Are you tired of the daily grind, tired of the stress, afraid, angry or anxious?
Have you been suffering pain from the past, problems in the present, or fears about the future?
Are you looking for peace moment by moment when there are storms raging around you? Do you want to know how to be able to lie down and rest not just physically, but on the inside as well?
If it feels like you have too many problems to solve, the weight is too heavy to carry, or your pain is too much to bear, there is a better way!
Introducing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Research has shown that having a hopeful mindset can block pain by releasing the brain’s endorphins and enkephalins, mimicking the effects of morphine. A single change in mindset has the power to alter neurochemistry (Dr Caroline Leaf).
If you are ready to address the problems that are occurring on the outside of you, then the best place to start is with what is going on inside of you. We can’t deal with the turmoil outside of us when we have no peace on the inside.
Introducing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which reflects a key message: to accept what is out of your personal control, and commit to action that improves your life.
This is a very active form of therapy. In a counselling session utilising an ACT approach, our aim would be to:
- Work together as a team to help you be the sort of person you want to be, and build the sort of life you want to live; how you want to treat yourself and others.
- Learn new skills to handle difficult thoughts and emotions more effectively, so they will have less impact and influence over your life. There is opportunity to practise these skills between sessions if you choose. I want you to leave each session with an action plan: something to take away and use to actively improve your life.
- Identify and formulate an understanding of your physiological behaviour and cognitive aspects of your life, and how it may be leading you away from the life you want to live.
- ACT also involves clarifying your values, who it is you want to be, what you want to stand for, what strengths and qualities you want to develop.
- Equip you with life skills which involve problem-solving, goal setting, action planning, assertiveness and communication.
This type of therapy is all encompassed in Self-Compassion:
Self- Compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others” – Christopher Germer.
It is a journey and I am keen to work with you to make moves toward the life you want to live.
Author: Fiona Muller, B Soc Sc, Major in Counselling; Member of PACFA and CCAA.
Fiona is a registered counsellor working with both individuals and couples. Having previously worked with women’s groups, aged care, child care, pre-marriage counselling and community outreach programs, and married for nearly 30 years with two young adult children, Fiona’s experiences have given her a greater understanding and empathy of the many challenges and losses that life brings.
To make an appointment try Online Booking. Alternatively, you can call M1 Psychology Brisbane on (07) 3067 9129.