How do we work together in therapy?
Every client is (obviously) an individual, but there are some common themes in our work together.
Active listening
I’m trained to listen to you. The skill of active listening doesn’t come naturally to anyone, although some fortunate people had childhood caregivers who modelled it and passed it on.
Identify then change outdated subconscious childhood adaptations
I help adults understand how their adaptations to life circumstances during childhood continue to shape their adult lives. Whilst these behaviours and ways of thinking had 100% success for childhood survival, they can cause difficulties in adult domestic and workplace relationships.
Hypnotherapy and other ‘right brain’ and somatic therapies can help bring these subconscious patterns to awareness. I help my clients recognise then choose how to change those outdated patterns so they can thrive rather than just survive.
Identify unhelpful assumptions about the ‘correct’ way to live
Many people need support to recognise and question childhood rigid rules for acceptance such as being perfect, pleasing others, limiting social interactions to an ‘approved’ type, or having a certain physical appearance.
Experiencing therapeutic rupture and repair
Sometimes clients come to me prompted by distressing social ruptures where one or both parties want to repair the relationship but don’t know how. (I’m excluding abusive situations here – safety is always paramount.) Although I regularly check my understanding of a client’s concerns, there may be times when I misunderstand. In the safety of a trusted therapeutic relationship, it can be valuable to model the healthy adult acknowledgement of error, with appropriate apology and repair.
Reducing loneliness through self-acceptance
We often hid ‘shameful’ parts of ourself in order to be found acceptable when growing up. Learning that it’s OK to be a little bit weird and finding your similarly little bit weird-minded tribe can be liberating and reduce loneliness.
My gentle therapist curiosity, with unconditional positive regard (I won’t judge you), aims to helps clients explore thoughts, feelings and memories they might otherwise avoid. The aim is increased self-knowledge.
Please email me for a copy:
Mind-body
Your body is not separate from your mind*. The 12 cranial nerves pass from the body to the brain and from the brain to the body. We need to look after our body with healthy nutrition (wholefood and plant-based), sleep, movement, minimal toxins (alcohol, tobacco, antibiotic-laden meat, workplace chemicals), personal hygiene and safe sun exposure (depending on our inherited melanin levels) in order to have a healthy mind.
Start with small manageable steps if you are a long way off where you want to be. Consistency is key.
(*The 17th century French philosopher Rene Descartes came up with mind-body dualism.)
Please email if you would like a free leaflet (with referenced evidence) on diet and:
- migraine
- IBS
- cholesterol
- triglycerides
- IBS
- polymetabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS)
- fatty liver disease
- hypertension
- constipation
- type 2 diabetes
