Karen Druce

A conversation with Karen Druce

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

  My family of origin experiences growing up formed the bedrock of my desire to understand individual differences, personal temperament, human suffering and resilience, in the face of life's storms and relational challenges.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  There are many philosophical approaches which have influenced who I am as a person and a therapist. My own Jungian analysis forms the core of how I approach therapy. Originally I was trained in client-centred therapy. Subsequently I trained in Systems Therapy, Family of Origin work and Psychodynamic therapy. I also have an earlier background in Solution-focused therapy and Conflict Resolution, particularly in the area of Family Dispute Resolution. More recently, over the past eight years, I have worked within the framework of the Conversational Model of Psychotherapy, which is based on infant observation, linguistics, neurobiology, attachment theory, developmental psychology, and trauma and memory theory. The Conversational Model is a dynamic, contemporary psychoanalytic therapy, which aims to foster a coherent sense of self, as well as integrating developmental / relational trauma. It has a strong research base and proven effectiveness, particularly for so-called "treatment resistant" cases and personality disorders. I use all these different philosophical approaches, and therapeutic modalities, in my work, depending on each client's needs and preferences for working.

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

  I am interested in people's capacity for resilience and their struggles to transcend their unwanted current situations, and past negative experiences, in order to achieve their personal goals and aspirations, and live more vital, authentic and satisfying lives. Assisting clients to work through and integrate relational or developmental trauma, and all forms of abuse and personal hardships, are central to my professional interests. Supporting clients to explore fully their unique potential as both individuals and relational beings is also of key interest.

• What methods do you use?

  The methods I use depend upon the particular client and the goals and preferences of each client. Naturally, I draw upon my professional and philosophical repertoire, as already outlined above. I continue to study and train in new methods and to extend my therapeutic repertoire in accord with the latest developments in current research.

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

  Clients vary in their perception of when progress is being made. However, I approach every session "as if" it's the first and only session. I use this particular approach so that the essence of the session is always as therapeutic as possible and that the client will have the opportunity to make optimal gains from each and every session. Generally speaking, most clients feel relief in the first session and continue to experience positive gains. I see progress - not as a one-off event - but as a process, which continues to build and grow cumulatively. That is not to say that individuals do not feel stuck sometimes in therapy. However, feeling stuck with a supportive, non-judgmental, patient and highly attuned fellow co-participant/therapist is often the very thing that makes all the difference. It helps the client feel seen and heard - sometimes for the first time. Often this results in newfound clarity, insight, resolve, hope, compassion, self-forgiveness, or forgiveness of others. Put simply, things shift in the right sort of therapeutic environment, with the right sort of therapeutic conversation. That is why establishing a good therapeutic relationship is so important.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Having one's own personal therapy is a great leveller. It fosters humility and makes one more appreciative of the unique situations and heroic - and not so heroic - efforts of others. Therapy puts you in touch with your own vulnerability as well as your strengths. Clients usually find it heartening that I seem to 'know', in a deep experiential sense, something of what it is like to be 'on the other side of the couch' - so to speak. Overall, therapy has made me more receptive of others and other points of view. It has broadened and deepened my understanding of life and interpersonal relations and enhanced my understanding of myself as a human being.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  The thing I like most about being a therapist is that I am privileged to walk alongside my clients while they explore possibilities and make important changes in their lives. I often witness remarkable personal transformations and feats of courage. Moreover, I get to see, firsthand, clients striving for and achieving their goals and aspirations. Overall, clients generally achieve a deeper, more focused and nuanced appreciation for life and for those around them. These are heartening experiences for the therapist too, as the therapist is privileged to share at least part of that unique journey. The therapist is necessarily challenged and grows as part of that process too.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Like most people, I certainly do have bad hair days. I see such days as a timely reminder that I am all too human. The good thing about "bad hair days" is that they tend to throw the good hair days into sharp relief.

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

  It is hard to isolate the most significant problem. In the western world, I think the frenetic pace of life, increased materialism, and the erosion of a deep spiritual dimension certainly drives people to seek therapy, or to search for greater meaning in life.

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

  Regardless of the medium, I'm attracted to anything quirky, off-beat, hilarious, thought provoking, emotionally salient. To pick just one, the French comedy "Amelie", with Audrey Tautou, is a favourite film: it's funny, intelligent, fast-paced, astute, mysterious, seductive, visually engaging and a sheer delight to watch. As for my favourite novel, Alexis Wright's "Carpentaria" holds a very dear place in my heart and soul.