A Tulse Hill father uses his debut book to blend poetry and CBT for personal growth and empowerment
Tulse Hill: A dad has just released his first book, Recognition. It mixes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and poetry to help people grow personally.
Mr. Lisp, as he calls himself, chose this name because of his speech impediment. Growing up, he struggled with a lisp that made saying the letter ‘S’ tough. This led to years of teasing and self-doubt.
He shared with the News Shopper that this experience made him feel isolated and low in self-esteem. It was a battle he faced for most of his life.
During the lockdown, he realized he needed to change. He thought, “How can I ask my kids to be their best selves if I’m hiding who I am?” So, he decided to embrace change and work on his mindset.
Mr. Lisp is a creative guy. He turned to art, journaling, and poetry to express what he couldn’t say out loud. Poetry became his way of being himself, reflecting on his feelings and using it as therapy.
He believes poetry is a form of art and therapy, essential for expression and communication. Drawing from his background as a substance misuse counselor and CBT practitioner, he wrote Recognition to help others improve their mindset.
He didn’t want to create just another self-help book. He aimed for something impactful and personal that readers could use throughout their lives as they grow.
His book includes poems and affirmations that resonate differently at various stages of life. The inspiration for his book also led to an event called The Mask We Wear, focused on introspection and art.
Mr. Lisp explained that the event was about showing how we all wear masks for different reasons, sometimes without even realizing it. The goal was to create a space for people to be their true selves.
Throughout his journey, he’s had a solid support system of family and friends, helping him stay balanced. He said it gives him an outlet to express himself verbally, which is still new but exciting.
His advice for anyone facing challenges? “Believe in yourself, even when others don’t. Obstacles are just tests that help you grow.”
He believes there’s no such thing as failure; it’s all about learning from experiences. Recognition is just the beginning for Mr. Lisp.
He’s already planning his second book, Our Issues Don’t Define Us, Vol. 1, set to release in 2025. This one will tackle tough topics like substance abuse and domestic violence.
He hopes to work with others to empower people through poetry and creative expression. Mr. Lisp aims to visit schools and organizations in 2025 to encourage self-discovery and creativity.