A common misconception about therapy is that it provides overnight solutions, acting as a one-stop fix for all issues. This is not true. Therapy is a journey, and like any meaningful journey, it’s the process and the way you engage with it that truly matters, rather than just the outcome. By embracing the journey and being open to the process, you can achieve profound personal growth and lasting change.

Humour and laughter are signs of an authentic presence between the client and counsellor in therapeutic settings. While humour can sometimes be used as a defense mechanism, it can also serve as a buffer to lighten the mood and make the therapeutic process a bit easier. Humour can help build a genuine connection, fostering trust and openness.

Being authentic and genuine in my presence as a therapist and addressing it in the session with the client is something that helps foster a safe environment. By being honest and open, I model the behaviour I hope to see in my clients. This also assures them of the genuineness of our therapeutic relationship, making it more natural for them to trust the space and feel safe. When clients see that I am genuinely present and invested in the session, it encourages them to be more open and vulnerable, which is essential for effective therapy. This mutual honesty and respect enhance the therapeutic alliance, leading to more meaningful and productive sessions.

In my experience, clients who hesitate to open up often have a lot to share about their lives. It’s crucial to create a therapeutic space that makes them feel safe enough to open up. I’ve found that with these clients, it’s best to let them direct the session and take control of it. This approach not only gives them autonomy but also allows them to decide how they want to progress in therapy. When clients feel a sense of control, they naturally become more comfortable and willing to open up, knowing that they don’t have to discuss anything they’re not ready to explore. This sense of safety and control fosters a trusting and supportive environment, which is essential for effective therapy.

As a spiritual person, engaging in rituals regularly brings me immense calmness and serves as a way to release stress. These rituals are an integral part of my self-care routine, allowing me to connect with something greater than myself and find inner peace. Alongside my spiritual practices, I find myself deeply attuned to my emotions and thoughts before, during, and after therapy sessions. This heightened awareness helps me understand how I’m feeling and allows me to navigate my inner landscape with clarity and insight. By staying connected to my spiritual practices and remaining mindful of my emotional state, I can approach therapy with a sense of groundedness and authenticity, facilitating deeper self-exploration and growth.

I’ve found “The Big Book of ACT Metaphors” to be incredibly helpful in my therapy practice. This resource, based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), provides a wide range of metaphors and experiential exercises tailored to promote client acceptance, delusion from troubling thoughts, and values-based action. It’s been an amazing read, as it includes scripts designed for different client populations and addresses unique challenges that may arise in therapy sessions

“You can’t stop the waves but you can learn to surf.”