Working with the Body and the Breath
We often ignore the resources of our bodies and depend on our thinking to solve our problems. The thinking mind is a wonderful faculty, but it is conditioned to avoid pain and push away discomfort. When we become stressed, anxious or fearful, our sympathetic nervous system switches on, preparing us for ‘fight or flight’, our breath becomes shallow, as our body prepares to defend. But when we activate the parasympathetic nervous system through breathing properly, we prepare the body for rest and relaxation.
Thich Nhat Hanh says, ‘Your body is a wonder’, because it gives us the capacity to feel our feelings in an embodied way. When we do, we feel safer and more at home in ourselves.
Breathing properly returns us to a natural calm state, and it can be directed to explore the body-mind for creative resources and new ways of seeing and experiencing situations.
I incorporate breath exercises and visualisation techniques where appropriate to ground experiences and to tap-into the support and insight the body and imagination can give when we listen to it.
Supervision
I am a qualified supervisor and work with both individuals and groups. For therapists and counsellors, supervision is a pivotal part of training and on-going professional development, and provides a framework to reflect and gain insight into areas of practice
I work with both qualified therapists, student therapists, and art therapists. I also offer tutorials for therapists who want to work with drama and movement and creative approaches in their practice.
Drama & Movement in Therapy
Within one-to-one therapy there is scope to draw on drama and movement to support the emergence of new thoughts, feelings, insights and inspirations. Working this way is not necessarily ‘dramatic’ or ‘theatrical’ but a vital and imaginative way of embodying new awareness or exploring experiences when ‘words are not enough’.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Psychotherapy and Counselling?
Psychotherapy is more process lead, and allows time to explore deeper issues, and counselling is usually more focussed, and goal orientated and usually lasts for a shorter period of time.
How long will I need to come to therapy? And when will I know that it is finished?
It is difficult to say how long you will need to come, particularly at the beginning, as time is needed for the therapeutic relationship to develop, and for issues to be explored at a pace that is appropriate for you. But generally, when you are feeling you are living with greater ease and confidence then this would be the time to discuss ending therapy.
Will I have to do drama and movement?
No. Drama and Movement in Therapy is not for everyone, although sometimes more introverted people find that it is not as intrusive or embarrassing as they thought. Importantly, movement and consent drama in therapy does not entail performing or being extrovert. I only introduce it with a client’s permission, and even then, it may only be a part of the session.
About confidentiality
As previously stated, my sessions are confidential, and all contact details and notes are kept securely. I will not discuss you outside of sessions, except for my clinical supervision where I may refer to specific sessions, but client identities remain confidential.