I was recently listening to the BBC podcast, Witch. It was all about the history of witches right up to the modern day. One episode talked about divination, in particular about tarot readings. Hearing the readers talk about how they use the tarot it sounded like many of them were using them as a typeContinue reading “Divination Without Divinity”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Keeping Death in Mind
Each time I work with someone going through bereavement certain perspectives become clear. One of the most positive insights that can be gained from the loss of death is what is really important to us. Usually it is other people that are most important to us, and having memorable experiences. It is amazing how easyContinue reading “Keeping Death in Mind”
A version of Buddhist Metta Practice
This is a quick post after an inspiring week with my clients. Say these words and see how they affect you. Allow your response to be what it is, without expectations. Pause between each line for a breath or two. Like dropping a stone into a pond and seeing the result. May I be happy.Continue reading “A version of Buddhist Metta Practice”
Sleeping with Anxiety: and a bit of neuroscience, and a computer game.
So, it’s been a while since I last wrote, thankfully because work has been busier. Here is a little anecdote from my life that might be helpful if you’re ruminating instead of sleeping. I speak with my clients all the time about staying up all night worrying about life. While the root cause of this anxietyContinue reading “Sleeping with Anxiety: and a bit of neuroscience, and a computer game.”
Meditation as a skill of kindness
I have been thinking a lot about meditation in relation to psychotherapy. When modern mindfulness started in the 1970’s part of its success was in providing meditation without religion. In a similar way I am starting to break down meditation into a set of relevant skills, as I see them being useful to mental health,Continue reading “Meditation as a skill of kindness”
This Week as a Counsellor: The Safety of Resistance
Working with a client’s emotional pain almost always results in resistance coming up. It is possible for people to take a dim view of their own resistance, possibly feeling ashamed that they keep avoiding the issue. In a broader sense this may be familiar to people who are putting off going to a counsellor, theContinue reading “This Week as a Counsellor: The Safety of Resistance”
This Week as a Counsellor: Why I Think Meditation is Useful in Counselling.
I have realised recently that I take it for granted that meditation can be a useful skill for mental wellbeing. When I guide clients through meditations I don’t always stop to talk about why it is going to help. I have now started to break down the advantages of meditation, as I see them, intoContinue reading “This Week as a Counsellor: Why I Think Meditation is Useful in Counselling.”
This Week as a Counsellor: Balancing Your Needs
I have had conversations with many of my clients about asserting the boundaries they need in order to live a happy life that is not diminished by the unhealthy demands of others. Often my client will remark that they need to be more selfish, and hardly anyone wants to think of themselves as selfish. Self-careContinue reading “This Week as a Counsellor: Balancing Your Needs”
This Week as a Counsellor: Playfulness in Therapy and in Life.
This is a short reflection on an idea that was important during my work this week. Playfulness is an important part of therapy and life. We rarely feel playful until we feel safe. Play is how we bond with others, exploring the bounds of a relationship in a consensual way. Play is an engaging andContinue reading “This Week as a Counsellor: Playfulness in Therapy and in Life.”
New Year’s Resolutions and Habit Formation and Press Ups
Happy new year! I hope that this blog post finds you well and possibly enjoying a fresh start to the year. Taking on this mindset can be a wonderful opportunity to start a new project or set your sights on a new goal. Towards the end of last year I read the self-help book, AtomicContinue reading “New Year’s Resolutions and Habit Formation and Press Ups”
Will Farmer Counselling 