Emma Cotterill

Written by a clinical psychologist specializing in grief trauma, this empathetic guide provides advice for family and friends supporting someone after the death of a loved one. Watching a friend or family member experience a life-changing loss can be heartbreaking. And often we don’t know how best to help. In this empathetic and highly practical book, clinical psychologist Dr Emma Cotterill includes her lived experience – and that of others – to provide readers with a valuable blend of both real-life and clinical advice. Dr Cotterill first helps you understand what grief can look like and the psychology that underpins the human experience of loss. She then helps you navigate how best to help: from providing emotional and practical support, to knowing what to say – and what not to say. Dr Cotterill also recognizes the emotional toll that accompanies supporting someone through their grief, and gives strategies to ensure you look after yourself.

Using the sports psychology concept of marginal gains, this book gives you 50 five-minute, easy-to-implement strategies that build to make a big difference to your wellbeing. Want to make a big difference to your mental health by making small, manageable changes over time? In Mental Health Microgains, psychologists Dr Emma Cotterill and Dr Tara Quinn-Cirillo bring you 50 easy-to-implement strategies that each take a maximum of five minutes to add to your daily routine. Using the sports psychology concept of marginal gains – small improvements that lead to big results – these quick strategies build up to make microgains to your wellbeing as you slowly incorporate more and more of them into your life. The 50 strategies span a range of psychological approaches – from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to trauma-based approaches and gratitude – and fall under one of ten themes: MindfulnessBreathing and groundingCompassionSleep and restSocial connectionMovementPurposeful actionEmotionsThoughtsTaking care of you Each microgain is presented with clear directions and evidence-based advice from Dr Cotterill and Dr Quinn-Cirillo. Combining the authors’ clinical experience with insights from psychological theory, you’ll gain knowledge and skills that can be used to improve your wellbeing for life – one small step at a time.

This simple and effective deck brings you strategies, actions and reflections to help you deal with difficult emotions and challenge negative thought processes, all the while encouraging you to build a more resilient mindset. Designed by clinical psychologist Dr Emma Cotterill, the 45 cards draw on established therapy approaches including CBT, ACT, mindfulness and principles of self-compassion. The deck's three themes will help you create a personalized, holistic toolkit so that you can:• RESPOND to difficult emotions and develop more helpful ways of thinking • RESTORE your energy and sense of calm through self-care strategies • REFLECT on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to encourage further growthThe accompanying guidebook offers additional advice and shows you the best combination of cards to use for specific mental health issues.

Whether you're single by choice or not, becoming a single mother is mentally exhausting. And in a world where negative stereotypes are still rife, it can be difficult to ask for help. This is where Surviving Solo Motherhood steps in, offering emotional support to single mothers of any aged child. Journalist Amy Rose and clinical psychologist Dr Emma Cotterill draw upon the lived experiences of the single parent community and look closely at the effect single-parent life can have on your mental health. Each chapter focuses on a different emotional state, and includes personal, lived experience an array of single mothers from various backgrounds, as well as psychological support and tools. Topics covered within the book include:Anxiety - a look at various triggers single mothers experience and discussion of the different types of anxiety, de-mystifying what it is (a physical response to threat real or perceived) and what it isn't (a sign that you are failing as a parent). Shame - unpicking the broader theme of stereotyping single mothers, while sharing personal experiences of shame from women of various backgrounds. Cover the difference between shame and remorse and how our body processes shame. Grief - understanding how to recognise and process your grief, unlearning everything you knew about your and your child's future and reconstructing what your idea of family looks like. Joy - how to find Joy once more, in the small moments and creating a life you're proud of. Strategies to find joy in hard timesBy working through the book you will become more resilient and feel stronger, allowing you to be more present for your child. This is the book to reach for when you need somewhere to turn.

It can be tough watching someone you love struggling with depression, with no idea how best to help. Depression can be mild, or so all-consuming that the person you love is hardly recognizable. It can come in bouts, or span a significant period of time, which can take its toll on those closest to the sufferer. In this accessible guide, clinical psychologist Dr Emma Cotterill gives you a clear understanding of the nature of depression, likely causes and practical ways you can help someone experiencing depression – however severe. She draws on the experiences of both sufferers and their supporters to help you feel a little less alone in this difficult time. She also shows you the importance of looking after yourself, and how to seek outside help. Throughout the book you will develop your own 'supporter's toolkit' of knowledge, understanding, skills, strategies, self-care and resources that will help you support your loved one as best you can, whilst maintaining your own self-care and boundaries.