Therapy and Coaching for Lasting Change
Sometimes we need a little help...
Stress Management
I believe that all counselling and coaching involves stress management and I have developed a particular focus in this area as I have yet to meet anyone for whom the treatment of stress is unneeded or inappropriate. A combination of behavioural analysis and strategies as well as techniques such as mindfulness and visualisation enable my clients to develop self awareness at a deeper emotional level. I also make frequent use of a computer-aided Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback monitor which enables my clients to evaluate their progress.
“Mindfulness” consists of paying attention to an experience from moment to moment without drifting into thoughts of the past or concerns about the future, or getting caught up in thoughts or opinions about what’s going on. It is a very simple technique to learn and practise and can produce extremely beneficial and potentially life-changing outcomes whereby experiences of tension and anxiety (which can manifest as a sense of constant urgency, irritability, frustration and anger) give way to an overall calm and equilibrium.
“Mindfulness” is not only a very powerful stress reduction technique but also provides an enlightening gateway to self-reflection and self-knowledge.
Emotional Intelligence
Traditional approaches to stress management often focus primarily on cognitive areas such as time management and decision making and these are very important skills. There is, however, a growing body of research and media publications which point to the development of EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE as the key to managing stress well. It is our unmanaged emotions which create stress and negative emotions such as frustration, fear and anger can and do interfere with our ability to think optimally. My approach focuses on helping you to manage your emotions in positive and empowering ways and most people find that an improvement in their cognitive abilities seems to flow almost automatically from this enhanced emotional awareness.
Whilst there is no universal definition of Emotional Intelligence (often referred to as EQ or EI), psychologist Dr John. D Mayer is probably the person most worthy of credit for doing the original thinking on the concept of EQ. Please follow the link below to Dr Mayer's website which offers a wealth of information about the research into EQ and how it can be developed and measured.
Here is what some other eminent authors and researchers have had to say about the importance of handling our emotions effectively:
"Emotional Intelligence is a way of recognizing, understanding, and choosing how we think, feel, and act. It shapes our interactions with others and our understanding of ourselves. It defines how and what we learn; it allows us to set priorities; it determines the majority of our daily actions. Research suggests it is responsible for as much as 80% of the success in our lives." (Freedman et al., Handle With Care: Emotional Intelligence Activity Book).
"If we lack emotional intelligence, whenever stress rises the human brain switches to autopilot and has an inherent tendency to do more of the same, only harder. Which, more often than not, is precisely the wrong approach in today’s world." (Dr. Robert K. Cooper, Executive EQ: Emotional Intelligence in Leadership and Organizations)
I am a keen follower of the research related to stress being carried out by the HeartMath Institute in the
The Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine, Healthcare and Society
NBC Broadcast "Does your heart sense your emotional state?"
Therapy and Coaching for Lasting Change in Williamstown is 15 minutes from the Melbourne CBD and within 30 minutes of many inner city and western suburbs including Port Melbourne, Albert Park, South Melbourne, Newport, Altona, Kingsville, Seabrook, Spotswood, Footscray, Yarraville, Sunshine, Maribyrnong, Keilor, Taylors Lakes, Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Hoppers Crossing, Werribee, Laverton and Point Cook.
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