TVpsychologist

Jan, Feb, March 2019

2019-06-14T04:04:00.005-07:00

Hello...

I've decided to review these newsletters and keep them quarterly from now on. Partly because I am so busy, that in my usual haphazard style - especially under pressure - I forget to make a note of what I actually have been working on in recent times. But mainly, because my work is evolving and a great deal of it these days is both clients, many of them celebrity, and working behind the TV scenes on psych assessment, evaluation, participant support and aftercare - both of which are always confidential, at least the former always is - the latter's cat can come out of the proverbial bag, once a show has been broadcast!

So, in the first three months of this year - which seems a while ago now, as I'm writing this in June, though the grey weather seems sadly appropriate, life was more busy than ever with clients. January is the big month, for both couples and singles. Couples, who may have a had a difficult Christmas, where their relationship was under pressure and want some help getting back on track, and singles who resolve to never spend another Christmas alone...

January is also a time for 'New Year, New You' and so I wrote, broadcast and commented for a number of features on that - including the Daily Mail, Radio 5 Live and Channel 5's Big Fat Lies about Diet and Fitness.

Radio is always a big part of what I do, thank goodness - as I really enjoy the variety of things that I have to talk about, usually triggered by news events, research or studies. And those subjects ranged from talking on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour about whether you should ever reconnect with an ex (no, probably not...) to Talk Radio on whether women over 50 are too old to find love (no, definitely not!) and many, many more.

I wrote a few features for The Sun, ranging from why Wes and Megan from last year's Love Island broke up; sadfishing, which is how we use sadness to comments and shares on social media, why we maybe having multiple relationships with sex dolls in years to come (!), why being competitive with your partner can improve your sex life and endless speculation on the state of Victoria and David Beckham's marriage.

I also wrote for Hello on the psychology of trolls, the Daily Mail on how to keep a good relationship with your ex, the significance oh how many 'xxx's' we put at the end of texts, why celebs stay friends with their exes and why women lie more than men, but are also better at it; Marie Claire on losing the art of phone communication and the Daily Telegraph on the penalty that women pay for not returning to work after their children are born.

There was also a lot of focus on the (then) heavily pregnant Duchess of Sussex and her relationship with her father moving forward, so as well as writing for a number of magazines including Closer and New!, I also appeared on Channel 5's Meghan and the Markles, Sky News and Yahoo's Royal Box.

March saw me really busy for the saddest of reasons. After Mike Thalassitis, who appeared on Love Island, tragically took his own life, there was a great deal of focus on the role of Duty of Care for TV contestants. For those who know me, have worked with me, or follow me on Twitter, you'll know just how passionately I feel about TV companies and their responsibility to the welfare of their participants. So, I was happy to work with the BPS as a spokesperson as well as respond to as many of the requests to discuss the situation and what could/should be done moving forward as I could. As well as Radio 1, 4 and 5, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Sun, Grazia, Glamour, the Radio Times and others, the issue was picked up globally and I found myself explaining how a better aftercare system could be implemented for RTE in Ireland, CBC Radio in Canada and ABC in Australia.

Until next time, much love

Jo
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November and December 2018

2018-12-30T02:59:00.001-08:00

Hello lovelies

Hope you all had a great Christmas and looking forward to a very Happy New Year!

I'm shortly to fly off to the sun for a few days (sorry, for those stuck in the UK!) before work kicks in properly in January. For fellow SAD sufferers - and anyone who doesn't appreciate winter much - just seeing a bit of blue sky and feeling a little warmth from the sun, rather than the central heating, is the best tonic.

November and December were busier work wise than I expected. Especially December - as properly up against it psych assessing 40+ contestants for a new BBC dating series. More of that later in the year, as under wraps for now... I've also been working on a few campaigns for New Year resolutions, one of which involved filming in my house, which also meant removing and replacing every carefully placed Christmas decoration as it had to look like January and squeezing nine people in my not very big living room.

As well as working behind the scenes on a few shows, including the heartwarming This Is My Song, which was broadcast in December on BBC - still on iPlayer if you fancy a catch up - I was also on Sky News, discussing Theresa May's body language and how it has changed through this long and drawn out Brexit process. I'd love to have done more TV, but with short notice requests, my behind the scenes TV work had to come first.

Radio is always much easier, as at least I can do it from my office, so it was good to have my weekly slots on Talk Radio, Love Sport Radio, LBC and BBC Radio London amongst others is always fun. There was also a lot of chat about the romance or showmance status of Jack and Danni from Love Island, so that was discussed on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 5 Live.

There were a few Christmassy features of course, including how to deal with mess during the festive season without getting too frustrated about it for The Mirror and how to deal with 'Hangxiety' for The Sun.

Other newspaper features included why women follow relationship patterns set by our mothers for The Times and a whole raft of articles for Metro including the psychology of why we get a bit frisky in the cinema, women shaving a few years off their age on dating apps and sperm donors.

Magazine work included writing for Elle on the friendship chemistry between women; Marie Claire on how our senses trigger attraction; Stylist on how creative writing and journalling can be positive for our well-being; Grazia on what we should ask ourselves before continuing to date someone we're not sure of and Fabulous on our reactions to those idiot guys that think it's funny to send over unsolicited extreme dick pics...

My celebrity musings included writing about Tess Daly's tenacity in keeping her marriage together for the children for Best, Cheryl Cole/Tweedy/whatever she's called now, several times for Closer magazine and of course, as in virtually every month, at least three contributions on Katie Price for Closer and New!

I'll sign off now as time to search out a few summer clothes from the back of the wardrobe, so I'll just wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Love

Jo
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September and October 2018

2018-12-17T09:40:00.001-08:00

Hello....

Am writing this ridiculously late, simply due to work pressure, so it seems quite a while ago that we were basking in that Indian Summer!

I'm going to keep this brief, because although it's nearly Christmas (yes that late, as my subscribers will know!) what is traditionally a quiet month, seems to have become anything but. And I promise not to mention Brexit once.

So, as usual I was on Good Morning Britain and Sky News as well as BBC News but it's radio where life seems to have really taken off. Currently averaging around 5 radio interviews a week, ranging from BBC Radio Five Live and BBC Radio London, I now seem to be on speed dial on BBC Radio Scotland and Wales as well as Talk Radio and Love Sport Radio. With little inside knowledge of what they want to talk about - and sometimes with a only a few minutes before I go on air, it certainly sharpens the mind ;-)

And with reality TV season at its peak, I wrote and broadcast a lot about shows from the 'Strictly Curse' to the psychological ramifications of Roxanne Pallett's lies on Big Brother for The Victoria Derbyshire Show.

Writing work included contributing to features for The Sun on Victoria Beckham's marriage problems (all seems to have gone very quiet now); Sean(n) Walsh's cheating and why women are attracted to their bodyguards; The Guardian on the cost of dating; The Daily Mail on 'the perfectionist trap' that women seem to fall so easily into; The Daily Mirror on how to spot a liar, the Beckhams (again); The Independent on top tips for your dating profile; The Daily Telegraph on working with your spouse in business and The Daily Express on what makes Boris Johnson so attractive to women - though not my cup of tea, I must admit...

Magazine wise, I wrote a few features for New! magazine this month, as well as Closer, the Huff Post, Grazia and Star on a variety of topics from Kirstie Allsop smashing up her kids iPads. to Cheryl (whatever she may be called now); Lauren Goodger and of course, as readers of this blog will know, it's never complete without writing something about Katie Price and she has a lot going on in her life right now.

Finally, I was very pleased to be involved, once again in Macmillan Cancer's Go Sober for October again. I joined in this year - and like so many it's fine and virtuous for a week or so, and then you find yourself seriously looking forward to a glass of wine. Weak-willed, I caved on on week three. Must try harder next year!

Have a lovely Christmas and I'll post my next newsletter, before the New Year.

Jo
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July and August 2018

2018-09-24T10:39:00.001-07:00

Hello lovelies

I'm writing this while the weather is seriously cooling down, after an amazing summer - and we're now ready (if not necessarily willing) to go into Autumn. And I am taking a last gasp, very late summer holiday to my beloved Fethiye in SW Turkey, which is usually a cue for work to get busy. And while I have my always have my laptop with me, there are certain things, like TV appearances, that are just not possible from a sun lounger sadly...

While July and August are generally quieter months for work, the 'show' goes on and I still managed a few TV appearances, including Sky News, Good Morning Britain and one of the last episodes of The Wright Stuff, now (rightly) renamed and taken over by Jeremy Vine.

One of the things I am really focusing on at the moment is my TV psych assessment and Duty of Care Work. I am the Consultant Psychologist on Good Morning Britain and work behind the scenes on a lot of other TV shows, including the BBC's Back in Time for the Factory, which is being broadcast as I write (Sept) and was a joy to work on. In my next newsletter, I'll reflect on what happened during Celebrity Big Brother and why I felt compelled to speak out about the importance of psych assessments, duty of care and contestant support.

But even before that happened, there has been a lot of focus on the responsibility of production companies to their participants and I talked about this at length on BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat. I also contributed to the psychological welfare of participants on Loose Women and ITV News.

Writing wise, these past few weeks have been the usual unpredictable mixture of topical/celebrity news. There's been a lot of speculation on Caroline Flack and Andrew Brady's on/off/on again relationship - and I have been asked to comment on this for New!, Star and Reveal magazines amongst others.

With summer being peak Love Island time, there has also been a lot of questions and contributions about dating and relationships. Not just the relationships within Love Island (though thank you Daily Mirror for letting me go on about these endlessly) but also Grazia on the point at which you should delete your dating apps when in a relationship as well as moving in together in your 30's; BBC Radio 5 Live on dating as a single mum; BBC News on why dating apps might be bad for your mental health and OK Magazine on what's going on in David and Victoria Beckham's relationship.

I've also written pretty regularly for the Daily Mail, most recently on a study which reported that middle aged women were more miserable than ever before as well as another study which reported how the middle aged were lonelier than ever before. Not the cheeriest of topics...

On a more frivolous note, I've also written my regular celebrity musings for New!; for The Sun on why sibling squabbling is sometimes good for you; Fabulous magazine on why men fantasize about their wive's sisters (thanks Kanye!); The Daily Telegraph on what we can teach our daughters about the true essence of beauty; Cosmopolitan on why we're obsessed with TV thrillers (and there are some great ones about as we head into Autumn) - and Metro on why we also love watching gross and shocking TV.

Also a LOT of radio. For those who listen to BBC Radio London, BBC Radio 5 Live, Talk Radio or LoveSport Radio - you're probably very bored listening to me pontificating on any subject from Trump to revenge. But a big shout out to Eddie Nestor on BBC Radio London drive time show - one of the nicest men ever and always a pleasure to talk to!

I'll wrap it up there and wish you all a lovely September - I'll see you next month. Meanwhile for more of my musings, you'll find me @TVPsychologist on Twitter.

With love

Jo
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May and June 2018

2018-08-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

Hello lovelies

Hope you've been having a good summer - I am very late in writing this (apologies to those who subscribe, no one else will notice!) just because when I haven't been working, I've been trying to spend as much time in my garden as possible. As an SAD sufferer, I need to make the most of the sunlight as fellow SAD'ers will know.

TV wise, I've been on Good Morning Britain (lovely new studios in White City, but that bit further away from me, so an even earlier start) and Sky News. And a lot of working behind the scenes as a Duty of Care/Assessment psychologist on some really great new shows, but as ever, confidentiality agreements mean I can't say much about those yet.

I've written for Harper's Bazaar on the psychology of why we adore royal weddings so much - and The Sun on Meghan Markle's family and the effect on her, a topic that shows NO sign of going away any time soon; Reveal on the body language of Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik; Closer on Katie Price (yay, no month would be complete without that) and Khloe Kardashian for New! magazine.

And of course a lot of work on Love Island. Which is off the Richter Scale in terms of reality TV. And much as I enjoyed it, my heart will always be with Big Brother. For me, Love Island lacks diversity, but it's a huge success and didn't stop me writing/broadcasting about it endlessly.

I've written a lot for the papers the last few weeks. Daily Mail on loneliness; Daily Telegraph on why women enjoy crime novels so much and The Guardian on the ridiculous, feminist parody that Germaine Greer has become. That particular feature was a result of posting a critical tweet about her ramblings, which then tends to get picked up by the media. My mistake there was ranting on holiday, with only an iPad to research on, which made it especially difficult. So, although my next holiday seems a long way away, I've invested in a Mac Notebook, so I don't have to feel that compromised again ;-).

But of everything I do, I am hugely grateful to the radio stations that call me very week (sometimes doing six or seven interviews each week) as I love being on the radio - and yes, may well have a face for it...

So thank you to LBC, Talk Radio, Love Sport Radio, BBC Radio London, Radio 5 Live and all those local BBC stations that call me with increasing frequency to ask for my ramblings on just about any topic that I can't anticipate and often have no time to prep for - I'll always help out when I can and you make my week.

Keep in touch on Twitter @TVPsychologist and until the next time

Much love

Jo
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March and April 2018

2018-05-16T08:18:00.003-07:00

Hi lovelies

Hope you're all well and enjoying the sunshine. Long may it last!

I've had a busy couple of months and was also lucky enough to manage a few days (OK a bit more than that) in my beloved Fethiye, in SW Turkey.

Writing wise, I have written for most of the nationals these past couple of months. A lot of work seems to be generated by my morning tweets, which are becoming a digest of ideas for people to invite me onto radio, TV and print to comment further. I now seem to be thinking in soundbites - when I am supposed to be writing another book. But on what?? If you have any ideas, please send them on!

I've written for the Daily Mail on how having a messy house can adversely affect your love life; whether contraceptive implants should be given to 12 year old girls routinely (er, no) and how over-parenting your child can be as damaging as not paying enough attention to their needs. Features for Fabulous magazine on what happens when you start hating your partner; an open letter to Sam Faiers on why sleeping apart from your partner is not a good idea and how having a third child is likely to affect Kate and Will's family dynamic. I also wrote about the problems of a long distance relationship, vis a vis Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan for the Daily Star. I wrote a long piece on body language (hurrah, love that) on the Stormy Daniels defense of her situation with Trump for the London Standard and an article on why younger people have more anxieties about their future than their parents. Writing about tourist stereotypes for the Daily Telegraph and whether we should talk about exes on a first date for The Independent completes a busy few weeks on the national papers.

Magazine wise, I am still writing regularly for New! and Reveal and in the past few weeks I have written about everything from men undermining women to Liam Payne's relationship with Cheryl - these are not connected ;-) Also something for Glamour on why we change our appearance after a break up. And Saga magazine on when you know whether you're ready to date again.

I'm still doing my regular psych assessment work for reality TV - there are some great shows coming your way - and my psych consultancy for Good Morning Britain.

I seem to be doing more radio than ever - which I love - maybe four or five interviews a week at the moment. As well as Talk Radio, You and Yours and Radio Five Live I am now a weekly contributor to Kevin O'Sullivan's TalkSport Radio show. For those of you who know me/follow my Twitter ramblings, you'll also know that I have pretty much zero interest in sport, apart from the major events, so I am pleased to say that my contribution is psychological insight into newsy topics and nothing sport related! Though I have also just filmed a contribution for a new Channel 4 documentary called Fanatical. Starring Dapper Laughs (not nearly such a **** as you might think, in fact a pretty decent guy) it's about whether you're less of a man if you don't like football. Obviously not, in my view...

And finally, I am thrilled to be launching a new and unique style retreat in my beloved Fethiye at the end of October. It's a Yoga and Relationship Retreat, with me doing the relationship coaching and my agent Liz (who is also a fully qualified yoga teacher) doing the yoga bit. So singles and couples, if you fancy a few gorgeous days away with some coaching and some yoga in the most beautiful spot in the world check out our new website. Replenish Retreats. www.replenishretreats.co.uk Prices are really competitive - with an even better early bird offer if you book before 30 June.

See y'all next month.

Much love

Jo
xx

Jan and Feb 2018

2018-04-20T11:58:00.002-07:00

Hello lovelies

I am so late writing this - thanks to being busy - that we have gone from a bitter cold and properly looong winter to a sudden heatwave, so I am now struggling to remember those early months of this year. But I'll do my best to have a bit of a catch up...

I am always curious looking back on the same time last year and seeing how my job evolves. It's not necessarily always me choosing to take my work in another direction, more that I simply respond to it happening. Though in this case, I am trying - and doing OK - to pursue more of a TV career behind the scenes, rather than simply being on it. It seems more of a challenge while also being less unpredictable - my TV appearances are often news reactive, so it's either a call late on evening for the following morning or a call at lunchtime to go on in the evening. And just sometimes it's so near the wire, that the call to appear only just works in terms of getting to a TV studio in time! And for those who follow me on Twitter and read my meanderings, you'll know how much I HATE winter (and a SAD sufferer) so very unlikely to be camera ready or willing at a moment's notice ;-)

So, I've done a fair bit of TV recently including C5 News, Sky News and Good Morning Britain, but also a lot more psych assessments for reality TV, which I love.

I am also very happy on the radio (and very possibly have a face for it!) so have pretty regular slots on Talk Radio, BBC Radio London, Radio 5 Live and Heart Radio - talking everything from dating (always a winner in Jan/Feb!) to Trump's mental state (not good...), phone hacking, bearing grudges and micro cheating. I love that news radio, which can't rely on music, just current affairs/topical subjects is really flourishing right now. It attracts some really high profile presenters like Eamonn Holmes and makes my job that much more interesting.

But in spite of that, I am still writing a lot of psych observations of celebrities for magazines and newspapers, so I need to keep a handle on what's going on in la-la land. I've written about Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan - becoming regulars now - for Reveal and also about Scarlett Moffatt, Cheryl and Liam (another constant topic of speculation and interest) for them, as well as my regular musings for New! which in the past few weeks have included Lauren Goodger promoting supplements to lose weight, Coleen Nolan's marriage issues, the problems that Ant McPartlin is currently going through and numerous comments on Kim Kardashian and how she and Kanye are airbrushing their new baby out of their celebrity life. In fact this maybe the first time I haven't written about Katie Price in the 10+ years I have been doing this job!

I've written a lot for The Sun recently, an open letter to Cheryl and Liam and how a tidy bedroom is good for your sex life. It's not everyone's paper of choice I know, but for some curious reason the red tops always pay better than the broadsheets. In fact some broadsheets pay nothing at all, apparently I am supposed to work for the 'honour' of writing for them... Hmmm.

I've also written for the Daily Express on how to spot a cheater and why the French don't embrace the #MeToo movement, as well as the Daily Mail on playing hard to get as a dating strategy - not necessarily a good thing these days and the Guardian on how it's more likely that we find it easier to end a relationship with a person than a bank.

Other than that and a few comments for Elle and Style, it's always a busy time for coaching - both singles and couples seem to struggle in the early part of the year. But given that we're now some way through the year and I resolve to write my blogs on time, next time around, I wish you a (very) belated Happy New Year!

Much love

Jo
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November and December 2017

2018-01-21T11:20:00.003-08:00

Hello...

I find myself writing this mid way through Jan, partly because it all gets a bit quiet in the media and counselling during the last couple of moths of the year, and partly because January is just the opposite!

So, I'll keep this post brief and make up for it with a bumper newsletter next month...

TV wise, there were a couple of appearances including Good Morning Britain, Sky News and C5 News - but there was a lot going on radio wise. I seem to have become a bit of a regular on Talk Radio - chatting everything from women who fear police reaction to reporting sexual harassment and mood food to Christmas feuds and seasonal changes in sex. I was also on BBC Radio London a number of times, discussing influential people, choosing to live alone, should children go to nursery and whether some murderers are actually born evil.

Writing wise, there was a lot going on reporting on I'm a Celebrity - as the Daily Mirror's 'top jungle doc' (!) I was forever being asked my views, for a number of papers and magazines, even though it seems a while ago now and very much replaced at the moment by Celebrity Big Brother.

I also wrote about why we cry on planes for the Daily Telegraph, the lovely Davina McCall's divorce for New magazine, Harry and Meghan's body language for Reveal, the rise of sex robots and the problems that Disney stars have growing up for the Daily Star and tips for restricting children's screen time for The Sun.

I was really pleased to join in a debate on Radio 5 Live on reality TV Duty of Care - those that follow me on Twitter will know this is something I am both passionate about and love doing behind the TV scenes. Like coaching and counselling, it is all kept highly confidential, so much as I enjoy tweeting, I can never say anything about that side of my job!

Anyway, I said I'd keep it brief, so I'll sign off now and wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Jo
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September/October 2017

2017-12-01T06:54:00.000-08:00

Hello....

I guess it must be a good thing that it's taken me until the end of November to write about my September/October activities - it's been that busy - but it is now freezing and Christmas is just around the corner, so feel exhausted just time travelling ;-)

It's odd how sometimes one part of my work seems to simply eclipse all the others and in the last few weeks, that must have been TV. As in on screen rather than behind the scenes. I seemed to spend most of time in cars travelling backs and forwards from ITV, Sky and Channel 5. I'm always amazed that I rarely get asked to do the same thing twice, given that most of my work is news based.

As the consultant psychologist on Good Morning Britain, a week rarely goes past when I am not asked to advise on whether someone considered vulnerable should be able to go on TV or not. Often their concerns are not about being on TV - or the social media flak that they might get from being on there - but just a fear of being interviewed by Piers Morgan! I was on GMB a few times over the past few weeks, generally managing to avoid Piers (not deliberately obvs) by appearing on a Thursday or Friday morning... I was also on This Morning taking calls for a phone in on dating, which is always a popular topic and way too many calls to get through sadly. In other TV work I was on Channel 5 News discussing the curse of Strictly and sexual harassment in dating - a major topic at the moment, so much so, I was on twice in one week - chatting to the lovely Matt Barbet. Also a few stints on Sky News - including talking about the science of attraction and how to be a morning person. Not that easy at 6 am...

A lot of writing these past couple of months too, much of it for the Daily Mail - and yes I know there are mixed opinions about that paper, but in my view it tackles women's issues pretty well. I wrote two features loosely based around themes from the hugely popular Dr Foster, one on the appeal of 'hate sex' and the other on when a man's mistress can have more integrity than his wife. Though realise that sounds terrible when written like that - I am not condoning infidelity in any way! I also wrote for the Mail on vibrant women over 70 who are still enjoying a great sex life.

Other features included the Daily Telegraph on why it's OK to be OK when your children leave home, the value in keeping an honestyjournal and aisle versus window seat people on a plane. A diverse selection of subjects. I am also slightly obsessed with the future that robots might play in our relationships - an increasingly controversial subject as the fantasy becomes a closer reality - so I was pleased to write for the Daily Star on that.

My regular celebrity psychologist musings for New! included writing about Gemma Collins - and of course, inevitably about Katie Price. I also contributed to Metro on why women like to be dominated in bed and a piece about anxiety; for Prima on dating as a single parent; for Stylist on how certain scents trigger memories of past relationships; the Sunday Times Style magazine on the pleasures of TV comfort watching and for Look on what happens when you 'accidentally' snog someone at a party or you find out that your partner has!

As my regular newsletter readers will know, I love being on the radio, so was delighted to contribute as an expert on a few stations including LBC, Talk Radio, BBC Radio London and Radio 5 Live as well as contributing to my lovely friend Geoff Lloyd's new podcast.

So a lively month - hope you're all well. As ever, you can find me tweeting on @TVPsychologist.

Love

Jo
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July/August 2017

2017-09-12T10:11:00.001-07:00

Hello

Here I am in early September, not much liking the way the evenings are slipping away fast but have to make the most of what little 'summer' is left.

Catching up on this newsletter helps as I have to remind myself that although the past couple of months see media pretty much shut down - so not much TV as all my producers go away - there has been plenty of writing and radio to keep me busy.

I did manage a quick visit to Channel 5 News to talk about what makes a man handsome. It was pretty much a bit of PR fluff for a cosmetic surgeon, but fun nonetheless, especially when I had to test the very handsome presenter, Matt Barbet, on this so-called 'Greek Golden Ratio of Beauty'. He did rather well... And of course as Good Morning Britain's Consultant Psychologist, there were a few sofa chats on very early mornings. That is not going to be so much fun, when it's not only dark when I leave, but also dark when I get home - in full make up!

I wrote a LOT about relationships during the past few weeks - there seems to be no end to the thirst for relationship/dating info. Clients included the Daily Mail, Glamour, Daily Telegraph, The Sun, Daily Express, Metro, Reveal, Grazia, Yahoo and The Times. I left (virtually) no stone unturned...

But of course, some of the most interesting work is the unexpected and the quirky. Some of the oddities - that I love - included writing for Glamour on why we enjoy watching TV shows involving murderers, BBC News on the rise of the reality TV celebrity, Trump's behaviour for The Daily Mirror, The Sunday Express on millennials bringing dogs into the workplace and female politicians wearing make up as 'war paint' for The Daily Telegraph.

And I am always thankful to my regular work - New magazine, keep on doing what you're doing celebrities and both local and national radio. You may wake me up in the morning with the most strange topics for discussion, but it beats an alarm call any day!

One of the highlights of the past few weeks was presenting the winning Overall Cat at the National Cat Awards. Those who follow me on Twitter will know that I am crazy about cats - different from being a Crazy Cat Lady obvs - and it's such a lovely day. It's held in the gorgeous Savoy Hotel for a start, but what is really touching is the difference cats make to their owners' lives, especially those who are poorly or suffering in some way. Choosing one cat/owner out of the five shortlisted was a tough choice. But Cat's Protection does such extraordinary work, I am always happy to support them. Roll on next year!

Meanwhile, I am keeping this brief as my own darling Louis is not well today. So I am going back to being Florence Nightingale and will look forward to catching up with you next month...

Jo
xx

May/June 2017

2017-07-04T03:51:00.002-07:00

Hello...

OK, so where is the summer going? I can hardly believe we're now in July. It's certainly been a turbulent couple of months, with some distressing events, which has certainly influenced my TV work.

Having lived in London all my life, and grown up not far from Grenfell Tower, I can't think of much that affected me quite as much as that terrible, tragic fire. I had to visit the area that week for both ITV News and Sky News, to talk about how families and friends will begin to cope with their loss and how those extraordinarily brave firefighters can process and deal with what happened to them. As a psychologist used to talking about coping mechanisms for grief and PTSD, I still felt incredibly moved and saddened by what I saw. A week later I was behind the scenes on Good Morning Britain talking to some of the survivors and those who had family and friends in the tower, who were appearing on the show - I hope I gave them some reassurance that while they can never forget, they will feel better in time. Life takes on a 'new normal'. I also have to say that in terms of Duty of Care, ITV are really one of the best channels around. And I was back on again the next morning (which was exhausting, but in the scheme of things I am not complaining) to talk a little more about coping mechanisms and grief.

But of course, there is always lighter news and people welcome it in difficult times, so I was pleased to have a busy couple of months with my usual sort of psychology-lite ;-). Other TV appearances, included Sky News, discussing a 'Reading Room' experiment I conducted to find the formula for the perfect summer read; Good Morning Britain to chat about Corbyn and May's body language in the run up to the election and The One Show talking about the rise in manspreading - y'know that thing men do, when they sit on trains with their legs flopped out to take up as much space as possible. Territorial behaviour, that's all...

I've been writing a lot about celebs as ever, including my weekly meanderings for New magazine and also for Reveal. It's the usual suspects, why is Katie Price (of course - no month is ever complete without writing about her) flirting with other men, is Louise Redknapp's latest career threatening her marriage, is Cheryl Cole overprotective of her new baby and will Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan's relationship manage to survive so much time apart? I've also written for Grazia on the things we hide in a new relationship and whether younger men dating an older woman can work (yes!) for Reveal. I've written for Marie Claire on the paradox of choice when we have too many clothes in our wardrobe as well as what love addiction really means. I also contributed to a fascinating feature for Cosmopolitan on just how many women are now keen to get pregnant online - though not literally of course... And again for Cosmo on the what the new female buzzcut really represents.

And the newspapers have also been busy trying to fill their pages with some more cheerful, lighter news so I have written about a new Slow Dating app (complete waste of time!) for The Times, on my perfect summer book formula for The Sun, The Express and The Mail as well as first-holiday-as-a-couple do's and dont's for The Mirror and how women in politics use make up to give them a 'game face' when things get tough. I also wrote a piece for The Sun's Fabulous magazine on what makes Tom Hardy the perfect boyfriend (hello!!). That's pretty much all newspaper bases covered then...

There's also been a lot of 'dating' around - a big flurry of new clients (must be the warm weather) and also Blind Date coming back, so have been talking a fair bit on the radio - including the new (vile, who would??) break up app for LBC - and writing for the iPaper on TV dating shows in general. So what with all my clients, a few really interesting PR jobs and a couple of very exciting TV series in the pipeline, I am looking forward to a few days break in my beloved Fethiye later this month.

So, I wish you a peaceful and wonderful couple of months - and if we don't chat on Twitter @TVPsychologist - and I'll see you again in August!

Love

Jo
xx

March and April

2017-04-30T10:54:00.003-07:00

Hello lovelies

The end of April finds me packing for a holiday to my beloved Fethiye in SW Turkey for a week or so. Troubled times in that part of the world, but I have many friends out there and it's a very beautiful and peaceful place. I hope it stays that way.

So, I'll keep this newsletter short and sweet - as I have to up at crazy o'clock tomorrow. In fact I was asked to go on Good Morning Britain tomorrow, so would have been an early one anyway;-)

I've had a varied couple of months, with a fair bit of TV, including Sky News discussing why online daters don't always choose an ideal partner, Good Morning Britain chatting about fussy eaters, of all ages and C5 News about a survey that revealed that children think their parents are the ones who disrupt family life by using their mobile phones too much!

Radio wise, I've chatted to a lot of local BBC radio stations about all sorts of topics, usually with a moment's notice (!) as well as Talk Radio about grief counselling and 'being nice', BBC Radio London about the 'bystander effect' and LBC about emotional intelligence and how we're not always as kind as we might think we are,

I've written for various publications over the past few weeks including Marie Claire, iPaper, Glamour, Daily Mail as well as a couple of contributions to The Times. And of course my regular celebrity musings for New magazine, including - of course, as ever - a piece on Katie Price...

I've also been involved in a number of really interesting PR campaigns recently. With companies wanting ever more sophisticated and challenging studies conducted, in their quest for press coverage, it means I get to play around with all sorts of technical equipment and psychometric tests, all in the name of psychology and it takes me back to my lab days, which is fun! Though being a creative kind of person (and useless with numbers) the analysis/stats bit if it all, not quite as much fun as the experimental part...

Anyway, I promised short and sweet, so i'll sign off now and see you guys in June. When we'll have had (yet) another General Election!

Much love

Jo
x

Jan and Feb 2017

2017-03-17T09:20:00.002-07:00

Hi lovelies

Very late to writing this blog, but that must be a good thing, workwise, right? Anyway, a Happy and Very Belated New Year to you all!

It's been a really busy time with clients, as ever. There are always a lot of singles who want to find a partner for the new year and vow never to spend another Christmas alone. I'm pleased to say that a few of them are now happily dating so something must be working... Usual client numbers were swelled by a great piece in the Daily Mail's You Magazine in January. A four page feature on dating coaching, much of it about my work, including a section on the coaching session I did for the journalist - so many thanks Laura Silverman! It's also a time when I do a lot of couple counselling - Christmas and New Year takes its toll on many relationships.

TV work has included doing a phone in on This Morning on sexless relationships, C5 News on what Valentine's Day really means these days and various appearances on Sky News, including a piece on dating fraud.

I've also been chatting to Andrew Castle on LBC about getting on with your inlaws, BBC Radio London about how old is too old to be living with your parents (number 2 son, please take note!) and always enjoy my interviews with Julia-Hartley Brewer on Talk Radio - she always makes me laugh, though not sure that's quite the intention ;-)

I am still writing regularly for New! magazine with my celebrity observations, and those under the spotlight in the last few weeks have included Stephanie Davis and Jeremy McConnell - a toxic relationship if ever there was one - David Beckham and Nicola Mclean. And of course Katie Price - as regular readers of my blog will know - there's NEVER a month when I don't write something about Katie P.

It's also good to be contributing more and more to the national press. I've written a couple of times for the Daily Mail on both the rise of you tube vloggers and of Sugar Mummies - separate pieces of course. I've also written for the Daily Telegraph on 'body revenge' - getting fit after a break up - and The Independent on how Trump has all the makings of a malignant narcissist. I am not one to make prescriptive mental health judgements about anyone normally, but feel it's totally fair game with him!!

I've also written for Grazia on the new Hater dating app (let's hope it bites the dust pretty soon) and a couple of pieces for Glamour on Alpha and Beta women and red flags in relationships.

And for those of you who fancy trying out dating coaching, but don't have the time (or money) for one on one coaching, I'm pleased to let you know that I now have an online dating course, which has a few freebies on it and an affordable course you can take. More info on @TheDateAdvisor or dateadvisor.love. And if you get bored with my voice, the videos have been put together and narrated by the lovely Jon Briggs, better known for being the voice of Siri in your iPhone or telling people they are the Weakest Link ;-)

So, in all a busy couple of months, but much of it about dating and relationships - always the way in the New Year.

See you next time...

Much love

Jo
x

October, November and December

2017-01-08T08:56:00.000-08:00

Hello lovelies

As I write this, I realise that it's been a hell of a year. And sadly, most often not for the best reasons. We've had huge political upheaval as well as losing way too many musical and acting icons - with the last week of the year, feeling like an apocalypse in terms of the deaths of so many talented individuals that brought us so much pleasure. Let's all hope that 2017, brings us all a little more joy...

But back to what I've been up to in the last couple of months - it's been a busy time and much of it very reassuring that in spite of 2016's turmoil, we're still interested in the day-to-day psychology of life - whether that takes celebrity or a personal form.

I now seem to have a pretty regular slot on Sky News, most weeks, and usually with the fabulous Kay Burley. I love working with her and the new 'glass box' studio is amazing! The topics that I cover, are always diverse and generally I don't know until the day itself what news topic I'll get asked to cover - or whether I am on - with my psychological hat on. Which makes planning a bit of a nightmare ;-) Recent features include Student Fresher's Week; whether telling 'little white lies' is ever acceptable (it is!); how old is too old to wear jeans/have a tattoo/wear high heels etc; the nature of social media mourning; fake news on Facebook and a recent study of the relationship between male sexism and depression. Diverse indeed...

I also presented the Sex and Relationships show on LBC. I had some brilliant guests, but trust me, presenting a live two hour phone in show, with no music to break it up - and incoming calls, texts and tweets to handle as well as keeping a careful eye on the clock for ad breaks, travel updates and news bulletins which need to be timed to the nearest second is no easy feat. I am so glad I only provide holiday cover - I could never manage it on a weekly basis! I'm much happier being a guest for another presenter - and have talked about the pressures at Christmas and women swearing and drinking as much as men, among other topics in the last few weeks.

I have also been contributing a lot to the Daily Mail in the last couple of months - and whatever your political views on the paper, it has a wide circulation and covers women's topics - in particular - very well. Among a number of topics, I've commented on how our emotions affect our driving, what kind of facial expressions we pull when we're concentrating and how selfies are encouraging the rise in cosmetic surgery.

It's also good to be writing for some of the women's 'glossies' and work over the past few weeks has included fussy eating disorders for Elle and body confidence for Glamour. And as ever, I've been commenting on celebrities weekly for New! and Reveal and while much of it doesn't involve Katie Price, there's rarely a month when I don't comment on her. And while her behaviour is currently a bit 'out there' I've written about her more times lately than I can remember. Always with some affection - she's a troubled girl, but I am very fond of her.

Some of my new clients this month - always good to have those - have been Pure Beauty, Vitality magazine, Stylist, The Pool, Fabulous, Unilad, NBC and the Irish Independent - on topics varying from body confidence and New Year resolutions to sharing a credit card and dick pics! For me the oddest one was doing a piece on Chris Coleman, ex manager of Wales, for TalkSport Radio. I know nothing about football - but it was more a psychological feature (obvs) so somehow I managed to wing it...

In early 2017, I am going to be developing my work as a Duty of Care Psychologist. Much as I enjoy appearing on TV, I really love the assessment, evaluation and contestant support that I do behind the scenes on reality TV shows. It's hard - but fulfilling work. So, if there are any TV companies/channels reading this - please check out my new Duty of Care page on my website. Thank you!

So until January - much love.

Jo
x

July/August and a bit of September...

2016-09-27T06:17:00.001-07:00

Hello lovelies

I have been very lazy abut writing this blog for the last couple of months, much of it due to being away a fair bit, including going to Nappa Valley for a fabulous - and the first I've been to - gay wedding! But now time for a reality check, work and weather wise...

It's been a frantic couple of months workwise - with much of it being done from my office by the sea, aka a sunbed ;-) I've been working hard on the psych evaluations for the second series of TLC's dating show, Undressed and still love the fact that those willing to take most of their clothes off in the name of love, come in all shapes, sizes, age and sexual orientation.

As ever, I have written a fair bit for the Daily Mail, on subjects ranging from the psychology of scarring, why celebrity relationships go from 0 - 60 and back again so fast, the reality of living in the ultimate reality show, Eden and to how to get over a serious relationship when you are over 30. And of course there were a lot of requests to discuss the break ups of the wonderfully hashtaggable #Brangelina and #Hiddleswift - including for the Daily Telegraph, Reveal and Grazia.

TV and radio has been pretty buoyant in the summer months too, with regular appearances on This Morning and Sky News. If you're interested there are a couple of clips on my website - when I can remember to ask my web guy Johnny, to record/upload them...

More than anything, it has been a season when our thoughts turn to relationships. Sometimes, reconsidering one after a difficult summer holiday together or thinking about finding one to share the short, dark days ahead with. Everyone seems to want to find a different angle on relationships these days, and so I have found myself writing about the increased use of psychics by women looking to find relationship answers for Grazia, the rise of 'friendship counselling' and anxiety issues in relationship for Glamour, why women are 'people pleasers' and conversely why we are so picky (different editions obvs!) for Marie Claire, our current attitudes to Tinder for Yahoo and whether polyamory is acceptable; when to announce your relationship status on Facebook and how to stop autumn hibernation in your relationship for Metro.

And if you are single and are finding the ever-more complex dating world difficult - or are in a relationship which could do with some advice - then don't forget that as well as wibbling on about celebrities and reality TV, I also spend much of my time being a Dating Coach and a Relationship Counsellor, so just drop me a line on jo@johemmings.co.uk.

Radio has been as vibrant as ever, with my weekly slot on Ireland's iRadio, which is always good craic and regular chats on LBC, BBC London, Virgin Radio and Talk Radio. And of course my regular contributions to New! magazine, which have included my observations on Bear in Celebrity Big Brother, Billie Piper, Victoria Beckham and the celebrity without which no blog would ever be complete, the fabulous Miss Katie Price!

I've also managed to get my darling cat Louis into my professional life. As a cat owning psychologist, I was asked to get involved in a Purina campaign, about How People Are Better With Pets, which led to me presenting an award at The Savoy for the National Cat Awards. Who would have thought it??

That's probably enough for now, not much looking forward to the winter-ish months, but as ever I look forward to a bit of banter with you on Twitter. It's @TVPsychologist if you fancy a chat.

Meanwhile, I'll see you next month.

Much love

Jo
xx

May/June

2016-07-04T10:28:00.001-07:00

Hello lovelies

Well, it's certainly been an eventful few weeks - crashing out of the both the Euros and the EU, not to mention the appalling British summer we've been having. It's left feeling people a bit disconnected and bemused by life, especially the unexpected results of the referendum. But it's happened, and like so much that distresses us in life, our only real option is to get on with it and try and find positives in any outcome.

As my followers know, I tend to dodge anything political on Twitter - the responses can get pretty shirty - and so it is in my professional life. It's good to report that most of my media work these past couple of months, owes more to the world of entertainment than the world of politics...

It's good to be a regular on LBC as ever, and I seem to be asked on most weeks now, discussing anything from road rage, Philip Green's body language under verbal attack and the appalling sexual on German women during recent music festivals. I also seem to be becoming a regular on Talk Radio (I must have a face for radio!) talking about why men take steroids to pump themselves up, simple for the narcissistic 'joy' of posting selfies and why we still identify with old-fashioned Superheroes. I also had a chat on BBC Radio London about have-a-go-heroes and the Bystander Effect.

I have written for the Daily Mail on toyboys, a subject they are always fascinated by, Cheryl's ever expanding and changing tattoos and at the other end of the scale, what life might be like now that Melissa Reid, the drugs mule, has been released from prison in Peru. I've also written for New! on the public ugliness of the Amber Heard/Johnny Depp bust up (thankfully gone quiet now) and the curious relationship that is Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston. And now I can see he is wearing an 'I heart TS' t-shirt while frolicking in the sea with her. I am not sure what that relationship is about or where it is going!

I especially like writing for Glamour, they always have an interesting twist on any relationship based subject. Over the past few weeks, I have written for them on the moment when we realised a relationship wouldn't last and why it's OK to cancel plans at the last minute.

I also wrote about Tom and Taylor's body language for Reveal as well as the other celebrity relationship which is equally fascinating, Cheryl and Liam. Other writing work has included The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph (on the fashion ins and outs of male chest hair!), Woman's Own and Grazia.

So, now I am off for a week's holiday (hello SUN!) and when I am back my new dating series, Undressed starts. I have been working on it since the very beginning, so feel very attached to both the show and the contestants. I hope you enjoy it and please let me know - it's on TLC on Friday nights at 10.00pm (yes, I know it clashes with Big Brother, will just have to watch that on catch up!) from 15th July.

Let's hope the weather improves over the next few weeks, if you're off on holiday anywhere, enjoy...

Much love

Jo
xx

March/April

2016-05-05T02:03:00.000-07:00

Hello lovelies

Apologies for late newsletter, I have been a bit poorly for a couple of weeks, but now back to rude health!

In spite of not managing much work for a few weeks, its still been a busy time with lots of TV, radio and writing work as well as working on a new dating series, more of which later...

It was good to be back on the This Morning sofa, discussing child favouritsm and whether it is ever acceptable to favour one child over another. Not long term obviously, but I think a lot of parents prefer one child over the another, especially when their toddler is going through a difficult phase or their adolescent has become a sulky, uncommunicative rebel. I asked my two boys whether they had ever felt that I had favourited one over the other, and they both agreed they had never thought that. And that's in spite of them being highly competitive to be No. 1 son!

TV wise, I also appeared on Sky News talking about online dating (always a popular subject!), the BBC about what drives ex reality stars to suicide and how duty of care is so important and Channel 5 News on the realities of heartbreak and why our heart actually hurts when we lose someone we love.

I am also working as the Consultant Psychologist on Good Morning Britain, assessing whether some of their guests, who have been through especially traumatic experiences, are OK to go on air. Working behind the scenes in TV can be just as fulfilling as being on it.

I have been working hard, also as the Consultant Psychologist, on a new dating show called Undressed, which has been a really fascinating experience - watching it move through concept and psych assessments to filming. It's all look good and should be coming to a TV near you next month.

I have written a lot for the national press over the last few weeks, including four contributions for the Daily Mail on subjects as varied as 'Does it matter if your man doesn't tell you he loves you?' to the 10th anniversary of the publication of 'Eat, Pray, Love' (annoying and inspirational in equal measure IMHO) and what does it say about you if you carry a bag with a picture of your loved one printed on it?

I've also written for the Daily Telegraph on trophy wives and polyamory, Look on micro-cheating, the Daily Star, New! and Reveal on what Cheryl and Liam's future relationship holds as well as Vernon and Tess (twice) for New! magazine.

Radio work has included a couple of stints on LBC and Woman's Hour - both shows two of my favourites.

So now we're in May - plenty of work coming up and also a much-needed holiday in the middle of the month. And just as I get well, so does the weather. It's a pleasure to see the sun shining from my office as a I write this. Enjoy!

Much love

Jo
x

January/February

2016-02-29T10:01:00.000-08:00

Hello lovelies

Well, we made it through to the end of February - even with an extra day - and as I write this at nearly 5.30pm, it's still (relatively) light outside of my office, Happy days!

It's been a busy couple of months and interesting to see how my note-taking scrawl reflects just how much change we have been through over the past few weeks. All the way from chatting on the Sky News Breakfast sofa about the impact Christmas has on divorce rates in the first few weeks of January, through to Blue Monday, the third Monday in January for the Daily Express and how to beat those blues to coincide with the DVD release of The Martian to talking/writing about Valentine's Day for just about everybody!

Other TV appearances included BBC Breakfast on how to deal with a big lottery win (oh, just give ME the chance!) and Good Morning Britain on age gap relationships in the light of Jerry Hall getting engaged to Rupert Murdoch. It isn't just the age gap in that relationship, it's the cultural gap - from rock star(s) to elderly media mogul?? Although as Piers Morgan dryly pointed out to me, there probably isn't that much difference in age between Rupert Murdoch and Mick Jagger... My second appearance on GMB, was skilfully managed by Susannah Reid (no Piers in sight) while we talked about the treatment for phobias, in particular cake phobia. Yes, it does exist. It even has a (totally unpronounceable) name.

Lots of writing this month, I always enjoy my regular comments in New! magazine. It's usually just a box feature on various celebrity antics, with Cheryl Cole, Jacqueline Jossa, Dan Osborne and Khloe Kardashian included over the past few weeks. I'm usually quite cautious in what I say - carefully navigating that tricky path between entertainment and professionalism. But when they asked me to comment on Gemma Collins behaviour in the Celebrity Big Brother house - they couldn't shut me up and I ended up with a double page spread! I bravely tweeted the feature, expecting the usual 'leave her alone, we love her' trolling, but virtually no negative responses. Which just goes to show the power that CBB still has over a celeb's popularity.

I also went to Dublin (a city that I love) for a PR job but somehow within a massive schedule of 20 interviews - press, radio and TV - most people still wanted to talk about Celebrity Big Brother, as it's huge on TV3.

Other work included writing on reality shows and the cult of celebrity (right up my strasse!) for The Daily Telegraph, 'Glory Parenting' for The Daily Mail and the Psychology of Cosmetic Surgery for The Harley Medical Group.

I am also very excited to be involved in a brand new TV dating series, called 'Undressed'. And yes, while it does involve getting a few clothes off (not for me, you'll be thrilled to hear) it's more of a social experiment to fast track intimacy, strip away inhibitions (yes, yes and clothes) and see attraction in a psychological light. It's filming in April, so I'll keep you posted. Meawhile if any of you singles, would like to audition to take part - just let me know!

I have also had more clients over the past few weeks than at any other time. A mixture of singles and couples counselling - both are the most rewarding areas of my job. Emotionally rather than financially ;-) And I am thrilled to be invited to a wedding later this year for a couple that I successfully coached. I'll definitely be there and love a happy ending, especially if I have helped them get there - even though they are getting married half way around the world...

Until next month, much love

Jo
xx

November/December

2015-12-23T07:35:00.000-08:00

Hello lovelies

I'm writing this on Christmas Eve Eve, the sun is (almost) shining and the buds are out on the plants on the balcony outside my office. So it feels distinctly unseasonal! Tomorrow the mayhem will start - both boys back home for Christmas of course, a fridge packed full of deliciousness and a couple of birthdays to celebrate on the Big Day - mine and my older son's, so it's the calm before the storm...

There hasn't been a lot of let up in work this last few weeks either. December is normally a quiet month work-wise, but it seems that it's going right up to the wire this year. Even clients, who usually wait until January when there's a surge of couples and singles looking for help with their relationships, are keeping me busy.

I was very excited to present two sex and relationships shows for LBC over the past few weeks - though holding a two hour show together as a presenter is definitely outside of my comfort zone ;-) Thankfully I had some great guests and a raft of callers, so it tends to speed by. But it's a Saturday night, so as well as having to prep for it (and recover from it) on a weekend, after a long week's work, I did miss my X Factor Sat night in!

I've written a fair bit over the past few weeks including my regular contributions for New! - including how Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright deal with a long distance relationship during a prolonged separation and of course a few observations on Katie Price - without which, no month would ever feel complete! I have also written for Best magazine on how to recognise and deal with crisis points in relationships at Christmas as well as a piece on what New Year resolutions you might want to make, relationship wise - so as those crises don't happen again next year... I also wrote for the Sunday Times on Taylor Swift's changing behaviour and ES Magazine on how positive affirmations can help happiness - though I know they don't work for everyone.

I handed over my UK Dating Awards Dating Expert of the Year - slightly reluctantly, but at least it wasn't wrestled from my hands (!) - to Susan Quilliam, a very worthy winner in my view, so well done! And it was a great evening, after all the judges hard work. The dating industry is developing in some very exciting new ways.

I gave a talk at Soho House on Dating in the Digital Age, which was really well attended, even though it was slightly disconcerting to have my 24 year old son sitting in the front row ;-) Anyway, it seems to have gone down well as I've been invited back next year.

I also did an interesting pilot show for the BBC, where I got to meet Emma Bunton - who was presenting - and I have to admit that not only is she a very pretty and lovely girl, I was also more than a bit star struck! There's also a strong chance of my co-hosting a 12 part series for ITV next year, so I am keeping my fingers crossed for that. And January is already shaping up well with a few PR campaigns/radio days planned - ranging from Domino's Pizza to the Harley Medical Group. My job is nothing if not diverse!

So, until next year, I'll just wish you a very merry and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Jo
xx

September/October

2015-10-30T10:45:00.002-07:00

Hello lovelies

I hope you're adjusting to the shorter days - I can't believe how early it gets dark now. Still, on a positive note we have to go through this process to come out on the other, brighter side!

It's been another hectic couple of months - I think I might have to go back to writing these newsletters monthly, which I guess is a very good sign work wise ;-)

I know I've said this before, but I really think I am blessed by how diverse my work is. Which is often unexpected and sometimes more of a challenge than I bargained for. Writing wise, I have been kept busy by my regular celebrity musings for New!, covering - amongst others - Michelle Keegan (twice) Caroline Flack and of course the fabulous Katie Price, of which no month would ever be complete... But I have also been asked to comment on why women 'retire' from romance for the Daily Mail, instant messaging and dating culture for Debrief, how to pull at Christmas for Forever Sports (!), whether platonic relationships can ever work for Red, Simon Cowell's obsession with keeping his youth for Woman's Own and why we buy expensive moisturisers/facials when we are getting over a break up for Cosmopolitan. I have also written a feature for Good Housekeeping on those aspects of our lives that troubles us when we were young, but we've not got over or even made a virtue of - mine is being short. Hated it when I was younger, but I am now more practised at rocking a stiletto or platform (or both!) than most of my friends.

Perhaps the oddest - and one of the most interesting - was contrasting the speech that Alex Salmond would have made had he won with the one he actually made as he lost for the Scottish Daily Mail.

I am also in the middle of judging a number of categories for this year's UK Dating Awards. Having won Dating Expert of the Year, in their first year, in 2014, I have to be prepared to give my 'crown' away to someone else - a curious process as part of me wants to keep it while another part wants to give it only to the best!

TV wise I seem to have sat on every breakfast sofa going over the past few weeks. And these were no less diverse. I talked to Eamonn Holmes on Sky Sunrise about how it's the little things matter in life (and no, I don't think he was referring to my height!) and Susannah Reid about workplace stress still being a major issue on the Good Morning Britain sofa. Certainly the most touching (and my first visit to Media City) was discussing how bereaved families cope when they have a loved one who has died in military service for BBC Breakfast. I met a truly inspiring mum, who had lost her son, and her incredibly brave and lovely daughter who lost her brother when she was just five. And then just when I was recovering form another early start, I was invited onto C5 News on the same day to talk about how we introduce ourselves to strangers and whether we should hug them. Er, no is my view - why make someone feel unnecessarily uncomfortable, but of course I was pitched against someone who hugs EVERYONE!

Radio has also been busy with chats to Nick Ferrari on LBC about whether we should let kids bait each other with sexist language in the playground and Radio 5 Live about Helen Mirren's bizarre comment that when a man outs his arm around you, it signifies ownership. No, it signifies affection... And talking of LBC, I am very excited (and pretty nervous!) to be presenting my first show on relationships and sex on Saturday November 7th. If you're around (and not watching X Factor!) tune in or better, call in from 8.00 until 10.00pm. I'd love to hear from you.

I've had some great PR jobs these past few weeks too - everything from Facing Your Fears for Go Sky Dive, to Plusnet on their #loveyouback campaign as well as Nestle's Breast Cancer Awareness month and what your fizz popping style says about you for Shloer. I'm an avoidant popper, if I can't get someone else to do it for me, I'll twist the bottle myself and make a little screech as the cork pops...

After all this, I am off for just a few days sunshine in my beloved Fethiye - out Halloween and back Bonfire Night. So I wish you all a wonderful weekend and I'll see you next month.

Much love

Jo
x

July/August

2015-08-26T09:10:00.000-07:00

Hello lovelies

While I write this, I am looking out of my office window onto the dreariest day ever - typical of the run up to the August Bank Holiday weekend. I am lucky enough to be escaping to my beloved Fethiye for a few days on Friday, which I managed to time brilliantly (not) with the start of Celebrity Big Brother - so I may have to give it a miss this time around, as least far as observing the housemates' antics from the CBBBOTS sofa.

Unusually for July and August, traditionally quieter months of the year, I have been inundated with work for the past few weeks. Unexpected but welcome, especially as I haven't missed much sunshine.

TV wise, I have had my regular slots on C5 News, with topics varying from why people feel the need to film and record and every event they go to these days to the fall out from the Ashley Madison hacking. That was an interesting day, not since Gwynnie's 'conscious uncoupling' from Chris Martin, have I rushed around the TV channels quite so much. In addition to Channel Five, I also covered it for Sky News and Channel 4. Lots of radio the past few weeks too, ranging from discussing whether it's a good idea to Google our symptoms on BBC Radio London to doing a phone on anti-depressants on LBC with Nick Ferrari.

The summer months tend to be a bit quiet coaching wise - the peak months for both singles and couples are September (post summer-holidays) and January (post-Christmas) - but I have been doing a lot of what I really enjoy this month, writing for magazines and newspapers. It's always so varied - and often unexpected - that the challenge never fails to keep me on my toes.

I always love doing my regular celebrity observations for New! magazine and over the past few weeks I have written for them about a number of celebrities, including Cheryl Cole (twice) and of course the fabulous Katie Price, without which no month would seem complete ;-)

I have also written for The Sun on Sunday about what the Labour leadership candidates body language reveals about their leadership qualities, The Sun on why people would pay money to be trolled on social media (yes, it's actually a 'thing') Marie Claire on the future of sex and genetic dating and The Telegraph Wonder Women column on ghosting. Which if you didn't know it, is when you're dating someone and they suddenly disappear without any explanation. It can be a distressing experience and one which is clearly on the rise, as I also wrote about it for Grazia.

It's reassuring to be invited back to write for magazines and papers a number of times over a couple of weeks, so I also wrote for Grazia on anorgasmia (women who can't have an orgasm...), Woman's Own on how Carol Vorderman has changed over the years and what to do if you find yourself unexpectedly single and twice for Metro, once on the suggestion that prostitution should be decriminalised due to men's high sex drives (!) and the other on the sending of 'Dick pics', another one of those dating phenomena, also on the, er, rise...

Other than that, it's also been a busy time for PR work, with jobs ranging for conducting a scientific experiment on whether our attraction levels drop in response to bad driving for the Institute of Advanced Motoring and how we judge our dates on what they choose to eat in a restaurant for TGI Friday's.

Oh and I have also filmed a documentary for Channel 4. I'm not allowed to say much about it at the moment, but it was TOTALLY not what I was expecting and I can honestly say that I have never done TV like it in my life! It's not due to be broadcast for a few months, so I'll leave you with that thought for now...

I need a holiday ;-) Enjoy the rest of the month, and I'll see you in September.

Much love

Jo
xx

May/June

2015-07-01T10:02:00.001-07:00

Hello lovelies

Here I am sitting in my office on the hottest day of the year - for many years if the news is anything to go by - with fingers sliding off the keyboard, thinking how much we long for the hot weather and then find it so difficult to deal with it when we get it! I guess that's a British thing...

My work pattern seems to change as rapidly as our seasons. It used to be that Jan, Feb and March were the really busy months, while the summer meant things would quieten down. Not so this year - especially PR wise. There are a fair few campaigns needing some psychological advice at the moment - anything from dealing with adult acne to the well being properties of cod liver oil!

And celebrities being celebrities, summer sees an upsurge in naughty behaviour. I have written for New magazine on Kate Moss being unruly on her flight back from Turkey and those boys from TOWIE behaving badly in Marbs. And Essex. I love my weekly comments for them, other topics over the last few weeks have included why Kym Marsh has been engaged three times but never makes it up the aisle and of course no month would be complete without writing about Katie Price, this time on her attitude to aging. Go girl, I say - do whatever makes you feel good.

TV wise, it's been a busy time too. I've been on Good Morning Britain talking about the difference between male and female drivers and Channel Five News on the emotional impact of using emojis in social media and on our texts and what the colour red says about us.

I love doing a bit of radio and it's always a pleasure to be on LBC. I have been interviewed a number of times in the last month or so. The topics have varied from our indecision regarding the election to why we react so dramatically to age gap relationships, based on the grief Duncan Bannatyne got recently. And also on BBC London - again diverse topics ranging from why we take photos of accidents and incidents to how much we expect men to tip on a date. Diverse indeed...

I've also written for Woman's Own on why Amal Clooney has become so thin, the Daily Mail on body image and why some women won't let their husbands see them without any make up, the Sunday Mirror on how to help your children cope when a parent is doing a job that takes them away from home for long periods of time, The Sun on Johnny Wilkinson's obsessive exercise regime, Grazia on why some women never experience an orgasm and Psychologies magazine on working your way through the tough patches that all relationships go through. Phew - never a dull moment!

So of course, as I am about to go on holiday for a week, the weather in the UK hots up and work seems to becoming busier than ever. Not expecting you to feel sorry for me of course, but that iPad/phone is never far from my side wherever I am in the world, so unless you subsrcibne to this newlsetter, you might never know that I was away at all ;-)

And, er, not the slightest bit miffed that I booked my holiday while Big Brother is still on (so no BBBOTS for me!). Hmmm - keep me in touch on Twitter won't you?

Until next month, have a wonderful steamy July!

Jo
xx

April

2015-04-30T07:56:00.000-07:00

Hello lovelies

Nearly at the end of another busy month and I am off on holiday tomorrow - back to my beloved Fethiye for a short break, although by the time I get back we'll have a new government, a new royal baby and a brand new series of Big Brother starting, so will be refreshed and ready to see what the new raft of housemates are up to on BBBOTS.

I have had a lot of clients this month, which is great, although I really put my heart and soul into coaching, so sometimes I have to limit the numbers or it can get overwhelming. But if you're interested in dating coaching, either in person or via Skype, or couples counselling, you know where I am!

I have written for a number of magazines this month and always enjoy my weekly celebrity psychology comments in New magazine. In the past few weeks, I have written about Victoria Beckham and how she has evolved over the years, whether Mark Wright is feeling insecure now his soon-to-be-missus Michelle Keegan was voted sexiest woman of the year in FHM magazine and of course, no month would be complete without writing about Katie Price. In this case whether her posting pics of her daughter Princess and saying how much she looked like her when she was younger, was a bit of yearning for her own youth. I look forward to seeing what photos New send me each week, but even I was taken aback to see a seriously leaves-little-to-the-imagination shot of Dan Osborne staring back at me from my desktop! Not that I was complaining, but I did think Jacqueline Jossa must have had a few mixed feelings about her partner (almost) baring all...

I've also written for Grazia on whether our friends are becoming more demanding or narcissistic, Women's Weekly on how I keep healthy (not such an easy one!) and advice for Men's Health on creating the best Tinder profile. Along the lines of 'no football kit/drunken holiday shots however hilarious they were at the time' lines.

A few TV appearances too, including a couple of Channel Five News following a survey on gender differences between our visions of idealised beauty and also on why some of overshare on social media. Not me obvs ;-)

A few PR jobs too. I always enjoy my radio days, talking about the psychology of various behaviours as a result of associated surveys, even though the products/brands are hugely varied. This month included Stubhub the ticket people and Bloo toilet cleaning products!

Right, that's me done. Off to Turkey soon. Have a lovely couple of Bank Holidays and see you next month.

Jo
xx

February/March

2015-03-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

Hello lovelies

A joint Feb and March newsletter this time. The first quarter of the year is always busy with coaching - including a few interesting celebrities - but of course it's always the part of my job that complete confidentiality prevent me from ever writing about. And now nearly Spring - loving the lighter evenings and my favourite day of the year (now I've stopped counting birthdays!) has to be the clocks going forward on Sunday - I am definitely not a winter person...

I still managed to fit in some writing work and as my regular followers will know, no month is complete without writing about Katie Price, this time for New magazine. Amongst other pieces I also wrote for them on the highs and lows of Beyonce's and J-Z's marriage and how they have managed to deal with it all. That's in next week's magazine if you fancy a look. Alternatively if you're a Woman's Own reader, I have just written on why people are hating on Holly Willoughby for them. That was a tough one for me - she has always been a delight to work with on This Morning and I can only imagine it's because there are some trolls out there who give her grief simply for the fact she's beautiful, talented and has a pretty happy and enviable life. Perfect troll territory - unfortunately.

I've also written for Heat magazine on Kylie Jenner's lifestyle and the impossibly-tiny-waist that Cinderella has and what that's saying about body image for young and impressionable girls. Other work included writing on what celebrity kitchens say about their owners for The Sun and how to deal with your partner being away from home for long periods of time for The Sunday Mirror.

And of course last month saw the launch of the long-awaited 50 Shades of Grey movie. I loved it and went on Channel Five News to debate the fact that given we're all grown ups, with the ability to tell fact from fiction/reality from fantasy, that it posed no threat to women in terms of potential abuse!

Lots of radio these past two months as well, with topics ranging from whether you can be in love with two people at once and is it wrong to fancy your mother-in-law ;-)

I've also been asked to give a talk at iDate this year, which is the dating industry's massive international conference, being held later this year in London. It's quite an honour to be asked, now I've just got to work out what I am going to talk about!

I've also been invited to join a new venture run by Jeff Brazier. Come Coach With Me is a selected handful of top coaches in the UK, so am looking forward their inaugural meeting next month and great things happening from them.

I'll sign off now - so have a fabulous weekend don't miss that hour we're about to lose, enjoy those light evenings instead!

Much love

Jo
xx

January

2015-02-03T11:13:00.003-08:00

Hello lovelies

Well, here we are, just out of January. Always seems like such a long month, with Christmas packed safely away for another year and any chance of another break/sunshine MONTHS away! In my world, Jan is always one of the busiest months of the year. Especially in coaching terms. From singles vowing to never spend another Christmas alone again to couples who have struggled over the festive period. And of course it's the month for new beginnings, so people are always looking for a psychologist's comment to help inspire others to make/keep their resolve.

I have also written and contributed to fair few features this month. Hugely varied as ever. From giving a few sexy resolutions to Fabulous magazine and places to have sex outside of the bedroom for Glamour - both designed to kick start your new year in style ;-) Other aspects of relationships haven't been neglected either and I've also written for the Daily Mail on how celebrity couples manage to stay friends after a break up and what we might learn from them and Woman's Own on living together in the same house after you've separated and what impact that might have on your kids. Other writing included a psychological view of why crime dramas are so popular for Entertainmentwise and how we can get back to the simpler days of our early relationships for The Huffington Post. And while I've been helping Ann Summers with their erotic writing competition (and quite an eye opener it was too!) I've also managed to write for the sexiest magazine of them all, Cosmopolitan on how we should behave in the workplace, rather than the bedroom ;-) And of course, no month would be complete without writing about Katie Price - this time for Now magazine.

And talking of the fabulous Miss Katie Price (yes, I am a HUGE fan) I couldn't have been any more excited to see her enter the Celebrity Big Brother house. Finally! It's been an amazing series - and while it's been such a busy month for me, I was delighted to at least squeeze in one appearance on Celebrity Big Brother's Bit On The Side which was as thrilling as ever, although having a selfie taken at the end of the show, while standing next to the lovely Rylan, who maybe the tallest man I've ever met, made my tiny 5ft foot frame look like it belonged to another species! I don't what I am going to do with these long winter evenings when the series finishes this Friday...

Anyway, I'll sign off now. For those that love it, have a wonderful Vallie's Day. And for those that don't, be rest assured that I'll be dodging going out that night too! I may still be recovering from seeing 50 Shades of Grey on Friday 13th - an inauspicious day but a movie I am really looking forward to.

Until next month, keep up the Twitter banter and much love

Jo
xx