 Working with clients who have addiction takes a multilayer approach. People who have an addiction will have thought long and hard about making changes in their life and most will have attempted to stop engaging in their patterns of addictions. Working with clients who have addictions takes time. Part of the process is working with the clients’ conscious mind. The conscious mind is where we can work on emotional triggers, behaviour modification, mindfulness, values, psycho education etc. These things are all really great places to start when working with clients who have addiction issues, but the other important part of the process in working with the subconscious mind.
The subconscious mind is the part of the mind that is not as easy to work with and requires a skilled psychotherapist. Through psychotherapy, the client will be guided to uncover the hidden motivations, payoffs and coping strategies that are keeping the addiction in place. If you only work with the first part of the process, there is a high chance the client will keep having relapses, time and time again. Both parts of this process are equally important and need to be explored in depth for recovery to take place. If addiction is something that you or a loved one is struggling with, find the time to contact Shannon Bowman from Create Balance Counselling and Psychotherapy. He is experienced in supporting people with addictions and can help you take your first steps on the road to recovery
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 A natural response to anxiety is to want it out of our life NOW. Some of the ways we try to get anxiety to leave us is by avoiding or suppressing the uncomfortable feelings. Attempting to avoid or suppress our anxiety becomes fuel for the fire and this creates a cycle that keeps the pattern in place. We fear anxiety so much that it creates even more anxiety. There is a better way to work with anxiety. It needs to be understood that it is a natural human response. When we change the way we view anxiety and learn how to sit with these feelings, it takes away the power anxiety has over our lives. A great way to help with this shift in perspective is by practicing mindfulness (becoming aware of our thoughts but not identifying with them). What we are doing, by practicing mindfulness, is engaging the witness perspective.
The witness perspective is the part of our mind that can watch our thoughts and emotions. The witness can be curious about thoughts and emotions but does not get taken down the rabbit hole with every uncomfortable thought or feeling. By practicing mindfulness, the person who is suffering from anxiety learns to accept their uncomfortable feelings, which can reduce their anxiety dramatically. Is anxiety a part of your life? Please feel free to get in contact for a free confidential discussion on how I may be able to assist you. Thanks for taking the time to read this blog and have a great week. |
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Suite 8 226 Pakington Street, Geelong West VIC 3218
We are now offering face to face appointments in addition to our online consultations.
Please contact us to schedule an appointment today.
We are now offering face to face appointments in addition to our online consultations.
Please contact us to schedule an appointment today.
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