Gratitude

My job brings a real sense of reward and fulfilment in seeing the changes in my clients over months, weeks and sometimes even days.In saying that, it is always a lovely and unexpected gift to receive kind feedback from clients of all ages, and often, their parents-

"A few short weeks ago I could only dream X's behaviour being like this...he is consistently regulated, this is a massive jump for him.

I'm really looking forward to continuing your work with X, I truly feel that the world is our oyster now...."

Anonymous

Whilst there are no quick fixes as such -moments like the are heart-warming!

Mind and Body Connection

The more I learn through CPD courses, books and training e.g. Our Poly-vagal World-by Stephen Porges and Seth Porges, the more evident it becomes that there is  a need for a holistic mind and body approach with most clients, particularly when working with trauma or Neurodiversity. Porges's book, among others such as 'The body keeps the score' -Bessel Van Der Kolke, clarify just how much  the body needs to be listened to.

Creative sensory activities such as working with cornflour and paint can help clients to regulate their bodies and minds so that they are able to either access language or express thoughts and feelings through colour, movement, shape and metaphor. I have been inspired by therapeutic story telling techniques to help support my young, teenage and sometimes older, clients to express and process disturbing thoughts without triggering them in a way that they need to withdraw from sessions (Using Story Telling as a Therapeutic Tool- Magot Sunderland).

I'm really very grateful for this insight and understanding as I have seen some wonderful progress in clients once they begin to understand and work with this mind body connection.

With adults this may mean a focus on nurture and self care. My most recent light bulb moment was learning about 'skin hunger' through CPD on 'Involuntary Childlessness'. Physical contact such as massage releases oxytocin and provides a a sense of feel being. A deprivation of this, termed  'skin-hunger' by Jody day of the NCTI, can lessen that feeling of well-being. This again points to the need to recognise and show gratitude for the amazing part our bodies play in our emotional wellbeing.