October Newsletter

This month we were excited to here about this new publication by David Key and Keith Tudor. Having read it, it doesn't disappoint! This is fascinating read explores the history, present and future of ecotherapy. The book delves deep into what ecotherapy actually is exploring the importance of language and cultural sensitivity. For anyone with an interest in working therapeutically outdoors it is an absolute must.

To find out more >> click here

For details of our next Practical Introduction to Walk and Talk Therapy CPD day >> click here

Infographic

We love a good infographic and this one is a great one for helping ourselves and clients find the helicopter view.

Dilemmas

Last month we launched our first What Would You Do? Ethical Dilemmas. Based on a series of weekly email surveys that we sent to our diploma students during the summer break, these dilemmas are a fun way to consider how we, as therapists might react to certain tricky situations.

Every other Friday we post a link to an online survey on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. The survey remains open for a week, after which we post the results and invite people to comment and discuss what they might have done differently.

The results of all our dilemmas will be kept >> here

Becky is a partner and tutor at Step by Step Counselling College, and as well as teaching, counselling and supervising she records this popular podcast for student counsellors covering a wide range of counselling related topics, helping guide trainee counsellors through placement and beyond.

There are over 25 episodes (and counting) available covering a wide range of topics from Journalling, Impostor Syndrome to Working with Objects.

You can find the podcast on a number of platforms including Audible, Buzzsprout, Deezer, PodcastAddict and Spotify

Autumn - A Season of reflection

Over the last few days there have been a number of posts doing the rounds – fridge magnet-type thumbnails with a quote (source unknown) that “The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let things go”. Autumn is a season of change - as we say in Devon “on an autumn day it can be summer in the sun and winter in the shade”.? Jumpers and coats appear from wardrobes, strange fungi sprout from the ground and debates across the land start as to when it is OK to put the heating on.

As the leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold, and a gentle chill fills the air, autumn arrives with its unique charm. It's a season of transformation, where nature undergoes a magnificent transition, shedding its vibrant summer green to embrace a quieter, more introspective beauty. In this season of change, autumn serves as a poignant reminder that life, too, is marked by cycles of growth, transformation, and loss.

For those of us in the field of counselling, autumn holds a special significance. It is a time where clients engage in contemplation, self-reflection, and a deeper exploration of their emotions. Autumn's natural beauty and symbolism provide a perfect backdrop for understanding the profound connection between contemplation and a sense of loss.

Autumn invites us to slow down, just as counselling encourages clients to pause and examine their lives. The shorter days and longer nights create an atmosphere of stillness and reflection. In counselling, we create a safe space for individuals to pause and explore their thoughts and emotions.

Clients are often grappling with loss – whether it be the loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship, or a sense of self. Autumn serves as a poignant reminder that loss is an inevitable part of life. The falling leaves teach us that letting go can be painful, yet it is a natural and necessary process for growth. Through counselling, clients can develop the coping skills and resilience needed to navigate their losses and find meaning in their experiences.

The changing colours of leaves symbolize the shifting emotions that clients often experience during counselling. Just as leaves transform from green to fiery hues, clients may undergo emotional transformations. These transformations can evoke a sense of loss, as old patterns and beliefs are shed, making room for personal growth and healing. It's through this process of shedding that clients can ultimately discover their true selves – it may take a winter for the new growth to start.

For us, autumn is a season that beautifully illustrates the connection between contemplation and the experience of loss. It offers a timely reminder of the importance of self-reflection and the inevitability of change in our lives. As counsellors, we are guides for our clients on their journey of self-discovery and healing, much like the way autumn gently guides nature through its own transformative process.

So, let us embrace this season of contemplation and change, both in nature and in our counselling practices. Just as autumn's beauty lies in its fleeting moments, so too can the beauty of personal growth and healing emerge from the contemplation of loss.

Wishing you all a reflective and insightful autumn season.

Becky and Simon

Course Round Up

Courses for students and qulaified professionals starting in 2024...

For more details about our Level 4 Diploma in Counselling >> click here

For the best prices and more information about the Advanced Certificate in Counselling >> click here

Click here << for details of this introductory course

To secure a place on this CPD course >> click here

Please call Simon on 07980851023 or visit our website for more information about the Ecotherapy Diploma >> click here

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