Essays & Reflections
Short clinical reflections on psychodynamic theory, relational dynamics, and intimacy. Written from my practice in East Oxford, these essays explore the psychological patterns that shape how we relate to ourselves and others.
RELATIONAL & COUPLES THERAPY
The Claustrophobia of Closeness: Why the Most Articulate Couples Get Stuck
In articulate cities like Oxford, partners often enter therapy with an impressive ability to debate their miscommunications with surgical precision. Yet despite all this talking, the same exhausting arguments keep happening. This essay explores why intellectualizing emotions often functions as a shield against the anxiety of getting too close.
PSYCHOSEXUAL & QUEER THERAPY
Between Identification and Desire: Reworking Intimacy and Sexual Scripts in Queer Relationships
In queer and same-sex partnerships, falling in love frequently carries a profound sense of likeness and shared identity. Over time, however, that very closeness can collapse the psychological distance needed for physical attraction. This essay examines the delicate balance between wanting to be like your partner and wanting to have your partner.