Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
This Human Givens therapy involves talking and listening and believes in and focuses on living mindfully in the present and working towards a positive future rather than on the past, and focuses on the individual’s own strengths, abilities, skills, innate knowledge and possibilities.
We all need not just material and physical but also mental, emotional and spiritual nourishment if we are to flourish.
Our needs for meaning, security, safety and control, love, intimacy and connection to a wider community and to nature, as well as playfulness and laughter for example are some of the human givens, which need to be met if we are to develop to our full potential.
Solution-focused therapy can be woven into a general body-work session or if the person needs to spend time talking over a difficulty or perceived problem, then the full session will be devoted to Solution-focused Brief Therapy.
“People get nervous when they realise I’m lip reading. It’s as though no-one has ever listened to them closely before”. [Laura Hope-Gill - Parabola Fall 2008]
“You can’t stop the waves but you can learn to surf”! [Joseph Goldstein]
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
RUMI The Essential Rumi translated by Coleman Barks with John Moyne
Polarity Therapy
The History of Polarity Therapy.
Polarity Therapy is a comprehensive health care programme designed by Dr. Randolph Stone (1890-1981) who envisioned Polarity Therapy as ‘Energy Medicine’, a science of health; a dynamic process; an expression of human potential, rather than disease, a science that works with the whole person including anatomy & physiology; psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects rather than the symptoms.
It is a way of working with the fundamental energies of life. A way of bringing these vibrational energy currents to a state of balance and removing obstructions to their free flow throughout the human energy field so that it functions in the most optimised way.
Polarity Therapy promotes the unimpeded flow of consciousness through every part of the body. It is consciousness that brings the light and intelligence to every cell and sub cellular structure.
Polarity Therapy Procedures
The Polarity Therapist evaluates the individual’s energy field through her hands using gentle touch and caring, focused intention and together with a variety of procedures assists the individual towards establishing balance and harmony on all levels - physical, emotional, mental and spiritual - leading to a sense of well-being and improved peace of mind.
The procedures include bodywork using gentle hands-on touch; lifestyle education; diet & nutrition; stretching postures; exercise and counselling.
Polarity Therapy is therapeutically calming and deeply relaxing. It is when the body with its own innate healing properties is in an optimum state of deep relaxation that healing is able to take place on any of the physical, emotional, psychological or spiritual levels.
The compassionate Polarity Therapist has a deep respect for the client. Dis-ease may be understood as a sanctuary, where the individual finds a space to rest, gain strength, access inner and outer resources and find support in order to use the opportunity to take a higher level of responsibility for their healing processes and meeting life’s further challenges.
The role of the Polarity Therapist is to assist in this process by gently bringing unconscious issues into consciousness through creating a sacred space in which the individual feels safe and secure to experience feelings and release tension, resistence and trauma from the body’s cellular memory. The individual is gently encouraged to feel safe in being present in their body. The result is to feel consciously alive, fully present in each moment and at peace within him/her self.
Therapeutic Touch
The History
‘TT’ has its beginnings in the early 1970’s when after being invited to be part of a research programme at McGill University, Canada, Dr. Dolores Krieger, Professor Emerita of Nursing at New York University USA put the framework for Therapeutic Touch into a nursing model. She coined the name “Therapeutic Touch”.
Therapeutic Touch is a contemporary interpretation of several ancient healing practices and therefore it is transcultural in origin. These practices consist of learned skills for consciously directing or sensitively modulating human energies” [D.Krieger 1993]
Dr. Martha E. Rogers who was Professor Emerita, Division of Nursing, New York University USA presents this abstract theory of Energy Fields.
Human beings and their environments are defined as energy fields. Energy fields are the fundamental units of the living and non-living. Field is the concept that unites humans and their environments.
Energy signifies the dynamism of the human and environmental fields. Fields are infinite, in continuous motion, and always changing mutually. Human and environmental energy fields evolve and continuously change at the same time.
Through the continuous process of humans and their environment, people are different today than they were yesterday.
Human beings are unique energy fields that cannot be divided or reduced. Unique human energy fields are differentiated by pattern just as fingerprints are unique to individuals.
The human field is integral with its unique environmental field, which also cannot be divided or reduced. Both fields have infinite dimensions.
The Procedure
Therapeutic Touch is a non-contact form of touch. It is a gentle, non-invasive procedure during which a person’s energy fields are repatterned with caring, focused intention into a balanced state by the practitioner’s hands moving 3-5 inches off the body. Therapeutic Touch can be carried out while sitting in a chair or lying in bed. The person remains fully clothed.
Please wear loose cotton or wool or natural fibre clothing.
Therapeutic Touch can promote:
* A general relaxation response
* Reduction in pain
* A sense of well-being
* Decreased anxiety levels
* Facilitation of the body’s natural restorative processes
* Acceleration of wound healing
* Calmness & relaxation in children.
Therapeutic Touch is soothing, calming and relaxing when used on the Elderly, Babies, Children, the Ill, the Dying and anyone in physical or emotional distress or discomfort.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Guided Body Scan
MBSR is not a quick fix! Mindfulness is a universal human capacity that can be cultivated, sustained and integrated into everyday life by a daily practice of observing the breath meditation. Breathing is what we do mostly unconsciously all day and every day to keep us alive and lively!
By spending 20 minutes (or more) each day, sitting quietly and actively being aware of one’s breathing one can change one’s grasshopper mind with its chaotic thoughts to a mind that is more peaceful and tranquil.
The other tools for helping to achieve this gentle self-accepting and non-judgemental way of life are the Body Scan, Walking meditation and gentle yoga stretching exercises. Focusing on all five senses with intention also helps train and calm the mind through listening, hearing, observing, seeing, tasting and smelling.
Practising Mindfulness makes daily life much more meaningful. With motivation and commitment one is able to deal with emotional issues, pain, fear, despair, grief and traumatic events and live a more complete, compassionate and joyful life.
Mindful practice enhances living in this moment; being aware of our Self and conscious of our surroundings including other living beings; right here; right now. Not dwelling on the past, nor worrying about future events. Being….being happy and contented!
‘”Student, tell me, what is God?” “It is the breath inside the breath”.’ [Kabir]
“Breathe! you are alive!” [Thich Nhat Hanh]
“Our true home is the present moment. The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment”. [Thich Nhat Hahn]
From the one eternal breath comes all life and mind, and the senses of all life. From the one eternal breath comes space and light, air and fire and water, and this earth that holds us all….Where all the subtle channels of the body meet, like spokes in the centre of a wheel, there the one breath moves in the heart and transforms the one form into many. One who knows all and sees all …. dwells as the eternal breath in the region of the human heart. When we know this presence in both immanence and transcendence, the ties that have bound the heart are freed and we move beyond the patterns of our karma…. In truth the eternal breath is All. From the Mundaka Upanishad
Being mindful, we become the observers and experiencers of life, rather than its victims. We become witnesses to the ever-changing flow of the inner life instead of being carried away by the currents of our minds or the reactions of our bodies.
Mindfulness is available to each of us. It is a basic human capacity. Mindfulness is an awareness that arises as we pay attention on purpose, non-judgementally, to unfolding experience in the present moment. The way of paying attention is crucial. Mindfulness is sensitive, warm, friendly, compassionate, and allowing. Mindful attention does not try to change what is happening. Instead, it reflects - accurately and precisely. Being mindful means being a witness to, and connecting consciously with, whatever elements of our life that are present now, in this moment. [Jeffrey Brantley, MD MBSR Programme. from Grieving Mindfully by Sameet M. Kumar, PHD
Relaxation Response (From Integrative Medicine 08.08.2008.)
Is it possible that a simple relaxation response can alter the expression of genes? A study appearing in the July 2 issue of the open-access journal PLoS One found the answer to be yes - potentially offering relief to people suffering from health issues ranging from high blood pressure to infertility as well as pain and rheumatological disorders. Research performed in a collaboration between the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind/Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Genomics Centre at Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center suggests that the relaxation response, a physiologic state of deep rest, can influence the activation patterns of genes associated with the body’s response to stress.
Touted as the first comprehensive study of the mind’s effects on gene expression, this investigation focused on the relationship between the relaxation response and the activation or repression of certain genes. The first phase of the study compared gene expression patterns in 19 long-term practitioners of different relaxation response techniques with those of 19 individuals who had never engaged in such practices. The control participants then went through an 8-week training programme to determine whether initiating a relaxation response practice would change gene expression over time.
The results were conclusive. Each phase of the study indicated that the relaxation response alters the expression of genes involved in inflammation, programmed cell death, and the body’s handling of free radicals (those molecules produced by normal metabolism that can damage cells and tissues if not properly neutralised). To validate those results, both phases were repeated in 11 participants - 6 relaxation response practitioners and 5 non-practitioners. Results showed significantly similar changes in gene expression.
The relaxation response can be elicited by such practices as meditation, deep breathing, and prayer *(also Polarity Therapy & Therapeutic Touch, mindful body scan, deep relaxation & visualization) and has been documented in previous studies to alleviate anxiety, heart arrhythmias, high blood pressure, and post traumatic stress disorder. The Researchers of this study hope that their work will generate hypotheses that may later be tested in laboratory and clinical trials.
*my inclusion.
Trauma Therapy
Trauma Counselling
DSM 1V Definition of Trauma: “The person has been exposed to a traumatic event in which both of the following were present: the person experienced, witnessed or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of Self or of others.”
The word “Trauma” refers to intense feelings of shock, fear, anxiety and helplessness surrounding the cause of the trauma. It is not the event itself that is the cause of Post Traumatic Stress Response/Disorder but it is the response to experiencing the event.
Bessel van de Kolk (1996) notes: “Experiencing trauma is an essential part of being human; history is written in blood….Some people have adapted to terrible life events with flexibility and creativity while others have become fixated on the trauma and go on to lead traumatised existences”.
Long term trauma can be dealt with so the patient can resume a healthy, happy and fulfilling life. The body itself has an innate ability to heal itself under optimum circumstances.
The gentle bodywork of Polarity Therapy not only relaxes the patient but also releases trauma held in the tissues and cells.
A successful intervention which may be used during a counselling session is the ‘rewind technique’ or (V/K) Visual Kinaesthetic Disassociation technique which when used by a trained therapist turns a traumatic memory into an ordinary memory. It is an excellent way to detraumatise disturbing flashbacks and post traumatic stress symptoms arising from any kind of event perceived as life threatening. The technique is safe, non-voyeuristic and fast.
It is recommended that one wait for about 24 hours before seeking counselling to allow the hyper-aroused emotional state one is in to subside and allow the process of healing to begin. If possible be in a safe, secure place with supportive family or friends.
Not all people who experience trauma require counselling. Many people will get through this period on their own and with the support of family and friends will regain their equilibrium and zest for life within three or four weeks.
However,there are people who may become overwhelmed by what has happened; people who have experienced previous traumatic events, and others such as policemen/women; defence force personnel; war veterans; firemen/women and paramedics; doctors/nurses and others who constantly or frequently in the service of their community witness and experience traumatic situations and however “strong” they may be can one day become overwhelmed by all they have experienced and will benefit by having a trained person listen to their story and put their lives back into perspective thus preventing pathological symptoms developing later on in their life.
Childhood experiences such as hospitalization; anaesthesia, witnessing something scary i.e. an animal being run over or killed and then eaten - falling out of a tree and being shouted at by a parent - many many incidents that to an adult are not significant but can affect a child deeply and still affect their lives later on.
The following symptoms that may arise are NOT signs of weakness or anything to be ashamed of but are NORMAL physiological reactions to experiencing an ABNORMAL event such as trauma. Allow yourself to feel whatever you are feeling without judging yourself. These are some of the symptoms that may arise following a traumatic experience and are classified under the term Post Traumatic Stress Response.
Possible Physical Reactions Which May Arise:
Changes in sleep patterns, appetite, interest in sex, as well as aches and pains, palpitations, constipation/diarrhoea, susceptibility to colds and illnesses.
Emotional Reactions Which May Arise:
Shock and disbelief, feelings of numbness, detachment or estrangement from others, disorientation or withdrawal.
Feeling violated, unsafe, helplessness, panic, out of control.
Racist feelings, mistrusting people, hyper-vigilance.
Tearfulness, crying for no apparent reason, feelings of guilt, feeling irritable or aggressive, restlessness.
Flashbacks; fantasizing about how one could have handled the situation differently and what one would like to do to the perpetrator of the crime.
Excessive anger; road rage.
These are some of the very normal reactions that may be experienced and which will gradually lose their “charge” and lessen and finally disappear as life gets back to normal.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
It is only when the above symptoms have been present for more than a month, or when they are extreme and are impacting badly on a person’s functioning that a diagnosis of PTSD can be made. The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
There is an acute diagnosis given for symptoms lasting less than 3 months and a chronic diagnosis for symptoms persisting for longer than 3 months. Delayed onset is diagnosed if symptoms only arise 6 months after the traumatic event.
RECOVERY cannot occur in isolation, it can take place only within the context of relationships. Reach out and connect with others.
Talk about the traumatic experience to people you can trust. People who will listen without interrupting and without topping your story with one of his or her own or someone else’s experience.
Avoid watching the news and violent films/videos and reading newspapers.
Do cry. Crying not only releases tension and held-in emotions but the adrenalin released into the body during the traumatic incident flows out with the tears. Tears being water, are cleansing.
Do Aerobic exercise - walking in nature, cycling, running, working out in the gym, swimming, dancing etc. Exercise not only releases trauma held in the body but also releases the feel good opiates in the brain.
Yoga also releases trauma held in the body as well as the feel-good opiates from the brain.
Relaxation and healthy wellbeing - stretching, Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, singing, dancing, making music, drumming, listening to music, painting and writing.
Laugh. Watch funny videos & films. Keep the company of understanding people with a sense of humour.
Try meditation and prayer & Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction - see website.
Healthy nutrition. Create interesting meals for family and friends. Work on healthy sleep patterns. Avoid stimulants, in particular alcohol and drugs.
Write, draw or paint your feelings.
Hug those you love. Hugging releases the feel good endorphins in the brain and body.
Do something meaningful each day.
Connect with nature - forests, mountains, veld, sky, the sea, animals, plants, gardening, etc.
The Chinese character for CRISIS is a combination of two words - danger and OPPORTUNITY.
From this unpleasant experience you will discover inner and outer resources and strengths that you were formerly unaware of that can lead to enabling and empowering transformations within yourself.
UBUNTU - Umntu ngumntu ngabantu = a person is a person through other people. [African saying]
Bereavement Counselling
Dying, Death and Bereavement
Not withstanding the overwhelming emotions of grief, anger and fear that may accompany the pending loss of one’s own life, through illness or disability or the loss of a beloved family member, friend or animal companion; the experience can be one of spiritual, emotional and psychological exploration and growth which can lead to a peaceful and graceful acceptance of the continuity of consciousness through death.
16th February, 16h15
Grief pulls your strings
After letting you loose long enough
So you will feel the weight of another fall
Grief calls you inside, locks you up
Takes you back
To childish threats and tantrums
None of which make any difference
To what happened, what can never be replaced
Grief knows your secret weaknesses
your hiding places
Can turn the most ordinary places
Into alien landscapes
Grief changes your walk, your talk
Brings you unexpectedly to your knees
Grief ignores all your pleas
Grief makes you want to hurt yourself
Want to hold yourself back
When times pushes you forward
Grief tries to convince you
That nothing and no one can take its place
Grief pretends to disappear
Then jumps up in your face
Grief teaches you patience
Gives you no choice
Takes away your voice
Grief destroys all you have built
If you let it,
If you forget to give in
Grief is a cleansing fire; embrace it
Surrender to its demands
Grief knows the way
Within grief’s cave
Under the spell of its darkness
The real healing work begins.
[Invisible Earthquake - A woman's journal through still birth - by Malika Ndlovu]
HOW - Mary Oliver from Parabola
How shall I live my life?
How shall I love the one I love?
Once in a while
how tightly the clouds
hold the stars in their arms.
Then they let them
go.
IN THOSE DAYS - Mary Oliver from Parabola
The old ones lay down for the last time on their own beds.
They called us all by the wrong names, and then were silent.
Then they rested and rested,
as anyone would do, getting ready to travel.
What I must Tell Myself (extract) By David Whyte
…Watching the geese
go south I
find that even
in silence
and even in stillness
and even in my home
alone
without a thought
or a movement
I am part
of a great migration
that will take me to another place.
And though all the things I love
may pass away and
the great family of things and people
I have made around me
will see me go,
I feel them living in me
like a great gathering
ready to reach a greater home.
When one thing dies all things
die together, and must live again
in a different way,
when one thing
is missing everything is missing,
and must be found again
in a new whole
and everything wants to be complete,
everything wants to go home
and the geese travelling south
are like the shadow of my breath
flying into the darkness
on great heart-beats
to an unknown land where I belong.
Instruments
We are light Beings
Some slumbering
Some awakening
To the truth of who we are
indestructible stars
Housed only for a while
in these temples of flesh
Once our memories are refreshed
We can see
That this life
This body
Is simply a veil
A vision
A temporary reality
That we are more
That we hold perfection within
Just beyond our imagining.
We are light Beings
Portals of love
Makers of peace
Creators of beauty
We are healers
We are believers inherently
Re-discovering our way
Homeward
Inward.
Out of Earth-time
Where free is our natural state
Where love is the only way.
We are born to bring light
To honour the blessings of each life.
[Malika Ndlovu - copy right 1999. www.malika.co.za ]
We are not Separate
The physicist, Albert Einstein’s response to a Rabbi who had written to him for advice on how to explain the death of his daughter to her older sister wrote:
“A human being is a part of the whole, called by us “Universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation, and a foundation for inner security.”