Ms Victoria Redbard

A conversation with Victoria Redbard

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

  The nature of my personality has always had people open up about the things they don't usually speak to people about. I noticed this from a young age and became very curious about what it takes to really receive people in their vulnerability.
  I had my own personal experiences with counsellors and therapists and found them awful and detached. I felt as if I was being 'worked out' rather than understood or felt, this experience really led me to want to provide a space of development that was fun and interesting rather than sterile and cold.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  Gestalt, Jungian and Rogers have been the most interesting to me through out my journey. I love Gestalt for the depth of presence and direct feedback from the body, I also really appreciated Fritz Perl and his wild nature (he would likely not be considered trauma informed in todays age!)
  I love archetypal work with Jung and exploring the inner workings and how they play out transpersonal in our lives. Lastly, Rogers for the personal touch, I'm a big believer that we have the answers to all our problems and this is largely the way that Rogers operates.

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

  I'm fascinated with the depths of shadow and sexuality and how they weave together. I have noticed that people tend not to trust their desires or primal nature and I've found the people who make peace with their sexuality find themselves with deeper levels of fulfilment and are generally more grounded in life, with less anxiety and more capacity to take on life's challenges and stresses.
  
  My experience has shown me that it's very easy to invite intimacy back into relationship when you meet your sexuality from a deeper place than what society encourages.

• What methods do you use?

  I work with the body somatically, central nervous system regulation, building awareness through bringing attention to the emotional state, the conditioning that creates our reality and opening to the possibilities of what you want life to look like.
  My main methods are Gestalt, Jungian and Existential.
  
  

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

  Instantly. I find that when people sit with me and are invited into the level of presence and acceptance that I reside in there is an automatic shift in their awareness.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Therapy has given me the awareness and communication skills to have a fulfilling relationship and be a self responsible leader in my community. It's hard to imagine who I would be today without the self development that I have completed.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  I love helping people, listening to people explore reality through a new lens and witnessing them empower themselves to create the changes they desire in life.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  LOL what kind of question is this? I'm assuming they are asking if I am challenged by life. Overall I find my life relaxing and fulfilling, I have the time and space to explore and live how I choose to live, I'm very happy in my relationship and with where I live. I do however still see a therapist from time to time to explore my triggers, pain points and evolutionary hurdles that arise.

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

  Connection and Intimacy are some of the biggest I work with. There's a lot of isolation, mistrust, hurt, trauma and poor communication that stops people from surrendering and enjoying relationship, community and family in the way they desire.

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

  Radiance Sutras, The book of longing, the vein of gold are some books I love.
  
  Favourite movie would probably be Dangerous Beauty, it inspired me to see a world where sexuality wasn't shamed and was largely integrated.