Psychotherapists and Counsellors Answer your Questions

Atticus Finch - a fictional small-town lawyer played by Gregory Peck in the film To Kill a Mocking Bird'. It's also a great book. Atticus is a life-long hero of mine. He embodies what it means to be...

Atticus Finch - a fictional small-town lawyer played by Gregory Peck in the film To Kill a Mocking Bird'. It's also a great book. Atticus is a life-long hero of mine. He embodies what it means to be an everyday person who has the courage to live in harmony with his personal values. If I can do the same in my life, then will consider it to be a life well-lived.

The poem Love After Love by Derek Walcott and the book The Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

The poem Love After Love by Derek Walcott and the book The Sacred Path of the Warrior by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I see myself primarily/first as a parent. I have three children, but I feel the responsibility of parenting extends beyond my immediate family. The relationship in...

The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I see myself primarily/first as a parent. I have three children, but I feel the responsibility of parenting extends beyond my immediate family. The relationship in this book, between father and son, moved me to tears many times and inspired me to greater authentic care and love for my children, and others generally.

Many, two that come to the forefront are 1: The Bible and the teaching of Christ and 2. Viktor E. Frankl's book, Man's Search For Meaning.

Many, two that come to the forefront are 1: The Bible and the teaching of Christ and 2. Viktor E. Frankl's book, Man's Search For Meaning.

'The one straw revolution' by Masanobu Fukuoka 'Working on yourself alone' By Arnold Mindel

'The one straw revolution' by Masanobu Fukuoka 'Working on yourself alone' By Arnold Mindel

A work of art that inspires me is a painting I have on the wall in the lounge. It is a dot art painting. When I look at it, it changes my understanding in a moment as it holds so much meaning and...

A work of art that inspires me is a painting I have on the wall in the lounge. It is a dot art painting. When I look at it, it changes my understanding in a moment as it holds so much meaning and knowledge and consciousness, the whole universe in a single painting. I feel my relationship with the world and the universe and it takes me out of self-limiting identification into the inter-connection between nature, spirit and the cosmos.

Rasputin! The new re mix by MAJESTIC & BONEY M... upbeat, happy and just 'go' to for me! I love all art as it is an expression of the person so I really am curious when I see art. Ongoing self...

Rasputin! The new re mix by MAJESTIC & BONEY M... upbeat, happy and just 'go' to for me! I love all art as it is an expression of the person so I really am curious when I see art. Ongoing self development books such as Dalai Lama - The Art of Happiness, Erchart Tolle, The Power of Now. For my holiday read... espionage/spy thriller... anything by Daniel Silva!

Gene Keys, Soulcraft and Women who run with wolves.

Gene Keys, Soulcraft and Women who run with wolves.

I have a few songs that always inspire me. Show em What You’re Made of - Backstreet Boys Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles Lazarus Drug - Meg Washington

I have a few songs that always inspire me. Show em What You’re Made of - Backstreet Boys Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles Lazarus Drug - Meg Washington

Nature inspires me every day. Watching the wonders of life and all its beauty.

Nature inspires me every day. Watching the wonders of life and all its beauty.

Song: Blackbird by the Beatles Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly All your life You were only waiting for this moment to arise Blackbird singing...

Song: Blackbird by the Beatles Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly All your life You were only waiting for this moment to arise Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these sunken eyes and learn to see All your life You were only waiting for this moment to be free Blackbird fly, blackbird fly Into the light of a dark black night Blackbird fly, blackbird fly Into the light of a dark black night Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken wings and learn to fly All your life You were only waiting for this moment to arise You were only waiting for this moment to arise You were only waiting for this moment to arise

One work that particularly resonates with me is The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown. In this book, Brown explores the concept of vulnerability and how embracing our imperfections can lead to...

One work that particularly resonates with me is The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown. In this book, Brown explores the concept of vulnerability and how embracing our imperfections can lead to greater connection, resilience, and authenticity. Her insights align with my belief in the importance of self-compassion, acceptance, and embracing our humanity in the face of societal pressures to be perfect. It's a powerful reminder that vulnerability is not a weakness but rather a source of strength and connection in our lives. Music and art inspire me and are integral to my therapeutic approach. Recognising their capacity to evoke emotions and aid healing, I embrace their inclusion in sessions. Music soothes the soul and allows for emotional expression and relaxation. Likewise, art serves as a powerful tool for self-expression and exploration. I believe in their transformative potential for deeper understanding and personal growth in therapy if the client would like to utilise these tools.

Its ever changing. I do however prefer to live in a world where we express ourselves through the arts. I encourage all my people to bring what inspires them into the therapy experience to explore...

Its ever changing. I do however prefer to live in a world where we express ourselves through the arts. I encourage all my people to bring what inspires them into the therapy experience to explore their situation.

Aah so many how do I choose? Movie: RED, Book: Birth without cruelty. Event: referendum to end aparatheid. Work of Art: Maggie Laubscher's “Ducks”

Aah so many how do I choose? Movie: RED, Book: Birth without cruelty. Event: referendum to end aparatheid. Work of Art: Maggie Laubscher's “Ducks”

I am an avid reader. The first books that inspired me were Wuthering Heights and The Odessa File. The latter inspired my fascination and love of history, and the lessons we need to learn.

I am an avid reader. The first books that inspired me were Wuthering Heights and The Odessa File. The latter inspired my fascination and love of history, and the lessons we need to learn.

Any art form that captures the universality of human experience is inspiring as it tells us about ourselves. Think of the enigmatic beauty of the Mona Lisa, the strength and wisdom of Atticus Finch in...

Any art form that captures the universality of human experience is inspiring as it tells us about ourselves. Think of the enigmatic beauty of the Mona Lisa, the strength and wisdom of Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mocking Bird”, the power of Freddie Mercury singing “We are the Champions”, the glorious Fauré's Requiem, or the torment of Healthcliff in “Wuthering Heights”. My favourite inspiring moment is singing with my choir: singing together with friends, making gorgeous harmonies, with some fun dance moves all culminating in a great warmth of shared experience that brings us together.

Two books - Lost Connections by Johann Hari, and Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl. There was no need to be ashamed of tears, for tears bore witness that a man had the greatest of courage,...

Two books - Lost Connections by Johann Hari, and Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl. There was no need to be ashamed of tears, for tears bore witness that a man had the greatest of courage, the courage to suffer.” (from Man's Search for Meaning)

THRIVE

THRIVE

London Grammar Strong. Amazing vocals but even more powerful lyrics.

London Grammar Strong. Amazing vocals but even more powerful lyrics.

The 'Pursuit of Happyness' book really inspired me as it clearly portrays the message to never give up having hope for the future, despite the adversities that you need to overcome. By developing more...

The 'Pursuit of Happyness' book really inspired me as it clearly portrays the message to never give up having hope for the future, despite the adversities that you need to overcome. By developing more resilience in ourselves we can achieve great things in life.

The Primal Wound A Transpersonal View of Trauma, Addiction, and Growth, John Firman, Ann Gila

The Primal Wound A Transpersonal View of Trauma, Addiction, and Growth, John Firman, Ann Gila

From Little Things Big Things Grow - Paul Kelly song

From Little Things Big Things Grow - Paul Kelly song

Songs Can't Stop the Feeling - Justin Timberlake - this song is full of joy and happy vibes Movies Matrix - we are all waking up from a dream where we have no power and realising we are powerful...

Songs Can't Stop the Feeling - Justin Timberlake - this song is full of joy and happy vibes Movies Matrix - we are all waking up from a dream where we have no power and realising we are powerful beyond belief Books The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle A New Earth - Eckhart Tolle Awaken the Giant Within - Tony Robbins High Performance Habits - Brendon Burchard The Tao te Ching - various editions Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - Robert M. Pirsig

Climbing Mt Warning Paul Klee Paintings Ryan Presley Mandalas Byzantine decor and mosaics

Climbing Mt Warning Paul Klee Paintings Ryan Presley Mandalas Byzantine decor and mosaics

The movie Christopher Robin

The movie Christopher Robin

Some of my favourite books are The Alchemist by Paul Coelho, The Prophet by Khalil Gibran, Lost connections Johann Hari

Some of my favourite books are The Alchemist by Paul Coelho, The Prophet by Khalil Gibran, Lost connections Johann Hari

I'm going to pick the art of the French impressionist Claude Monet - his plein air' paintings manage to capture so much light, and I believe that sometimes that is what we are doing in the therapy...

I'm going to pick the art of the French impressionist Claude Monet - his plein air' paintings manage to capture so much light, and I believe that sometimes that is what we are doing in the therapy room - allowing the light to come in!

I recently watched 'Marriage Story' and thought that the acting was excellent and a great depiction of some of the modern challenges associated with relationships.

I recently watched 'Marriage Story' and thought that the acting was excellent and a great depiction of some of the modern challenges associated with relationships.