What is ‘counselling’ and ‘psychotherapy’ … Counselling is the application of a vast range of various techniques from many ‘schools of thought’, aimed to support you to identify and shift your thinking and behaviours, that are contributing to a sense of emotional or mental distress. Talking therapies allow us to release tension attached to the experiences. Psychotherapy refers to deeper exploration of your mind toward the root underlying causes of distress or mental ill-health. Usually includes specific focus toward both unconscious experiences and external events. I work predominantly from the theories and practices of ‘Family Systems’, ‘Internal Family Systems IFS’, ‘Trauma informed model (Neuroscience)’, and ‘Neuroplasticity’; all shaped to your needs and at your own pace.
Systems Thinking
Family Systems theory affirms that we are all interconnected with the people and wider environment; When we or another changes that system/pattern it creates a ‘ripple effect’ and change in others occurs. How we interact within our family and other environments depends on what we have learned about ourselves in our world. These patterns and dynamics become so automatic we barely notice their repetition. Life experiences require adjustments to these pattern as we move through both ‘Individual Development Life stages’ and ‘Family Life Cycles’; many factors can strengthen us during these times or reduce our capacity to manage. I use these models to support your awareness and growth.
Internal Family Systems – IFS
Internal Family Systems is a theory of ‘multiplicity of mind’. We tend to think we have one solid unchanging personality; but instead we ‘all’ have multiple internal ‘parts’ (sometimes known as behaviours/coping strategies/defences/schemas/complexes. These ‘Parts’ are sophisticated in their individual roles within our daily interactions with the world. We all know those times when ‘one part of us wants this’ and ‘another wants that’. These times are often felt as anxiety and being pulled within ourselves. It is our subconscious that ultimately makes our decisions so it’s well worth taking the time to understand and appreciate yours; the aim is to be ‘Mindfully’ aware of our inner capacity (SELF) to attend to our own deepest hurts and needs, and position ourselves for a sense of Self Leadership. Internal Family Systems IFS has brought much healing to my clients and to myself. It is a beautiful, gentle method to explore and unburden the protective and anxious parts of our minds and to heal deep wounds. For a deeper explanation of this model of Psychotherapy see Dr Richard Schwartz and The Centre for Self Leadership.
Trauma related mental Health
As a Trauma Informed therapist I am interested in ‘what has happened’ rather than ‘what is wrong’. Traumatic events happen to all of us in our lives; whether we are traumatised depends on earlier life experiences, what happens during the events and afterward. It is very important to have as many opportunities as one needs to talk and express the complicated thoughts and emotions that often overwhelm after trauma. This safety to express and reprocess the memory allows us to reduce the pent up energy around the traumatic event. Neuroscience shows changes in the brain occur after trauma; It also shows healing is possible with appropriate and quality care.
Neuroplasticity
Neuroscience refers to how our brains are effected by trauma. When the brain is traumatised our Amygdala becomes enlarged, leading us to become overly anxious , withdrawn, or reactive. Our brains can become addicted to stimulation often leading to further stress if we are not aware. Neuroplasticity is the evidence of neuroscientific research testing that proves our brains are pliable at any age and that with new awareness, skills, practice, and care we can change/heal our brains. (see Dan Siegel’s Mindsight)