Behind the mask: The hidden labour of being yourself
Behind every polished social performance is an unseen cost. This article by therapist Duncan E. Stafford explores masking – the hidden labour of suppressing, adapting and performing aspects of identity, particularly among neurodivergent individuals. It examines how constant self-monitoring can protect against exclusion while contributing to exhaustion, burnout and a diminished sense of self.
The unfinished revolutions of ADHD minds
Why do so many ADHD communities and creative projects begin brilliantly but struggle to last? In this article counsellor and psychotherapist Duncan E. Stafford explores how ADHD minds generate innovation, movements and connection, why maintenance is often harder than momentum, and what more sustainable neurodivergent communities might look like.
The longing that doesn’t fade: Adult children of unavailable parents
Psychotherapist Duncan E. Stafford asks why do so many adults stay engaged with parents who never truly loved them? Beneath the caregiving often lies a quieter vigil: the hope that it might still change. This piece explores the psychology of that hope – and the difficult freedom that comes when it is finally released.
When pornography becomes a way of coping: Alina’s story
Pornography use is often framed as a male issue, yet clinical work suggests a more complex picture. Through Alina’s story, compulsive sexual behaviour expert Duncan E. Stafford explores how pornography can emerge from relational strain, emotional disconnection and unmet attachment needs, serving to regulate distress rather than simple choice.