John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory Attachment Theory is a well-known and widely accepted concept in human development and psychotherapy. British psychiatrist John Bowlby developed it in the 1950s. The crux of attachment theory is that the early emotional bonds between...
John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory
The Helpful Ideas of Donald Winnicott
The Helpful Ideas of Donald Winnicott Continuing my series on the founders of psychoanalysis I'm exploring Donald Winnicott this month. Donald Winnicott (1896-1971) was a paediatrician who then trained as a psychoanalyst, first to adults and later to...
The Importance of Melanie Klein
The Importance of Melanie Klein Melanie Klein was a groundbreaking and highly creative psychoanalyst. She was born in 1882 in Vienna but spent most of her life in UK, dying in London in 1960. Her life was fascinating, with many losses and tragedies but...
Carl Jung – Is He Relevant Today?
Carl Jung – Is He Relevant Today? Carl Gustav Jung was born into a religious family in Switzerland and studied to be a doctor. During these studies he became fascinated with current philosophy, anthropology and psychological theories and work in...
How Freud Is Still Relevant Today
How Freud Is Still Relevant Today Prompted by last month’s blog on Narcissism, this is the first in a series on some of the founding members in psychoanalysis and some of their ideas, many of which, I believe, are still useful for us today. Widely...
Narcissism
Narcissism The term 'narcissism' is banded around a lot. But what does being a narcissist actually mean? And how do we work out if we are in a relationship with one, or even if we might be one ourselves? Origins of Narcissism The term narcissism comes from...
The Art of Self-soothing 4: Using Our Senses
Using Our Senses This final post in my series is about using our bodily senses to self-soothe. There are lots of ways that we can self-sooth by looking. Sight Natural Vistas As I’ve already mentioned in a previous post, nature and landscapes are very calming. For...
The Art of Self-soothing 3: Creativity
Creativity is a sure way to self-soothe. People have lost themselves in creative pursuits since time began. Getting in touch with our creativity is a way of reaching something within ourselves. By allowing this to develop we can usually make something bigger than...
The Art of Self-Soothing 2: Nature
This month’s way to self soothe is by being in nature. It’s long been known and proven that being outside and preferably in nature can improve our mental health. Take a Short Walk The simplest ways are often the most effective. Such as going for a short walk from your...
The Art of Self Soothing
There is so much going on in the world now. It’s hard watching the news, in fact I am more likely to just quickly check a news ap than I am to watch the news in real time. Many people I speak to are unable to watch the news at all because they struggle to think of the...
My first time walking a labyrinth (a path designed in a sequential pattern leading into the centre and back out again) was high up on a mountain in New Zealand. Traditionally you think of a question or meditate on an idea as you walk. However it is also interesting to just let your thoughts come and go randomly as I did on this occasion. I started from the outside towards the centre. Walking lightly and mindfully…savouring the experience and enjoying the mesmerising mountain scenery.
Reflecting on this now reminds me of personal therapy. Initially navigating the labyrinth as a metaphor for the therapeutic journey that goes on consciously and unconsciously between the patient and therapist. The work starts on the outside with talk of the practical, the everyday and immediate concerns and situations.
It takes time for the patient to feel able to talk of more personal matters. Starting to uncover layers of feelings as the trust between the therapist and patient grows. Then feeling safe and secure with the therapist. Leading to deeper exploration of issues and themes can emerge and greater self-awareness and insight about life and relationships is gained.
As in the labyrinth, at some point, the therapeutic path comes to an end. Gradually the patient begins to feel more secure. And that they can stand on their own and see things more clearly. In addition, as therapy sessions move towards an ending, the work often returns to the external. Finally, more matter of fact issues of day to day life are considered and the path leads the patient back out of the labyrinth again with deeper understanding and acceptance of the self.