Change' offers dedicated support throughtout the pledge process, including coaching and free masterclasses - here. The link takes you to the relevant Borough Business issue where the article starts on P.17. On P.23 you will find 'Ask the Expert', where our own Giselle Monbiot, a Stress and Anxiety Management Practitioner, explains what you should do to ensure a healthier workplace for employees.

It's real! The design tricks and techniques that keep you hooked on your phone, Facebook, video games, etc. is known as 'Persuasive Design' and it influences the parts of your brain responsible for forming habits and addictions. We all know someone who's fascination with their phone or other gadget has become excessive and is seriously impacting their relationships, work, education, etc. The WHO (World Health Organisation) now recognises gaming addiction as a mental health disorder. So - what can you do? At least learn more about 'Persuasive Design' in this short BBC video. If professional help is needed to help a person combat their addiction, we have the professionals at Asana, like Nicola Todd, who are used to treating habits and addictions. Click the blue links to find out more.

Petar Rodic specialises in Addiction Counselling (substance misuse, drugs, alcohol, behaviours, digital) and also works as a Recovery Practitioner for the NHS. He is an Integrative Counsellor focusing on Psychodynamic, Person Centred and Existential-Transpersonal theories, but can draw on many other therapy modalities to suit the needs of his clients. Petar is also passionate about personal development work with clients - exploring the 'inner child' to discover the true self. Another area of focus is Family Constellation work - an approach that goes beyond therapy as it explores life events and traumas in previous family generations that is able to affect the lives of concurrent and future generations, often manifesting as physical illness or disruptive life patterns. Working with and understanding these influences can bring about transformation and healing. Petar speaks English, Russian and Serbo-Croation. Click here to visit Petar's own website and send him a direct message, or call: 07505-104266.

Joanna Benfield, our Psychosexual Therapist, has a new article published online for 'Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity', The Journal of Treatment and Prevention - which is The Official Journal of the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health. The article is a study examining the lived experiences of 6 sex addiction therapists who incorporate an attachment-informed approach in their work. The study aims to elaborate key components of an attachment-based approach that could potentially be incorporated into sex addiction treatment strategies for therapists working across different modalities. View the article here. View Joanna's informative website here.

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Cecily Criminale, MS, MEd, MA, MBACP (Reg.), Sex and Relationship Therapist and former neuroscience graduate, steps back into the debate on whether sex addiction 'exists' or is 'out of control sexual behaviour' with her new blog which looks at the scientific method of 'exploring an observable phenomenon'. Read it here.

'The Emotional Resilience Toolkit' is a publication by Business in the Community, sponsored by the Department of Health. Created by employers for employers, this unique resource draws on the collective experience and expertise of the Emotional Resilience Steering Group including: Department of Health, EDF Energy, Health and Safety Executive, Mental Health Foundation, MIND, Nestlé UK & Ireland, Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, Standard Life Healthcare and others. This Emotional Resilience Toolkit provides practical guidance in promoting the resilience of individuals and teams in companies as part of an integrated health and wellbeing programme. It recognises that 'Healthy People = Healthy Profits'. Download your copy here.

At Asana, Giselle Monbiot is a Stress and Anxiety Management Practitioner offering individual and group programmes that enable employees to manage and reduce stress in the workplace. Find out more here.