Years ago when I was commencing my training to become a psychotherapist
I asked one of my instructors, "What does it take to set up a private psychotherapy practice?"
Her response was, "Two chairs and a box of Kleenex".
Now that sounded quite simple to me at the time but I have learned from years of experience
that it is not always easy to be simple.
To keep it simple is my goal.
What is psychotherapy you may ask.
And my simple answer is.........."just for a few moments imagine yourself to be an onion."
An onion? Why an onion, you may be wondering.
And my answer is because psychotherapy is much like peeling an onion.
Just imagine beneath many layers at the very centre of this onion is your true self.
It is this "true self" who has somehow become lost along the way.
She is hiding behind many unrecognized core issues. These core issues can be discovered and explored in psychotherapy sessions.
However first the student must be willing to work through the outer layer of shame
that is surrounding her core issues.
Keep in mind that psychotherapy is a process. Before she can identify and learn more about this shame she will be confronted and challenged by many layers of Emotions such as hurt, anger, fear.
E-motions are Energy in Motion.
One's deepest and purest emotions are hiding behind many layers of defences and often addictions.
All these layers are keeping you from truly knowing and loving your true self.
These layers have been building up for a very long time.
They have been weighing you down.
Working together in one-on-one sessions the healing process begins.
You may come into psychotherapy because of family issues; relationship problems; eating disorders such as emotional eating. Maybe you have been emotionally, physically or sexually abused
or perhaps you are grieving the loss of a loved one.
Perhaps you are on a journey of self-discovery and have the desire to make friends with yourself.
Modalities used in the therapeutic process may include
Talk therapy, Focusing, Guided Imagery, Inner Child Work, Voice dialoguing with sub-personalities,
exploring family issues; Dream Work; Body Psychotherapy.
There are many valid reasons for beginning this journey and I hope you will get in touch.
.....Audrey Austin, Psychotherapist.....
