Ben Jones
@benjaminjohnjones.bsky.social
Psychotherapist/counsellor (MBACP); Irish; mental health; eating disorders; writer; teetotal; golf at Royal Birkdale; legacy LFC fan; adore Dr J and Miss J.
www.amjcounselling.com
www.amjcounselling.com
Traitors is first and foremost a great piece of entertainment (that’s its purpose) but it’s also a wonderful case study for those of us interested in psychology. The dynamics of “in group, out group’; the listening (or not) to our gut instincts; how social norms influence our feelings….1/3
November 8, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Traitors is first and foremost a great piece of entertainment (that’s its purpose) but it’s also a wonderful case study for those of us interested in psychology. The dynamics of “in group, out group’; the listening (or not) to our gut instincts; how social norms influence our feelings….1/3
Just watched the excellent new Kenny Dalglish film on Amazon. The last thirty minutes were incredibly tough to watch. Like so many Liverpool fans, I think about Hillsborough all the time and painfully know the footage, the voices and the feelings from that day and the days that followed.…1/3
November 6, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Just watched the excellent new Kenny Dalglish film on Amazon. The last thirty minutes were incredibly tough to watch. Like so many Liverpool fans, I think about Hillsborough all the time and painfully know the footage, the voices and the feelings from that day and the days that followed.…1/3
Extremely thorough, thoughtful and important report from the APPG on Eating Disorders, published last week (with great thanks to Hope Virgo and Dump The Scales). It highlights the appalling position those living with eating disorder(s) face across the UK and actions that are needed....1/4
November 6, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Extremely thorough, thoughtful and important report from the APPG on Eating Disorders, published last week (with great thanks to Hope Virgo and Dump The Scales). It highlights the appalling position those living with eating disorder(s) face across the UK and actions that are needed....1/4
The poetry of the incomparable Seamus Heaney is in my mental health jam jar. It’s a haven of beauty and escape in a troubled world. This newly-published complete works of Ireland’s greatest writer has just been delivered to put a huge smile on my face….1/2
November 3, 2025 at 8:29 PM
The poetry of the incomparable Seamus Heaney is in my mental health jam jar. It’s a haven of beauty and escape in a troubled world. This newly-published complete works of Ireland’s greatest writer has just been delivered to put a huge smile on my face….1/2
Public policy is complicated. Of course, there are major social, economic and mental health issues with some people’s relationship with gambling (especially online), but betting shops (especially in working class communities) are one of the few places that (mostly) men….1/4
November 2, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Public policy is complicated. Of course, there are major social, economic and mental health issues with some people’s relationship with gambling (especially online), but betting shops (especially in working class communities) are one of the few places that (mostly) men….1/4
Important piece from the BBC on how girls and women slip under the radar when it comes to autism. I work with so many girls and women’s whose autism is missed due to a combination of expert masking and ill-informed/unaware teachers, doctors, parents and others….1/2
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November 1, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Important piece from the BBC on how girls and women slip under the radar when it comes to autism. I work with so many girls and women’s whose autism is missed due to a combination of expert masking and ill-informed/unaware teachers, doctors, parents and others….1/2
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Back from a few days with Dr and Miss J in London. As followers may know, I love being with my wonderful wife and darling daughter but hate being away from home: www.amjcounselling.com/amj-blog/goi....
This trip, whilst still difficult for me, felt like progress....1/4
This trip, whilst still difficult for me, felt like progress....1/4
October 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Back from a few days with Dr and Miss J in London. As followers may know, I love being with my wonderful wife and darling daughter but hate being away from home: www.amjcounselling.com/amj-blog/goi....
This trip, whilst still difficult for me, felt like progress....1/4
This trip, whilst still difficult for me, felt like progress....1/4
After my own recent depressive episode/dip in my mental health, I blogged with some advice on what we can say and do when someone is struggling. I also saw this great resource shared by the brilliant Elizabeth Day, which touches on similar stuff. Sharing both.
www.amjcounselling.com/amj-blog/wha...
www.amjcounselling.com/amj-blog/wha...
October 29, 2025 at 8:09 AM
After my own recent depressive episode/dip in my mental health, I blogged with some advice on what we can say and do when someone is struggling. I also saw this great resource shared by the brilliant Elizabeth Day, which touches on similar stuff. Sharing both.
www.amjcounselling.com/amj-blog/wha...
www.amjcounselling.com/amj-blog/wha...
Important piece in today’s Irish Times from Bronagh Loughlin on eating disorders, drawing on her lived experience. She helpfully underlines the challenge of re-feeding and the body getting used to eating again (this can be physically v painful and difficult); eating disorders….1/3
October 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Important piece in today’s Irish Times from Bronagh Loughlin on eating disorders, drawing on her lived experience. She helpfully underlines the challenge of re-feeding and the body getting used to eating again (this can be physically v painful and difficult); eating disorders….1/3
I have a lot of experience of working with clients with OCD and/or intrusive thoughts, which can cause huge distress. I’m glad to see the recent increased awareness of the condition and hope this helps to normalise it for people. I shared some thoughts on this over the last few days (and again here)
October 27, 2025 at 10:48 AM
I have a lot of experience of working with clients with OCD and/or intrusive thoughts, which can cause huge distress. I’m glad to see the recent increased awareness of the condition and hope this helps to normalise it for people. I shared some thoughts on this over the last few days (and again here)
It is good to see increased attention on OCD, which I have lots of clients bringing into sessions. Every client is different, but generally my experience tells me that treating symptoms and not causes/underlining concerns (which CBT mostly does) is often only…1/4
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reports of OCD among under 25s triple in 10 years
More 16-24 year olds in England say they have symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder - BBC analysis finds.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 25, 2025 at 3:40 PM
It is good to see increased attention on OCD, which I have lots of clients bringing into sessions. Every client is different, but generally my experience tells me that treating symptoms and not causes/underlining concerns (which CBT mostly does) is often only…1/4
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reading Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s memoir, ‘Nobody’s Girl’ is harrowing, heartbreaking but in its own way, deeply inspiring. I work with many survivors of abuse: sexual, physical and emotional, and although Virginia’s story is unique to her, it speaks to so many of the experiences I hear….1/3
October 25, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Reading Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s memoir, ‘Nobody’s Girl’ is harrowing, heartbreaking but in its own way, deeply inspiring. I work with many survivors of abuse: sexual, physical and emotional, and although Virginia’s story is unique to her, it speaks to so many of the experiences I hear….1/3
Small gestures of kindness and appreciation can make such a difference to our mental health and wellbeing - whether we are offering or receiving them. Today, a thoughtful colleague in one of the schools I work with handed me this plant as a thank you for my work. I felt seen.….1/2
October 23, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Small gestures of kindness and appreciation can make such a difference to our mental health and wellbeing - whether we are offering or receiving them. Today, a thoughtful colleague in one of the schools I work with handed me this plant as a thank you for my work. I felt seen.….1/2
Every day - as a therapist and a parent - I see the damage and stress created by mobile phone/social media use amongst children/in schools. I am so grateful that my daughter’s school is phone-free, locking away all phones for the duration of school day.....1/2
www.amjcounselling.com/amj-blog/my-...
www.amjcounselling.com/amj-blog/my-...
Updated after two months or so………..My eleven-year old has her first phone: we’ve entered a minefield. — AMJ Counselling
In July, I wrote a post marking the occasion (and the horror, dread, sick feeling etc!) of my daughter, aged 11, getting her first phone. In that post, I shared the early developments of this new phas...
www.amjcounselling.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Every day - as a therapist and a parent - I see the damage and stress created by mobile phone/social media use amongst children/in schools. I am so grateful that my daughter’s school is phone-free, locking away all phones for the duration of school day.....1/2
www.amjcounselling.com/amj-blog/my-...
www.amjcounselling.com/amj-blog/my-...
I have published the tenth edition of my AMJ Counselling newsletter, in which I reflect on my recent difficult period of mental health and share some podcast, video and book recommendations.
You can read it by clicking on the link below and can subscribe on my website.
shorturl.at/d2Nlx
You can read it by clicking on the link below and can subscribe on my website.
shorturl.at/d2Nlx
October 21, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I have published the tenth edition of my AMJ Counselling newsletter, in which I reflect on my recent difficult period of mental health and share some podcast, video and book recommendations.
You can read it by clicking on the link below and can subscribe on my website.
shorturl.at/d2Nlx
You can read it by clicking on the link below and can subscribe on my website.
shorturl.at/d2Nlx
I was inspired (and terrified) by Chris Hoy’s heartbreaking story, so I booked a PSA test (despite not having any symptoms and “only” being 47). Thankfully, I’ve had a really positive and reassuring result today. I feel very grateful but also mindful of the understandable fears that clients......1/3
October 21, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I was inspired (and terrified) by Chris Hoy’s heartbreaking story, so I booked a PSA test (despite not having any symptoms and “only” being 47). Thankfully, I’ve had a really positive and reassuring result today. I feel very grateful but also mindful of the understandable fears that clients......1/3
Excellent New York Times piece for all, including proud introverts like me, on loneliness, socialising and recognising our needs and having them met. It includes this helpful line: “focus on socializing in the context that you feel comfortable, rather than just not socializing at all.”
October 19, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Excellent New York Times piece for all, including proud introverts like me, on loneliness, socialising and recognising our needs and having them met. It includes this helpful line: “focus on socializing in the context that you feel comfortable, rather than just not socializing at all.”
I work regularly as a therapist with women who are exploited and abused - mostly by men - and have their lives decimated by the horrific experiences to which they are subjected. Today’s news angers me so much (not just as an Irish citizen who believes the UK would be better off as a republic).…1/2
October 18, 2025 at 8:54 AM
I work regularly as a therapist with women who are exploited and abused - mostly by men - and have their lives decimated by the horrific experiences to which they are subjected. Today’s news angers me so much (not just as an Irish citizen who believes the UK would be better off as a republic).…1/2
Autumn is my favourite time of the year. It has a lot to do with the light and temperature (which I prefer to rest of year) but I know it’s also the feeling it gives me. Autumn feels peaceful - slower and quieter than the other seasons - as we start to move towards the end of the year.......1/3
October 16, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Autumn is my favourite time of the year. It has a lot to do with the light and temperature (which I prefer to rest of year) but I know it’s also the feeling it gives me. Autumn feels peaceful - slower and quieter than the other seasons - as we start to move towards the end of the year.......1/3
Eating disorders are not caused by the fashion industry’s unhealthy obsession with thin models or the toxic Instagram content which focuses on personal training; before and after weight loss pictures; “healthy” eating; the “positive” impact of weight loss jabs like Ozempic…..1/3
October 14, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Eating disorders are not caused by the fashion industry’s unhealthy obsession with thin models or the toxic Instagram content which focuses on personal training; before and after weight loss pictures; “healthy” eating; the “positive” impact of weight loss jabs like Ozempic…..1/3
This moved me to tears. It is beautiful. It is humility. It is grace. It is dignity. It is just what I needed to see. It is hope and light.
“Oh my god… I have no words.”
Listen to the emotional moment this year’s laureate Maria Corina ( finds out she has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, shared the news.
NobelPrize #NobelPeacePrize
Listen to the emotional moment this year’s laureate Maria Corina ( finds out she has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, shared the news.
NobelPrize #NobelPeacePrize
October 11, 2025 at 4:48 AM
This moved me to tears. It is beautiful. It is humility. It is grace. It is dignity. It is just what I needed to see. It is hope and light.
Some reflections on my own recent depressive episode and my mental health. I believe in openness and being authentic and so am happy to share without any sense of shame or embarrassment. I am ok with struggling. I am ok with working through stuff. I am ok.
October 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Some reflections on my own recent depressive episode and my mental health. I believe in openness and being authentic and so am happy to share without any sense of shame or embarrassment. I am ok with struggling. I am ok with working through stuff. I am ok.
Extraordinarily moving interview with Lewis Moody and his wife, Annie, as they discusses his recent MND diagnosis. Their courage in speaking out at this early stage will help so many people and raise so much awareness of this hideous disease....1/2
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Lewis Moody: MND
Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody discusses his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease, a condition causing messages from the brain to gradually stop reaching the muscles
www.bbc.co.uk
October 6, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Extraordinarily moving interview with Lewis Moody and his wife, Annie, as they discusses his recent MND diagnosis. Their courage in speaking out at this early stage will help so many people and raise so much awareness of this hideous disease....1/2
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Just read Bishop Pete Wilcox’s powerful, hopeful, moving and inspiring memoir, ‘A Year Of The Lord’s Favour’. I am very lucky to know Pete - before he became Bishop of Sheffield we were on a residential leadership course together - who I regard of one of the best people I’ve met….1/3
October 5, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Just read Bishop Pete Wilcox’s powerful, hopeful, moving and inspiring memoir, ‘A Year Of The Lord’s Favour’. I am very lucky to know Pete - before he became Bishop of Sheffield we were on a residential leadership course together - who I regard of one of the best people I’ve met….1/3
Over recent weeks, I have stepped back from some WhatsApp/other chat and distanced myself a little from some people and situations. This is me listening to my needs. I make no apologies for it - this is what I need to do for me and my wellbeing. At times when my mental health is under pressure...1/2
October 3, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Over recent weeks, I have stepped back from some WhatsApp/other chat and distanced myself a little from some people and situations. This is me listening to my needs. I make no apologies for it - this is what I need to do for me and my wellbeing. At times when my mental health is under pressure...1/2