Episode 15

What if needing space does not mean you love people any less?

In this episode, Tanya and Emma sit down with Alice Bramhill, a registered mental health nurse, interpersonal psychotherapist and neurodivergent coach, to talk about relationships, retreat and the quiet courage of knowing yourself.

Alice’s first book had only just been released, and it opened a conversation that wandered through grief, friendship, family culture and the pressure to be an “acceptable human”.

Along the way, you may find some gentle permission.

Permission to retreat when the world feelstoo loud.

Permission to follow your own interests rather than someone else’s idea of a social life.

Permission to let your children, and yourself, take space without it meaning anything is wrong.

We close, as always, with a little magic.This week it arrives as a newborn calf, a small black cat hiding in plain sight, and a son who tells his mum she has done apretty good job.You may find this conversation helpful if:

You have ever wondered whether needing timealone says something about how much you care
You are in the in-between of a world that has shrunk and are wondering if that is allowed
You feel the friendships built around your masked self fading, and you are unsure what comes next
You are raising children and hoping they grow up knowing that space is something they never have to apologise for
Who is Alice Bramhill?

Alice is a registered mental health nurse, interpersonal psychotherapist and neurodivergent specialist coach based in the UK.

She began nursing at sixteen, trained in interpersonal psychotherapy through the NHS, and left her full time NHS post in 2018 after her own burnout and as her children came out of school.

She went on to complete an art degree, returned to therapy, and opened her private practice four years ago.

Alice is also a parent of neurodivergent children, a gardener, a reader and the keeper of two dogs and a cat who recently adopted the family.

Her first book, I Need My Space (But I Like You Too!), was published this week, and her second is already written and due next year.A line to carry with you:

“Mixing less is often the medicine. It isn’t the same medicine for everybody.” Alice BramhillResources mentioned in the show:The book: I Need My Space (But I Like YouToo!): A Neurodivergent Guide to All Types of Relationships by Alice Bramhill, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Alice’s book page or the publisher’s page.

Book availability: Alice shared that the publisher expects copies for New Zealand and Australia to arrive in December, and that it can also be ordered online in the meantime.

Alice’s website: alicebramhill.co.uk

Alice’s Substack: A community for deep feelers and big hearted people, where Alice writes about neurodivergent lifeand relationships.

Interpersonal psychotherapy: The attachment and social theory based talking therapy Alice trained in, which treats relationships as central to how we feel.

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