Counselling & Psychotherapy with Bodywork

I was reminded today about how helpful bodywork can be when you are processing something in your life i.e. working through some kind of change, working though grief or maybe your body is having issues with i.e. an old injury resurfacing, sports induced injury. 

 

I have just come home after a session of bodywork with Sue.  I have had a few sessions before and last time I began to be aware of the area just below my shoulder blades and was aware of a feeling that they needed opening.  I remember saying to Sue “it feels as if my wings are trapped” and something needed to let them open.  She responded in my language although I can’t remember her exact words, but I knew then that Sue was the right person for me as she was able to accommodate my way of processing, emotionally and physically. 

 

Today, I realised how refreshing it was for me to be able to express what was coming up for me in my thoughts and awareness whilst having my shoulders worked on.  I had felt before the session that there was something stuck behind my shoulder blade that I needed removing.  I had been experiencing pain there for some time and running was aggravating it.  Whilst Sue was trying to open the area up a little I felt how unstable it was and it didn’t really want to let go of whatever it was protecting. 

 

I am going through a period of change and trying to move away from employed work to full time self-employment.  I am trying to create space to spend writing and dedicating more time to developing my future pathways.  In these periods in my life I need more time and space to be able to be more aware of my self in lots of ways, taking time to just be still, writing my thoughts and feelings, taking care of my body as well as observing myself in this time more fully.

 

We all need reminding that a little help from others at these times of change and transformation, are so important, more now, than at any other time.  I often suggest to my own clients to try some form of bodywork to help them with the therapeutic process as it adds another layer to your awareness and can help shift emotional affect in the body.  So I need to remind myself as well, as I work with attention to body in my work it is important that I look after my own body too.

 

My shoulder feels a little tender now but after the session, I have to remember now to give it a little compassion for whatever it is trying to release and have a little faith that it will happen in its own time, when my body is ready to release it.

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By Kate Fletcher MCouns Pg Dip, Counsellor, Member of the BACP. Kate has experience working with all ages, including young people, in all areas of counselling. She is available for daytime and evening appointments. You can contact Kate on 0131 556 8440 or by email info@centre4holistichlealth.co.uk. To find out more about Kate's approach, visit: http://centre4holistichealth.co.uk/about-us/kate-fletcher/