Personal Growth and Psychotherapy
Personal development occurs as a result of our experiences through which we gain awareness, expand one’s identity, develop talents, build potential, facilitate employability or contribute to realization of our dreams and aspirations. Growth can happen naturally, or as a consequence of our intentional actions to enhance quality of our inner life.
Psychotherapy is one of the methods which can support individuals when, frequently due to a stressful or traumatic event, resurfacing memories from childhood, illness, mental health condition or stress and exhaustion, their ability to deal with challenges and tasks of daily life becomes temporarily impaired, or bears very high emotional costs. Psychotherapy can focus on alleviating the discomfort, changing the client’s habits and behaviours or finding ways how to deal with situations in a less stressful and more efficient manner. Process oriented psychotherapy states that the most relevant solutions for the client are found as a result of them gaining awareness of all aspects of the issue, as the keys to the problem are always hidden within the problem itself. By providing a confidential and non-judgemental setting and making use of a range of skills and techniques the facilitator can secure a space in which healing and transformation can take place.
When Therapy Can Be of Use
Psychotherapy or counselling can support you in situations when you have a problem, anxiety or doubt which makes your life much more difficult than before it occured. In most situations people can eventually start coping on our own, but professional and empathetic support can considerably shorten the process. In other cases, therapy is needed to provide a footing to regain access to your resources. It is based on a very simple principle: imagine a situation when you accidentally stepped into quicksand or swamp. Unless there are some readily available tools at your disposal (low hanging branches just above your head, a rope with a hook in your pocket), getting out can be at least a bit tricky endeavour. However, having been provided with initial assistance, most often you are going to be soon on your feet.
Common reasons why clients decide to see a psychotherapist
- psychosomatic symptoms: medical tests did not confirm their health-related background, but the symptom is there
- relationship problems or breakdowns with a partner, children or other family members
- personal life being increasingly affected by work challenges
- low mood over prolonged periods of time, insomnia, exhaustion, feelings of isolation, increasing lack of satisfaction and enjoyment from one’s work and life, burnout syndrom
- situations which put you under severe stress which makes it difficult to function or perform up to the required level
- bereavement, strong feelings of grief, anger, loss or blame lasting for a prolonged period of time
- past traumas, flashbacks, resurfacing memories from childhood
- feelings of inadequacy due to of one’s personal history, characteristics or ethnic origin
- medical conditions or / and diagnoses
Difference between coaching and therapy
Depending on the approach, the distinctions between coaching and therapy can be more or less clear-cut. It is assumed that coaching is most often used in work or sport context, that it involves work with clients who function well in daily life, that it is client-led and goal oriented. Therapy, on the other hand, usually addresses personal issues, is applied to work with clients whose ability to function has been affected by internal or external factors, focuses on alleviating the discomfort, usually by eradicating the causes of the problem or finding how to live with it. The therapist’s role has usually a larger scope than the coach’s one. In some approaches the therapist can share the ‘expert’ role with the client by providing information or making recommendations to the client.
There are cases in which origin of the client’s career problems can be traced to their personal history. In such an instance, therapy can provide a highly confidential setting, where the client and the therapist work on those sensitive issues which most often results in a significant improvement, felt both at the client’s workplace as well as in their private life.
Method
The sessions draw from the paradigm of Process Oriented Psychology, known also as Processwork. Created by Arnold Mindell and his colleagues in the 1970s in Switzerland, it is currently being researched and developed in a number of countries around the world. Processwork traces its roots to the analytic psychology of C.G.Jung, communication theory, oriental philosophies, systems theory and quantum physics. One of its main premises is that through exploring and integrating all and especially the most ‘difficult’ aspects of our daily life, such as relationship problems, body symptoms, disturbing dreams, unexpected changes, effects of anxiety, stress or burn-out, we can find a deeper insight into the sources of our problems and new, often surprising solutions. Moreover, this newly gained awareness can show us paths towards further development and provide support to create new, enriching patterns. We can become empowered to transform our experiences, grow personally and professionally and as a result lead a richer and more meaningful life. Processwork can be used in a variety of settings: with individuals, couples, communities, groups and organisations.
Services
One-off Consultations
Individual sessions
Relationship sessions
Workshops
Groups
Seminars and Courses
Processwalks
Retreats
One-off Consultations
The therapist listens to the presented problem and then, depending on the client’s request, they either offer their views on the matter, take part in drawing a plan of action to be followed by the client after the session or present the follow up options which may include individual or relationship sessions, participation in a workshop on a particular theme, consulting a GP, etc.
Individual sessions
The client and the therapist meet regularly for a specified period of time, exploring issues named during the initial appointment and any other issues stemming from their subsequent work. Frequency of the meetings and length of therapy can be discussed, so it best matches the individual’s needs. The sessions can take place in person or via Skype.
Relationship sessions
For couples, partners, family members and friends. The therapist works with the interested parties on difficulties and challenges present in their relationship. The sessions take place usually fortnightly, but it is possible to slightly adjust the frequency. In person or on Skype.
Workshops
One to three day interactive events focusing on a particular area or issue. They usually consist of a short theoretical introduction, followed by group and dyad work and individual reflection.
Groups
In order to explore certain issues it is extremely helpful to meet in a group setting, interact and share with the facilitator and other participants, facing similar challenges. Groups normally consist of between seven and ten sessions, often the last one takes form of a residential workshop in a quiet location.
Seminars and Courses
They focus on teaching a particular subject or broadening knowledge around a specific theme. Most often including a comprehensive theoretical background, they can also incorporate one-to-one and group exercises and discussions.
Processwalks
One to three day expeditions during which we can unstrain by immersing in nature, participating in personal development activities, visiting captivating places and spending the evening around a bonfire.
Retreats
One to six day sessions, most often residential in admirable out-of-the-way locations, providing ample opportunities to gain distance and look at our life from another perspective. Retreats’ key focus is on establishing, refreshing or strengthening the connection with one’s inner self, and through that also the contact with people around us, groups we are a part of, our community and the world. The programme can contain contemplation sessions, individual or group outdoor quests, peaceful strolls at sunset, gatherings to share and discuss our discoveries, various forms of artistic expression, opportunities to enjoy nutritious and savoury meals. In such favourable conditions, it is much easier to allow oneself time to rest, recharge and reflect on the direction in which our life wants to proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it true that only people with mental health problems or after having a traumatic experience see a psychotherapist?
No, it is not. Contrary to what still might echo in parts of our society, psychotherapists can work with individuals who received a diagnosis or survived traumatic experiences as well as with normally functioning people who would like to change a habit or find a new way of dealing with an issue.
How long does the therapy take?
The number of meetings reflects the nature of the task. Some people choose to arrange a one-off consultation to gain more clarity about an issue, others would like to devote a few sessions to work on one of their concerns. Some clients want to initiate and maintain profound changes in their life so they decide to participate in sessions over a few months or even longer.
I have never used such services and I am not totally convinced whether it is for me. Will I have time, after the initial session, to think and decide whether I want to commence therapy?
During the first appointment the therapist asks the client to tell them about the problem and about what they would like to achieve. Having heard that, the therapist offers an overview and brings forward ideas on the direction of the work and the areas it might involve. If the client decides they would like to try it, subsequent meetings are scheduled. If they would prefer to consider the options and contact the therapist later, they are most welcome to do so.
What do the sessions look like? It is just sitting and talking?
Often it is not. The methods of work are tailored to what best matches the cognitive style of the parson and their ways of expressing themselves. Apart from participating in a conversation, the therapist can apply techniques supporting the client to explore the experience to a greater extent, for instance through role-playing, or to focus more on one’s feelings and what is blocking them, using bodywork. Therapy can also include work with one’s dreams, body symptoms and illnesses, relationship problems, altered and extreme states, coma or addictions, each of them having a particular set of tools we can employ.
Can I arrange a session for somebody who needs to see a therapist (my partner, parent, close friend, etc)?
Apart from situations when the person is in coma or an extreme state of consciousness (certain psychiatric diagnoses) and cannot talk on the phone, it is preferable that the client contacts me personally. The sessions are entirely voluntary and therefore possible only when the client wants to take part in them.
What forms of payment do you accept?
When arranging an initial session, I will ask you to make an advance payment online. During the subsequent sessions it is possible to pay by cash or continue with transfers, we can confirm the most suitable method at the end of the first appointment.