When deciding on a therapist there is a lot to take into account, or at least it can feel that way. Like most things these days there is a lot of variety out there and sometimes it can be confusing and hard to know where to begin.

What do you look for?

What is important?

Qualifications, training and experience are all important factors and there are simple things you can look for, such as;

BACP membership – or membership of another professional body (including UKCP/UKATA among others)

Comprehensive Training with a recognised organisation

Professional Insurance

Beyond that though, how do you know what and who is right for you? A while back I made a video to better introduce myself for anyone who was curious about entering into therapy or counselling with me.

Video

If you have any questions after watching this and are still unsure please feel free to contact me to ask.

Katy

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Mental Illness can be tough, even impossible, for some to talk about. It can also be challenging to understand if you have never experienced it yourself and, a lot of the time, even those close to us can struggle to grasp what is going on, no matter how hard we try and explain. This can lead to frustration and stigma.

The Doodle Chronicles is a collection of doodles representative of one girl’s journey to understanding her own struggles with severe clinical depression and generalised  anxiety disorder.

Molly says that ‘these doodles started off simply as a way for me to understand and process my feelings during my darkest times. I decided to share the images with family and friends; the response was, surprisingly, wonderful and I was inspired to share this further, with the hopes that this might help even just one person.’

You can see Molly’s wonderful doodles (including the two above) on;

Tumblr

Twitter

and Facebook

and learn more about her campaign/help back her project on Kickstarter

You can also read about Molly and her work in The Guardian’s article ‘Drawing Through Depression’

It’s important we keep talking about mental health and supporting the wonderful people like Molly who make it that little bit easier.

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Transactional Analysis is a style of Psychotherapy. When looking at the treatment of depression, therapy is a useful and invaluable tool and can have a powerful and lasting impact.

Below is a short video from Mark Widdowson, who has conducted research on the effectiveness of Transactional Analysis in treating depression.

katycounsellingherts@outlook.com

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“At its worst, depression can be a frightening, debilitating condition. Millions of people around the world live with depression. Many of these individuals and their families are afraid to talk about their struggles, and don’t know where to turn for help. However, depression is largely preventable and treatable. Recognizing depression and seeking help is the first and most critical towards recovery.

In collaboration with WHO to mark World Mental Health Day, writer and illustrator Matthew Johnstone tells the story of overcoming the “black dog of depression”. More information on the book can be found here: http://matthewjohnstone.com.au/“

The above content is lifted from World Health Organization’s YouTube account. Which you can subscribe to here: World Health Organization.

If, after watching this video you wish to speak to someone regarding your own depression, diagnosed or otherwise, you can contact me

here katycounsellingherts@outlook.com

Or here  07950 345363

Or here  Contact Me

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Have you ever wondered about the impact of really being listened to? Can it actually make a difference to our lives?

I bet that most of you reading this have been told, at some stage, possibly even by the most well meaning of loved ones, to ‘get over it’ or ‘stay strong’. How many times have we collectively been told not to feel sad, not to feel angry? Society often demands that we push aside our true and genuine feelings and ‘soldier on’. So feelings become repressed, trapped inside us. This can lead to the development of unhealthy coping mechanisms. For example using drugs or alcohol to maintain the suppression of feelings.

When feelings of sadness arise, one of the most beneficial things you could do for yourself is to talk them through with someone who will truly listen, empathetically. What you require is to be heard and understood. Right there, in your sadness. In all it’s glory. By pretending to be ‘fine’, by putting on a ‘brave face’ you are giving no time and validation to the depth of your feelings. You are not honouring them as they wish to be honoured.

Suppressed feelings cannot be worked through until they are expressed. They become stagnant.

Expressed feelings, when given voice, become charged, like particles and can then move around and shape shift and change.

This can be challenging and painful. Especially if talking about feelings is a new concept for you. It can also be validating, life changing and liberating. When we talk about these things with someone, a loved one, a mentor, a therapist, and are truly listened to we are receiving human contact. We can see the impact we have on another. If that other is willing to listen, empathetically beyond judgement. Genuine human contact is essential for our survival.

‘If you are not stroked your spinal cord will shrivel up’ Eric Berne

If you are interested to see how effective talking therapy can be, find a therapist in your local area who you can talk to and one who will be prepared to listen. While the concept is a simple one; speak and be heard, it can be a very daunting step. It can also be one of the most beneficial things we can do for ourselves.

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