The Gift of Therapy

The Ultimate in Self Care

I remember some years ago reading for the first time the books,Loves Executioner and The Gift of Therapy by the eminent American Psychiatrist Irving Yalom. I found the tone and empathy he felt for his patients and the human spirit was palpable.

It has always seemed to me that Americans seem to have a fascination with therapy, to see it as an exercise in personal growth, as opposed to the stigma which is still attached to it in the UK and Europe generally.

Any of you who are ‘Suits’ fans will recall with humour and affection the relationship of the wonderful character ’Louis Litt’ and his Psychatrist ‘Stan Lipschitz’ - the emergence of Louis managing his feelings and able to become his true self. This is of course a story, but I am sure we can all recognise these themes in our lives. Lashing out as we do, not knowing how to deal with our feelings and situations, not fully understand our emotions.

It has also been well documented that Brad Pitt has been in therapy and reported in

Q Magazine “I love it, I love it.”

In my experience we still see going to counselling or therapy

as something you do when you are in crisis, it need not be, it can be the best self care you can give to yourself.

‘The Gift of Therapy’

Your morning necessities!

Are negative thoughts, you are scarcely aware of, ruining your day before its even begun?

Starting the day with a cuppa - be it tea or coffee, is an essential for most of us!

How do you wake, glad of a new day, enthusiastic to get out of bed, or not feeling like you can be bothered to get out of bed and with a sense of foreboding.

If the latter, when you notice that low feeling - scan your mind.

What thoughts are going through your mind - you are likely having negative thoughts.

As human beings we have negativity bias, early in human history, this trait may have kept us alive, now however it can be to say the least unhelpful.

Does it sound like “I can’t be bothered” “I’m tired” “I hate …..work, my life, my boss, etc...etc.” whatever it may be, however innocuous - dig a little deeper. That voice is saying I’m not worth making the effort for, it is too hard for me.

BUT YOU ARE WORTH IT - be kind, be encouraging & love yourself, like you would love your best friend.