One of the commonest reasons for people presenting at my clinic is the scourge of headaches or migraines, brought on by chronic or acute stress. These can be very draining, affect concentration and pretty much make you feel like the most irritable person on the block. Chronic pain undermines one’s sense of relaxedness and ease [...]
Stress in the 21st century is all about our efforts to continually adapt to modern living situations. As such the effects of stress occur more so at a psychological and emotional level than the more physical situation of our ancestors. Stress lurks invisibly in the background of everyday life: driving in traffic, study and exams, [...]
One of the potential byproducts of stress over time – and there are many manifestations – is the state of depression. Once known as ‘melancholia’, thanks to Hippocrates, it often presents with symptoms such as: an abiding sense of sadness, inadequate self esteem, a loss of verve and enthusiasm, low sex drive, poor appetite for [...]
It is not talked about all that much over coffee or around the water cooler at work, but having a lower than desirable libido or sex drive is a pretty common issue out there. People are generally shy about such things, which is completely understandable. There are many possible reasons why this lack of drive [...]
I watched a movie recently and a line of dialogue really hit home for me: ‘Grief is love that has become homeless’. Such a beautiful way to describe the plight of the bereft. Research over the last two decades has helped the Counselling profession more clearly understand its role in supporting people through bereavement in [...]
A common byproduct of stress is changes to sleep patterns. Night-time, unless one is a shift worker, is a time of rest and recouperation. In this down-phase our Yang energies retreat into the Yin and are nourished. In other words, the daytime consciousness drops down into the lotus of the heart, which receives and envelops [...]
Stress, the term itself was coined by Hans Selye in 1946, to describe a ‘non-specific response syndrome’. It is precisely this non-specific characteristic that makes stress so dangerous. Now you see it now you don’t. Stress is the consequence of the mind and body striving to adapt to situations, circumstances and various events, especially [...]
Many people have asked me what the difference is between counselling and psychotherapy. It is a very good question and the answer helps people to find the specific approach that will serve them appropriately. There is certainly a lot of overlap between the two disciplines. I have tried to pare them apart as you will [...]
Michael has been in practice for over thirty years. Three decades working with people has instilled in him the wisdom of awareness, equanimity, empathy and non-judgement, suffused with the qualities of warmth and attentive presence. Michael has devoted himself to helping his clients navigate their way through the trials, tribulations, accomplishments, demands and the myriad [...]
The last blog left us in the foothills of meditative practice, using a breathing process to settle into a quiet, comfortable zone. One’s back should be relaxed but straight for meditation, any way that can be achieved. You can sit upright, unsupported if your back is in great shape, or up against a wall, or [...]
