Art of Life Counselling

Whenever you get the chance, take children into natural environments, and create nature spaces within and around their home environments. Plant seeds, grow vegetables and herbs and harvest them. Allow children to climb trees and explore long grass and bushes. Talk to the birds. Look for bugs. Let children know that they are an important part of Mother Earth from as early in their development as you can, and hopefully they may always have a sense of belonging and a place to ground their feet when life throw challenges. Even if you live in a concrete jungle, surrounded by man made materials,  re-cycle and re-use those materials to transform a stark space into a garden. One you have created containers, (plastic milk bottles, old tyres, old plastic boxes and creates with bin liners and drainage holes), it is just a matter of curious investigation, asking friends, neighbours, community centers, churches for cutting and seeds, and purchasing a bit of dirt. Next...…..add water and get your ha

Today is a massive news day in Australia for survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse , particularly Clergy Abuse because Cardinal Pell, third ranking Vatican member, past Leader of the Australian Catholic Church, and long standing Victorian clergy member, has finally been convicted of five sexual abuse crimes against minors aged under 16. Those of us who have been following this case know too well that there are more than two lives devastated by Pell's actions. As a triggered survivor, I have taken some time out today for self care, rest and reflection, in order to deal not only with today's news, but for what is to come.  My hope is that everyone who needs support will seek it, that every one who can give support will give it, and that we are all kind to one another in our grief for those who continue to struggle in their quest for justice. Please contact your mental health professional or take advantage of your local help lines if you feel isolated in your pain.     https:

Honouring Children’s Rights Conference 17th May 2019 https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-trauma-impacts-your-body?fbclid=IwAR3GlnHTmD6v-QhDALRM5Od86o_to3Wfr_wBcYb0L_AR6nnXLAq_YxLef6U

http://gretchenschmelzer.com/blog-1/2016/1/18/a-healing-fog

https://www.intrusivethoughts.org/blog/pure-o-an-exploration-into-a-lesser-known-form-of-ocd/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/beauty-sick/201902/is-drunkorexia-real-thing For more information on eating disorders, go to Eating Disorders Victoria

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/bacteria-gut-affect-mind-body/story?id=60908589&fbclid=IwAR3v_sHZLUpLHyLY6t6YQNr7BQvBGGGAM880Pxoas9PdgXLR9haEqfakmDQ

TRIGGER WARNING https://aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi429

https://www.arcvic.org.au/anxiety-disorders/obsessive-compulsive-disorder

https://beherenownetwork.com/understanding-trauma-addiction-and-the-path-to-healing-a-conversation-with-gabor-mate/?fbclid=IwAR2Zo5Jf7JVPTna8afmdBTFFr6708qjrLTAcFeFTHdMH35HY4GLJKWyLAzc

https://www.madinamerica.com/2019/01/traumatic-immobility-depression-stress-response/?fbclid=IwAR3GVKj-FS57FsCgcQkY531-MxQDrG3hCabo2FPx_LMEEPzYDW6Mnp9lv9Y

We may idealize the actions we are able to document and share, or the data we can collect and track, but there are plenty of times when what we need to do to feel better, and actually get better, is less. https://hbr.org/2018/08/how-self-care-became-so-much-work?fbclid=IwAR3zRp9s9yXvQRgVDedSc7stCNfvNAmCXZVgg-nOrUk-8PDfj5AJFADlIzg

https://myheartsisters.org/2019/01/27/art-therapy-drawing-your-diagnosis/?fbclid=IwAR3wgmPcNcku1Wi5atygv_3TfZ3YT6h9mNxcPsgU-zbOPssC8Xai4IXafz4

https://www.psychotherapynetworker.org/magazine/article/2/facing-our-dark-side?fbclid=IwAR3wPsfLG-wYhq9--EGLgK6DnRNzYqICOnRIxEdHskbDws-6RUTBaxiD5eI

Experiencing dissociative episodes after a life of traumatic events can seem a bazar and sometimes frightening phenomenon. Due to their strangeness they can be hard to explain to others , because often, we don't understand them ourselves.  The events themselves, can create anxiety, in turn manifesting more dissociation. This vicious cycle might lead to us feeling isolated leading to depression.  Understanding the nature of dissociation, it's protective purpose, the bodies natural rhythms and the understanding that the traumatic event no longer exists, can, over time and with support, lesson the effects of the trauma, build resilience and reset the polyvagal nervous system , putting dissociation at bay.   Video 2 Video 3 Video 4 Video 5 Video 6 Video 7 Video 8

https://emmacameron.com/inner-critic/transforming-the-inner-critic/?utm_sq=fotuyc9pri&utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Emma+Cameron&utm_content=Own+Blog+Posts&fbclid=IwAR3WmgV5-6dTo__tFOVkDkxPmzoHQrmCjdRfC9XiCXPPXI8un1uuh3ZXskI