Dr Charlie Tyack
Clinical Psychologist

Month: March 2025

  • FND: How Psychological Therapy Can Empower You

    FND: How Psychological Therapy Can Empower You

    Today, on UK FND Awareness Day 2025, I’m excited to share a new video that I hope will offer encouragement, information, and support to those living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). This day is all about raising awareness, breaking down stigma, and sharing resources — and I wanted to contribute something that feels both practical and hopeful.

    Why I Made This Video

    FND can feel confusing and overwhelming, especially when you’re first diagnosed. I know how important it is to have access to clear, information. This video is my way of helping to demystify psychological therapies and highlight useful resources to show how they can become valuable tools on your journey with FND.

    What’s in the Video

    In this video, I talk through different psychological therapies that have been shown to help people manage FND symptoms, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). These approaches can offer practical strategies and help build resilience.

    But therapy isn’t the only resource out there. I also share helpful apps, websites, books, and even a comic that can provide everyday support and inspiration. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or just want to understand more, I hope this video leaves you feeling empowered and hopeful.

    Why It Matters

    Awareness days like today are a reminder that no one has to face FND alone. With the right support and tools, it’s possible to navigate the challenges and build flexibility in the way we respond.

    Join the Conversation

    I’d love for you to watch the video and share your thoughts or experiences in the comments. The more we talk about FND, the more we can help each other feel seen, understood, and hopeful.

    🎥 Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/d2qCHPFqoYM?si=GQTAFq89OxTZhSZS

    #FNDAwarenessDay #FND #HopeForFND #MentalHealth #Therapy #EMDR #ACT #YouAreNotAlone

  • Why Sleep Hygiene Alone Isn’t Fixing Your Sleep – And What to Do Instead

    If you’ve ever struggled with sleep, you’ve probably been offered the usual advice: avoid screens before bed, keep your room dark, and stick to a bedtime routine. While these sleep hygiene tips sound great in theory, they don’t always work—especially for those dealing with insomnia.

    Here’s the problem: Sleep hygiene is about creating a good sleep environment, but it doesn’t address the real issue behind chronic sleep struggles—your relationship with sleep itself. If you’ve tried everything and still find yourself tossing and turning, you’re not alone. In fact, rigidly following sleep hygiene rules can sometimes increase sleep anxiety, making it even harder to rest.

    That’s where Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) comes in. Unlike sleep hygiene, CBT-I is a structured, evidence-based approach that targets the thoughts and behaviors keeping you awake. It helps you break free from the cycle of sleepless nights by resetting your sleep patterns, managing anxiety around sleep, and rebuilding confidence in your ability to rest.

    I have been delivering CBT-I to people across the lifespan in adult and paediatric setting since training in it on Colin A. Espie‘s course at University of Glasgow sleep centre in 2011. I initially delivered it as part of a trial looking at CBT for insomnia in primary care that resulted in this article.

    Each group was facilitated by two IAPT psychological wellbeing practitioners [i.e. me at the time], recent graduates, most but not all with psychology undergraduate degrees, who had undertaken a 1-year 1 day per week certificate course in low-intensity psychological interventions.

    I have been lucky enough to have opportunites to work in sleep and build experience over the subsequent years, both before and since becoming a clinical psychologist. I have witnessed the huge beneficial impacts that optimising people’s sleep can have. I am currently working on a tailored CBT for insomnia package – watch this space for further updates.

    In my latest video, I break down why sleep hygiene alone isn’t the solution—and how CBT-I can help you finally get the sleep you need. If you’re tired of struggling with insomnia, this might be the game-changer you’ve been looking for.

    Watch now and take the first step toward better sleep!

    #BetterSleep #CBTI #Insomnia