{"id":538401,"date":"2026-07-08T01:11:49","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T01:11:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/538401\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T01:11:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T01:11:49","slug":"i-spent-80000-to-retrain-why-so-many-people-are-becoming-therapists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/538401\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I spent \u00a380,000 to retrain’: why so many people are becoming therapists"},"content":{"rendered":"

Heather Darwall-Smith was happy in her career as an advertising art director when, at 29, a yoga retreat changed her life. She explains, \u201cI was going through a very painful period: I was struggling to conceive and had experienced pregnancy loss. The retreat<\/a> was run by a couple who bought the site in their fifties and spent around 30 years developing it. I found that profoundly inspiring. It showed me that a major change did not have to happen early in life and that it was possible to build a life around values, community and wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the retreat, however, another guest experienced significant mental health difficulties. It became clear to Darwall-Smith that good intentions and a peaceful setting were not enough: anyone running a retreat also needed the training and judgment to respond safely if somebody became psychologically unwell. That was the moment the idea took shape. She thought, \u201cI will retrain as a psychotherapist<\/a> and, one day, perhaps build a retreat centre of my own.\u201d The retreat-centre plan eventually fell away, but the decision to become a psychotherapist remained and she began training at 42.<\/p>\n

Being an art director was a career that suited many parts of Darwall-Smith\u2019s personality: \u201cI love visual problem-solving, the energy of a creative team and the satisfaction of turning something imagined into something real. At the same time, I could see that the role of an art director was becoming very different from the one I had entered, and I sensed that the future might not offer the same kind of creative life.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"FILEWas Trump\u2019s intervention really worth it? (Photo: Reuters) <\/p>\n

news<\/p>\n

Donald Trump has torched America\u2019s World Cup legacy<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Daniel Storey<\/p>\n

Sport Feature Writer of the Year<\/p>\n

There was some hope that the USA would get through their last-16 tie against Belgium, perhaps even with Folarin Balogun playing a starring role. If this was the only way to shame Fifa into a full explanation, why not? The USA\u2019s exit after a 4-1 defeat allows this rotten case to be quickly brushed under the rug before the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n

\nRed card row that tainted World Cup\n<\/p>\n

Donald Trump sparked huge controversy by confirming he lobbied Fifa boss Gianni Infantino to review United States striker Folarin Balogun\u2019s one-match ban at the World Cup, branding the referee who sent him off \u201csuspect\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"UnitedCaption: United States\u2019 Folarin Balogun (20) gets a pat on the head from Bosnia\u2019s Sead Kolasinac (5) as United States\u2019 Christian Pulisic (10) stands by after receiving a red card during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo\/Martin Meissner)
Photographer: Martin Meissner
Provider: AP Photo\/Martin Meissner
Source: AP
Copyright: Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n

\"FILEWith one move, Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino have thrown the World Cup into controversy (Photo: Leah Millis\/Reuters)<\/p>\n

After significant outcry, including from Uefa who said the decision left the integrity of football at stake, Balogun\u2019s ban was suspended by Fifa\u2019s disciplinary committee, allowing him to play in the last-16 clash with Belgium.<\/p>\n

\nWas it all worth it?\n<\/p>\n

\"COMMERCECaption: COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO \u2013 OCTOBER 14: Head coach Mauricio Pochettino of the United States walks off the field after winning the game against Australia at Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods Park on October 14, 2025 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Andrew Wevers\/USSF\/Getty Images)
Photographer: Andrew Wevers\/USSF
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images North America
Copyright: 2025 Andrew Wevers\/USSF<\/p>\n

US started well<\/p>\n

Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT had made friends amongst travelling supporters.<\/p>\n

World Cup fever grew<\/p>\n

They also gained new fans amongst their own football-sceptic population, thus evaporating a degree of the insularity that can blow through US sport.<\/p>\n

\"ALCaption: AL KHOR, QATAR \u2013 NOVEMBER 25: US fans hold up an American flag before a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and USMNT at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Doug Zimmerman\/ISI Photos\/Getty Images)
Photographer: Doug Zimmerman\/ISI Photos
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe<\/p>\n

\"SANTATrump does not respect Balogun for who he is (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

But scandal will endure <\/p>\n

That has changed over the last three days. Unless the USA actually reached the World Cup final, this controversy promised to be the overriding legacy of their tournament.<\/p>\n

US Soccer and Pochettino are also guilty<\/p>\n

For all the hollering and deliberate moral selectivism of some in the US football community over the last 48 hours, everybody reasonable knows that Balogun should not have been playing.
That includes Pochettino.<\/p>\n

\"LONDON,Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND \u2013 FEBRUARY 04: Mauricio Pochettino, manager of Chelsea, looks dejected during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on February 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill \u2013 Danehouse\/Getty Images)
Photographer: James Gill \u2013 Danehouse
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe<\/p>\n

\"LOSUSA are among the nations who can go easy in the final round of group games (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\nA legacy has been soured\n<\/p>\n

In 2019, the United States Women\u2019s National Team declined an invitation to visit President Trump\u2019s White House because they did not want their success to be co-opted by a regime that had worked against their fight for equal pay and LGBTQ+ rights.<\/p>\n

\"UnitedThe tackle for which Balogun was sent off (Photo: AP)<\/p>\n

\"SANCaption: SAN JOSE, CA \u2013 JULY 9: Crystal Dunn #19 of the United States high fives her teammates after a game between Wales and USWNT at PayPal Park on July 9, 2023 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Brad Smith\/USSF\/Getty Images for USSF).
Photographer: Brad Smith\/USSF
Provider: Getty Images for USSF
Source: Getty Images North America<\/p>\n

In 2026, the USMNT relied upon the same President to personally intervene in their own cause and were then immediately knocked out of their host tournament.<\/p>\n

A legacy has been soured. Memories will last for the wrong reasons. A reputation has been torched.<\/p>\n

\"CoupleCouple sleeping in bed \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

news<\/p>\n

Missing sleep leads to \u2018one pound every six weeks weight gain\u2019<\/p>\n

A new study has found that delaying sleep by just 80 minutes can lead to weight gain at the rate of one pound every six weeks.<\/p>\n

Previous studies have shown that severe sleep deprivation in the short term leads to changes in appetite and overeating, which can contribute to weight gain.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n

\nHow staying up late affects waistlines\n<\/p>\n

\"SleepSleep tourism in hotel. Exhausted woman sleeps sweetly in bed in the morning \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Who was studied?<\/p>\n

Experts from Columbia University in the US conducted the study with 95 adults who usually get seven or eight hours\u00a0of\u00a0sleep.<\/p>\n

What was analysed?<\/p>\n

They were told\u00a0to\u00a0delay their normal bedtime by 90 minutes for six weeks\u00a0and then\u00a0get the usual amount\u00a0of sleep for the next six\u00a0weeks.<\/p>\n

\"SmartphoneSmartphone on wooden cabinet rings at nine o\u2019clock, next to digital flip clock at home interior. Sunbeam shining through the window on a fresh morning. A brand new day, fresh start, fresh energy, new opportunities. Waking up early for a healthy lifestyle \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"ThisCaption: This is a stock photo of of some weighing scales, a tape measure and running shoes. See PA Feature BOOK Dr Karan Rajan. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature BOOK Dr Karan Rajan. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Alamy\/PA <\/p>\n

NOTE TO EDITORS: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature BOOK Dr Karan Rajan<\/p>\n

Photographer: Alamy\/PA
Provider: Alamy\/PA
Source: PA<\/p>\n

How was sleep tracked?<\/p>\n

Those studied wore\u00a0wrist monitors\u00a0to\u00a0track their sleep and changes in body weight, waist circumference, body composition and certain hormones.<\/p>\n

\nWhat were the results?\n<\/p>\n

As well as average weight gain of a pound, sedentary time increased by an average of 17 minutes per day during the six-week period.<\/p>\n

That increased to nearly 30 minutes per day for men and postmenopausal women.<\/p>\n

\"ThisCaption: This is a generic photo of a young woman sleeping peacefully in bed while wearing a smartwatch. See PA Feature WELLBEING Sleep. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA feature WELLBEING Sleep PA Photo. Picture credit should read: Alamy\/PA. <\/p>\n

NOTE TO EDITORS: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature WELLBEING Sleep.
Photographer: Alamy\/PA
Provider: Alamy\/PA<\/p>\n

What are the long-term effects of losing sleep?<\/p>\n

When extrapolated to a full year, we would expect that losing less than an hour and a half of sleep per night could result in clinically meaningful weight gain<\/p>\n

Faris Zuraikat, assistant professor of nutritional medicine at Columbia<\/p>\n

\"ManMan standing on weight scale, low section \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

New \u2018game-changer\u2019 tests for endometriosis <\/p>\n

Women with suspected endometriosis\u00a0will no longer have to spend years trying to get a diagnosis thanks to\u00a0new\u00a0\u201cgame-changer\u201d\u00a0tests\u00a0approved\u00a0for use in GP surgeries.<\/p>\n

\"Pain,Caption: Pain, stomach, endometriosis, women\u2019s health
Photographer: Kinga Krzeminska
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

\nWhat is endometriosis?\n<\/p>\n

Endometriosis\u00a0is a painful condition affecting one in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other parts of the body.<\/p>\n

\"FileThe move by the NHS is understood to have led to thousands of patients seeing appointments being cancelled (Photo: PA)<\/p>\n

\"MenstrualMenstrual pain, woman with stomachache suffering from pms at home, endometriosis, cystitis and other diseases of the urinary system \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

In an effort to cut the time it takes\u00a0for\u00a0women to be diagnosed with endometriosis, the National Institute\u00a0for\u00a0Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has\u00a0given\u00a0the\u00a0green\u00a0light\u00a0to two tests on the NHS \u2013 EndoSure and Endotest.<\/p>\n

\nHow do the tests work?\n<\/p>\n

With Endotest, women give a saliva sample which is then sent to the lab to check for tiny biological markers called microRNAs. This indicates the presence of endometriosis.<\/p>\n

EndoSure can detect the condition by measuring electrical signals in the gut using sensor pads\u00a0on\u00a0the abdomen.<\/p>\n

None of the tests are designed to act as standalone diagnostic tests but should ensure women receive a diagnosis and treatment much faster.<\/p>\n

Expert opinion<\/p>\n

A diagnosis of endometriosis can for some women take the best part of a decade. That delay means living with chronic pelvic pain that affects daily life. These technologies have the potential to change that\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Anastasia Chalkidou, HealthTech programme director at Nice <\/p>\n

\"WomanWoman at home suffering from menstrual pain. Menstrual cramps, woman warming lower abdomen with a hot water bottle, endometriosis, and diseases causing pain. \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"ExhaustedMost British houses are built to retain heat (Photo: Antonio Diaz\/Getty\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

How to keep your sex life going in a heatwave<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t endure it<\/p>\n

For some people, the heat and the sun boost the production of hormones responsible for joy, pleasure and connection like serotonin and dopamine. For others, the heat causes fatigue and irritability. For them, being touched can set off an anxiety response.<\/p>\n

GEMMA NICE [BELOW]<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Don\u2019t endure sweaty cuddles<\/p>\n

Long-term partners can be upfront and honest with each other and say that it\u2019s too hot to touch right now.<\/p>\n

For others, break the tension by having an open and honest conversation.<\/p>\n

Choose dates with built-in air conditioning, like the cinema.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t ignore the issue or
power through if you\u2019re too hot.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

\nHow couples can manage a heatwave\n<\/p>\n

Take penetrative sex off the table<\/p>\n

It may make you feel lightheaded, tired, and can even lead to erectile dysfunction because the body is overheating.<\/p>\n

\"LesbianThe UK had pretty low numbers of libidinous romantic lovers, suggesting that \u2018Brits may not be having as much fun between the sheets as people in other countries\u2019
(Photo: RealPeopleGroup\/ Getty Images\/ iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

\"A(Photo: Dmitrii Marchenko\/Getty).<\/p>\n

Indulge in dirty talk instead<\/p>\n

Because you aren\u2019t distracted by physical movement, your focus is entirely on your partner\u2019s voice. This can help build\u00a0a massive amount of tension and sexual desire.<\/p>\n

\nHow couples can manage a heatwave\n<\/p>\n

\"YoungCaption: Young couple at home practicing yoga. They are watching online fitness live streaming classes.
Photographer: svetikd
Provider: Getty Images
Source: E+
Copyright: SVETIKD<\/p>\n

Breathwork<\/p>\n

This syncs up your nervous systems and can trigger a deep, full-body energetic response.<\/p>\n

Mutual play<\/p>\n

Set up a fan and touch yourselves while looking directly into each other\u2019s eyes, says Nice.<\/p>\n

\"A\u2018Humid heat is harder heat,\u2019 one expert says (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"RearOur reader\u2019s new partner always wants to \u2018chill\u2019 at home rather than go for walks or dinner or come up with ideas (Photo: vm\/E+)<\/p>\n

Strip and chill out<\/p>\n

Just sharing the space and being close to each other\u00a0can strengthen your bond.<\/p>\n

Why you shouldn\u2019t have
sex in the sea<\/p>\n

Water actually washes away
your body\u2019s natural lubrication.<\/p>\n

It creates friction against the delicate tissue.<\/p>\n

This can cause micro tears and severe irritation.<\/p>\n

It drastically increases the risk of getting a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a yeast infection.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

The one easy habit which keeps your
brain young<\/p>\n

From adopting a different running route to taking up a new hobby, here are seven ways in which new experiences can dramatically alter your brain health for the better.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"Women,Making friends at work can have a profound impact on happiness (Photo: Tim Robberts\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Why we need new experiences<\/p>\n

A well-connected brain is more resilient to stress, illness and the\u00a0effects of ageing.<\/p>\n

Neurologist Dr Steve Allder says when we try unfamiliar things, our brain is forced to work in new ways. <\/p>\n

Over time, this improves the brain\u2019s ability to adapt to change and respond to challenges, helping us to preserve thinking skills and emotional balance.<\/p>\n

\nWhy we need new experiences\n<\/p>\n

They strengthen memory formation<\/p>\n

Regularly exposing yourself to new situations \u2013 even small ones \u2013 helps exercise your memory systems, which improves your ability to store and retrieve information. <\/p>\n

\"AA human brain made of wool with folded paper brainwaves \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"FrustratedPuzzles like sudoku have now been widely shown not to protect against cognitive decline (Photo: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

They improve overall learning ability<\/p>\n

Just as muscles adapt to\u00a0new exercises, the brain adapts to\u00a0new mental demands.\u00a0As we age the brain then benefits from regular stimulation and maintains sharpness.<\/p>\n

\nWhy we need new experiences\n<\/p>\n

\"HappyCaption: Happy woman walking with male partner in vineyard during sunset. Elderly couple are touring in field against sky. They are enjoying during weekend.
Photographer: Morsa Images
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Digital Vision<\/p>\n

Boosts dopamine<\/p>\n

New experiences naturally stimulate dopamine, which encourages positive behaviour patterns.<\/p>\n

Reduce cognitive decline<\/p>\n

New experiences activate different brain regions, helping to keep more areas working.<\/p>\n

\"HappyHappy pregnant mother sitting close to smiling teen daughter while taking selfie on smartphone \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"PortraitCaption: Portrait of elderly woman solving sudoku puzzles at home, sitting in living room. Sudoku as popular game for aging people, logical thinking, problem solving.
Photographer: Halfpoint Images
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

Problem-solving<\/p>\n

Your brain must evaluate options, test ideas and adjust its approach.<\/p>\n

\nThe benefits of new experiences\n<\/p>\n

Each time you adapt successfully to something new, your brain learns that change can be handled. This improves emotional flexibility, making it\u00a0easier to cope with stress\u00a0and unexpected events.<\/p>\n

They also often involve other people, whether through\u00a0travel or social activities. This stimulate areas of the brain
responsible for communication, empathy and\u00a0understanding others\u2019 perspectives.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Running might not seem like the most appealing hobby, but if you give it a try, you might be surprised (Photo: EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS\/Getty\/Digital Vision\/ems-forster-productions)<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Your sleep has a huge impact on your heart health<\/p>\n

How sleep and your heart
health are linked<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Adults who regularly sleep fewer than seven hours are at increased risk of high blood pressure, obesity, heart attack and diabetes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The risk of coronary\u00a0artery disease is 45 per cent higher in adults with short sleep durations at night.<\/p>\n

\t
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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

\nThe bedtime habits that reduce risk\n<\/p>\n

\"SleepSleep tourism in hotel. Exhausted woman sleeps sweetly in bed in the morning \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Consistency<\/p>\n

Keep daytime naps to less than 20 minutes and aim for seven to eight hours sleep per night.<\/p>\n

Wind down<\/p>\n

A reasonable 20-30 minute bedtime routine can include reading, light stretching, and meditation.<\/p>\n

\"AA mature man meditates in the last sun rays coming into his bedroom \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"Close-upCaption: Close-up view of female jogger tying laces of her sport shoes before running exercise routine. Motivation, healthy lifestyle and fitness concept.
Photographer: Xavier Lorenzo
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

Time your exercise<\/p>\n

Vigorous exercise within three hours of bedtime can cause insomnia.<\/p>\n

The bedroom environment<\/p>\n

\"PensivePensive young Asian woman sitting on bed writing on journal in cozy bedroom. Copy space. \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Sleeping in a bedroom with bright overhead light has been associated with a higher risk of major cardiovascular events, including\u00a0heart attack\u00a0(47 per cent higher risk),\u00a0stroke (28 per cent) and heart failure.<\/p>\n

Darken the room with blackout blinds or an eye mask, avoid blue light and leave your mobile phone outside your bedroom. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\nThe bedtime habits that reduce risk\n<\/p>\n

Food and drink<\/p>\n

Alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and large evening meals can all disrupt sleep quality.<\/p>\n

\"AOne theory is that alcohol and drugs can hijack the brain\u2019s pathways (Photo: Guillermo Spelucin\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Know your numbers<\/p>\n

If your blood pressure at bedtime is consistently high, consider discussing medication with your GP.<\/p>\n

Beware of snoring<\/p>\n

Sleep-disordered breathing is linked with cardiovascular conditions, so it could be time for a GP evaluation.<\/p>\n

\"YoungSeparate bedrooms is not the first step on the road to dissolution; it\u2019s the route to joint survival (Photo: LordHenriVoton\/E+\/Miljan Lakic\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"BrainAlzheimer\u2019s can be seen on brain scans (Photo: Tek Image\/Getty)<\/p>\n

HEALTH<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the early signs of dementia<\/p>\n

Three families reflect on the early signs of the illness, which affected their parents.<\/p>\n

They include the things they missed or dismissed, what they\u2019d do differently and what they\u2019d want other people in the same position to know.<\/p>\n

\nRobert and his mother Joyce\n<\/p>\n

She fell for a scam<\/p>\n

\"RobertRobert\u2019s mother Joyce spent her last six years in a care home<\/p>\n

One of the first incidents that rang alarm bells for Robert was his mum falling victim to a suspected scam from someone selling mattresses door-to-door.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She also started to struggle with cooking and making her special dishes she\u2019d been making for decades without a problem.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

Did he tell his mother?<\/p>\n

We [had] just sort of played along with everything. But on one particularly bad day, I blurted it out over the phone, \u2018Because you\u2019ve got dementia, mum!\u2019 She threatened to kill herself, which was very scary. Maybe it\u2019s something I should have explained properly to her from the get-go.<\/p>\n

JOYCE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ALZHEIMER\u2019S IN HER EARLY SEVENTIES<\/p>\n

\"OldOld man with dementia enjoys sunny weather \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Rosie became a carer
in her early thirties<\/p>\n

I think we missed some of the really early subtle signs.<\/p>\n

Rosie\u2019s mother was diagnosed with Young Onset Alzheimer\u2019s Disease at 58 but some symptoms, like brain fog, were put down to the menopause. <\/p>\n

She had become more forgetful, and was repeating herself, but as she had always \u201cbeen scatty\u201d it was dismissed.<\/p>\n

She became fixated<\/p>\n

It was on strange things like going to\u00a0the same buffet.<\/p>\n

Chloe was just 14 when her mum, Sarah, was diagnosed with young onset frontotemporal dementia, a rare form of the disease.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Another time Sarah, who was diagnosed in her forties, forgot how to boil an egg.<\/p>\n

On Saturdays, when she\u2019d usually go shopping, she\u2019d go out and come straight back home, almost like she was forgetting
what she was going out for.<\/p>\n

Unused or unwanted subscriptions cost consumers \u00a31.6bn.<\/p>\n

Writer Sadhbh O\u2019Sullivan looked into her own forgotten subscriptions when she became a first-time buyer, and realised how much she was wasting on things she wasn\u2019t using. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\"CloseAre you good at managing money (Photo:
Peter Dazeley\/Getty\/The Image Bank RF)<\/p>\n

The hidden spends that go unnoticed<\/p>\n

I\u2019d long considered myself to be quite a reasonable spender.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But the hidden costs across her bank accounts, like free trials that hadn\u2019t been cancelled and memberships for abandoned services, proved otherwise. <\/p>\n

It was full of small amounts, \u00a32.99 here, \u00a34.50 there. These small amounts added up. <\/p>\n

\nThe ghost subscriptions\n<\/p>\n

Sadhbh isn\u2019t alone. <\/p>\n

19%<\/p>\n

According to a Nationwide survey almost one in five Brits don\u2019t use every platform they pay for.<\/p>\n

The bank suggests they could save as much as \u00a3400 a year by ditching them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

4.7 million<\/p>\n

National Trading Standards\u2019 2025 research found 4.7 million people were paying for subscriptions they didn\u2019t know they\u2019d signed up for.<\/p>\n

In 2024, a government report found unused and unwanted subscriptions cost consumers up to \u00a31.6bn a year.<\/p>\n

\nHow to deal with the subscriptions\n<\/p>\n

Hunt them down<\/p>\n

Banking apps usually list your \u2018subscriptions\u2019 separately from direct debits and standing orders so you can easily spot what you\u2019re shelling out on.<\/p>\n

\"PensionersPensioners have some flexibility over the timing and payment of their state pension
(juststock\/Getty Images\/iStockphoto\/ NIPITPHON)<\/p>\n

\"AEdge will give customers cashback on debit card and direct debit spending<\/p>\n

Check everything<\/p>\n

You can be debited through credit cards, E-payment services, your mobile phone bill, Apple Pay or Google Pay.<\/p>\n

\nHow to deal with subscriptions\n<\/p>\n

\"SmilingDating apps have failed the black community, says Amber (Photo: Morsa Images\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Be honest<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t vow to use a subscription you\u2019re not going to, even if you
have good intentions.<\/p>\n

Look over 13 months<\/p>\n

Many businesses have changed from monthly to annual payments so look further back.<\/p>\n

\"AChanges are due to kick in on everything from inheritance tax to filling in self-assessment forms (Photo: Getty).<\/p>\n

\"ACustomers struggling with debts are highly likely to be in vulnerable circumstances, regulators warn
(Photo: Martin Prescott\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Future proof<\/p>\n

Make sure to track any subscriptions you have kept so you can cancel them, if need be, in future.<\/p>\n

\nDon\u2019t be afraid of phone calls\n<\/p>\n

If companies don\u2019t let you cancel online, don\u2019t fear the customer service line.<\/p>\n

With TV and broadband, call the new customer number as it\u2019s often answered more quickly.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re happy with the service, but not the price, speak to a real person that may offer a better deal. <\/p>\n

Look for a phone number and press the \u2018thinking of leaving us\u2019 option. It\u2019s usually a fast track to a team with authority to offer bigger discounts.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Having been in therapy<\/a> at various points in her life, Heather knew how powerful it could be and found herself increasingly drawn towards work that involved depth, meaning and sustained human connection. There was also a sense of security in working in a therapeutic setting, as demand for therapy increased. Driven in part by reduced stigma and greater awareness of mental health issues<\/a>, over 80 per cent of therapists report operating at full capacity, and there\u2019s a real need for more trained practitioners to help those in need.<\/p>\n

Darwall-Smith is far from alone in retraining in the mental health field. Data from the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) found that from April 2020 to 2023, membership rose by 27 per cent. And in 2021, 24 per cent of applicants to the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology course were aged 30 to 49.<\/p>\n

Wanting to be a therapist is much more than being a good listener, and while Darwall-Smith understands the impulse to retrain because you\u2019ve been through something difficult and want to help others, it can be a terrible reason on its own. She explains, \u201cThe people who struggle most aren\u2019t the ones who lack empathy. They\u2019re the ones who have too much investment in being helpful, in being liked, in fixing things. Sitting with someone\u2019s distress without rushing to resolve it is genuinely hard. It goes against most of our instincts.\u201d<\/p>\n

The increased demand for therapy means that sometimes people seek advice from those who are not adequately trained, Darwall-Smith explains. \u201cIn the UK, anyone can call themselves a psychotherapist; it\u2019s not a protected term, like nurse or midwife. That\u2019s a genuinely alarming situation when you consider how vulnerable people are when they reach out for help. I take my accreditation with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) seriously. It means I\u2019m insured, I\u2019m bound by a code of ethics, and there are processes in place if something goes wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

The training brought together academic study, clinical placements, supervision, personal therapy, reflective writing and a great deal of emotional and practical commitment. \u201cI expected it to be absorbing; I underestimated how rigorous, exposing and transformative it would be,\u201d says Darwall-Smith. The personal therapy she undertook during the training was \u201cnecessary and uncomfortable in equal measure. You can\u2019t ask clients to go somewhere you won\u2019t go yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Darwall-Smith estimates that the training cost at least \u00a380,000, as it took six years to complete the master\u2019s degree in mindfulness-based psychotherapy alone. During that period, she also worked as a freelance designer while raising a family, so the challenge was not only financial; it was about time, energy and sustaining momentum over many years. \u201cA significant amount of the work is unpaid, yet it still has to be fitted around earning a living and, in my case, family life,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Training does not really end at qualification. Psychotherapists are expected to continue learning throughout their careers. Darwall-Smith has specialised further, including studying sleep medicine at the University of Oxford and training in cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. She undertakes continuing professional development every year, as well as ongoing supervision, so both the learning and the expense continue.<\/p>\n

Some people retrain in therapy as they believe it will be a lucrative career, but the data shows this is often not the case. A BACP survey found that only 40 per cent of people said they could earn a living as a psychotherapist, with nearly 75 per cent earning \u00a330,000 a year or less.<\/p>\n

Darwall-Smith left advertising fully in 2019, a year before qualifying at 48, and she works full-time from a consulting room at home. Client contact hours are only part of it. \u201cMost therapists I know work considerably more than their clinical hours suggest. It looks like a part-time job from the outside. It rarely is,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Typically, a psychotherapist in private practice might see around 15-20 clients a week and charge somewhere in the region of \u00a365\u2013\u00a385 per session. However, that figure does not take into account the many associated costs, such as insurance, professional development, room hire, administration, tax, pension contributions, and periods of unpaid leave or cancellations.<\/p>\n

She says the best part of the job is the privilege of being trusted with another person\u2019s story, explaining, \u201cPeople bring experiences that may be difficult to share elsewhere, and being allowed to accompany them as they make sense of them is deeply meaningful. The work can be quiet and gradual, but small shifts in understanding can have a profound effect on how somebody lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

As rewarding as the job is, it can be difficult to switch off from, as Darwall-Smith says, \u201cWhen a client is in acute distress, when the work feels stuck, or you\u2019re genuinely not sure whether things are moving or deteriorating \u2013 that\u2019s frightening. There\u2019s an accumulated weight of being trusted with difficult things.\u201d Darwall-Smith is still in personal therapy and doesn\u2019t think she\u2019d be able to do her job without it.<\/p>\n

Psychotherapy is, largely, a white middle-class pursuit \u2013 both in terms of who practises it and, to a significant degree, who accesses it. Members of the Partnership of Counselling and Psychotherapy Bodies (PCPB) are mainly aged 45-64, white, and female. The reasons aren\u2019t mysterious. Training is expensive, long, and largely self-funded. It requires years of reduced income, as well as the ongoing cost of your own therapy and supervision. Darwall-Smith says, \u201cWe need younger therapists, therapists from a much wider range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We need the training to be more accessible financially and structurally.\u201d<\/p>\n

Retraining has changed Darwall-Smith\u2019s relationship to ambition. As she explains, \u201cIn design and advertising, I was highly driven. Success was closely linked to status, momentum, recognition and the next achievement. Today, success is much more about sustainability. For me, it means being healthy and grounded enough to be genuinely present with my clients. It means doing work that matters while also having room for relationships, family, rest and a life beyond work. Ambition has not disappeared, but it has become less about proving something and more about creating a life I can inhabit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Heather Darwall-Smith is the author of three books including \u2018The ADHD Sleep Book<\/a>\u2018, out now<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Heather Darwall-Smith was happy in her career as an advertising art director when, at 29, a yoga retreat…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":538402,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[2940,778,103,61,60,410,411,1856,1962],"class_list":["post-538401","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mental-health","tag-careers","tag-features","tag-health","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-mental-health","tag-mentalhealth","tag-therapy","tag-work"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/538401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=538401"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/538401\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/538402"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=538401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=538401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=538401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}