In my last post, I talked about the difficulties people face in working through emotions. Whether it be new clients to therapy, or novice meditators it is difficult to convey the importance of exploring the felt sense of anger, hurt, rejection, guilt. It is tempting to stay in the story, retreat to the head – …
“I don’t want to feel this way anymore” “If I let myself cry, I don’t think I’ll ever stop” “I want the pain to just go away” It is common for a person starting counselling to spend the first few sessions recounting the stories that have brought them to see me; why they feel stress, …
How mindfulness meditation helps me be a better therapist to my clients In the coming months I am delivering mindfulness workshops to practitioners within the counselling and psychotherapy profession. It is incredible to witness the growing interest to mindful living generally; I am especially pleased to see my profession placing value in the practice of meditation. There …
Read more “Sitting on the cushion, stepping up to the plate”
There is no doubt about it, sport is lucrative business. For a country like the UK it also plays a huge part in our Nation’s identity. One only has to look at sporting participation data since the 2012 Olympics, the recent media coverage of the Commonwealth Games, and (much to my own delight) the crowds …
Ever since I started meditating 5 years ago, I have made the time and space to go away on a retreat at least once per year. Last year I was fortunate to go away twice: once to Vermont in the Spring, the second trip to Limoges in Central France. This year I’ve not been able …
The delights of technology – I’m actually on retreat as this post goes live, but the wonders of WordPress means I can still connect with you all as I sit on my meditation cushion! As both a therapeutic counsellor and coach, I often get asked by prospective clients what the best approach would be to …
Read more “What’s the difference between coaching and therapy?”
I had a holiday in Cornwall lately, some much needed breathing space during a week under canvas. It was a simple week: reading, cooking on a gas stove or BBQ and walking the rugged cliffs along the north cornwall shore (and ok, I admit some lovely cream teas!) I love walking, being out in nature. …
I recently attended a workshop at The Gestalt Centre in London looking at how to build a private practice. In the months leading up to the workshop I had been ‘umming and arring’ about whether to attend: after all, I had started a business before, what more could they tell me?Counsellors dilemma to have a brand Yet …
Read more “Being human: a marketing dilemma for counsellors”
As a mindfulness meditation instructor, I often get questions regarding this new ‘go to cure’ that is mindfulness. Even the government have jumped on the mindfulness wave here in the UK; and there has even been a slow shift in favour toward mindfulness based therapies over the previous NHS treatment of choice Cognitive Behavioural Therapy…a fine victory …