A Celebration of Psychotherapy
Ten years ago I set upon my own journey to wellness. There have been many twists, turns, challenges, celebrations, backward steps and forward leaps along the way, but today I find myself a very different woman to the lost soul so unsure of how to ‘do’ life, that I was then.
Of course time and growing older have played a part in that, but so has psychotherapy. Finding my way into psychotherapy as a client changed the course of my life, and perhaps even saved it. This is what inspired me to retrain in the profession; not only so I could pay that experience forward, but because I now know, from the fullness of my heart, that absolutely anyone can find their version of happiness. This knowing is what I hold for my clients; especially when they are unable to hold it for themselves.
And so while my work as a practitioner has evolved and I no longer consider myself as purely a ‘psychotherapist’, I am fiercely proud of this powerful work, and it will always sit at the core of what I do.
I’ve written this post to help you understand what psychotherapy is and how it is foundational to the way I support and guide my clients.
What is psychotherapy?
One of the misconceptions is that psychotherapy is only for people at rock bottom. Yes, frequently it does take a catalyst like a significant life transition, traumatic event or a deep unhappiness to spur someone into reaching out, however, psychotherapy is as relevant for those simply wanting to understand themselves better, to find more fulfilment and pleasure from life or learn how to bring their best to their relationships, as it is for those that are really struggling.
It is my deep belief that we all have the right to a happy and meaningful existence. Life can throw unexpected, and sometimes cruel, curveballs, but, as in the wild, there is always the potential for something beautiful to grow from even the most challenging of terrain.
Psychotherapy guides in the way of such growth. It can support in deeply transforming historical wounds and embedded trauma; it heals shame; it teaches us how to soothe, re-balance, resource and harmonise; it illuminates the way towards more connected and intimate relationships (with both ourselves and others); it improves confidence and self-worth, and gently peels away the layers of accumulated experiences to put us in touch with our authentic, un-conditioned Self.
The ‘work’ does not need to be a dark and relentless interrogation of the past. In my view psychotherapy is nourishing, optimistic and forward-gazing, and the gateway not only to deep healing, but lasting, positive change.
How I bring psychotherapy into my work
Over time I’ve become more and more fascinated by the complexities and wonder of what it is to be human; especially at this point in history when just so much of the world as we’ve known it is changing.
This curiosity has led me to work with teachers of a variety of wonderful and fascinating disciplines, and these learnings and experiences breathes life and energy into the work I do with my own clients.
There is uniqueness to every story I’m told; every quiet dream, every desire for the future, every decision to be made and every bridge that needs to be crossed, and so I endeavour to meet my clients exactly where they are. Using a combination of psychotherapy, coaching, mentoring and intuitive guidance, we travel forwards, backwards, inwards and outwards to make sense of that story: Who have you become and who do you want to be? How do you engage in your relationships? What does well-being mean to you? How does it feel to be you, living your life? How would you like to feel each day? How would you like your wellness / career / relationships / world to look?
Our inherited ideas and stored-away experiences often entrap us into keeping small. By understanding our story and asking these questions, we can release old patterns and limiting beliefs and start to bring that quiet dream to life.
As a transpersonal psychotherapist I hold space for the spiritual aspects to life and living, and work from a heart-centred and relationship-focussed perspective; this approach is aligned with who I am, as both a practitioner and human. I encourage my clients to consider their whole life; we explore the matters that are challenging them now, but may also talk about their childhood, important events, how they feel about life’s big questions and what it is their soul is calling for ~ and then take step-by-step action as we learn.
I believe we are capable of anything when we align with who we are and become open to possibility. Each and every one of us holds a new truth that is waiting to be discovered, gifts that are waiting to be embraced, an authentic voice waiting to be heard and great potential waiting to be fulfilled. This beautiful, deep and powerful work supports us as we step towards the fullest expression of who we truly are.
We are all just so, special :)
To my fellow therapists out there; thank you for the amazing work you do.
To all;