Richard O'Connor – författare

O'Connor, a therapist who suffers from depression, shows that depressed people have trouble digging themselves out of one episode or warding off the next because they have become adept at the "skills of depression," such as denying, procrastinating, and intellectualizing. Actively playing mentor, coach, cheerleader, and nurturer, therapists can engage patients' emotions, mitigate the effects of shame, and help them see connections between what happens in their lives and how they feel inside.

Anyone familiar with the town of Burton upon Trent may associate it with one thing above all else – brewing. Hardly surprising when you consider that at its peak, around a quarter of all of the beer in the UK was produced here. What many people don’t realise, however, is that this Staffordshire town has a diverse history that dates back to the Roman period. Later, it had the most important monastery in Staffordshire, and its medieval bridge was the scene of two significant battles in 1322 and again during the English Civil War. Burton was also home to the powerful Paget family and the Peel family who played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution.It should be no surprise that the echoes of this town’s long and varied past can be heard and seen in the form of countless ghost sightings. These range from fleeting glimpses of opaque figures crossing roads and the chiming of bells from churches long since demolished, to the more sinister visions of murderous monks, and of the recently deceased rising from their graves to torment the townspeople.Paranormal Burton upon Trent takes you on a spooky tour from the heart of Burton to the surrounding parishes of Repton, Hanbury, Newton Solney and Church Gresley in which readers will encounter exclusive reports from real paranormal investigators who have spent over a decade studying this town’s many spirits, and uncover historical events including the accident that resulted in the world’s largest ever man-made non-nuclear explosion. The book combines well-known local legends with first-hand encounters from current residents to provide the most in-depth account of Burton’s haunted heritage to date.

Regarded worldwide as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, the Black Country has a long and diverse history, where countless ghostly tales are born. From the blistering heat of the blast furnaces and the deafening din of the steelworks, the spectres of industry emerge. Yet, the region’s history spans over a thousand years, with sightings of ghostly monks and Civil War soldiers still reported today. In this book, author Richard O’Connor travels the breadth and depth of the Black Country to uncover the region’s darkest and most mysterious ghost stories. From murderous villains who lurked along the many canals to hooded riders fleeing musket battles with the sheriff, Paranormal Black Country offers spine-chilling stories for both history buffs and paranormal enthusiasts alike. Spend a night with Richard at one of the most haunted hotels in the country before venturing into the crypt at Dudley’s famous castle and zoo, where exotic animals aren’t the only unusual inhabitants of the ancient battlements. Uncover the region’s explosive connection to the infamous Gunpowder Plot, before enjoying one last drink at the legendary Crooked House pub. Though the collieries and foundries that once illuminated the night sky with a fiery hue have long since closed, the landscape of this vast region still bears the scars of its past – along with the whispers of those who haunt its shadows.