Thoughts from ACT tutor, George Bassett:

One of the fundamental beliefs that I hold regarding the nature of both the human experience and therapeutic process, is that life is inherently dramatic.

Much of our everyday thinking and reflections upon our life experience is shared with others through the medium of Dramatic Story. Whether we tell someone about our day, share a funny incident, describe a painful encounter, or gossip about last night’s episode of EastEnders, we are all involved in telling and listening to Story.

We all do it. We flow in the drama of unfolding events. Story is accessible and digestible, in all its various forms. Whether it be a best-selling novel, a poem, film, play, jokes, or the daily news, we are immersed in Story and Story form. With this being so prevalent as a “non scientific” framework for working out what we do and why, and learning from the experiences of others, I believe it is a rich and vast seam of knowledge which should be included in the therapists repertoire/toolkit.

Dramatic forms illuminate the challenges and outcomes of human endeavour. The nature of such frameworks follow commonly recognised patterns of process and development. Put simply:
Something happens that causes a reaction. A problem is presented, Who will help and who or what will get in the way? How does it turn out? Will, there be “a happy ending” or will the “Baddies” get away with it?
 
In the new Active Creative Techniques course you will be immersed in Drama/Story and Theatre Forms to compliment and enhance your existing therapeutic practice.
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Embrace the Hero/Heroine in your, and others’, Story.

Dates: 2016: 7/8 May, 30/31 July, 17/18 Sept. 10/11 Dec.
2017: 4/5 March, 13/14 May.

Cost: For all six workshops, £850 (SCPTI members), £950 (non-members)

​For more information contact: [email protected]
​​mailto:[email protected]

 

Active Creative Techniques is a new course which will encourage creative experimentation for both therapist and client through the use of drama and theatre techniques.

This course, run over six- two day weekends, will introduce you to the fundamentals of Drama in Therapy, in both theory and skills practice.

Designed to bring out the active, “performance” based artist within you, we cover activities that will introduce you to Narrative and Story based frameworks of interpreting clients’ verbal material. From this we shall explore different interventions that will increase your confidence in using, for example: Empty Chair, Role Play, Projective Techniques, Socio-drama and Forum Theatre approaches to exploring and engaging with your client’s stories, beyond just verbal expression.

Dates: 2016: 7/8 May, 30/31 July, 17/18 Sept. 10/11 Dec.
2017: 4/5 March, 13/14 May.

Cost: For all six workshops, £850 (SCPTI members), £950 (non-members)

​For more information contact: [email protected]
​​mailto:[email protected]

The task-force set up by NHS England to report on mental health services reported back last week. It came up with some disturbing findings, for instance, that around three-quarters of people with mental health problems received no help at all. It also led to numerous statements by politicians and much coverage in the media.

It can only be good that mental health is talked about, however, am I the only person to find some of the approaches of the reportage rather overly medicalised? I kept hearing mental health issues likened to having a broken leg, ie, if as little help was given to someone with a broken leg there would be a scandal. And I suppose it perhaps helps normalise the way mental health is conceptualised to say this. However, it also appears to suggest that there is one easy diagnosis for all mental health issues and one easy treatment.

Diagnosis in the mental health field is a hotly debated subject. I know from personal experience, being 'diagnosed' can help to normalise a difficult situation. Somehow it was better to be told I have depression than to feel I was 'going crazy'. Diagnosis also assists people to access services. However, there are some who would argue that we are in danger of over-medicalising something which is part of the human condition.

Diagnosis also tends to cut a person into bits: this is a mental health issue, this is a physical health issue. But we are one organism - mind, body, spirit inexorably linked - the one effecting the other in a myriad of ways.

I prefer to think of the way I experience depression as a vulnerability I have. I take care of my body, I exercise, I rest, I try to eat healthily (which also supports my mental health). If I don't I may develop conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, joint pain. So I should take care of my mental health in small but significant and continual ways.

Perhaps for some people, they experience the breakdown in their mental health as a broken leg. It's a one-off occurrence which can be tracked back to a specific happening and can be treated discretely. For me it has not been like that, it is an on-going journey. I would have liked to have heard much more last week about ideas of how to support mental well-being. And not just for the individual, but as a society. Some would say we have a mentally ill society and most people are merely having a healthy response to what is a sick environment.

Any thoughts?

The festive decorations are put away and it's into the new year. It's traditionally a time for making resolutions to do or be something different. Resolutions are easy to make and easier to break unless we have the support of others and the information we need to achieve our goal. Sometimes we're not very kind to ourselves when we do set goals. We keep setting the bar higher and higher without recognising what we are achieving.

A good resolution to make is to be kinder to our mental health. Here are some thoughts:

• Seek support. We are all vulnerable at times and need support, whether it be from friends, family or professionals. Don't be embarrassed about seeking support.
• Exercise, little and often, eat well and healthily.
• Seek healthy relationships.
• Take moments out from our frenetic lives - take a walk, practise yoga, do something creative.

Small changes, with the help of others, are easier to implement and sustain.

To aid our members and health professionals keep to a resolution of maintaining their continuing professional development, SCPTI has a great CPD programme this year including workshops and seminars in:

• Attachment theories - implications for practice.
• Existentialism in psychotherapy.
• Creative writing in therapeutic settings.
• Bodywork in therapy.
• Exploring aspects of the mental health working environment for those already in training.

See our full list and details for how to book on our CPD page of our website: www.scpti.co.uk

As much as many people enjoy the festive season, many do not. They may feel overwhelmed trying to produce the 'perfect' celebration; they may feel pressured into spending money they do not have; they may be missing and grieving loved ones; they may be lonely; they may feel forced into a jollity they do not share.

In amongst all the tinsel and the razzmatazz, it's worth reflecting on our mental health and how it may be maintained in good working order. Here are a few pointers:

• Healthy relationships are important. Connections with people who really appear to 'get' us. Listening and being listened to. Loving and feeling loved. Negotiating some give and take.
• A healthy life-style - diet, exercise.
• A connection with the natural world. Get out, breathe the air, notice the way the landscape honours the turning of the year.
• Taking time out for ourselves to do something we really enjoy.
• Nourishing our creativity: writing, singing, making art, gardening.... It doesn't matter if we're not great at it, these types of activities are flow activities, taking us away from the every day.
• Don't over-indulge. Binging on drink or food may soften pain for a short while, but they leave a nasty hangover.

Bearing these ideas in mind could be enough to support us so we can tramp happily through the next few weeks. However, for a lot of us it helps to have another person to explore our life's journey with. If so, a trained counsellor or psychotherapist may be the answer. They can be a sounding board, allowing us to discover our true wants and desires and a way forwards when life is challenging.

If you're interested, go to our list of qualified and trainee counsellors and psychotherapists to find out more about what they have to offer.

Welcome to the SCPTI blog. In the weeks to come we aim to blog on subjects of interest to those working in the psychotherapy and counselling community and to keep our readers updated on our training and CPD opportunities. We hope that you will want to join the conversation by adding your comments.