Nicole Kinnaird

A conversation with Nicole Kinnaird

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  My choice to study Social Work initially was due to a strong interest in working with children and the idea of having fun in my job was very important and appealing. Out of rebellion I decided I didn't want to be a teacher (like everyone else in my family it seemed! - mother, father, step father, grandfather, aunts, uncles.)
  
  As I gained experience in working therapeutically with children and the adults in their lives I increasingly enjoyed working creatively with people of all ages and also with groups of people. Continuing to learn about people (our minds, emotions, bodily experiences, dreams etc.) and relationships, led me to expand my awareness of various healing modalities and to study Process Oriented Psychology - the love of my life! I will talk more about this in the next question.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  I love this question! It's hard to keep it short tho. Since childhood and adolescence I have been interested in spirituality. As a young person I loved music, being in Nature (swimming, bushwalking, finding caves, sunrises, sunsets, and full moons.) I was interested in poetry and dreams and explored various religions.
  
  Looking back I can see the natural progression of these core interests and how they developed in my 20's to choosing to study Social Work at Uni - I saw this as a holistic mainstream degree which enabled me to explore a wide range of approaches to understanding our human condition. I also studied and practiced as a Massage Therapist as I was drawn to working with the body as well as the mind.
  
  I am continually influenced by many indigenous philosophies, most importantly the Australian indigenous culture with the emphasis on connectedness to Nature, our dreaming natures and one another. I continue to explore mind based approaches such as Mindfulness, Rogerian therapy, Gestalt, DBT, Narrative therapy, CBT, and ACT. I am also influenced by other modalities such as dance and drama therapy, art therapy, Buddhist and Christian philosophies.
  
  Process Oriented Psychology (often called Process Work) has been the biggest influence on my professional and personal development. This approach developed by Arnold Mindell and colleagues has its roots in Jungian Psychology, Taoism, and shamanism and values the wisdom inherent in our bodies, night time dreams and Nature. It is a thorough framework providing tools and opportunities to work effectively and creatively on myself alone, with individuals, couples, small and large groups, and organisations.
  
  Yoga and meditation have been played central and significant roles in my own personal development and healing. I am excited to have taken the step in studying these modalities formally and to be offering these practices in my work.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I am interested in ALL aspects of health and the human journey. I'm probably in the right job hey! To be specific though, I would add that my personal approach to health focuses on how vibrant and alive and connected I feel in the moment. Do I feel energised and clear? Am I listening to all parts of myself and being loving to myself? How am I in my body and how am I moving? How are my relationships? How is my relationship with the deeper part of myself going?
  
  The human journey contains many ups and downs, even in the space of a few minutes we can experience rollercoaster emotions and moods. It's one heck of a ride being human! I must admit, that in my work, I can sometimes be especially interested in the challenging and disturbing aspects of our human journey because it has been my experience that these times can also bring great transformation, mystery, power and freedom. This excites me. In saying this I also remember I like celebrating, reflecting and soaking up the "simple', restful, "easier' times too.

• What methods do you use?

  The philosophies that have influenced me most (see Q2) also provide my favourite methods. Some specific methods used to increase awareness include:
  - dream work; meditation and yoga; focussing; journaling; learning new ways to support ourselves (thoughts, actions, behaviours, goal setting); role play; education; talking and listening with purpose; using art: clay/collage/paint/drawing/colour/craft activities; movement; body awareness and tracking symptoms; connecting with wisdom in Nature; using structure and routines to support change.
  - I use silence as a method and way of providing the space required to really hear ourselves.
  - I use Sand tray and symbol work quite a lot in my work. I find this way of working with the less "conscious' part of who we are very free-ing, empowering, and mystically helpful.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  I hope the client will feel some kind of movement happening from the first session. It's important for me not to presume what "progress' is but to continually check in with my client about their experience and what they are hoping to get out of each session.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Overall therapy has supported me to love myself more. Self-love is at the core of all the amazing help I have received from therapy and all of the other ongoing training, workshops, self development courses, body and movement based methods I learn and experience from. The specific help over the years has included: increase in confidence; helpful new skills in relating; insights into issues and problems; learning from dreams and other mysterious experiences; support to follow what is right for myself; healing from past pain including trauma, shame, guilt, grief and loss; trusting my body; finding new attitudes to approach "problems'; and accepting and loving all the parts of who I am (this is ongoing of course! Ha ha!)

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  I love meeting new people and being present and supportive of their experiences and stories. I love working creatively with people and connecting with the inherent wisdom in our bodies, experiences, dreams, minds and all around us which can lead to a sense of greater freedom, connectedness, awareness etc.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Yes of course! I can get as moody and grumpy as anyone. I get tired and sooky and forget I have many wonderful tools and supports around me. It all passes, even though sometimes it's hard to remember that.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  Big question! The first thing that comes to mind is the sense of disconnect from ourselves, one another and Nature. I probably think this is the biggest problem we face in the world, because I feel it is the biggest problem I face. I feel most well and free and loving when I feel connected to myself, others and Nature and often wonder how things would change if I (and others) felt this more of the time.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  Loads and loads! Most things inspire me to be honest because they come from the creative part of us and I am interested in that in almost every form. I love wandering in galleries, bookstores, going to movies and listening to music: world, classical, pop, relaxation/chill, alternative, some pop.
  
  Here are a few that pop into mind.
  Books: Story About Feeling by Bill Niedjie, Life of Pi (now a film), The Shaman's Body by Arnold Mindell (actually anything by any Process Oriented Psychology person), The Secret River by Kate Grenville (also a Sydney Theatre production 2013)
  Poets and Mystics: Rumi, Hafiz, Hildegaard von Bingen, I Ching Book of Changes
  Events: Woodford Folk Festival - all of it especially the fire event, Five Rhythms and Nia dance classes.
  The film Where the Wild Things Are, and music bands such as Bliss, and Stringmansassy.
  Paintings: Waterhouse, Georgia O'Keefe, Wendy Chenoweth, artist Pixi Mix, Michael Leunig cartoons.
  "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate…' poem by Marianne Wilkinson often credited to Nelson Mandela.
  Motherpeace Tarot and Jamie Sam's Medicine Cards.