Authenticity

As a therapist I aim to bring my authentic self to my work and work hard at understanding myself, accepting myself and making this a way of being. I think it is hugely important in the work that we do as therapists.

There is an unspoken comfort that comes from being with an authentic person, a clarity that allows trust to form. I think we crave it and that children are immediately drawn to it.  Despite this I think it is something that society struggles to do and something many folk struggle with in their day to day interactions. This I think comes from fear of judgement and not being accepted so we behave as we should and stay within the boundaries of what society says it right.

Nature is completely and unapologetically authentic, it doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is. I think this is the main reason animals are such good therapy companions. Animals are genuine and never pretend to be anything other than what they are. No matter how we try to cover up how we feel animals seem to know. They will pick up tension, fear, anger, sadness - they can be like mirrors to our souls and in their presence we can let go of the mask and be ourselves.  Working with rescue horses taught me to be aware and acknowledge how I am feeling, if i become tense, their tension will rise, if i pause breath and consciously relax they relax and in this interaction i am able to help them overcome their fears. They were possibly the biggest teachers of self awareness that I have ever had.

It is through the awareness of self and self acceptance coupled with the courage to let our individuality shine that we can find ourselves