In this episode, psychotherapist Sophie Scott joins me again to answer listener questions on supporting loved ones with mental health challenges: How do you step back from a parent’s mental health needs when guilt keeps pulling you in? What’s the best way to help a sibling with OCD, beyond just managing their rituals? And how do you avoid feeling completely drained by a friend who’s is struggling? Sophie shares how setting boundaries can actually be an act of love, and why “detaching with love” might be the healthiest thing you can do – for you and for them. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance caring for others while protecting your own wellbeing, you are absolutely not alone – this chat is for you.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Sophie’s book, You Are Not Alone in This, is available now.

LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPS

If the content of this episode resonated with you today and you would like support, please consider the following charities:

Mind – Mental health charity that has resources for managing your own wellbeing whilst caring for someone else.

Call 0300 123 3393 or visit https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/carers-friends-family-coping-support/support-for-you/

OCD Action – for people with OCD, their families, carers and friends.

Call 0300 636 5478 or visit https://ocdaction.org.uk/

Al Anon – for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking.

Call 0800 0086 811 or visit https://al-anonuk.org.uk/

FamAnon – for family members and friends affected by another’s abuse of mind-altering substances, or related behavioural problems.

Call 0207 4984 680 or visit https://famanon.org.uk/

Samaritans

Call 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for free, 24-hour support.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Sophie Scott

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig & Jonathan O’Sullivan

Assistant Producer: Ceyda Uzun

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I sit down with integrative psychotherapist and author Sophie Scott to talk about what it really takes to support loved ones through mental health challenges without losing yourself along the way. Sophie shares her personal story of growing up in a family touched by OCD and loss, and how those experiences shaped her approach to mental health. We explore the power of listening over giving advice, why boundaries are essential for everyone’s wellbeing, and how burnout affects caregivers who often feel unseen or unsupported. Sophie offers practical strategies – from the 4-7-8 breathing technique to finding individual purpose and accepting messy emotions that can help you care for others and for yourself. If you’re navigating relationships affected by OCD or other mental health issues, this episode is packed with compassion, relatability, and genuinely helpful advice.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Sophie’s book, You Are Not Alone in This, is available now.

LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPS

If the content of this episode resonated with you today and you would like support, please consider the following charities:

Mind – Mental health charity that has resources for managing your own wellbeing whilst caring for someone else.

Call 0300 123 3393 or visit https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/carers-friends-family-coping-support/support-for-you/

Al Anon – for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking.

Call 0800 0086 811 or visit https://al-anonuk.org.uk/

FamAnon – for family members and friends affected by another’s abuse of mind-altering substances, or related behavioural problems.

Call 0207 4984 680 or visit https://famanon.org.uk/

OCD Action – for people with OCD, their families, carers and friends.

Call 0300 636 5478 or visit https://ocdaction.org.uk/

Samaritans

Call 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for free, 24-hour support.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Sophie Scott

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig & Jonathan O’Sullivan

Assistant Producer: Ceyda Uzun

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After one of the most powerful conversations we’ve ever had on The Life of Bryony, Rhian Mannings returns to share the three things that helped her survive unthinkable loss and begin to find her way through grief. She shares how small acts of kindness, tough love from friends, and the courage to keep showing up made all the difference in her healing. And we laugh about lasagnas left on doorsteps, reflect on how grief changes what really matters, and talk about the simple, surprising things that can carry us through the darkest days. It’s a tender, funny, and deeply human conversation that reminds us there’s no right way to survive loss – only small glimmers that light the way forward.

LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPS

If the content of this episode resonated with you today and you would like support, please consider the following charities:

Rhian’s charity, 2wish:

https://2wish.org.uk/

Sue Ryder

https://www.sueryder.org/ for expert grief support, including an online bereavement community available 24/7.

Samaritans

Call 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for free, 24-hour support.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Got something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xx

CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Rhian Mannings

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Tippi Willard

Studio Manager: Sam Chisholm

Editor: Luke Shelley

Exec Producer: Jamie East

A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.