Letting go of the Past

Many people do not discover or live to their full potential because they carry a painful past around with them. How can we start living in the present, so that we can enjoy a more meaningful and creative life? Here are a few strategies you might find useful. Practice mindful living: Mindful living entails consistently and deliberately [...]

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Eating Disorders: Effects of Starving and Vomiting

I wanted to post some more on the effects of eating disorders on the mind and body, but this time focusing on the effects of specific behaviours.  In particular, I will be describing some of the physical and psychology effects of starving and vomiting (i.e. purging).        Starvation can lead to: Sensitivity to [...]

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Making of a Monster: Robert Pickton

  Pick Me Up! magazine asked for my professional opinion on Robert Pickton, a former pig farmer and serial killer convicted of the second-degree murders of six women in Canada. He was also charged with the deaths of an additional 20 women. Out in the 24th May 2012 edition, I supplied the following psychological insight. What impact did his mother’s strict [...]

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Making of a Monster: Ed Gein

Pick Me Up! magazine asked for my professional opinion on Ed Gein, an American murderer and body snatcher, in their regular column ‘Making of a Monster.’  Out in the 17th May 2012 edition.  I supplied the following psychological insight. How would you describe the relationship between Ed and his mum? What was the bond between them and how did it impact [...]

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Person-Centred Counselling: Ending Appropriately and Sensitively

It seems apt that one of my final learning journals before the completion of the course is one on endings. In this journal I am going to explore how to end the helping interaction appropriately.  In particular, I will be highlighting the importance of sensitivity around ending helping sessions, the value of summarising, and the [...]

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Making of a Monster: Dennis Rader (BTK)

Pick Me Up! magazine asked me some questions on the psychology behind Dennis Rader, also known as the Bind, Torture, Kill (BTK) Murderer,  an American serial killer who murdered ten people in Sedgwick County (in and around Wichita, Kansas), between 1974 and 1991.    I provided the following answers:   Why might a person such as Dennis Rader (DR) be interested in bondage [...]

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Making of a Monster: Beverley Allitt

Pick Me Up! magazine asked me some questions on the psychology behind the tragic case of Nurse Beverley Allitt, an English serial killer who was convicted of murdering four children in her care, as well as attemtping to murder three other children and causing grievous bodily harm to six children.    Out in the 3rd May 2012 edition, I provided [...]

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Self-Awareness in Counselling Training

An essay written as part of my counselling training. Development of Self-Awareness   Counsellor self-awareness, which encapsulates self-knowledge and self-insight, has long been recognised as being a critical component of a successful therapeutic process (Brown and Lent, 2009: 306). Indeed, it has even been hailed necessary for ethical practice (Rubin, 2000: 270).  The aim of [...]

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Who is your Inner Child?

The idea of the Inner Child has been around for a long time in western psychology, and serves a useful purpose in helping emotionally troubled adults resolve personal struggles. Working with the inner child is seen as a vital step by some professionals to aid psychological growth, and enhance the mental and spiritual health of [...]

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Counselling: Listening and Responding Skills

A learning journal from my counselling course. In this learning journal I am going to demonstrate appropriate use of a range of listening and responding skills to facilitate the helping interaction, as well as demonstrate appropriate use of questions.  I am combining my exploration of these competencies as I feel they are very closely related.  [...]

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