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Blog Challenge No.1. What your doctor doesn’t tell you about how to choose a therapist

by Jodie Gale

Mental health treatment in Australia is dominated by the medical model via the Medicare Better Access Mental Health Plan system. Many potential clients aren’t aware of their choices in regards[...]

CATEGORIES: Blog Challenge, Highlights, How To, Psychotherapy
Blog Challenge, How To Choose A Therapist, Sydney Counsellor & Psychotherapist

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I was out walking yesterday and came across this g

I was out walking yesterday and came across this gorgeous floating flower bowl. Creating a floating flower mandala can be a wonderful way to celebrate the beauty of nature and the spirit of Easter. Here are some steps to help you make one:

Choose a body of water: Find a quiet and calm body of water such as a bowl, pond, lake, or river where you can create your floating flower mandala.

Collect flowers: Gather a variety of different flowers in different colors and sizes. Choose flowers that are in season and that have a sturdy stem that can float.

Create the mandala: Start by placing a few large flowers in the center of the water, and then add smaller flowers around them to create a circular pattern. Continue adding flowers of different sizes and colors to create a beautiful and intricate design. You can also add greenery or leaves to create a more textured and layered effect.

Enjoy the spiritual quality of beauty: Once you have finished creating your floating flower mandala, take some time to appreciate its beauty and the natural surroundings if you have created yours outside.
Creating a floating flower mandala can also be a fun and creative activity to do with family or friends during the Easter season. It's a beautiful way to connect with nature and celebrate the beauty of the season. #easter #flowermandala #naturetherapy #ecotherapy #innechild #CPTSD

Today is the Autumn Equinox, also known as Mabon.

Today is the Autumn Equinox, also known as Mabon. To help you celebrate the Autumn Equinox, here are 3 Nature Rituals to Connect with Your Inner Child on Mabon
https://www.traumawarriors.online/3-nature-rituals-to-connect-with-the-inner-child-on-autumn-equinox-mabon/
#innerchild
#innerchildhealing
#AutumnEquinox
#Mabon
#NatureTherapy
#Ecotherapy
#CPTSD
#TraumaWarrior

For anyone who watched #4Corners last night, recov

For anyone who watched #4Corners last night, recovery is possible.
Unfortunately, and once again, not one mention of childhood trauma, attachment, complex or developmental trauma. THIS is why recovery rates are so poor. Genes MIGHT load the gun but it’s the environment that pulls the trigger.
I have worked with young women with eating problems for 25 years – we need to start focusing on healing the underlying relational concerns, not just focusing on food and weight.
Healing our relationship with the inner child and whatever it is that she has experienced is key.
Join my mailing list to find out more about my upcoming courses in addition to my free offerings at traumawarriors.online (podcast, blogs etc). 🔗 https://www.traumawarriors.online/healing-the-inner-child-through-art-journaling/
#traumawarrior #traumahealing #recoveryispossible #edfam #recoverywarrior #4corners #innerchild #innerchildhealing #selflove #arttherapy #allfeelingswelcome #feelings #CPTSD #trauma #butterflyfoundation #wandinerida

#alwayswasalwayswillbe #alwayswasalwayswillbeabori

#alwayswasalwayswillbe #alwayswasalwayswillbeaboriginalland #alwayswasalwayswillbe🖤💛❤️ #traumawarrior #traumahealing

Merry Christmas to you, wherever you are in the wo

Merry Christmas to you, wherever you are in the world.

Christmas can bring with it, a mixed bag of feelings.

Many of our younger parts can get stirred up around holidays and celebrations.

I was looking for images this morning and this one jumped straight out at me. I immediately thought of an image exercise I do, I am the one who. It’s a great technique to get to know ourselves better, to pay attention to the parts of us that are crying out for us to notice them, to take care of them, especially through difficult times.

Try becoming one or the different components/parts of the image, then speak from that part.

I was immediately drawn the the one golden tree. So, I speak from the image and the tree

I am the one who is one and many.
I am the one who is full of life.
I am the one who stands out.
I am the one who shines.

As I move into a few days with family, I’m going to place this image in my dining room to remind me to pay attention to this part of me. She’s allowed to be her true self. She doesn’t have to hide, she’s allowed to shine.

You will have a different experience of the image, eg. The artist called this Alone (Photo by Mats AlmlÃ¶f)
He might have said, I am the one who is alone.

He might have felt solace in aloneness or he might have felt sorrow. Maybe the message to him was, take alone time over the next few days or, take care of my sorrow at being alone. Maybe the image is, I am the one who is alone but I can reach out to others, or I can reach out to nature.

Let this image, or find your own image, speak to you.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment. You can share what it evokes for you too

X Jodie

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#traumawarrior
#cptsd
#traumarecovery
#narcissisticabuserecovery
#narcissisticmother
#innerchildhealing
#innerchildwork
#innerchild
#selflove
#feelings
#alone
#standout
#christmas
#boundaries
#naturetherapy
#ecotherapy
#iam

As adults, we often use busyness and technology as

As adults, we often use busyness and technology as a way of keeping us away from the pain of the child within.

Our inner child needs time in nature too! Nature is a wonderful mirror for our inner world. Slow down and take some time today to ‘be with’ your child in nature.

Do you have a nature ritual? I’d love to hear how you spend time outdoors 👇👇👇

Next year I will be offering my first inner child course via Trauma Warriors. It will include lots of activities to help you connect with your inner child, some of those include that nature therapy activities and journalling. You can join the wait list here 🔗 https://www.traumawarriors.online/soul-school/
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#traumawarrior
#cptsd
#traumarecovery
#narcissisticabuserecovery
#narcissisticmother
#innerchildhealing
#innerchildwork
#innerchild
#selflove
#selfawakening
#feelings
#naturetherapy
#ecotherapy

When I started therapy, I learnt for the first tim

When I started therapy, I learnt for the first time about the child within. I have been in relationship with my inner child for nearly 30 years and have been helping women recover their inner child in therapy for over 20 years. Due to a long wait list for the last 10 years in my private practice - I am making my offerings available for the first time in an online course with lives in my Trauma Warriors FB group. You can join the wait list here 🔗 https://www.traumawarriors.online/soul-school/
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#traumawarrior
#cptsd
#traumarecovery
#narcissisticabuserecovery
#narcissisticmother
#innerchildhealing
#innerchildwork
#innerchild
#selflove
#thichnathanquote
#anger
#feelings

That moment when you book your first accommodation

That moment when you book your first accommodation in Canada and it’s right next door to Anne Shirley ❤️🧡❤️ #AnnewithanE #GreenGables #traumawarrior #cptsd #innerchild #innerchildhealing #naturetherapy #ecotherapy #nature

Imagine if all of the love songs we sang to others

Imagine if all of the love songs we sang to others, we sang to ourselves, to the inner child - just pause and wonder what that might feel like?
… I would never fall in love again until I found her
I said, “I would never fall unless it’s you I fall into”
I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her.
It probably feels strange. It feels more normal to be harsh or critical . Next time you are being hard on yourself, try a love song instead. #lovesongs #naturetherapy #ecofriendly #ecotherapy #innerpeace #innerwisdom #love #untilifoundyou #stephensanchez #innerchild #innerchildhealing #traumarecovery

Acknowledging Gadigal Country, traditional owners

Acknowledging Gadigal Country, traditional owners + their Elders past, present and emerging. Tears of joy to see the Aboriginal flag flying permanently on the bridge. Another step towards recognition and reconciliation. #gadigalcountry #gadigalland #gadigal #sydney #sydneyharbourbridge #harbourbridge #traumawarrior #traumarecovery #traumahealing #innerchildwork #innerpeace #innerpeace

Beautiful cottage gardens in Berrima (Dharawal Cou

Beautiful cottage gardens in Berrima (Dharawal Country). When you see pointers to soul qualities such as this garden heart, take a pause and turn it inwards = self-love 💚 #naturetherapy #traumarecovery #traumawarrior #innerchild #innerchildhealing #innerchildwork #feelings #selflove #ecotherapy #evo #climatechange #feeldealheal #narcisssticabusesurvivor #narcissistmother #childhoodtrauma #childhoodemotionalneglect #edwarrior #recoverywarrior #eatingdisorderrecovery #bulimiarecovery #bingeeater #bingeeatingrecovery

First outing for my new gumboots. Can finally get

First outing for my new gumboots. Can finally get back on my fave bush track without getting mushy wet feet 🌿#merrypeople #merrypeoplegumboots #gumboots #bushwalking #naturetherapy #ecotherapy #innerchild #innerchildhealing #cptsd #therapistlife

Had to buy a copy of Grimm’s fairytales on the c

Had to buy a copy of Grimm’s fairytales on the cover alone! Which tale should I read first? #innerchild #innerchildhealing #fairytales #traumawarrior #grimmfairytales #grimm

Your inner child is lost without you When we have

Your inner child is lost without you
When we have suffered with early childhood trauma and emotional neglect there is an emptiness, and a neediness inside of us that leads us to searching in all the wrong places to try and fill. This may have resulted in an addiction, co-dependency or disordered eating.
It’s important we don’t pathologise ourselves - these behaviours started out as ways to self-sooth.
The problem when we search ‘out there’, the behaviours take on a life of their own and become more and more self-destructive over time.
When this happens, we repeat the early abandonment and abuse and our inner child feels even more in need of soothing.
But…she doesn’t need someone or something ‘out there’, she needs you! She is lost without you.
So, what can we do about it? We can be there for her. Imagine a child with the option of looking in two directions: 1) Abusive boyfriend, bingeing on food or excessive phone use for example or 2) The healthy adult inside of you that has the ability to take care of her, listen to her and meet her needs!
You are the one person she can depend on, always (well, with a bit of inner parenting practice!).
Today, take a pause and ask the child within, “what do you need from me today?”
This is a great practice that you can start each day with. If it is hard to do, think of her as though you are taking care of your own child if you have children or someone else’s child if you don’t.
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#naturetherapy #ecotherapy #spiritualawakening #traumawarrior #edwarrior #recoverywarrior #cptsd #narcissistsurvivor #narcissisticmother #complextrauma #innerchild #innerchildhealing #trauma #traumarecovery #selflove #loveyourself #loveyou #loveyourbody #lostwithoutyou #lonely #feeldealheal #bingeeatingrecovery #bulimiarecovery #selfcare #selfsoothe #thechildwithin #CEN #childhoodemotionalneglect #freyaridings

It’s Mother’s Day. I am a daughter and a mothe

It’s Mother’s Day. I am a daughter and a mother. Sometimes because of my own trauma history, mothering self and others can be tough and I make mistakes often! Repairing the mistakes is what is most important. If you have a trauma history - go easy on yourself - how can you mother yourself today? Start with self-compassion,‘It’s ok, you’re human, we all make mistakes’, ‘There, there sweetheart, I care about you’, and so forth, come up with something that fits for you and your inner child. Speak to yourself as you would to yours or someone else’s child. Likewise if you are feeling a sense of loss today, lots of self compassion 💗.

Acknowledging the land of the Dharug people. Beaut

Acknowledging the land of the Dharug people. Beautiful walk through Fagan Park in Dural yesterday. So lovely to have some sunshine instead of this persistent rain we have had. I don’t know about you but after so many periods of being stuck indoors, it is sometimes hard to feel motivated to get outside. My kids were like, ‘ugh, do we have to?’ I felt the same - it was a long drive but knew we’d all feel better once we got there, and of course we did! One of the ways I motivate myself is to think of my inner child the way I think about my kids. I don’t give up on them or neglect them when they feel unmotivated - I learned many years ago that I need to provide the same care to my own unmotivated parts. See if you can treat yourself as kindly today as you would a child 💗🌳#naturetherapy #ecotherapy #nature #trauma #traumarecovery #traumahealing #narcissisticabuse #narcissisticabusesurvivor #innerchild #innerchildhealing #traumawarrior #edwarrior #recoverywarrior #edfam #recoveryispossible #bulimiarecovery #bingeeatingrecovery #edrecovery #recovery #selfdevelopment #selflove #spiritualawakening #faganpark

Excited to be on the Mindful Self-Compassion train

Excited to be on the Mindful Self-Compassion training with @neffselfcompassion and Chris Germer! #selfcompassion #selfcompassionjourney #selflove #traumawarriors #trauma #innerchild #innerchildhealing #innerchildwork #innerchildtherapy #innerchildlove #narcissisticabusesurvivor #narcissisticabuserecovery #narcissisticmother

Who has kept you sane throughout the pandemic? Mee

Who has kept you sane throughout the pandemic? Meet Karen from @karenbiemancounselling and @notmyclosetanymore - she’s one of my people! We finally got to meet in real life. Online has been a wonderful resource but in person is so much better 💗💗💗

There are so many ways we can support our healing

There are so many ways we can support our healing and recovery from trauma and the self-protective behaviours that have become self-destructive. It’s the Spring and Autumn Equinox - here are some things you can do to celebrate and connect with your soul-self at this time of the year. Perhaps choose one and let us know in the comments. I’m going to go for a walk in the morning and look for signs of Autumn…. And maybe make an Autumn playlist! 🍂🍁x Jodie #traumawarrior #traumahealing #recoverywarrior #edwarrior #edrecovery #narcissisticabusesurvivor #narcissisticabuserecovery #innerpeace #innerchild #innerchildhealing #selfdevelopment #authenticself #futureself #equinox #springequinox #autumnequinox #ostara #mabon #love #selflove #selflovequotes #change #changequotes #darknightofthesoul

Today is Tell A Fairy Tale Day. Post- traumatic a

Today is Tell A Fairy Tale Day.
Post- traumatic and spiritual growth are at the heart of every fairy tale.

Working with fairy tales in therapy is a wonderful way to explore the depth and richness of our inner world. We use them a lot for healing the inner child.

When you think about fairy tales, what is the most usual setting? Aha, the dark woods! Common themes evoked by the woods include moving through:
-periods of darkness and light
-a personal crisis to transformation
-misery to a new ‘happier’ path
-helplessness to life energy and action
-feelings of weakness to embodying a sense of power and strength

In fairy tales, we encounter nature, other beings, animals, symbols, and images. How are these encounters a mirror for the story of your life - past, present and/or emerging?

Here are some ideas to connect with your inner child and to foster your soul-self on Tell A Fairy Tale Day!

🌳 Take a walk in the woods
🌳 Make up your own fairy tale as you walk through the woods
🌳 Read your favourite fairy tale at home or in the woods
🌳 Read a tale from Women Who Run With The Wolves
🌳 Draw or sketch a symbol or image in the woods
🌳Journal prompts and reflections might include: the seasons depicted in fairy tales and change, messages from the natural world, identifications with animals, accepting a situation for exactly as it is, how is walking in the dark woods and coming back out the other side a metaphor for your recovery journey?

Solitude, turning inward and connection with the natural world are wonderful healers but as always, take care when participating in personal development work - only go as deep as what feels right for you and pay attention to your body, sensations and feelings.
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#naturetherapy #tellafairytaleday #fairytales #ecotherapy #naturevibes #traumawarrior #edwarrior #recoverywarrior #cptsd #traumarecovery #narcisisticmother #innerchild #innerchildhealing #feeldealheal #selflove #selfdevelopment #northernbeacheslocal #manlylocal #forestbathing #journalprompts #narcissisticabuserecovery #darkwoods #posttraumaticgrowth #spiritualawakening #soulself #selfcare #soulgrowth #fairytaleforest #awareness #otdopppracticechallenge

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Acknowledgement of Country

The Psychosynthesis Centre acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation, the traditional custodians of the lands on which our company is located and across where we virtually meet. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging. The Psychosynthesis Centre is committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.