When children feel helpless, angry, or scared for long periods of time, it can be remembered in their bodies. This is particularly so in the case of trauma, whereby specific (trauma-implicated) body parts may start to feel somewhat disconnected to the rest of the body (e.g. headaches, neck pain, … [Read more...]
What is it like being in a Psychotherapy Group? Case study – Joe
In my experience, when exploring joining a therapy group, people often ask what it will be like. I thought it might be helpful to write a fictional narrative to give a flavour of the therapeutic experience of being in a group. This ‘case’ is not based on a real individual although some of the … [Read more...]
A Primary Task
This is second of eight short blogs exploring the elements of therapeutic change as proposed by Dr Sebastian Kramer. Click here to read the first one - 'A Desire to Change'.2. A primary task, a goal . . .When a client enters therapy they give us permission, to help them with an initial … [Read more...]
Cultural Identity and Integration – Feeling at Home in your own skin
I feel lucky to live and work in a place where I am in contact with people of diverse cultural backgrounds. Many seek me out as a therapist to talk about their personal struggles with cultural identity and belonging. Difference is something which is deeply felt in one’s skin and bones and living in … [Read more...]
Why behavioural approaches do not work for all children
One of the most frequently asked questions put to me in clinic, is why some children do not respond to traditional reward/punishment based behavioural strategies. The answer is simple – because, contrary to popular opinion, these strategies do not work for all children in all situations.This is … [Read more...]
Analytic Therapy for Addictions
Freud stated that his aim in psychoanalysis was to help patients transform ‘hysterical misery into common unhappiness’. Similarly in Buddhism, the concept ‘Dukkha’ is commonly translated to suffering, unhappiness, pain or stress and refers to the habitual experience of mundane life. Why Do We Get … [Read more...]
Group Psychotherapy in a post ‘Pandemic World’
I wonder how you have coped with the forced isolation imposed on all of us during the corona virus. Has the weekly hand clapping made you feel more part of your local community providing some small contact with others during the week? Or have you been part of a family meeting on Zoom or with … [Read more...]
“Should I stay, or should I go?” What does easing the lockdown mean to you?
I have found the Clash’s song of this title playing over in my mind when thinking about the current easing of the social lock down in the UK. It seems to me that we all, to some degree or another, now face a dilemma whether to stay or go.Straight away, it is important to acknowledge the … [Read more...]
A desire to change
One of my favourite papers is by Dr Sebastian Kraemer, called 'Something Happens: Elements of Therapeutic Change'. This blog helps break down what therapists and clients set out to do, as they sit together in a therapy room both hoping that change can be immobilised from a stuck situation.This … [Read more...]
How Psychotherapy can help shape a better world
In Psychotherapy people learn how to reflect more on their lives, choices, behaviours and feelings. This more thoughtful and reflective mode translates into how one sees her or his world and their place within it.We learn to feel more connected to ourselves and others, and to behave in more … [Read more...]
Magnificent Monsters
“The passions, these “magnificent monsters” (Nietzsche, 1967, p. 521), can we consider them a gift in which something valuable can be learnt?Below is a consideration of the multiple, dynamic, creative and sometimes conflicting forces of energy that are often competing for dominance within us – … [Read more...]
Corona Virus …… is in my garden!
Early in lockdown I turned to my garden for the first time in a long time and my thoughts took an interesting turn which I wanted to share with you.I spotted the jasmine shrub which had overgrown and was ‘invading' my garden! It had put deep star shaped roots all over the garden which were … [Read more...]
Love in the time of Covid
I admit the shameless plagiarising of the title of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ - ‘Love in the Time of Cholera’ as it fits as a Segway into considering the tresses and strains of both finding love, and holding onto in, in the current pandemic. The statisticsDisturbing statistics are emerging of … [Read more...]
Educational Psychotherapy (2) – developing empathy, mind-mindedness and self-discovery
In Educational Psychotherapy (1), I explain how Educational Psychotherapy first evolved and how, as an approach, it can help promote social and emotional development as well as the thinking skills required for learning. This was illustrated through the aspects of a child’s first six months in … [Read more...]
Why am I feeling more anxiety with Covid-19?
During the last 100 days, all of our lives, across the globe, have been turned upside down. Whilst scientifically overdue and rationally unsurprising, the pandemic has shaken the foundations of our outer, and thus, inner worlds. What we came to see as normal has been curtailed or removed; what we … [Read more...]