Ms Rina Taub

A conversation with Rina Taub

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

  I was always attracted to the idea of working with people and had a belief that expressing yourself and exploring problems was useful (I suspect my mother's kitchen table conversations with my friends played a part). My cultural heritage and knowledge about how people hold on to values in the face of hard times and the importance of noticing and speaking about what sustains you and what you appreciate was also something I grew up surrounded by. When I was in year 10 I had to write a psychology report on a character from the novel we were studying. This sparked my interest although report writing is certainly not the favourite part of what I do now! The careers adviser tried to deter me with the image of "rats and stats" but I was determined to survive it for the sake of the end goal of sharing in people's journeys.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  Victor Frankel's work on "Man's Search for Meaning"
  Dr Edith Eger The Choice
  Michael White and David Epston co founders of Narrative Therapy.
  “Like panning for gold in an overworked stream long since abandoned by other
  prospectors. Slowly, meticulously, steadfastly, White sifts through the sandy deposit,
  patiently extracting almost invisible flakes until, by imperceptible increments, he has amassed
  an astonishing mound of precious metal.”
  William Marsden: “The questions we ask in an assessment not only collect information but also generate experience. The process of answering those questions shape clients' experience of self and powerfully affect how subsequent work unfolds.”
  Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (previous Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth)

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

  I am interested in the social construction of identity and how that effects how we come to know ourselves and respond in relationships. I am curious about ideas and assumptions regarding what relationships should look like, ways of responding to loss of a loved one, alcohol consumption, body image, entitlement, spirituality, parenting, and how culture and society influence the labels and practices associated with these ideas. Some examples that come to mind include "type A personality", "Gen Y", "Super-mum", "problem child", "mother in law" "commitment -phobe" . I am most recently looking at social media, "the selfie" and its effects on young people and exposure to the romanticising of self harm.
  
  I am interested in life transitions and how people find personal agency and draw on values even in the face of great difficulty.

• What methods do you use?

  I like to work collaboratively and creatively to enrich the therapeutic conversation. I am interested in knowing more about each person's lived experience and facilitating a conversation which allows for rich descriptions of them. This allows people a space to acknowledge the effects of problems on their lives in a respectful way as well as unearthing values and intentions which can be brought to the surface.
  
  I position myself as a co-researcher/author allowing the person to be the expert on their lives. At the same time I am influential in asking questions that explore uncharted territory and allow the person to connect with what is important to them.
  
  Where appropriate I am happy to see partners or family members to extend the possibilities for further positive developments in people's lives.

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

  This is very individual but usually just starting experiencing this different style of conversation in the first and subsequent few sessions helps to externalise the effects of the problem and has the person experiencing less stuckness and connecting more with hope.
  
  By defining the realms of influence of the issue and what it is robbing a person of and realising what this implies about what they really value, people can often have a sense of being moved.
  
  We are all very used to talking about problems in great detail. Finding out about the "healthy tissue" and asking about what people would most like to be known for, can help shine light on areas they may not have had a chance to talk about or connect with.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  It is a privilege to hear people stories and sharing this process has been inspiring . It has encouraged me to appreciate those around me and connect with values I hold as important and the culture and community that sustains me. It has reminded me to not make assumptions and be curious and surprised by people and allows me to examine power relationships and seek social justice.
  

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  I love the opportunity I get to meet such interesting and diverse people everyday and to learn from them. Therapy brings out the creativity in myself and the people that I am co-researching with. It allows me the opportunity to create and share in projects that utilise words, art, and music and that can impact on others even outside the therapy room. I find it dynamic and exciting especially the "Ah ha" moments. It has allowed me to have powerful and supportive relationships with colleagues and mentors and lifelong connections. I also enjoy hearing what sustains others in their therapy work and and nurturing their professional stories.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Of course we all do but it is not about a "Performance" or "test". As long as I am genuinely listening, authentic and collaborative we can check and get back on track.

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

  Unfortunately inequality, racism, discrimination and abuse still exist and the physical threat of war and terrorism. Third world problems of experiences of isolation and loneliness, perfection and entitlement are also massive challenges.

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

  The Language of Flowers
  The Streetsweeper
  To Kill a Mockingbird
  The Diary Anne Frank