Inside the Therapy Room

Beyond Talk Therapy: Brainspotting and the Brain-Body Connection

Noula dives into the world of Brainspotting, a trauma therapy that skips story retelling and focuses on therapist-client attunement and somatic markers in the body. It's a "bottom-up" approach, recognising trauma's presence in the body and the body's innate healing wisdom. Noula emphasises client empowerment and the modality's versatility, especially in her creative practice. We discuss its efficacy compared to other modalities and what "evidence-based" really means. Inside the Therapy Room, it's about creating a safe space for healing. Finally, Noula dispels a few myths about Brainspotting, ending our chat with a dose of reality. More About Noula Noula Diamantopoulos has a deep sensitivity and brings an undivided attention to removing the effect of emotional neglect on human lives; an affect which stops us from knowing who we are. A Sydney-based psychotherapist, she works with clients who have experienced complex PTSD, trains other therapists in the psychotherapeutic modality Brainspotting, and champions the role of the creative and expressive arts in healing. She is founder of both Brainspotting Training Hub and BeCause Movement and is the Author of You Are. That is. Creative. Connect With Us * Noula’s Website - http://www.nouladiamantopoulos.com [http://www.nouladiamantopoulos.com] * You can find Noula on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/NoulaDiamantopoulos], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nouladiamantopoulos/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nouladiamantopoulos/] & YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/nouladiamantopoulos]. * You can find the Brainspotting Training Hub here - https://www.brainspottingtraininghub.com.au/ [https://www.brainspottingtraininghub.com.au/] * To watch Space 22 - https://iview.abc.net.au/show/space-22 [https://iview.abc.net.au/show/space-22]   * Sam’s Website - https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/ [https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/] * You can find Sam on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/anchoredcounsellingservices/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/anchoredcounsellingservices], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anchoredcounsellingservices/] * You can also find Sam’s other podcast Beyond the Surface here [https://beyond-the-surface.captivate.fm/].

Honouring the Body: Trauma-Informed Healing for Eating Disorders

Jodie discusses the complexities of eating disorders, highlighting the limitations of a medical model and advocating for a holistic approach that considers trauma. Drawing from her personal experience, she emphasises the importance of lived experience in understanding these issues. We explore the distinction between eating disorders and disordered eating, emphasising the harm of pathologising language. Jodie shares insights into her therapeutic approach, including depth psychotherapy and a compassionate stance, challenging conventional beliefs about love in therapy and advocating against diet culture. Addressing fellow therapists, she promotes Health at Every Size (HAES) principles and stresses the need to remove moral judgments around food. Finally, Jodie dispels myths about eating disorders, offering a nuanced perspective on healing and recovery. More About Jodie Jodie Gale is the founder of TraumaWarriors.Online, host of the Soul Sessions with Jodie Gale podcast, an Eco-Psycho-Spiritual Registered Clinical Psychotherapist, Complex Trauma Expert, Mind Body Eating + Plant-Based Nutrition Coach. She is a leading specialist in women’s emotional, psychological, and spiritual health and well-being. Over the last 20 years, Jodie has helped women to transform and heal their lives from complex trauma, emotional eating, and the trance of unworthiness. She has a private psychotherapy, counselling, and life-coaching practice in Manly, Frenchs Forest and Allambie on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia. Jodie is passionate about helping women befriend, connect, and nourish their whole selves: body, feelings, mind, and SOUL! Connect With Us * Jodie’s Website – https://www.jodiegale.com/ [https://www.jodiegale.com/] * You can find Jodie on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/traumawarriors.online], and Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/jodie.gale] as well as her Trauma Warriors Group. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/554826985685813/] * Sam’s Website - https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/ [https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/] * You can find Sam on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/anchoredcounsellingservices/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/anchoredcounsellingservices], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anchoredcounsellingservices/] * You can also find Sam’s other podcast Beyond the Surface here [https://beyond-the-surface.captivate.fm/].

Finding Meaning in Stories: Exploring Narrative Therapy

Kim provides an insightful overview and brief history of Narrative Therapy, emphasising its client-centred approach where the client is seen as the expert. She highlights the strengths-based and non-blaming nature of Narrative Therapy and shares what drew her to this approach, despite its initially complex language. Through vivid examples, Kim illustrates how Narrative Therapy is applied in practice, emphasising the importance of the therapeutic relationship and clients feeling validated. She surprises us by discussing who benefits from this approach and introduces two Narrative Therapy activities, 'The Tree of Life' and 'The Sailboat of Life'. We delve into the power of rewriting our stories and the role of self-compassion, before Kim dispels a common myth about Narrative Therapy. Who is Kim? Kim Billington is an author of two counselling books and is a PACFA & ACA clinical registered supervisor and counsellor who enjoys the balance of working online and in person with private clients: families and adults, as well as training workshops. Kim works with experienced counsellors providing individual and group supervision, as well as part of the clinical supervision team at Monash University in the Masters of Counselling Placement Team. Previously, Kim has worked with women and children in family violence agencies, with men in men's behaviour change group programs, and in Telehealth with MensLine and Beyondblue, and as a generalist counsellor in Not-For-Profit agencies. Kim loves cold-water swimming, and is a happy camper-van traveller, who has found ways to work remotely as well as being with her two young grandchildren in Melbourne when she is at home. Connect with us * Kim’s Website - https://kimbillington.com.au/ [https://kimbillington.com.au/] * You can find Kim on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/kim.counselling/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kim.counselling/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-billington-13018b47?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app]    * Sam’s Website - https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/ [https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/] * You can find Sam on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/anchoredcounsellingservices/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/anchoredcounsellingservices], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anchoredcounsellingservices/] * You can also find Sam’s other podcast Beyond The Surface here [https://beyond-the-surface.captivate.fm/].

From Soil to Soul: Exploring Horticultural Therapy

Kayte introduced horticultural therapy's origins and her personal connection to it. We discussed why nature complements counselling and the differences between nature and garden therapy. Exploring its beneficiaries, Kayte highlighted its accessibility and benefits for neurodivergent individuals and children. She stressed the importance of working with trained therapists and distinguishing horticultural therapy from nature-based interventions. Inside therapy sessions, we examined the dynamics, considering safety concerns and differences between sessions for adults and children. Lastly, Kayte debunked a myth about horticultural therapy. Who is Kayte? Kayte combines her background in teaching, counselling, and horticulture to provide and facilitate therapeutic spaces in nature. Through mindfulness skills, sensory experiences and horticultural activities, Kayte tailors each session to a client’s needs and goals allowing nature to hold, heal and teach. Links * To connect with Kayte, reach out via her website - http://admirari.com.au [http://admirari.com.au]   * Sam’s Website - https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/ [https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/] * You can find Sam on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/anchoredcounsellingservices/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/anchoredcounsellingservices], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anchoredcounsellingservices/] * You can also find Sam’s other podcast Beyond the Surface here [https://beyond-the-surface.captivate.fm/].

Rainbow Spectrum: Embracing Neurodiversity in the LGBTQIA+ Community.

In our conversation, I asked Rae to define key terms regarding the intersection of Queer and Neurodivergent identities, which they're passionate about as someone embodying both. We discussed the importance of lived experience and self-disclosure in therapy, emphasising the non-pathologising nature of Queer and Neuroaffirming approaches. Rae highlighted the need for therapists to be mindful of language, biases, and assumptions. They shared their belief that Neurodivergence doesn't always require diagnosis or gatekeeping. We explored considerations for Queer and Neurodivergent individuals seeking therapy, including safety and red flags. Rae also addressed challenges at this intersection and the incorporation of non-verbal and creative approaches. Lastly, Rae debunked a myth about Queerness and Neurodivergence. Who is Rae? Rae is an Arts Therapist, Psychotherapist and Supervisor. They are Non-Binary and Neurodivergent with a lived experience of Chronic Illness; as well as being vegan and loving animals. They are passionate about Disability Rights, the LGBTQIA+ Community and Mental Health. They have a sensory garden outside the studio and when working therapeutically, they use person-centred, strengths-based and peer support approaches to assist individuals to access their internal resources and building their resilience. Their core values include connection, expression, creativity, imagination, curiosity, authenticity, courage, empowerment, personal congruence, and autonomy. Links * Rae’s Website – https://www.creatingwellbeing.com.au/ [https://www.creatingwellbeing.com.au/] * You can connect with Rae on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/creatingwellbeingmelbourne/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/creatingwellbeingmelbourne] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/raesabine/]   * Sam’s Website - https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/ [https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/] * You can find Sam on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/anchoredcounsellingservices/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/anchoredcounsellingservices], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anchoredcounsellingservices/] * You can also find Sam’s other podcast Beyond the Surface here [https://beyond-the-surface.captivate.fm/].