TW: There are references to eating disorders in this episode.  Psychotherapist and best-selling author, Julia Samuel, is back on the podcast for a festive special. Christmas is supposed to be a happy time of year, but despite our best intentions, it’s not always as simple as that! Between grief, heartbreak, illness, and challenging family dynamics, Christmas can be a difficult time to navigate. This is why Julia is back to respond to some of your questions and dilemmas and share some of the wisdom she’s gleaned from over 30 years’ worth of clinical experience. Together they discuss navigating your first Christmas after the death of a loved one; ways you can support someone who is grieving at this time of year; how to try to make the best of your last Christmas with someone who has a terminal illness; developing rituals - which Julia describes as habits with soul – which might help you manage triggers; why sometimes family issues such as favouritism are best discussed in January; and managing clashes of personality between your partner and your parents. Plus, why the turkey is almost certainly not going to be perfect! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.