Join my mailing list!

It is in the telling of our stories that we can reach out to others who might find themselves struggling in similar circumstances. I draw an enormous amount of inspiration from the clients I work with on a daily basis: their resilience, humility, determination, and courage in confronting their deepest fears and darkest experiences, is incredible. I often think that if it were possible for everyone to sit in the therapy room and hear what I, and every other therapist hears, th

When the time is right to depart, whether it be from a job that has outlived its meaningfulness, or a friendship that is no longer healthy, we can often be stifled by the question, 'where am I going'? Ruminating on that question can precipitate an existential paralysis, where the fear of the departure become an emotional and psychological blockage, where looking forward is fraught with difficulty. Consequently, we might remain stuck in a scenario that is unhealthy, but do so

The Biography in the 'About Me' page is a shortened version. This one is more detailed and I will be updating it periodically as my work and the services I offer changes. I hope it is useful; any queries, please do let me know. Scott Peddie is the first accredited Logotherapist and Existential Analyst based in Northern Ireland. He trained in Dublin and operates a private practice which began in Belfast, but is now solely online, and has/had clients from a wide range of locati

It is not unusual for fathers to struggle to verbalise the breadth and depth of love they have for their children. Perhaps they do not feel the need to do so. But for me, it matters greatly how we articulate our love for others, the need for it to be congruent with our actions and the driving force in all that we do. In a world where the word 'love' is used to describe a multitude of relationships, it is important that we take time to reflect on what it means to us personally

I have started a video series titled '1 min Reflections' where I share a quote or insight that I find meaningful; the idea is for me to say very little! I am fascinated by how people respond to such questions, particularly in relation to themselves and their life setting. In Logotherapy and Existential Analysis we are constantly asking questions, but more importantly, we apply the answers to a 'real world' setting. Those answers are far from abstract; they prompt us to think

The term dates for our next intake of online students at the Viktor Frankl Centre NI have been set, with the course beginning on 26th September 2026. Expressions of interest can be sent to me at any time; formal applications open on the 1st March 2026. Email me at scottpeddie@sky.com for further information. Many thanks, Scott

One of our Diploma students at the Viktor Frankl Centre - Jen - has started a Logotherapy Book and Film Group. The first book she chose 'When Breath Becomes Air' is a memoir of a young neurosurgeon who faces a terminal cancer diagnosis. For Jen, this book is deeply personal. I include her story here, and the overview and questions she shared with the group. I am incredibly grateful for her honesty, courage and tenacity. Here are her thoughts: I chose When Breath Becomes Air

This is the first in the series of blog posts reflecting on how people have lived, or continue to live, meaningful lives. There will be a mix of famous people and those who are seemingly ordinary, but are nonetheless remarkable and inspirational. Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a perfect place to start. She remains one of the most influential poets of the Victorian era. Her work captured the complexities of love, social justice, and personal struggle with a voice that continues

I am delighted that a friend and Hollywood visual effects producer, Zack Haddad, will be launching the Logotherapy Film Group at the Viktor Frankl Centre Northern Ireland. Zack is best known for Venom: The Last Dance, Alien: Romulus, Thor: Ragnarok, The Magnificent Seven, Ghostbusters, and Shrek, amongst others. He will be sharing his fascinating and unique perspective on finding meaning in movies. Information on date and time of Zack's talk will be posted soon. It will be on

One of the aims of the Viktor Frankl Centre Northern Ireland is to build a community of people interested in the application of Logotherapy & Existential Analysis, a meaning-based philosophy of life. The Book Group is one of the means of doing that, and you can join us from anywhere in the world, regardless of your background. Please see the information below from our book group facilitator, Jen Caligari; if you are interested in joining us (and I very much hope you are!), pl

As unwieldy titles go, this one is rather good! It does however reflect a common malady, that is, when we are faced with important decisions and we simply do not know what to do for the best, what can we do?. Added to that is the fact that decision-making is not always about the application of pure logic leading to an perfectly defined outcome, When faced with that level of uncertainty, many people feel stuck, overwhelmed, and lost, leading to chronic indecision extending to

Being 'tired of existing' sounds dramatic, but in actuality it is a common malady that affects people from time-to-time: it manifests itself in a weariness of the daily grind and the monotony of life. It is not a desire for life to end, rather it is a warning sign that life is not all that it could or should be. So, if your life lacks passion, meaning and purpose, and you are tired of existing, this is an excellent video that challenges the assumption that an unfulfilled life

LETTER 8 My Dear Sons, With your talent and personal attributes you will without doubt make an impact on the world around you, but more importantly, you will be an incredible blessing to those you love and those who love you unconditionally. That is incontrovertible, and to even be a small part of that reality is the privilege of a lifetime. As you already know, no matter how successful your life may be, you will, at some point, come up against limitations. They might be caus

When people think of ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) their point of reference is often movies such as 'One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest'. Those unforgettable scenes are seared into the minds of those who have watched them. In that respect, ECT is portrayed as a means of punishment, a form of control, and as a memory-erasing treatment. It is also widely thought of as being applied without anaesthesia or a muscle relaxant, causing injury and trauma. Modern ECT is very different a

I read, many years ago, Rev. William Sloan Coffin's book 'Letters to a Young Doubter' and it stuck with me, much in the way that Rilke's 'Letters to a Young Poet' (see previous posts) has. Coffin crafted his letters in response to a fictional man's questions about life and faith and how we find meaning in our existence. I find that approach particularly engaging. As I have mentioned before, letter wring can be a very useful therapeutic tool. I use it with clients in a range o

Perhaps one of the most searching and fundamental questions we will ask ourselves in our lifetimes is, 'what makes for a good romantic partner'. The answer may seem elusive, after all, we are conditioned by our upbringing, previous relationships, and the mix of expectation and fear that accompanies us on that journey. We might reflect deeply on those questions; we might not, at least consciously. Regardless, our unconscious is most certainly hard at work sifting through those

This is the second instalment of the 'Letters To My Sons' series. To read more about the rational behind this endeavour, please refer to my previous blog. As always, I hope you find these contributions helpful in some way. LETTER FIVE My Dear Sons,  One of the ways we find meaning in life is to devote ourselves to another person. Implicit in such a relationship is the overarching narrative of a love that is deeply felt. You may be ‘in love’ at various points throughout your l

As a therapist I work with young men who are finding their way in a world that has often competing expectations of who and what they should be. Many struggle with issues of identity and what it means to be a man, and crucially, how that masculinity is lived out in practice. The idea of love as a way of being in the world is often viewed as the sole prerogative of the feminine. Yet love, in its purest form, is a universal phenomenon that underpins all of our relationships, inc

In our intricate social lives, relationships can bring both joy and sorrow. While many yearn for connection and closeness, some individuals instinctively push others away. This behaviour can be perplexing and emotionally painful, not just to those affected, but also to the individuals themselves. Understanding why, and being compassionate towards people who are trapped in this cycle of behaviour, can provide insight into the underlying issues and ultimately foster healthier r

Rejection is a universal experience that can elicit a whirlwind of emotions—sadness, anger, even despair. It touches everyone, regardless of age, background, or social standing. In the realms of literature, film, and philosophy, rejection serves not just as a hurdle but as a powerful catalyst for character development and deep reflection on what it means to be human. Each of us reacts to perceived rejection in different ways, from a relatively low level of short-lived distres