Have you ever wondered how childhood memories can unlock profound healing in adulthood? Join me, Malcolm Stern, as I sit down with the inspiring Helen McCarthy to discuss her incredible journey through psychotherapy groups. Together, we explore the challenges she faced with depression and bipolar disorder, which were intensified by the pain of divorce. Helen bravely shares how revisiting a vivid memory from her early years became a pivotal moment, guiding her towards a path of healing that she never thought possible.
In our conversation, we emphasize the transformative power of human connection in therapy, moving beyond mere labels and medication. Helen offers valuable insights into how daily practices like meditation and exercise play a vital role in managing mental health. Her experiences have not only enriched her personal journey but have also deeply influenced her professional work as an advanced nurse practitioner, reminding us of the necessity for healthcare providers to treat patients with empathy and humanity.
Our discussion takes a heartfelt turn as we delve into self-compassion and the lifelong challenge of silencing internal criticism. Through Helen’s story, we uncover the profound strength found in nurturing a caring inner voice and the impact of working with those facing the end of life. We wrap up by, highlighting the power of openness and authenticity. This episode promises to leave you with a deeper appreciation for the connections that heal us and the practices that sustain us.
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Presenter

Malcolm Stern has worked as a group and individual psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He was a co-founder of Alternatives at St James’s Church in London and runs groups internationally.
He is the author of Falling in Love / Staying in Love (Piatkus 2004) and Slay Your Dragons with Compassion ( Watkins 2020). He co-presented Channel 4’s relationship series, ‘Made for Each Other’ in 2003 and 2004 and sailed on the ‘Rainbow Warrior’ with Greenpeace in the 1980s. The book he is currently writing is an exploration of the shadow and its necessity in our evolutionary development.

To become equal to the dream sewn within us, our heart must break open and usually must break more than once. That’s why they say that the only heart worth having is a broken heart. For only in breaking can it open fully and reveal what is hidden within.” – Michael Meade
This is a series of podcasts based on the premise explored in Malcolm Stern’s acclaimed book of the same name, that adversity provides us with the capacity to develop previously unexplored depths and is , in effect , a crucible for self reflection and awareness. Malcolm lost his daughter Melissa to suicide in 2014. It slowly dawned on him over the following few years that he was being educated and an opportunity was being presented where new insights helped him forge a path through his grief and despair. As part of that cathartic journey, he wrote “ Slay Your Dragons with Compassion ( Watkins 2020 ) where he was able to describe some of the practices that had helped him shed light on a way through the darkness.