A down-to-earth tool...
The AS Team
We are both keen to make ‘psychology’ ideas more available and understandable. We believe there are many straightforward techniques that we can all use to feel better in our everyday lives.
I developed a keen interest in health
and fitness from an early age having
played international rugby and hockey
at junior level. Having gained a
degree in psychology I spent the next
few years setting up and running my
own businesses in the leisure industry
developing some habits along the way
which contributed to my own feelings
of stress and anxiety. This re-ignited
my interest in psychology and I started reading self-help
books, some of which I found helpful, many of which were
long-winded and not very practical.Researching, writing and testing out the Active Steps approach has helped me identify what works for me – I hope some of the ideas in the book can now help you too.
I spend much of my free time keeping fit and pursuing my creative passions: music and photography.
Read James' Q&A >
Why did you write ‘Active Steps’?
As a way of organising a list of ideas that I was trying out for myself, and make them available for others to try out and, hopefully, find helpful.
What’s it like working with your Dad?
We have different ideas and perspectives on things, which is good I think. But we get on well so it’s fun.
What jobs have you done?
I ran clubnights after leaving university (I studied psychology at Bristol). Other jobs? From the bizarre – mowing graves at a cemetery; to the dangerous – a knife factory; to the unpleasant – selling gas, door-to-door.
Which of the skills you talk about in the book are you good at, would you say?
I’m a big believer in trying to have lots of small interactions with people, even ‘strangers’ I pass in the street. And I think I’m pretty good at exercising regularly and eating well. I know how much more fulfilled I feel doing something creative than watching TV, so I’m pretty proactive on that too.
Which are you still working at?
Lots! In particular – I can sometimes be quite a negative and pessimistic thinker, which doesn’t help me or those around me. I’m also trying to drink a bit less alcohol and keep better control of my finances.
What usually works best for you as an instant de-stressor?
A phone-call to a friend or family member, a walk or jog or listening to some music.
What are your hobbies?
Photography (mainly street photography), music (going to the odd gig and making music with friends), drawing (I’ve just started – I’m not very good), reading (all sorts of stuff) and keeping fit (ish).
What are your ambitions?
To feel calmer and happier within myself. To keep learning and growing everyday. To keep doing the things I enjoy and challenging myself to try new things. Hopefully to help others do the same through this website.
As a way of organising a list of ideas that I was trying out for myself, and make them available for others to try out and, hopefully, find helpful.
What’s it like working with your Dad?
We have different ideas and perspectives on things, which is good I think. But we get on well so it’s fun.
What jobs have you done?
I ran clubnights after leaving university (I studied psychology at Bristol). Other jobs? From the bizarre – mowing graves at a cemetery; to the dangerous – a knife factory; to the unpleasant – selling gas, door-to-door.
Which of the skills you talk about in the book are you good at, would you say?
I’m a big believer in trying to have lots of small interactions with people, even ‘strangers’ I pass in the street. And I think I’m pretty good at exercising regularly and eating well. I know how much more fulfilled I feel doing something creative than watching TV, so I’m pretty proactive on that too.
Which are you still working at?
Lots! In particular – I can sometimes be quite a negative and pessimistic thinker, which doesn’t help me or those around me. I’m also trying to drink a bit less alcohol and keep better control of my finances.
What usually works best for you as an instant de-stressor?
A phone-call to a friend or family member, a walk or jog or listening to some music.
What are your hobbies?
Photography (mainly street photography), music (going to the odd gig and making music with friends), drawing (I’ve just started – I’m not very good), reading (all sorts of stuff) and keeping fit (ish).
What are your ambitions?
To feel calmer and happier within myself. To keep learning and growing everyday. To keep doing the things I enjoy and challenging myself to try new things. Hopefully to help others do the same through this website.
I am a clinical psychologist in
Cheltenham. Over many years I have developed a positive, solution-oriented approach to helping people with mental health problems. I have spent time with people in a variety of settings finding practical steps they can take to solve their personal problems and feel less stressed. I had previously worked as a hospital manager and am currently a director of a medico-legal firm.Looking back on my early family life, it was happy but stressful and I had an underlying level of anxiety, which I learnt to manage using techniques, which we are now writing about.
I have been married for 32 years. I like playing guitar and keeping fit by running, cycling and the occasional triathlon.
Read Hugh's Q&A >
Why did you write ‘Active Steps’?
I wanted to distil ideas I had used with clients in therapy into an easily understandable format which was practical and accessible.
What’s it like working with your son, James?
Great. We both enjoy the challenge and despite occasionally ‘artistic differences’ we get on well. I feel proud of what we have achieved – I don’t think I would have done this without him.
What jobs have you done?
I’m a clinical psychologist, but have also been a hospital manager and currently run a medico-legal firm in Cheltenham. I have also delivered meat for a butchers and worked on a building site in my youth.
Which of the skills you talk about in the book are you best at, would you say?
The three Active Steps that I most relate to are relaxing wherever or whenever I can, irrespective of how tense I feel. Secondly, getting organised with the various and many jobs, tasks, telephone calls etc that I’m trying to juggle. Most of all, I like the idea of being as positive as I can in as many situations as possible. This makes me feel that lots of things are possible.
Which are you still working at?
I often find it difficult to assert my opinions about something, especially if I feel strongly about something.
What, in particular, helps you feel calmer when you are stressed?
Sharing my concerns, or worries, with someone. Trying to sort out a problem, in other words - doing something to help a difficult situation get better.
What do you do outside work?
I like relaxing at home with my wife, Sue and doing household stuff. I try to run or keep fit twice a week. I’m aiming for a 10k run in 2010. I love playing the guitar I’m still practicing after 40 years!
What are your hopes and ambitions?
To see the Active Steps approach become useful and helpful to others. To feel more accomplished playing guitar and maybe busking where no one I know would be listening!!
I wanted to distil ideas I had used with clients in therapy into an easily understandable format which was practical and accessible.
What’s it like working with your son, James?
Great. We both enjoy the challenge and despite occasionally ‘artistic differences’ we get on well. I feel proud of what we have achieved – I don’t think I would have done this without him.
What jobs have you done?
I’m a clinical psychologist, but have also been a hospital manager and currently run a medico-legal firm in Cheltenham. I have also delivered meat for a butchers and worked on a building site in my youth.
Which of the skills you talk about in the book are you best at, would you say?
The three Active Steps that I most relate to are relaxing wherever or whenever I can, irrespective of how tense I feel. Secondly, getting organised with the various and many jobs, tasks, telephone calls etc that I’m trying to juggle. Most of all, I like the idea of being as positive as I can in as many situations as possible. This makes me feel that lots of things are possible.
Which are you still working at?
I often find it difficult to assert my opinions about something, especially if I feel strongly about something.
What, in particular, helps you feel calmer when you are stressed?
Sharing my concerns, or worries, with someone. Trying to sort out a problem, in other words - doing something to help a difficult situation get better.
What do you do outside work?
I like relaxing at home with my wife, Sue and doing household stuff. I try to run or keep fit twice a week. I’m aiming for a 10k run in 2010. I love playing the guitar I’m still practicing after 40 years!
What are your hopes and ambitions?
To see the Active Steps approach become useful and helpful to others. To feel more accomplished playing guitar and maybe busking where no one I know would be listening!!
