Rebekah's Blog
Life as a Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Trainer
Over the years, it has become apparent that some days are filled with transformational learning, whilst others can be deeply touching and act as a reminder of how precious life is.
The aim of this blog, which won't be a daily record but more a contribution of thoughts captured as and when I am able to share them, is to give the reader insight into my professional life but also of how my disclosed personal challenges touch my life and practice as a Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Trainer.
No clients will be identified within this blog, and any potentially identifiable information will be provided only with permission (but even with permission, still will be very anonymised).
It is my hope that this inspires both clients and therapists alike (including potential therapists) and shows that we all have so much to offer each other, when we simply listen and care for another humans wellbeing.
Psychotherapists are human too....
I am respectful of my profession, however don't agree that there is value in remaining an entire mystery (bordering on inhuman) to our clients, especially when so many of the clients I tend to work with have spent their lives never being good enough / having their need for connection ignored / coping with environments where the control lies entirely with the other person. In my view, there is a level of compassion missing where the impact of power is not recognised within the therapist-client relationship, and steps taken towards rebalancing through allowing elements of human to human contact to occur.
I therefore share the picture of me below, to show a side of me which I am comfortable to bring. Over many years, I have sung with / fronted many bands, and also competed in 'Stars in their Eyes' - the year that 'George Michael' won.... he auditioned after me and was AMAZING!! I still believe he was a really well deserved winner.
Trauma... and my somatic journey...
My commitment to providing the highest level of trauma therapy is due to being a trauma survivor myself; over many years of therapy I have experienced the good, the not so good and the truly retraumatising and am more than aware how damaging poor trauma therapy can be, as well as how much of an impact psychotherapy can have when the therapist doesn't hold a deep understanding about trauma and how this can be re-triggered in sessions.
I am also comfortable to share that, along with surviving significant trauma in my life and having an unsurprising PTSD diagnosis, I am also living with a couple of invisible conditions which, from time to time, impact my ability to be in clinic. I am comfortable to share that I have a progressive bone condition which impacts my mobility / limb strength and causes constant pain, and also to share that I was fairly recently diagnosed as being autistic (which wasn't a huge surprise).
Being confirmed to be an autistic woman has proved to be a very enlightening experience, and the many articles and reports of 'masking' that have been recently published ring very true for me, and I know for many other woman who are discovering they are neurodivergent.
Choosing the best for you...
I embrace and work with the many parts of myself, and it is through these, and many other, life experiences (plus a load of training + skill + clinical experience) that I approach my work as a Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Trainer. Not because I am an expert, but simply because I understand how some challenges can feel, and how important the therapeutic relationship is.
These experiences drive my commitment to undertake CPD to ensure my skills and knowledge remain as up to date as possible, and to endeavour to build the best experience for my client. I am committed to providing a therapeutic space which feels safe, calm and accepting, as well as strong and resilient in those moments where things unravel.
None of this means you must choose me as your therapist / supervisor / trainer, or even a member of my team - but I really hope that seeing the human is helpful when considering that difficult experiences can ultimately act as fuel for the future, if you have the right support.
Year of the snake... and fresh beginnings!
Wishing you the very best New Year, with much happiness and good health.
Kindest wishes,
Rebekah
Here we are again...
Well, not the greatest start to 2025 as I managed to go down with flu (despite having had the jab)!
Living with chronic illness, for me, means living as someone who is also immunosuppressed, and therefore any bugs are tricky for me to fight off, especially with any speed. I have therefore spent the last few days without much voice and feeling ropey - today has been a little bit better so fingers crossed I can get back on track for next week.
Immunosuppression is not a great deal of fun, both where there is the requirement to inject yourself with unpleasant medications (or attend hospital for infusions) but also managing the side effects and complicationsthat can arise from having very little immune system. Therefore, self care becomes even more important, along with rest and time away from the stresses and strains of daily life. This has been something that I have spent a lot of time working on in therapy, as the adjustment came particularly hard for me having previously been so active as a Nurse, runner, singer and busy Mum.
There is something beautiful in really listening to our bodies, though, and my experience has been that my body really does know when I need to stop, and communicates it loud and clear.... perhaps this time, though, I missed it? Or maybe it was 'just' a bug.
Stronger together, though, and support becomes absolutely key in these times. Please be sure you look after you, therefore, especially when the demands to look after everyone else are high.
With kind wishes, Rebekah
