Celebs wax hysterical about ‘therapy’ to heal their latest heartbreaks, conquer addictions and resolve family rifts, but for the rest of us, ‘seeing a shrink’ is more hush-hush. Linda Smith sets aside stigma and discovers the wonders of hired help for the head

It’s shamelessly bandied about between friends with hopeful new year’s abandon, but the word ‘colonics’ describes a practice dividing the medical industry. Hannah Blamey and Rebecca Long flush out the facts on personal plumbing

If you’ve left it a little late to fit into that bikini, breathe – there could still be a solution, in treatments that promise to tone and slim in as little time as your lunch hour. Question is, do they work? Charmaine Yabsley finds out.

Few things beat a festive glass of bubbly, but it’s a fine line between tipsy and toxic. Charmaine Yabsley explores the dangers of ‘doing drinks’

Biology says thou shalt expand, drop and droop as you age, but there are ways to ward off the middle age spread, writes David Goding

Forget faking it ‘til you make it. Genuine, lasting confidence is within your reach, writes Diana Timmins

Depression is likely to affect one in five women in the course of their lifetime. It is a complex and serious illness, but there is medical evidence that regular exercise is as effective as other treatments, including medication. Susanna Nelson reports

Want to know how to thrive rather than simply survive during periods of transition? Diana Timmins explores how to manage stress in order to move freely with the times

Forget crystal balls and gypsies, hypnosis is a bone fide health tonic that can help you quit smoking, slim down and conquer your fears. Tamra Mercieca lifts the veil on what this age-old therapy is all about

The latest statistics show brain cancer has the second highest mortality rate in young and middle-aged women. Dr Cassy Richmond investigates progressive new treatments and whether mobile phone use affects your risk