Book Launch: March Reflections
☀️ Sunny skies, birthday cake, and a book launch—what more could I want?
Themes to Explore
I love March. The days stretch out a little longer, purple crocuses and yellow daffodils pop up, and the world feels like it’s waking up. It’s also my birthday month, which means there’s cake - always a win.
It might be a cliché that the arrival of Spring lifts our mood, and I know not everyone has the headspace to notice it, but if you can take a moment to look up at the blue sky or feel the warmth in the breeze (minus the icy slap of winter), it does make a difference.
And speaking of beginnings, I’m beyond excited to introduce my new book, “A Practical Guide for Working Therapeutically With Teenagers and Young Adults”, which is now available for preorder! 🎉
If you work with young people, love a good deep dive into their world, or just want to support the work - preordering really helps!
My new pin badge - and pure joy!
Things to Read
📖 Books
Now, what book might I recommend? Oh yes... “A Practical Guide for Working Therapeutically With Teenagers and Young Adults” by HELEN GIFFORD. (Totally unbiased recommendation, of course.)
But don’t just take my word for it, here’s what some brilliant professionals have to say:
💬 Jeanine Connor, psychotherapist, supervisor, editor, and author:
"If you’re preparing to work with teens, in any setting or capacity, think of this book as your ‘to do’ list, your ‘to think about’ list, and your ‘what to do when the sh*t hits the fan’ list. Helen Gifford gets teenagers."*
💬 Dr. Rebecca Kirkbride, Clinical Director of Place2Be and author:
"Helen generously provides us with the wisdom of her experience and depth of knowledge, and her clear love and admiration for young adults comes shining through the chapters. This book is ideal for anyone interested in building and sustaining meaningful and therapeutic relationships with young adults."
💬 Linda-Jayne Hoey, Child and Adolescent Counsellor:
"This guide does not shy away from challenging topics like sex, self-harm, suicidal ideation, alcohol, and drugs—including self-medicating—which teenagers and young adults face, with safeguarding being integral."
💬 Caz Binstead, integrative therapist & visiting lecturer:
"A jargon-free guide, appropriate to all modalities, this nifty book is highly recommendable."
📚 In the non-fiction world...
I recently finished “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” by Heather Morris. It’s a fictionalised account based on real events, and while I love history, I need it in narrative form - facts and dates don’t do it for me, but people do. This book hit the spot, though I wished for a little more depth in the characters. It’s always sobering to reflect on the pull of power, but also on the strength people can find when it seems there’s nothing left. Ultimately, it’s a story of hope.
Tools to Try
🌀 Fidget toys are back!
This month, young people I work with have been obsessed with sensory tools—wiggly rainbow slugs, stress balls, last month’s acupressure rings, balancing stones, and my personal favourite, the Koosh Ball.
Seems like sensory stimulation is the thing right now. Anyone else noticing this trend?
Ideas to Consider
😶🌫️ The effort of masking
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the sheer effort it takes to mask, to suppress behaviours, traits, or coping strategies that might be seen as "different" or "inappropriate."
We all do it, to some extent. Not singing along to a song when standing next to your boss’s boss. Pretending to care about a football match. Not dramatically face-planting into your hands when reading the latest meeting agenda.
But for many, masking means losing the very strategies that help them navigate the world, and that takes a huge toll. We often talk about masking, but not enough about what happens after - when we or our children get home and the exhaustion hits.
I’d love to hear your experiences - comment below, or if you’d prefer, send me a message.
Resources & CPD to Explore
💡 CPD Opportunity:
Social Work Week (17th-21st March) Covering issues from safeguarding, childhood trauma, to research, the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics for free is an amazing opportunity for anyone interested.
🎉 Events:
🖥️ Online Book Launch – Wednesday, 9th April
I’ll be chatting with the brilliant Catherine Jackson, journalist & editor specialising in mental health. No cost, just good conversation - join us!
📍 Wellbeing in the West End (North East UK)
A relaxed, friendly networking event for anyone working to support others. I’ll be introducing my book and bringing some copies at a reduced price - so come say hi!
💻 BACP CYPF Conference (this Saturday – virtual!)
Focusing on systems around the child. If you’re attending, let’s connect! Maybe even swap a virtual business card?
Closing Thought
March is all about newness, exciting, but all that excitement can be a bit much. So, I’m off to put the kettle on. Tea, anyone? ☕
Lovely to share a moment with you. 💛🍃