I really enjoy doing clinical work with clients. It is great to see people overcome obstacles and move on with their lives, or to observe the relief that people feel when they can get a handle on a problem that seemed unresolvable.
When I began counselling, I used a number of forms of ‘talk’ therapy, but realized that while these work very well for some issues, they are not always effective when dealing with stress and trauma. I still use many types of talk therapy based on family dynamics, behaviour, the stories of people’s lives, etc.
When I began to explore how to help people with their traumas, I looked at the role that our bodies have in storing experiences of stress and trauma, and the connections between the body, mind and spirit. Traumatic experiences tend to stay locked in our bodies until they can be released. Working with the body and mind together is key in overcoming trauma.
Having studied EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in 2003 and Energy Medicine in 2006, I was able to help clients in a way that no amount of talking could ever do. I became a certified EMDR therapist and am now an EMDR consultant, helping others learn to do this therapy.
I have also added other modes of therapy to my practice and am continually increasing my knowledge, so that I can help clients more effectively. The following are some of the types of therapy that I practise. They all help clients move through trauma work:
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) see my description by clicking the blue letters
Imaginal Nurturing which is used for clients as an adjunct to trauma work (see April Steele's website for an explanation of this process developed by Ms Steele).
I always consider where my client is at in the process of therapy, and they are the ones who make the decisions about treatment. After all, who would know better than they do what they need?