Confessions - I hate the way I look

Today marks the final episode of The Therapy Edit (for now).What started as a passion project in lockdown—when I didn’t even realise my microphone was backwards!—became one of the most loved and fulfilling parts of my work. I could never have dreamt it would grow into over 350 episodes, with over 4 million downloads, offering comfort, insight, and solidarity in the highs and lows of life.Your kind words of feedback have been fuel to my recording sessions.Now, it’s time to press pause. I’m putting the podcast on ice for now—This decision wasn’t easy, but it feels right. Life moves in seasons, and right now, I’m making space for more corporate work and deeper focus on my clinical therapy work.To every listener, every guest, every person who has shared an episode or sent a message—thank you. You’ve made this journey so special, and I’m endlessly grateful.A huge thank you to my AMAZING producer Kate at @contentinthecotswolds for being the machine behind the podcast, John at Aloe Audio for your patient and brilliant editing, Tom @bevjamesmanagement for lining me up with sponsors, Global for hosting me so warmly, and the talented Amber of @oohlala for all the branding over the years.I’ll always be passionate about sharing thoughts and conversations that help us navigate the messy, beautiful reality of life.And allll the episodes are there for you to listen whenever you need to. A library of supportive words. So, watch this space. Anna x

Today Anna tackles a new anonymous Confession from the Therapy Room;"I find the park, unless I'm with friends, boring, and I wonder how much longer we need to stay! I also feel similar when playing with my young children, 3 and 5, at home and feel like the worst mum for thinking this. I want to love playing with them but the reality is I get bored quick and just think of all the jobs I could be doing instead."Anna replies with some compassionate advice and tips that will help everyone, regardless of whether they can relate to this confession or not.Please note - the names and voices of some of the Ask Anna/Confessions contributors may have been changed at their request.

In this Monday episode of the Ask Anna series, Anna is joined by actor, author and mental health and black right advocate, David Harewood..Together Anna and David tackle the following connundrum: ''I'm recovering from a serious mental health breakdown and I'm really struggling to find a way back to normality. I feel so much better in myself and my thoughts and mind are clear, but what's happened has impacted my relationships and my friends and family all act differently around me. How can I get back to the life that seemed much simpler before?"David Harewood was awarded an OBE in 2023 for his services to drama and mental health advocacy. His career as an actor and documentary presenter spans 40 years. He works in both the UK and America and he has appeared in shows such as HOMELAND, THE NIGHT MANAGER, SUPERGIRL and BLOOD DIAMOND.On stage he’s appeared as Martin Luther King in the award-winning play The Mountaintop and he was the first Black actor to play Othello at the Royal National Theatre. He delivered the 2023 Richard Dimbleby Lecture and was recently made President of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Today Anna tackles a new anonymous Confession from the Therapy Room;"When life is so utterly stressful - ASD kids, or just kids!, no family support/village to speak of etc and you end up just feeling...nothing towards your partner.You think maybe you might still like them if everything else was cleared away but really all you can feel is nothing/irritation... probably aimed at life but coming out in your marriage."Anna replies with some compassionate advice and tips that will help everyone, regardless of whether they can relate to this confession or not.Please note - the names and voices of some of the Ask Anna/Confessions contributors may have been changed at their request.

In this Monday episode of the Ask Anna series, Anna is joined by author and podcaster, Adrienne Adhami.Together Anna and Adrienne tackle the following connundrum: "I started this year feeling so pumped to make some really positive changes to my life. But a few weeks in and I'm feeling totally overwhelmed and just can't seem to make the tiniest of decisions. How can I move forward when I over analyse everything and always imagine the worst case scenarios that end up leaving me feeling paralysed."Adrienne Adhami is a leading well-being coach and keynote speaker, known for the motivational podcast Power Hour and the Modern Wellness Podcast.Adrienne is a sought-after brand advisor, specialising in well-being technology, strategy and innovation. She has delivered workshops and keynote speeches to brands including Apple, Spotify, Bupa and Range Rover. Her expertise ranges from achieving high performance to goal-setting and decision-making.Adrienne’s debut book, Power Hour, was published in 2020 and has since been translated into five languages. Listed as one of the ‘Top 25 Black Entrepreneurs to Watch’ by HSBC and UKBBS, Adrienne is a trailblazer inspiring individuals and organisations to reach their full potential. Decisions That Matter is her second book.Her new book, Decisions That Matter, is a manual to empower you to break free from indecision and make choices with clarity and conviction. The book provides the tools and insights you need to navigate these choices with confidence. Adrienne offers strategies and frameworks to help you make intentional decisions in a world full of distractions. Decisions That Matter is available to pre-order prior to its February 20th release now. You can also follow Adrienne on Instagram

Today Anna tackles a new anonymous Confession from the Therapy Room;"I want to know how I can differentiate between my gut feeling/intuition and anxiety? For example if I’m worried about my health how much is driven my fear and how much is driven my intuition?"Anna replies with some compassionate advice and tips that will help everyone, regardless of whether they can relate to this confession or not.Please note - the names and voices of some of the Ask Anna/Confessions contributors may have been changed at their request.

In this Monday episode of the Ask Anna series, Anna is joined by fabulous broadcaster, Cherry Healey.Together Anna and Cherry tackle the following connundrum: 'I'm slowly accepting the fact that my relationship isn't making me happy and that I am too young to accept that this is just the way things are going to be. The only problem is I'm paralysed by the fear of what life could look like on the other side and the enormity of breaking my family up is preventing me from taking the next steps. Can you help?"Cherry Healey is a broadcaster, best known for presenting Inside the Factory on BBC One with Paddy McGuiness and 10 Years Younger in 10 Days. Cherry Healey began her onscreen career with numerous gritty documentary series for BBC Three focusing on life through the perspective of a woman, whilst also sharing her own personal stories and perspective throughout.These series included the groundbreaking Cherry Has a Baby - a programme that marked a moment in time where broadcasting began to give women’s experiences a voice. Her honest, warm and engaging presenting style quickly established her as a household name.With a passion for wellbeing and as a trusted women’s advocate, in 2022 Cherry achieved a lifelong ambition by fronting Women’s Health: Breaking the Taboos for Channel 5 - the first ever television programme to focus solely on women’s health.She recently gave a speech to the new Labour MP’s joining parliament encouraging investment and improvement within women’s health.Over the past few years Cherry has also curated and delivered wellness workshops for brands focusing on exercise, sleep and confidence and continues her work as an ambassador for the gynaecological cancer charity, The Eve Appeal. 

Today Anna tackles a new anonymous Confession from the Therapy Room;"My husband really wants me to be a stay at home mum and has very traditional ideas about how we should live. I used to. think this was what I wanted too but lately I've been feeling like I really need something else to fill my days beyond the children and the housework. I'm nervous about what this might do to our marriage and also a bit overwhelmed about where to start when it comes to starting a search for a job."Anna replies with some compassionate advice and tips that will help everyone, regardless of whether they can relate to this confession or not.Please note - the names and voices of some of the Ask Anna/Confessions contributors may have been changed at their request.

In this Monday episode of the Ask Anna series, Anna is joined by the hilarous Helen Thorn and Ellie Gibson, AKA The Scummy Mummies.Together Anna, Helen and Ellie tackle the following connundrum: "Hey Anna. I cannot stand my in-laws. They undermine my parenting and make comments about my weight. My husband doesn't stand up for me as he wants to keep peace. What can we do so that at least me and him aren't at loggerheads over it all?"Ellie Gibson and Helen Thorn joined forces to become The Scummy Mummies in 2013. They have since gone on to produce an award-winning podcast, a sell-out touring comedy show, a popular book, and their own range of merchandise. They have an ever-growing social media presence, with more than 160,000 followers on Instagram.There are now over 200 episodes of The Scummy Mummies Podcast, and they have been downloaded more than 5 million times in 150 countries. The show has featured in “Best Podcast” lists in The Guardian, the Sunday Times, and The Telegraph. It has been nominated for a British Podcasts Award plus Mixcloud and Lovies awards, and in 2020 won the Glomama UK Best Podcast trophy.

Today Anna tackles a new anonymous Confession from the Therapy Room;"I hate the way I look I look in the mirror. I feel like I'll never make peace with the way that I look."Anna replies with some compassionate advice and tips that will help everyone, regardless of whether they can relate to this confession or not.Please note - the names and voices of some of the Ask Anna/Confessions contributors may have been changed at their request.