Octopus Psychology

30/06/2026

Sometimes a poem encapsulates therapy more than an ordinary conversation as in this anonymous poem:

Healing – from memory

The smallest cut appears
a jaggèd tear more like, a rip
split red on wrinkled skin
between two mighty tidal veins.
On back of weathered hand exposed
the blood's red deepens, weeps
like lava. Viscously
it lifts, presents as in relief
congealing where it sits
and darkens still to burgundy.

I move to wipe it clean away.
Fierce burning pinpoint sore
beneath the skin the tear
it weeps again
lighter this time
yet still
ineluctably there.

I stare. The flow, it slows.
In time a tiny healing scar
will mark the place
and show just where and how
once forever broken
life repairs.

Full blog post in the link

People often come to therapy because something in life is hurting and they do not want to keep carrying it alone.

27/06/2026

27/06/2026

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27/06/2026

Are we truly setting people up for success after their release from prison? This week on the Locked Up Living podcast, Dr Naomi Murphy sits down with Simon Scott—whose unique perspective as both a former life-sentenced prisoner and a current PhD researcher invites us to critically reflect on current post-release practices.

Simon draws from his own journey, his research with men who have served life sentences, and the experiences of their families to ask whether the systems in place—especially probation—really support growth, reintegration, and individuality, or if they simply require ongoing compliance and institutionalization.
Whether you're working in criminal justice, social policy, or simply interested in social change, this conversation is a must-listen. Simon's insights challenge us all to think hard about how we can do better.

🎧 Follow the link in the comments below to discover the human stories behind harsh headlines and why it matters to all of us.

26/06/2026

Oundle's mayor was the guest on this week's podcast.

We're excited to share our latest Locked Up Living podcast episode, featuring Max Schurer — long-serving university leader, trustee of the Big Difference Company (behind the UK's second largest comedy festival), community arts organizer, and town mayor.
Max Schurer joins hosts Dr Naomi Murphy and David Jones to explore the many layers of comedy — not just as entertainment, but as a powerful influence on wellbeing and mental health.
This episode dives into:
• How laughter and comedy support happiness and stress relief
• The surprising ways stand-up and performance can empower those facing mental health challenges
• The fine line between humour as connection, or as cover for personal pain
• Comedy’s role in building bridges, challenging taboos, and addressing societal divides
• Insights on bringing laughter to communities and why it matters for all ages
Whether you’re a wellbeing professional, mental health advocate, or simply someone intrigued by how comedy shapes human experience, you’ll find thought-provoking ideas here.

👉 Listen now and discover why laughter really is good for us — and how it can sometimes heal more than we realise.
Links to watch/listen/read the transcript in the comments

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25/06/2026

🔒 Locked Up Living: Beyond the Cell
Ever wondered what life after prison is really like—not just for those inside, but for their families left picking up the pieces? Last week on Locked Up Living, Dr. Naomi Murphy and David Jones chatted with guest Simon Scott about his research busting myths, challenging stigma, and revealing the hidden realities faced by loved ones of prisoners.
If you care about people, mental health, or social justice—even if you’ve never thought about the criminal justice system before—this conversation will open your eyes to a world rarely discussed but all too real.
🎧 Follow the link in the comments to discover the human stories behind harsh headlines and why it matters to all of us.

17/06/2026

Is a social media ban the only way to protect our children? Are we losing sight of our own responsibilities? Might we better hold tech companies to account in finding solutions?

Link to article by Des McVey in comments

12/06/2026

This week on Locked Up Living, Dr Naomi Murphy and David Jones sit down with the insightful Dr Coral Westaway—clinical psychologist, energy psychotherapist, and social media’s “energy psychologist.” It’s a conversation that dives deep into the essentials of energy psychology, holistic health, and the radically human ways we can transform therapy and well-being.

We discuss:
• What energy psychology really means and why it matters
• How our bodies, minds, and emotions are inseparably connected
• The importance of attunement, presence, and authenticity in healing
• Why genuine care, warmth, and love shouldn’t be taboo topics in therapeutic work
• And—crucially—why the energetic resonance and intuitive understanding shared between people is fundamental for sustainable mental health.

Why Choose Human Therapy Over AI?
AI therapy tools are rapidly gaining ground—offering convenience, affordability, and accessibility. Yet, as Coral Westaway reminds us, something vital is missing: the energetic and emotional attunement that only a living, feeling human can offer. Real connection means picking up on the “atmosphere” in the room, noticing what’s left unsaid, and deeply responding to the other’s needs—not just their words, but their energetic state too.

Therapy with a human being isn’t just about talking; it’s about feeling seen, heard, and understood on every level. “Our body has been underutilized in all of mental health historically,” Coral Westaway shares, emphasizing that true transformation happens when we bring all parts of ourselves—body, mind, spirit—into the room.

Technology can offer support. But lasting change, profound healing, and the nourishment of real presence? For those, there is no substitute for another attuned, caring human being right there with you.

Find Locked Up Living wherever you get your podcasts or via the links in the comments

07/06/2026

In this episode of Locked Up Living, David Jones and DR Naomi Murphy sit down with Steph Davies—a seasoned coroner’s officer and forensic consultant whose unwavering integrity has led her to challenge assumptions, ask the difficult questions, and speak up in the pursuit of truth. Steph shares candidly about her journey through the complexities of death investigation, the personal and professional costs of whistleblowing, and how her resilience has shaped her remarkable career. Her story is a powerful testament to standing by your values, even in the face of adversity.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will leave you reflecting on the importance of integrity and the courage it takes to do the right thing. Don’t miss it!

Links to watch/listen/read below or find us wherever you get your podcasts

Stephanie C Davies

07/06/2026

"Hope Is a Verb: Why Jeffrey Lee’s Life Hangs in the Balance—And What You Can Do"
Imagine spending half your life in a solitary cell, sentenced not by your community’s collective conscience, but by the single decision of a judge overriding a jury’s mercy. This is the reality for Jeffrey Lee, a 50-year-old father and deeply transformed man, who has spent 26 years on Alabama's death row—even though his jury recommended life without parole.
The latest episode of Locked Up Living with Dr Naomi Murphy and David Jones and guest Laurel Hattix lays bare the urgent injustice facing Jeffrey Lee: unless we act, he will be executed on June 11th using a brutally experimental method—nitrogen hypoxia—despite a broken legal process recognized as unjust and since abolished by Alabama itself.
Laurel Hattix, Assistant Federal Defender, shares Jeffrey’s story not as a plea for forgiveness, but as a call for justice aligned with the law and basic human decency. She describes the profound transformation Jeffrey has undergone, his enduring hope, and the community he’s built behind bars. Yet all of this could end, because the retroactive fix that would save his life was never enacted.
We cannot allow an ex*****on to go forward based on an outdated, discredited process.
• The jury spoke: life in prison, not death.
• Alabama's own legislature has admitted judicial override was wrong.
• All we are urging for is the reinstatement of the original jury’s verdict.
Your voice matters. Hope is an action, not a feeling. Please take five minutes to help:
• Sign the petition at www.lifeforjeffreylee.com
• Call or email Governor Kay Ivey (info at the link above)
• Share Jeffrey’s story to amplify this urgent call for clemency
Let’s show, together, that justice and mercy still matter. Stand with us—act for Jeffrey Lee today.

Links to watch and listen in comments