Co-dependence is: ‘A painful internal state of low-grade chronic depression which is literally precipitated by intense and chronic mourning for our authentic selves’ John Bradshaw A LIFE OF OTHER-ATION This week’s lecture (and the final one of this term) was on codependence. The lecture series has been an interesting one this term given the focus on addictions
“after all I’ve done for you” Co-dependency in Therapy Read More »
TheoryWe had a fascinating lecture on couples therapy this week. This followed our weekend on sexual abuse. The lecture addressed the issues involved when the day of reckoning came for all relationships. The reckoning day is when the honeymoon period ends (and this can vary as a time-span from couple to couple) and when the
Why do couples seek couples therapy? Read More »
TheoryOur second weekend on sex involved discussing sexual abuse, erotic transference and how to deal with panic attacks. There were lots of opportunities to discuss the practical aspects of our client work which was very helpful. We also referred to the BACP Ethical Framework. It was perhaps an appropriate time to have this weekend when
Sexual abuse, erotic transference and how to deal with panic attacks Read More »
TheoryMy course is going well. So far this term we have had lectures on a transpersonal view of adolescence, sexual development and eating disorders. In addition we have had two weekends on sexual development. For the next two weeks we have lectures on addictions so presumably we will cover the whole gambit of addictions. I have enjoyed discussing
Transpersonal View of adolescence, sexual development and eating disorders Read More »
TheoryHave you ever wondered what the Elements Model is and how useful is it in Psychotherapy? Or indeed have you ever heard of the Elements Model? The Elements Model, devised by CCPE, is a transpersonal integrative approach to understanding of personality and emphasises the potential of clients. So far so good you might think, isn’t that
What is the Elements Model and how useful is it in Psychotherapy? Read More »
Theorythe journey in transpersonal integrative psychotherapy is to seek one’s essence, one’s real self I often wonder if early life experiences are important in shaping adult character and whether unconscious communication such as transference and counter-transference is integral to transpersonal integrative psychotherapy. Perhaps transpersonal integrative psychotherapy presupposes psychoanalysis or, rather, include it as a first
We had a three day weekend on Gestalt Psychotherapy, which for me, proved to be one of the most powerful components of the course so far. The word gestalt is used to describe a phenomenon/concept in which the ‘whole’ is considered as greater than the sum total of all its parts. We initially started the
Gestalt psychotherapy Read More »
Theory“Neuro-Linguistic Programming n. a model of interpersonal communication chiefly concerned with the relationship between successful patterns of behaviour and the subjective experiences (esp. patterns of thought) underlying them; a system of alternative therapy based on this which seeks to educate people in self-awareness and effective communication, and to change their patterns of mental and emotional
Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) for the counselling toolbox? Read More »
TheoryI am currently undertaking research to evaluate the relevance of early life and psychodynamic ideas of unconscious communication e.g. transference and counter transference to transpersonal integrative psychotherapy. I am reminded how ground breaking the ideas of Freud was, how distasteful the language and ideas of Melanie Klein can be and how attachment theory is
What is the transpersonal approach to early life theory of psychological development? Read More »
TheoryA lot has been written about transference and counter transference from the therapeutic relationship between counsellor and client. Of course we do not approach people in any walk of life as a blank sheet but rather we ‘transfer’ what we have already learned from the past to the present. However, in psychotherapy it is
How big a factor is pre-transference in the therapeutic relationship? Read More »
Theory