Following on from my last blog post - What do we mean by "Nature"? - I wanted to explore the relatedness of nature and my therapeutic approach. I describe my counselling approach as "nature-inspired". I draw inspiration from the cycles and systems and ways of being that I observe in nature, and integrate this with… Continue reading Nature as co-therapist
In counselling, we often approach our work from a place of trying to understanding and accept the here and now experience. But being truly present can be a lot harder than it sounds - what does it mean, and how do we know we are doing it? Last weekend, I spent 3 days walking in… Continue reading Being in the here and now; a bittersweet paradox
I read their movements as startled; accidentally ambling into the path of a towering unknown. I knelt. Assumed they would be assessing me as a threat. We looked at each other. I held back my curiosity - desire to be closer - excited eagerness. Silent knowing that I was walking through their field. The pace… Continue reading An encounter
The individual sacrifices and efforts for our collective wellbeing are bringing out some beautiful opportunities for creativity, compassion and solidarity. And hopefully a stronger, more fair, more cooperative society will result. Alongside that, there is also acute pain and trauma stemming from the disconnection. This includes being unable to be with the people we love… Continue reading Disconnection and desperation
In the therapy room, there are many ways we can use creativity to explore death and dying. If we take Irvin Yalom’s analogy of “staring at the sun” it can feel too painful, or even be impossible to directly look at or fully comprehend our own mortality. Viewing and exploring thoughts, feelings and meaning associated with death through a creative medium can be a way of reducing the glare and perhaps even providing opportunity for greater insight.
The counselling journey brings us to our own reflection. How do we see ourselves? What do we believe others' perception of us is? We are then invited to question that surface image and look deeper. What we see on the surface is made up from what is beneath and what is reflected from the world… Continue reading Our reflection and beneath
Are you going over the same thoughts again and again? Struggling to live the life you want to lead but not sure how to change things? Do you feel trapped by your thoughts and feelings, with no-one to share them with? Are you in emotional distress and want to understand how to ease that pain?… Continue reading Need to talk?
A treasure trove of antique and restored tools at Old English Tools, Standard Quay, Faversham I recently published an article on Counselling Directory, describing how I view Integrative Counselling as a craft. Read the full article here. Integrative Counselling means bringing together different ways of counselling to best achieve the outcomes you want from therapy.… Continue reading What does an integrative counsellor do?
Louise Allen - Fern Counselling 