Noush's Blog & Press

The Nature of Loneliness Loneliness is not merely about being physically alone. You can be surrounded by people and still feel deeply disconnected. What often matters is not the number of people around us, but whether we feel seen, understood, and emotionally heard. A recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Research explored a surprisingly modern question: can an artificial intelligence companion actually reduce loneliness? The researchers examined AI companions: co

When Two Minds Meet: The Psychology of Shared Reality Have you ever met someone and felt that they simply “get it”? You start explaining something, and they already know what you mean. You notice the same small details. You react to something at almost exactly the same moment. Sometimes, they even finish the thought you were about to express. We often describe this as “being on the same wavelength.” But psychology suggests there may actually be something more interesting happ

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m bright and capable—so why does everyday life feel harder than it should?”, you’re not alone. Many adults go years, even decades, wondering why they struggle to start tasks, keep on top of admin, manage emotions or follow through—whilst being told they’re “fine” because they’re outwardly successful. As a London-based integrative therapist, I meet many adults who later discover that ADHD has been part of their story all along. They weren’t lazy or c

Introduction: Making sense of what you’re feeling If you’ve landed here because your heart won’t slow down, your stomach feels “off”, or your thoughts won’t let you rest, you’re not alone. Anxiety can be incredibly physical and surprisingly loud in the mind. It’s also highly treatable—not in the sense of a quick “cure”, but through building skills, understanding your patterns, and gently rewiring how your brain and body respond to stress. This guide explains how anxiety works

Searching for a psychologist in London can feel overwhelming: countless titles, different approaches, varying fees, and wait times that don’t always match the urgency of how you feel today. The good news is that booking a first session can be simple when you know what to look for and how to take the next step with confidence. I’m Noush Navazani, a psychology-trained integrative therapist, author and doctoral researcher based in London. I work with individuals and couples usin

Therapy offers a confidential space to work on the emotional and relational side of leadership. It’s particularly helpful if anxiety, past experiences or entrenched patterns are getting in the way of how you lead. Individual Therapy: A space to explore your story, triggers and strengths; to process stress; and to experiment with healthier patterns that support brave, steady leadership. Anxiety Therapy: Evidence-informed approaches to reduce worry, panic, performance anxiety a

Introduction: Why burnout sneaks up — and how to recognise it If you’re reading this because work has started to feel relentless, you’re not alone. Burnout rarely arrives overnight; it creeps in quietly — a bit less energy here, a few later nights there — until your days blur and you can’t remember the last time you felt like yourself. Recognising the signs of burnout at work early matters, not because you need to “try harder”, but because your mind and body are signalling th

Introduction: the paradox of success and happiness From the outside, fame and success look like a shortcut to happiness: recognition, financial stability, creative freedom, influence. Yet many public figures, high achievers and rising creators quietly share a different story: “I’ve got what I worked for, and I still don’t feel settled.” If that resonates—whether you’re an artist with millions of followers, an entrepreneur in the press, or simply “known” in your field—you are

our brain’s safety system is loud. Our threat system evolved to prioritise caution. When it detects uncertainty, it pushes you to think more. Unfortunately, thinking can act like scratching an itch — it briefly soothes, then returns stronger. Intolerance of uncertainty. If “not knowing” feels unbearable, the mind chases certainty by mentally rehearsing. But in life, certainty is limited. The chase becomes the trap. Cognitive habits. Patterns like catastrophising (“It’ll be a

If your mind starts racing the moment you switch off the light, you are not alone. Many people find their anxiety is worse at night. As an integrative therapist based in London, I see this often: sensible worries balloon into “what ifs”, the body feels unsettled, and sleep slips further away. The good news is there are understandable reasons this happens — and gentle, practical ways to feel safer and calmer. This guide explains the science and psychology behind night-time anx

The strengths that once helped us feel safe, useful, or valued at home can quietly become patterns of overworking, perfectionism, and self-silencing in adult life. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.” For some people, this is not simply something they say at work. It is a role they have been rehearsing for years. Long before our first job, many of us learn what helps us feel safe, accepted, or valued within our families. One child becomes responsible. Another keeps the peace. One a

Listen to my conversation on The Human Journey with David Hackett, where we explore the inspiration behind The Child Behind Your Patterns, the lasting impact of childhood experiences, and the journey towards healing, self-worth and meaningful change. The episode is now available on Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-human-journey-your-story-with-david-hackett/id1460478573

Shame is one of the quietest emotions we carry. It does not always appear as tears, sadness or fear. Sometimes, it appears as perfectionism. Sometimes, as people-pleasing. Sometimes, as overworking, avoiding attention, staying silent or constantly trying to prove that we are good enough. Shame does not simply say: I made a mistake. It says: I am the mistake. That is what makes shame so painful. Where Does Shame Begin? Shame often develops early in life. Perhaps you were criti

When Healing Is Not Enough: It May Be Time to Evaluate Your Circle You can go to therapy, practise mindfulness, read self-development books and work hard to understand yourself, yet still feel anxious, insecure or emotionally drained. When this happens, it is easy to assume that you are not trying hard enough or that you are failing to heal. But sometimes, the problem is not your lack of progress. Sometimes, the environment around you keeps reinforcing the same wounds you are

More Than a Graduation: A Message That Invites Us to Rethink Success Reflections on Ralph Chami’s graduation address at the European School of Economics Graduation ceremonies often celebrate the completion of years of dedication, perseverance and learning. They are milestones that recognise achievement and open the door to new possibilities. Yet occasionally, a graduation speech offers something even more valuable than congratulations—it offers a new way of seeing the world.

There are certain moments in education when time seems to pause. A graduation ceremony is one of them. As I watched the bachelor’s and master’s students of the European School of Economics step forward to celebrate their achievements, I was reminded that graduation is about far more than receiving a qualification. Behind every certificate are years of effort, uncertainty, sacrifice, personal growth and the quiet decision to keep going—even during the most difficult moments. A

Have you ever replayed a conversation, analysed every decision or worried about situations that have not even happened yet? Overthinking can feel exhausting. Your body may be resting, but your mind continues searching for answers, certainty and reassurance. But overthinking is not simply “thinking too much.” Often, it is your mind trying to protect you. Overthinking Can Be a Protective Response At some point, you may have learned that being careful, prepared or highly aware h

Setting boundaries sounds simple: say no when something does not feel right, protect your time, and speak honestly about your needs. But for many people, setting a boundary brings guilt, anxiety, or fear. You may know that saying no is healthy, yet still worry that someone will become upset, reject you, or think you are selfish. This is one of the childhood patterns I explore in my book, The Child Behind Your Path. Where the Fear Begins As children, we learn what keeps us emo

From the outside, it may look like being generous, helpful, thoughtful, and easy to be around. But beneath the constant yes, there may be fear, guilt, and a deeply rooted belief that your value depends on what you can do for other people. This is one of the patterns I explore in my book, The Child Behind Your Path. Many of our adult behaviours did not begin as conscious choices. They developed when we were children, while we were trying to understand how to receive love, appr

I had the pleasure of joining students at Brunel University London as a guest lecturer, where I delivered a session focused on the practical process of creating and developing a brand. The purpose of the lecture was to help students understand that branding is much more than designing a logo, choosing colours or creating social media content. A successful brand begins with research, strategy and a clear understanding of the audience it is intended to serve. Throughout the ses