How to find a supervisor

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
Finding out if needs, experience, and goals align. As supervisors we all work a little differently, as supervisees, we are all different. This means finding the best fit or right combination might feel like a never ending task - but it doesn't need to. Thinking and reflecting on ourselves and putting this with what we might already know we are looking for, can be an excellent place to start. Communicating this to a potential supervisor can be a great time saver and allow everyone to make effective use of time. Think about your own professional background What is your current Role?Are you a trainee, newly qualified, an experienced practitioner, a supervisor, manager or consultant? What are your credentials, qualifications, Professional Body and supervision arrangements: Are you a member of the BACP, UKCP, NCPS etc. What is your level of training, what particular qualifications do you hold or are you working towards? What are your own achievements and background? What are your current supervision arrangements and how might...
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Facing death, time to drop everything.

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
When we or someone we love is told they have limited time to live we are often filled with all kinds of feelings and questions. There is anger, denial, maybe hope for a miracle cure. If there is a faith, a calling out to a higher being for help, support, understanding, healing or a smooth transition. Maybe there is acceptance or even relief.Perhaps more often, all of it at once in a kaleidoscope of emotions, thoughts, feelings and behaviours. None of which feel like the right response, usually. I dropped everything and faced death When or if we are told a timeline, we ought to take it seriously.So often our response is, “yes, but ….” followed by all the reasons the time line may not be correct. A miracle cure, a positive mental attitude, a new drug trial, the love of those around them. But that timeline, usually offered by an experienced medical professional or maybe someone who has lived this path...
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Don’t pick a fight with a menopausal therapist

by Lisa Harris3 Comments
... you won't win. Anyone who knows me, knows I have been living with menopause for over 15 years. I know, I don't look old enough right? That's because I entered menopause in my mid 30's, medically there was no other option.And yeah, it more than sucks. So, whilst those around my own age are actively now talking about their peri-menopause, collagen, magnesium, exercise, hormonal shifts, dryness and general feeling of wtaf is happening to my body - I am nodding thinking, "Yah. I know" while my knees, hip and back hurts, I am STILL trying to shift some weight and I maintain the inability to so much as look at a polo neck without setting off a flush.Did I mention the bladder issues that creep up? Oh, you haven't got that far yet? Well, you will ...But 15 years ago, nobody was talking about this, social media wasn't full of it and celebs weren't breaking their necks to tell you...
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I kept going. Ravenwolf

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
I’m not going to tell you that my life has been easy…It’s been hard as hell.There have been so many times that I survived one thing just to get hit with five more.But I never really thought about how hard it was or if I’d make it…It wasn’t ever a choice.I found a way.I made a way.I figured it out.I kept going.It’s hurt, physically, mentally and emotionally, but I always got through it.When the waves of life come at you, you make a choice to sink or swim…So I fought, scrapped and dug my way out of the darkness more than once.I was scared, tired and alone most of the time..But I kept going.I didn’t know where I was going or how I’d get there, but I knew I wasn’t happy where I was..So I pushed ahead.Sure, there were both dark days and happy times..And I made the best of both.I’ll never tell you that I have the answers because...
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Desiderata

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,and remember what peacethere may be in silence.As far as possible without surrenderbe on good terms with all persons.Speak your truth quietlyand clearly;and listen to others,even the dull and the ignorant;they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons,they are vexations to the spirit.If you compare yourselfwith others,you may become vain and bitter;for always there will be greaterand lesser persons than yourself.Enjoy your achievements as wellas your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble;it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.Exercise caution in your business affairs;for the world is full of trickeryBut let this not blind you to whatvirtue there is;many persons strive for high ideals;and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself.Especially, do not feign affection.Neither be cynical about love;for in the face of all aridityand disenchantmentit is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years,gracefully surrendering the things of youth.Nurture strength of spirit to shield...
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Muddy boots

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
Finding strength I didn't know I had Fresh air and exercise is good for us, of course. Like many, I enjoy scenery and sunshine if possible. Health issues have made exercise more challenging in recent years and I'm trying my best to stick with it and make improvements. Aching I was aching, tired and looking at the rather steep incline ahead of me feeling increasingly despondent and dreading the struggle I knew it would be. I felt my pace slow and my steps become smaller. Somewhere within I was convincing myself this was good for my physical and mental health, reminding myself I'll be glad I've done this later. Really, all I wanted to do was stop and huff and puff a bit with my hands on my hips. Woe is me Suddenly as I was slipping into "woe is me" I realised I was actually slipping into the hillside, fast.With each step my feet were sinking quickly into a boggy mess that had been...
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Sometimes only a swear word will do

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
If you're wondering what it would be like to hear me say such a thing, just try saying it in a Geordie accent  As a fellow therapist said to me quite some time ago when we were discussing congruence, and ethics of authenticity and genuineness - "Sometimes only a swear word will do!" Be authentic In therapy and supervision I invite those I work with and support to be their authentic self. In turn, I offer my authentic self too. That means, if you swear that's ok with me.If you don't swear, that's ok with me.If you use wild hand gestures that's ok with me.If you express yourself in contemporary dance or song that's ok with me.If you want to show me your pet that's ok with me.If you struggle to find words that's ok with me.If you feel really emotional that's ok with me.If you want to draw or write what's in your thoughts that's ok with me.If you want to scream that's...
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You are not your age or the size of your clothes

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
"You are not your age, nor the size of clothes you wear,You are not a weight, or the colour of your hair.You are not your name, or the dimples in your cheeks.You are all the books you read, and all the words you speak.You are your croaky morning voice, and the smiles you try to hide.You’re the sweetness in your laughter, and every tear you’ve cried.You’re the songs you sing so loudly when you know you’re all alone.You’re the places that you’ve been to, and the one that you call home.You’re the things that you believe in, and the people whom you love.You’re the photos in your bedroom, and the future you dream of.You’re made of so much beauty, but it seems that you forgotWhen you decided that you were defined by all the things you’re not." Erin Hanson - Not Photo: me out for a walk in the Yorkshire dales...
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