The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

summary

In this conversation Dr Naomi Murphy and David Jones meet with Dr. Coral Westaway and explore the world of energy psychology, its techniques like EFT, and its integration with traditional psychology. She shares her personal journey, the importance of holistic health, and how energy work can transform mental health practices.

Dr Coral Westaway is a Clinical Psychologist and Energy Psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of psychology, spirituality, and holistic health. Known as The Energy Psychologist, she brings together doctoral - level clinical training with energy psychotherapy, conscious connected breathwork, and body practice; creating a bridge between mainstream psychology and the energetic and spiritual dimensions of our lives.

Coral's work is rooted in a simple but radical belief: that the body holds our truth, and that real transformation happens not just in the mind, but through the whole system. Her own journey with stage 3+ colon cancer in 2021 deepened this understanding profoundly, and now informs everything she does.

Alongside her individual therapy and supervision work, Coral runs The Receiving Revolution : a 7 - week group programme for therapists, psychologists, and helping professionals who chronically overgive. These are the helpers who understand their patterns intellectually but find they cannot shift them at the level of the body and energy. The Receiving Revolution supports them to readdress that imbalance, reconnect with their own wisdom, and build lives and practices that are sustainable and genuinely nourish them.

You can find Coral at www.theenergypsychologist.org, and there is a growing library of free sessions for conscious therapists on her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheEnergyPsychologist. To find out more about The Receiving Revolution, visit her website or find her on Instagram @theenergypsychologist.

 keywords

 

Energy Psychology, EFT, Holistic Health, Mind-Body Connection, Spirituality in Psychology, Energy Medicine, Conscious Breathwork, Chakra, Meridian, Healing Techniques

 

 

 key  topics

 

Energy psychology techniques like EFT and meridian work

The integration of spirituality and science in mental health

Personal journey into energy medicine and holistic health

 

 sound bites

 

"Energy is in motion in everything."

"Blocks to energy flow limit our potential."

"The future of holistic health is energetic."

 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Energy Psychology

06:18 Personal Journey into Energy Medicine

09:15 Bridging Science and Spirituality

14:22 The Receiving Revolution Program

18:14 Understanding Overgiving and Caregiving

22:52 The Importance of the Body in Mental Health

26:33 Exploring Love and Heart Energy in Psychology

30:32 The Future of AI in Therapy

33:54 The Evolution of Energy Psychology

35:35 Ten second outro video.mp4

 

 resources

 

Energy Psychology Institute - https://energypsychologyinstitute.org/

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) - https://www.palaceofpossibilities.com/

summary

Dr Coral Westaway (Video); Why Should Modern Psychology Embrace Energy and Spirituality?

 

In this conversation Dr Naomi Murphy and David Jones meet with Dr. Coral Westaway and explore the world of energy psychology, its techniques like EFT, and its integration with traditional psychology. She shares her personal journey, the importance of holistic health, and how energy work can transform mental health practices.

Dr Coral Westaway is a Clinical Psychologist and Energy Psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of psychology, spirituality, and holistic health. Known as The Energy Psychologist, she brings together doctoral - level clinical training with energy psychotherapy, conscious connected breathwork, and body practice; creating a bridge between mainstream psychology and the energetic and spiritual dimensions of our lives.

Coral's work is rooted in a simple but radical belief: that the body holds our truth, and that real transformation happens not just in the mind, but through the whole system. Her own journey with stage 3+ colon cancer in 2021 deepened this understanding profoundly, and now informs everything she does.

Alongside her individual therapy and supervision work, Coral runs The Receiving Revolution : a 7 - week group programme for therapists, psychologists, and helping professionals who chronically overgive. These are the helpers who understand their patterns intellectually but find they cannot shift them at the level of the body and energy. The Receiving Revolution supports them to readdress that imbalance, reconnect with their own wisdom, and build lives and practices that are sustainable and genuinely nourish them.

You can find Coral at www.theenergypsychologist.org, and there is a growing library of free sessions for conscious therapists on her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@TheEnergyPsychologist. To find out more about The Receiving Revolution, visit her website or find her on Instagram @theenergypsychologist.

 keywords

 

Energy Psychology, EFT, Holistic Health, Mind-Body Connection, Spirituality in Psychology, Energy Medicine, Conscious Breathwork, Chakra, Meridian, Healing Techniques

 

 

 key  topics

 

Energy psychology techniques like EFT and meridian work

The integration of spirituality and science in mental health

Personal journey into energy medicine and holistic health

 

 sound bites

 

"Energy is in motion in everything."

"Blocks to energy flow limit our potential."

"The future of holistic health is energetic."

 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Energy Psychology

06:18 Personal Journey into Energy Medicine

09:15 Bridging Science and Spirituality

14:22 The Receiving Revolution Program

18:14 Understanding Overgiving and Caregiving

22:52 The Importance of the Body in Mental Health

26:33 Exploring Love and Heart Energy in Psychology

30:32 The Future of AI in Therapy

33:54 The Evolution of Energy Psychology

35:35 Ten second outro video.mp4

 

 resources

 

Energy Psychology Institute - https://energypsychologyinstitute.org/

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) - https://www.palaceofpossibilities.com/

This episode Highlights an urgent situation that we would like you all to act upon by following the links below and doing what you can. In particular sign the petition. Jeffrey Lee is due to be executed 11th June and the podcast with Laurel Hattix sheds light on the urgent and complex issues surrounding the death penalty, wrongful convictions, and criminal justice reform in Alabama through the story of Jeffrey Lee. Laurel Haddix, an Assistant Federal Defender, discusses the systemic failures that contributed to his case and advocates for justice and change.

 

KEY TOPICS

The case of Jeffrey Lee: history, legal challenges, and imminent execution

How Alabama's system of judicial override led to wrongful sentencing

The impact of underfunded public defense, especially in capital cases

Racial disparities in the death penalty system and jury selection

The untested method of nitrogen hypoxia as a new form of execution

The importance of community, faith, and resilience among death row inmates

Legal and legislative efforts to abolish or reform judicial override

The role of public advocacy, petitions, and clemency in justice campaigns

Systemic failures: racial bias, lack of mental health resources, and structural injustice

How Alabama’s practice of "death qualifying" juries affects fairness in trials

The emotional toll on inmates, families, and advocates fighting against the death penalty

Timestamps:

00:02 - Introduction to Jeffrey Lee’s case and the significance of systemic injustice

00:31 - Details of the crime and initial trial background

01:21 - Flaws in legal representation due to systemic underfunding

02:45 - The impact of inadequate defense in capital cases

04:02 - Jury decision for life without parole vs. judicial override for death sentence

04:32 - Explanation of Alabama’s judicial override system

05:47 - The political vulnerability of judicial override decisions

06:44 - Reforms in Alabama: abolition of judicial override in 2017

07:36 - The retrospective impact of the reform and ongoing cases 08:54 - Challenges in current legal appeals and the role of clemency

 09:57 - Advocacy strategies outside the court system

11:25 - Public perceptions of jury decision-making and justice transparency

12:57 - Community responses and why the process is misunderstood

14:24 - The mental health struggles of Jeffrey Lee and systemic neglect

15:46 - Jury selection biases and the effects of "death qualification" 18:11 - Development and disparities in Alabama’s death penalty practices

30:30 - The untested method of nitrogen hypoxia and its dangers

36:43 - The hope and faith of Jeffrey Lee’s resilience and advocacy

37:42 - How listeners can get involved and support the cause 38:48 - Closing remarks and call to action for justice and reformResources & Links:

Life for Jeffery Lee — Learn more about Jeffrey Lee’s story and how to help

https://www.lifeforjefferylee.com/action   PETITION

Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty — Organization leading advocacy on Alabama’s death row

In this episode, Dr. Steph Davies shares her extensive experience working at the front lines of death investigations, challenging assumptions, and uncovering hidden truths in suspicious and staged scenes. Her insights highlight the importance of meticulous forensic analysis and the pressing need for improved training and procedures in the UK’s coronial system.

Stephanie Davies is a former Senior Coroner's Officer and now an independent inquisitorial death investigator. She has a forensic science and forensic psychology background, and she has been investigating deaths for over twenty years. She is now studying for a doctorate and she consults on complex cases on behalf of families and lawyers. 

 

To find out more about Steph, please visit: www.deathinvestigator.co.uk  

 

Key topics:

The roles and responsibilities of a coroner's officer versus a coroner

Steph’s journey from forensic science and psychology to death investigations

Challenges faced by deaf professionals in forensic fields

Bloodstain pattern analysis and staged crime scene recognition

Investigating suspicious deaths and recognizing red flags

The Wilmslow murders case: forensic re-evaluation and uncovering potential serial offenses

The importance of critical thinking and attention to detail in forensic investigations

The false narratives and misinterpretations in high-profile cases like Lucy Letby

The systemic issues and misconduct in police investigations and whistleblowing experiences

Comparing US and UK practices in death investigation and training gaps

The value of independent forensic consultancy in complex cases

How working with death emphasizes the significance of life and the importance of truth

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Steph Davies and her forensic background

 

02:43 - Role of a coroner's officer and how it differs from a coroner

 

05:16 - Steph’s career journey and forensic interests

 

07:31 - Misconceptions about New York Police and forensic work in America

 

09:39 - Living with a hearing impairment and its impact on Steph’s career

 

12:36 - Day-to-day responsibilities of a coroner's officer and investigations

 

15:54 - Specialized training in staged crime scenes and bloodstain analysis

 

17:09 - Collaborating with police and other investigators on complex cases

 

18:41 - What drew Steph to investigate suspicious deaths and her inquisitive nature

 

22:39 - The Wilmslow murders: forensic re-examination and uncovering inconsistencies

 

27:53 - The potential presence of a serial offender and systemic investigation issues

 

32:13 - Re-evaluation of a series of suspicious cases and red flags

 

37:17 - The controversy and systemic flaws in police investigations and investigations’ aftermath

 

41:54 - Leaked reports, police misconduct, and challenges faced as a whistleblower

 

48:32 - The Lucy Letby case: forensic misinterpretations and miscarriages of justice

 

52:02 - Developing a moral compass and fighting systemic injustice

 

55:07 - Ongoing studies in coronial death determination and international practices

 

57:33 - Independent consulting work and future plans in complex forensic cases

 

60:02 - The impact of working with death on valuing life and pursuit of truth

Resources & Links:

Coronial Manner of Death Determination in Equivocal Deaths and Staged Crime Scenes (Doctoral Research) (replace with actual URL)

 

Note: This episode sheds light on the intricacies of forensic death investigations, emphasizing the importance of critical analysis, scientific rigor, and ethical responsibility in uncovering truth and justice.

Following last weeks expanded conversation with Chris Scanlon about the Henderson Hospital Dr Fiona Warren discusses her journey through her research career which involved personality disorders, therapeutic communities, and service effectiveness. This episode, an expanded version of the original from 2021 explores the historical context, research challenges, and the future of treatment approaches. It complements the conversation with Dr Chris Scanlon.

'

I have worked in the NHS and academic psychology teaching and researching “Personality Disorders” and related aspects such as impulsive behaviours and self-harm; offending; attachment styles and mentalization; treatment outcomes and staff training since early 1990s, including ten years in Clinical Psychology Training. Having trained more recently in coaching, I am also interested in contributing to the evidence base in coaching psychology. I have taught and examined both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Doing much of my "growing up" as a psychologist and researcher in a Democratic Therapeutic Community, I am committed to the involvement of those with "lived experience" in Clinical Training, research and service development.'

Key topics:

Fiona Warren’s career path from Henderson Hospital to university research and coaching.

The significance of Henderson Hospital in pioneering personality disorder treatment.

Challenges and ethics of conducting research in sensitive settings.

Qualitative versus quantitative research methods in mental health.

Cost-effectiveness studies of Henderson Hospital and their implications.

Evolving understanding of trauma-informed care and its impact on research.

The influence of therapeutic community principles like democratization and reality confrontation.

Political, social, and structural factors affecting mental health service provision.

The debate around what defines a therapeutic community and research standardization.

Personal reflections on growth, healing, and the importance of nature and literature.

Timestamps: 00:00 - Fiona Warren's background and career journey
02:23 - Heritage and research at Henderson Hospital
04:33 - Balancing research independence and clinical activity
06:58 - The importance of familiarity in research settings
07:52 - Using qualitative methods in personality disorder research
10:14 - Impact of trauma-informed conceptualizations on research
11:37 - Cost effectiveness of Henderson Hospital
13:03 - Service use reduction and economic implications
15:10 - Trauma, challenging behaviors, and the role of therapeutic environments
16:37 - Therapeutic pessimism and education in mental health treatment
17:42 - Gender differences in trauma disclosure and treatment receptivity
20:11 - Factors influencing the longevity and impact of research
21:15 - Political and social influences on Henderson’s closure
23:23 - Challenges of replicating and scaling therapeutic communities
30:47 - Fiona Warren’s review of treatment for personality disorder
35:32 - Debates around defining therapy and research standards in therapeutic communities
40:49 - Reflections on Henderson Hospital's closure and its legacy
55:06 - Personal sources of nourishment and resilience outside workResources & Links: