Know Your Own Psychology

Dr Laura Williams
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Join Dr Laura Williams, Clinical Psychologist, on a journey to know you own psychology better, influence all the areas of your life and achieve more meaning, freedom and purpose. Doctor Williams has over over 17 years experience working within applied psychology. After losing her husband suddenly in 2018, she embarked on a new way of living and working. Today she is a private therapist, digital course creator, mum to 5 and a bestselling author. Doctor Williams has previously worked in specialist services in the NHS and in various Scottish prisons. Recently she contributed to both ITV and Channel 4 documentaries on the subject of morbid obesity. Doctor Williams specialises in trauma. If you want to raise your self-awareness and understand your own psychological story, then this is the podcast for you. Find out more at www.drlaurawilliams.com.

  1. Apr 8

    Episode 50: The Parent Trap: Five Ways We Get Stuck

    The Parent Trap: Five Ways We Get Stuck Know Your Own Psychology Podcast | Dr Laura Williams Parenting is one of the hardest — and most meaningful — roles we’ll ever take on. And yet, there’s no manual. In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr Laura Williams explores five common parenting traps that many of us fall into, often without even realising it, and how we can gently step out of them. Whether you’re parenting toddlers, teenagers, or somewhere in between, this episode offers compassion, insight, and practical psychological guidance to help you navigate the challenges of raising children. Because parenting isn’t about getting it right all the time. It's about staying thoughtful, curious, and connected. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why we sometimes expect too much maturity from our children • How self-blame can keep us stuck as parents • The hidden dangers of comparing your parenting to others • Finding the balance between over-controlling and under-controlling • Why trying to be your child’s best friend can create challenges The Five Parent Traps Discussed: 1. Expecting too much maturity 2. Blaming ourselves 3. Comparing our parenting 4. Over-controlling or under-controlling 5. Trying to be your child’s best friend This episode is for you if: • You’re finding parenting harder than you expected • You’re navigating toddlers, teenagers, or blended families • You sometimes worry you’re getting parenting “wrong” • You want a more compassionate, psychologically informed approach to parenting Parenting is relational, evolving, and deeply human. And if you’re worrying about whether you’re getting it right you’re already a thoughtful parent. About Dr Laura Williams Dr Laura Williams is a clinical psychologist, speaker, and bestselling author of What to Do When You Feel Broken. Through her podcast, she shares compassionate psychological insights to help you better understand yourself, your relationships, and your emotional world. Connect with Dr Laura Instagram: @drlaurawilliams Website: www.drlaurawilliams.com Email: hello@drlaurawilliams.com If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share with someone who might find it helpful.

  2. Mar 18

    Episode 49. Can AI Replace Therapy? A Psychologists Perspective

    Can AI Replace Therapy? A Psychologist's Perspective Know Your Own Psychology Podcast – Episode 49    Can AI replace therapy? It’s a question more people are asking as tools like ChatGPT become part of everyday life. Some are even turning to AI for emotional support, guidance, and self-reflection. But is that safe—or effective? In this episode, clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr Laura explores the reality behind AI and mental health. She shares a balanced, honest perspective on where AI can be helpful—and where it can be deeply limited. If you’ve ever wondered whether AI could replace therapy, or how to use it safely to support your mental wellbeing, this episode will give you clarity, reassurance, and practical guidance.   In This Episode, You’ll Learn:   • Why AI cannot replace therapy—and the risks of relying on it for emotional support  • The importance of the human therapeutic relationship in healing and change  • The limitations of AI in clinical judgement, empathy, and crisis management   • How AI may reinforce negative thinking patterns (especially in depression)  • Real insights from people using AI for reflection and self-understanding  • Safe, practical ways to use AI as a psychological support tool    How AI Can Support Your Mental Health:    When used thoughtfully, AI can be a helpful companion for:  • Untangling overwhelming thoughts   • Guided journaling and reflection   • Learning psychological concepts (like attachment, boundaries, and cognitive distortions)  • Generating reflective questions to deepen self-awareness  • Between-session support alongside therapy   Important Reminder    AI is not therapy. It cannot replace the depth, nuance, and relational healing that comes from working with a trained professional. If you are struggling with your mental health—especially in crisis—please seek support from a GP, therapist, or someone you trust.   Free Resource: Psychologist’s Guide to Using AI Safely  If you’d like practical, therapist-informed guidance on using AI in a way that supports (not harms) your mental health, download your free guide: 👉 www. drlaurawilliams.com/ai

  3. Mar 12

    Episode 48: Are You For Real? The Power of Authenticity

    Why does being authentic sometimes feel so uncomfortable? In this episode, I’m exploring what it really means to be genuine with ourselves and with other people. Many of us move through the world performing versions of ourselves that feel safer, more acceptable, or less likely to be judged. But over time, that disconnection from who we really are can leave us feeling exhausted, anxious, or strangely dissatisfied. Authenticity isn’t about saying whatever we want or rejecting social norms. It’s about developing enough self-awareness to notice when we’re drifting away from our values, our feelings, and our true voice. In this episode I talk about:  • Why we sometimes hide parts of ourselves  • The psychological cost of people-pleasing and performing  • How self-awareness helps us reconnect with who we really are  • Why authenticity often feels risky at first  • A simple reflective exercise to help you reconnect with your genuine self As a clinical psychologist, I see every day how powerful it can be when people begin to show up more honestly in their own lives. When we stop performing and start relating more truthfully—to ourselves and others—we create the conditions for deeper connection, greater clarity, and a more grounded sense of self. At the end of the episode, I share a short exercise you can try today to gently explore where you might be editing yourself—and how you might begin to show up more authentically. If this episode resonates with you, you might also enjoy my book What to Do When You Feel Broken, where I explore many of these themes around self-awareness, healing, and rebuilding after difficult experiences. You can purchase it on Amazon and it has recently been translated into Polish.  I’m holding you in mind as you listen. Dr Laura

  4. Feb 25

    Episode 47. Trauma: Myths, Misconceptions and the Truth About Healing

    Trauma: Myths, Misconceptions and the Truth About Healing  In this episode of Know Your Own Psychology, I’m breaking down common myths about trauma therapy and explaining what responsible, ethical trauma treatment actually looks like. As a clinical psychologist and trauma specialist, I see how much misinformation exists online — from promises of rapid trauma healing to the idea that everyone is ready to process traumatic memories immediately. The reality is more nuanced. In this episode, I cover:  • What trauma is — and what it isn’t  • Why not everyone is ready for trauma processing  • The importance of stabilisation and emotional regulation before starting trauma work  • The structured stages of trauma therapy: safety, processing, and integration  • How to spot exploitative “quick fix” trauma marketing  • Why trauma therapy does not erase memories — but can reduce emotional intensity I also share a personal reflection on grief and traumatic loss, and why time can sometimes play an important role in healing. If you’re considering trauma therapy, this episode will help you think carefully about readiness, safety, and realistic expectations — and offers five key questions to ask yourself before beginning trauma work. Trauma healing is not a race. Stabilisation is not failure. And sometimes the bravest work is learning how to stay steady in the present. If you found this helpful, please share the episode — and if my book, What to Do When You Feel Broken, has supported you, I’d be so grateful for an Amazon review to help it reach others who may need it. You can do so at the following link.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=B0DJTHM9YF

  5. Feb 11

    Episode 46. No Contact - No Problem? The Complexity of Family Estrangement

    Family estrangement is often talked about online as a simple, binary choice — stay or go, cut contact or don’t. But in real life, it’s rarely that straightforward. In this episode, Dr Laura explores the psychological complexity of family estrangement, moving beyond polarised debates to consider what no contact actually means, the different forms it can take, and how people can make decisions that prioritise emotional and psychological safety. This episode looks at:  • Why “no contact” language often misses important nuance  • Alternatives such as low contact, structured contact, and time-limited distance  • What to consider before changing family contact  • The emotional aftermath of estrangement, including grief, doubt, and relief  • Why there is no morally superior choice — only what’s right for you Whether you’re considering changing family contact, living with estrangement, or trying to understand someone else’s decision, this episode offers a compassionate, grounded perspective.

  6. Feb 4

    Episode 45: Starting Before You're Ready with Jon Prince

    Know Your Own Psychology

  7. Jan 28

    Episode 44. When the World Feels Unsafe: Making Sense of Collective Trauma and Psychological Safety

    In this timely episode, Dr Laura explores the psychological impact of the events unfolding in Minneapolis and why people across the world may be feeling destabilised, overwhelmed, or emotionally reactive. Drawing on the concept of collective trauma, she explains how repeated exposure to threat erodes psychological safety, how this shows up in our nervous systems, and what actually helps in times of global unrest. This episode offers validation, clarity, and gentle guidance on caring for yourself while remaining compassionate and engaged.   Buy my book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-When-Feel-Broken-Relationships/dp/183782262X/ Follow me on... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorlaurawilliams/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlawilliams/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doctorlaurawilliams   Take my FREE Quiz 'How Well Do You Know Your Own Psychology' https://drlauraquiz.scoreapp.com

  8. Jan 21

    Episode 43. Burnout: Is Your Nervous System Overloaded? A Session with Dr Claire Plumbly

    In this episode, I’m joined by fellow clinical psychologist Dr Claire Plumley to talk about burnout — what it really is, how it shows up, and why so many of us miss the early warning signs. Claire is the bestselling author of Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You and the founder of Plum Psychology. Together, we explore how chronic stress affects the nervous system, how to recognise when “busy” is tipping into burnout, and practical ways to protect your wellbeing before things reach crisis point. If you’ve been feeling constantly switched on, exhausted, or emotionally stretched, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and grounded psychological insight.

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5
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About

Join Dr Laura Williams, Clinical Psychologist, on a journey to know you own psychology better, influence all the areas of your life and achieve more meaning, freedom and purpose. Doctor Williams has over over 17 years experience working within applied psychology. After losing her husband suddenly in 2018, she embarked on a new way of living and working. Today she is a private therapist, digital course creator, mum to 5 and a bestselling author. Doctor Williams has previously worked in specialist services in the NHS and in various Scottish prisons. Recently she contributed to both ITV and Channel 4 documentaries on the subject of morbid obesity. Doctor Williams specialises in trauma. If you want to raise your self-awareness and understand your own psychological story, then this is the podcast for you. Find out more at www.drlaurawilliams.com.

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