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Occasionally I post an insight/quote on this blog without any commentary, mainly because I think it speaks for itself. With that in mind, I shall leave you with an excerpt from Chloe Frayne's 'The Gravity Inside Us: Poetry and Prose': “I want to tell you a story about bravery. I want you to forget every over-romanticized notion you’ve ever heard about fearlessness; replace it with the idea that bravery is not an absence of fear but a rebellion against it. That it’s taking the

Scott Peddie is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Understanding Narcissism Seminar Time: Jun 28, 2026 07:00 PM London Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81833385202?pwd=8OnOmSacs7B8gojECD1cBc8r7Po0pG.1 Meeting chat link https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/81833385202 Meeting ID: 818 3338 5202 Passcode: 982954 --- One tap mobile +16469313860,,81833385202#,,,,*982954# US +16694449171,,81833385202#,,,,*982954# US --- Join by SIP • 81833385202@zoomcrc.com Jo

My colleague Somayeh McKian, an Iranian Psychotherapist, award winning Novelist, and Logotherapist-In-Training at the Viktor Frankl Centre Northern Ireland, will be publishing a series of articles exploring her connection with meaning. Starting today, these reflections will be published on this blog, and social media. Here are Somayeh's opening thoughts, with my own: 'Logotherapy supervision sessions with Scott have been among the most rewarding experiences of my decade-long

An Existential sadness is a manifestation of negative life circumstances. We might find ourselves in a job we dislike, or missing a family member we no longer see. There may be an extended period of unemployment, or a relationship that has broken down. We express our sadness in different ways. Telling others that we are 'fed up' is one of those ways of articulating our sense of weariness. Often it manifests as an unspecific malaise, but it can also be a result of an unresolve

Self-sabotage is a common but often misunderstood behavior that can quietly undermine your goals and happiness. You might find yourself procrastinating, doubting your abilities, or making choices that seem to block your own success. These actions can feel confusing or frustrating, especially when you want to move forward but keep hitting invisible barriers. Understanding why self-sabotage happens and learning how to address it can open the door to personal growth and better o

The Psychoanalyst and Social Psychologist, Erich Fromm, published his landmark book, 'The Art of Loving', in 1956. It is a masterpiece of meaningful exploration of what constitutes love and how we experience it. Love is grounded in how we give of ourselves to another, as an expression of joy, and a manifestation of our aliveness. Fromm expresses this reality beautifully. Rarely do I post a quote without any interpretation, but this speaks for itself. All I will say, as a poin

I am delighted that both the Viktor Frankl Centre Northern Ireland (VFCNI) and my individual practice as a Logotherapist & Existential Analyst have been re-accredited by the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna. I look forward to expanding the training capacity at VFCNI and continue to offer the professional Diploma in Logotherapy & Existential Analysis, and expand the provision of short courses and specialist modules in Clinical Supervision.

Living with bipolar disorder involves more than managing mood swings. Many people with this condition also face intense feelings of shame and guilt. These emotions can deeply affect their recovery and overall well-being. Understanding how shame and guilt interact with bipolar disorder helps create better support and coping strategies. How Shame and Guilt Differ in Bipolar Disorder Shame and guilt are often confused, but they affect people differently. Guilt usually relates to

Loss leaves a mark on us. Whether it is a relationship, a job, or a dream, losing something important feels like a void that time alone cannot fill. You might have heard the phrase 'when you lose something, the universe offers a replacement', or similar. Yes, it is rather esoteric, if taken literally, but it does raise a number of important questions. Will you still remember what you lost, or will the new presence erase the past from your mind? It is this intersection of thou

Narcissistic abuse leaves deep wounds that go beyond the surface and run deep. It can shatter your sense of self, leaving you feeling lost, confused, and disconnected. Recovering from this kind of trauma requires more than just healing the emotional scars. It calls for a profound journey of self-rediscovery and meaning-making. An existential perspective, which I apply as a Psychotherapist, offers a unique path to reclaim your life by exploring your existence, freedom, and aut

We understand ourselves and others through the stories we tell and the manner in which we tell them. Those narratives reflect our sense of identity and provide the context in which our life unfold and our character evolves. With that in mind I am delighted that Somayah McKian will be writing a series of articles for this blog, beginning with this topic. Somayeh is Persian born and Europe based, an award winning novelist, a Psychotherapist, and a Logotherapist & Existential A

What Is Narcissism? Narcissism is sometimes wrongly perceived as a problem in men. Although it is true that research indicates that men are, on average, more likely to be narcissistic than women, the picture is complex. Studies show that men have a tendency to exhibit higher levels of grandiose narcissism (marked by entitlement, authority, and exhibitionism), whilst both men and women manifest comparable levels of vulnerable narcissism (characterised by insecurity and a need

Narcissism often puzzles those who encounter it, especially when it comes to how narcissistic individuals handle responsibility. One of the most confusing, destabilising and frustrating behaviours is the reversal of blame. Instead of owning up to mistakes or faults, narcissists frequently shift the blame onto others, leaving those around them feeling bewildered and unfairly targeted. This blog post explores the psychology behind this behaviour, why it happens, and how to reco

Gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation that can leave deep scars on a person's sense of reality, self-worth and confidence. It often happens gradually, making it hard to recognise until much of the damage is done. But it can also occur over a relatively short period of time - weeks and months - depending on the context. Understanding what gaslighting involves and how it affects emotions is essential for anyone who wants to protect themselves or support others facing

Knowing whether to reach out to someone can feel like walking a tightrope. You may very much want to connect in whatever way, and for whatever reason, but you also worry about crossing boundaries or imposing. Our personality styles impact significantly on how we evaluate such circumstances. One of the prime issues is that of vulnerability: some are comfortable in that space, yet others find it threatening and frightening. To be vulnerable, and to reach out, demands that we a

Voluntary euthanasia remains one of the most controversial topics in medical ethics, especially when it relates to mental illness. While euthanasia for terminal physical conditions has gained some legal acceptance in various countries, extending this option to those suffering from severe mental illness raises a plethora of complex ethical questions. This post explores the key ethical challenges surrounding voluntary euthanasia for mental illness, balancing respect for autonom

Over the last year or so, I have been collating and publishing letters to my sons that explore important aspects of life. These aspects particularly relate to emotions, experiences, and the ability to self-reflect and grow. These letters are deeply personal, yet they have a universal application. Navigating life as a young man has never been easy. However, contemporary culture and expectations seem to make it particularly challenging. Insights from the Manosphere The recently

Logotherapy, a meaning-focused Psychotherapy developed by Viktor Frankl, treats heartbreak not as a pathology to be eliminated, but as a form of unavoidable suffering that can be transformed into personal growth . Absence is often the most painful aspect of heartbreak. There are a number of core ideas in Logotherapy that allow us to explore the contours of heartbreak from a unique perspective, both theoretically and practically. These include: The Existential Vacuum: Heartbre

Someone said to me once that being a Psychotherapist was 'a good wee job' ( a highly colloquial phrase, most commonly used in Scotland and Northern Ireland) where I could sit, drink tea, and chat with people all day'! There are many misconceptions when it comes to understanding what therapists actually do. The human connection component is pivotal, so in a sense sitting and chatting may not be so wide of the mark, at least during the phase where we are establishing that wor

Bullying is often seen as a behaviour linked to boys or men, but female bullies exist and can be just as harmful. Their tactics may differ however - more covert than overt - making it harder to identify them at first. Understanding the dynamics present in female bullies helps people recognize and address this behaviour before it causes lasting damage. This post explores some of their common traits and how we might better understand their behaviour, and its consequences, spec