Tina Gibbons, founder of The Mind Sanctuary is now officially on leave from the organisation’s helm, as she awaits the arrival of her first child. We wish Tina well over the coming months and will of course be keeping you posted with details about the new arrival!

While Tina is on maternity leave, a team of professionals will be stepping up to ensure The Mind Sanctuary continues to inspire people to become masters of their own emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Carol Magnus will be acting as Client Relationship and Business Development Manager.  Carol has a wealth of experience both in the mental health sector and in business development/management.  If you have any questions about how to join The Mind Sanctuary community or would like to discuss other partnership or business development ideas, please get in touch with Carol at carol@themindsanctuary.com

Fen Bagias will be taking on the role of Communications Manager & Content Editor. She will edit and finalise all content that is published via The Mind Sanctuary website.  Existing clients should forward any articles, press releases or requests for inclusion on The Mind Sanctuary website to Fen at fen@themindsanctuary.com

Nadia Hanafi will be supporting The Mind Sanctuary as WordPress Editor and Designer. She will ensure that all written and visual content is published on the website to the highest standard.

Kate Rees will be acting as Social Media Officer, helping to ensure we provide all of our fans and supporters on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn with interesting and engaging content. Kate will also be involved with special projects.

We’re also grateful for the continued support of a team of professionals offering pro bono support.

You may also be interested in...

• No Related Post

Choosing or changing your career can be simple and fun!

So, who read that and thought ‘What planet is this woman on?‘ As human beings we can often associate many things with our choices and make them out to be these MASSIVE decisions, when in fact all they are, is a choice and a decision. When you put it into words it seems pretty straightforward but I know that in reality, it can be anything but simple. Part of my job as a coach, is to make things easy for my clients and to ensure that they get what they want. Within a career choice session I use a whole host of techniques to do that and I always start in the same place.

I am going to take you through the start of a coaching session on career options. These sessions may all begin in the same place but they certainly don’t all finish in the same place! The one question that I constantly ask all of my clients is what do you want? When it comes to choosing a career, or changing a career, this initial question is very relevant. So, what career or job do you want?

For some people that can be a really big question! Some may know what they don’t want or they may want to leave a job that no longer satisfies them. Other people may want to move towards a career that will really suit them, yet how on earth do you know what job or career to choose?

There is a really simple exercise that I use with my clients which focuses on 4 specific areas. We will work through the exercise together and I’ll make it as straight forward as possible.

1. Grab a piece of paper.
2. Divide your piece of paper into 4 columns.
3. Label each column with one of the following titles: Learnt Skills, Innate skills, Passions/Love and Needs.
4. Under each heading you need to list everything you can think of that fits that category, take your time and try to get as many in each column as you can.

a. Innate skills; these are the skills that you are naturally good at and, because you are so naturally good at them you may not even realise what they are! You may even want to ask others to help you list them. NB Give yourself some credit here and think about what you really are naturally good at.

b. Learnt skills; these are the skills you’ve learnt throughout your lifetime. You will have lots of these so spend some time and revel in what you have learnt: remember things like learning a language, maths, riding a bike, driving a car, geography, learning to learn…. the possibilities for this one are endless.

c. Passions; These are the things that excite you and make you want to get out of bed in the morning. They could be people or things, anything that you are passionate about can be listed here.

d. NEED; this is the only area where I am going to mention your career. These are the things that you NEED from your job. It could be the amount of money you get paid, it could be flexible working hours, it could be that you NEED to work with people (or not) as the case may be. Note the word here is NEED – this is not what you want, this is what you require from your career or job.

Brilliant! That’s the first and possibly the easiest step completed!

This next step will depend on your personal experience of the exercise. Are you overwhelmed by choice or do you feel you have only one option in your career?

For those who believe they have limited options:

Take one item from each category and try to make it the most random choice from each list. Now, I’m going to ask you to think about a job that could involve all of these four random options. This exercise is about widening your choice, so think outside the box, use your creative brain and be as imaginative as you want to be. Do this several times so that you can create a list of careers that you had never thought of before. From there you may go in all sorts of directions, it’s a start.

For those of you who feel overwhelmed with too many options:

As you created your lists what stood out as the most important under each heading? Take a moment to select the top three items from each category and think about job or career may have all of these things?

This is a simple exercise to help you explore your options. It shouldn’t be stressful but fun! If you wish to go through the exercise on a one to one basis to develop your own program I would be happy to hear from you. Alternatively, once you have explored your options you may feel that it’s time to take action! This is where a coach can be really beneficial; supporting you in finding out your best way of getting the career you want.

Good luck, enjoy exploring your potential!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief exercise and look forward to hearing from you in the future. If you would like to find out more about coaching support please visit our website. Feedback on this exercise is always welcome.

You may also be interested in...

• Charlie Damonsing: Stress Management Services in Ipswich, Suffolk, East Anglia
• New Year, New You or Not Yet? by Christina Dillmann of Mindquest Life Strategies

Charlie Damonsing is a stress management expert who works with both individuals and organisations to reduce stress, improve well-being, increase motivation and raise productivity levels.

She holds diplomas in Coaching and Debt Counselling, and is a member of the International Stress Management Association and The Association of Coaching. Charlie also has more than twenty years’ experience of corporate life, working as an accountant for multi-national businesses.

Online Stress Management Tools

In addition to one to one support, consultancy, workshops and training, Charlie also delivers a range of online tools to help individuals and organisations combat the impact of stress:

• FREE 7 Day Online Stress Management Programme
• FULL Online Stress Management Programme
• Informative articles and blog posts to help you reduce the impact of stress in your life

Working with individuals to manage the impact of stress

Charlie offers one to one support to individuals who are experiencing symptoms of stress. She specialises in working with people, especially men, who are unsatisfied with their current employment but feel unable to leave due to family or financial responsibilities. Charlie can help individuals find a way to stay in their current roles and experience greater fulfillment.

Charlie also supports individuals who have been off work due to stress related issues. Through her structured approaches, she can help individuals to get back into the workplace and then support them on an ongoing basis, once they are back at work.  In many cases, people experience new or previous stress triggers once they return to employment, and it can be very powerful to have the appropriate support through this “settling” in process.

Supporting stress reduction and well-being in the workplace.

With around half a million individuals in the UK reporting that workplace stress makes them ill each year, it’s vital for organisations to recognise the potential cost of stress, both to the business and their employees’ long-term health.

Workplace programmes can include stress audits, training sessions, specialised workshops and provision of one-to-one support for both staff and managers. Organisations can also gain access to a bespoke online stress management programme for staff.

Supporting organisations and staff through the redundancy process

A redundancy programme affects a wide range of staff; those employees under threat of redundancy, the managers who have to implement the process and those employees who are left behind. Charlie works with businesses to provide appropriate support for all three groups of people to ensure minimum disruption and reduce the negative impact of the redundancy process.

Practical help is also provided for staff under threat of redundancy, including advice on CV writing, interview preparation, support with job searches, plus access to an online redundancy support programme. Workshops and coaching sessions are provided for managers and staff who remain in the business.

Mediation in the workplace

When two or more individuals do not get on well at work, the situation can affect their own performance, and also the communication, motivation and productivity of those around them. Mediation is an effective way of bringing the parties involved together and finding a way for them to work with each other going forward.

For further information about Charlie’s work with individuals and organisations, please refer to the following links below.

- Organisations: CL Associates

Website:  www.classociates.org.uk

- Individuals: Everything Stress

Website: www.everythingstressblog.co.uk

Email Charlie Damonsing

You may also be interested in...

• Wellbeing Considerations for The Self-Employed – Part 1
• PTPP: Mental Toughness & Emotional Resilience for Individuals, Schools & Corporations

Kate Patterson of The Hypno Clinic provides us with a guide to pure hypno analysis.  What is it, how it can help your mental health and emotional wellbeing and what to look for when choosing a hypnotherapist.

Pure Hypno Analysis In Focus – By Kate Patterson of The Hypnoclinic

What is pure hypno analysis?

Pure Hypnoanalysis is a unique form of therapy. It is a natural therapeutic process, practiced by members of the International Association of Pure Hypnoanalysts (IAPH). This organisation based in Cambridge, was established 26 years ago and has over 200 members.

Pure Hypno Analysis differs to Hypnotherapy in the usual sense because it uses hypnosis and psychoanalysis together to help people resolve their emotional issues.

If any of our life experiences have caused significant emotional conflict we may have unknowingly bottled up our emotions and hidden them away. In these situations we have not released the emotions and whilst we are unaware of them on a conscious level, they may still be having a significant impact on our daily lives.

We have the ability within ourselves to release these emotions at our own pace and I believe that it isn’t time that heals all, but the release of emotions that heals. Pure Hypnoanalysis allows clients to quickly and easily resolve any bottled up emotions. Once their emotions have been resolved they feel a great sense of relief.

To explore this further we asked Kate some questions

1. How does hypnoanalysis enable clients to resolve pent up emotions faster or any differently to psychodynamic therapy?

The primary difference is speed to gain resolution. Because clients are deeply relaxed their conscious mind is quiet, in this way emotions that have been locked away in their subconscious can come to the surface without having to go through the filter of conscious thought.

2. Is there any research or evidence to support the effectiveness of Hypno Analysis?

IAPH carried out it’s  own research project  which, according to the study showed that “Pure Hypnoanalysis has been effective at symptom removal, and allowed clients the opportunity to lead improved lives as a result.” More information on the research project and its results can be found at www.hypnoanalysis.com/research-project.html.

3. Would a therapist trained in psychotherapy and hypnotherapy offer something similar?

Yes – both are aiming to help the client resolve their emotional issues by greater understanding of their values beliefs etc.

What to look for when choosing a hypnotherapist offering pure hypnoanalysis

When considering using a Hypnotherapist that offers pure hypnoanalysis Kate has provided the following pointers;

• The therapist should be a member of a recognised body i.e. IAPH – Hypnoanalysis in the form that is described here is unique to this organisation (the IAPH). NB Hypnoanalysis is different to Clinical Hypnosis (suggestion therapy where the therapist will use positive suggestions to influence the clients subconscious mind.
• The therapist should have a qualification at  Diploma level or above.
• You should be able to Access their information easily i.e. via their web site.
• They should be able to provide evidence of relevant CPD (continued professional development), supervision and professional support.
• The therapist should have an appropriate qualification in therapeutic hypnosis.
• Therapists should be able to provide testimonials from clients that they have helped.
• Therapists should have appropriate professional indemnity insurance.

To find out more about Kate at The Hypnoclinic, please read her profile on The Mind Sanctuary Directory or visit The Hypnoclinic website.

You may also be interested in...

• No Related Post

In this article, we’re reviewing the new book ‘From Dream to Reality’ from author Pavlenka Small, who is a successful Suffolk based entrepreneur and personal development coach.

Have You Ever Dreamt Of Running Your Own Business? Do You Have A Desire To Be Your Own Boss? What Is Stopping You?

Many people never get further than dreaming about running their own business-they fear it won’t work, they might not be able to cope, they haven’t got sufficient funds, they don’t have the right mix of skills or that they will be beaten by stiff competition.

And yet for some of us, self-employment may be the answer to improved wellbeing. People who work for themselves can have greater choice over their work-life balance, control their working environment and can turn their deepest passions into profit. And while there are many challenges involved in running your own business, for many people it is the most fulfilling way to earn a living. Read more about How Self Employment Could Improve Your Mental Health and about The Importance Of Work When It Comes To Your Wellbeing.

Getting your business idea off the ground

If you’re ready to take the plunge, then Pavlenka Small’s book ‘From Dream To Reality’ could be an ideal tool to help get you on the road to starting your business. This invaluable handbook aims to help people realise their dreams of working for themselves, taking the reader step-by-step through everything they need to consider when setting up a business. Each step includes practical tips and advice, concluding with example case studies.

Pavlenka emphasises the importance of planning when setting up a new business and provides many useful exercises to support the reader in areas such as initial planning, identification of strengths and weaknesses, marketing, cash flow, development of a business plan and legal requirements.

A successful business owner herself, Pavlenka ran one of the first mobile sandwich delivery businesses, followed by running a non-smoking, chip-free restaurant in the Midlands (a complete novelty at the time!). Un-phased by the collapse of her second business during the recession of the late 1980′s, she spent 13 years as a college lecturer in hospitality and business studies and re-trained to become a personal development coach in 2006. Pavlenka now inspires challenges and encourages others to follow the career path of their dreams.

‘From Dream to Reality’ is available for purchase in The Mind Sanctuary bookshop – please click here for details.

Achieve your business goals with professional coaching support

In addition to researching, studying and networking, coaching can play a vital role in helping you to launch your business. Pavlenka Small’s coaching practice, Small Steps Coaching helps individuals to draw on their full potential, set goals for their new business and move clearly towards them. Pavlenka is a qualified professional development coach and mentor accredited by The European Coaching Institute and The International Institute of Coaching.

Some other useful and inspiring links for budding entrepreneurs

• Business Opportunities And Ideas – does what it says on the tin.
• Business Link: FREE support and advice
• WIRE – Women In Rural Enterprise
• Womanzworld – The Ultimate Resource For Female Entrepreneurs
• Location Independent – Live AND Work From Anywhere You Choose

For more information on business coaching or to find out more about the services Pavlenka Small provides, please view her editorial profile on The Mind Sanctuary Directory, or visit her website.  You can also connect with her on twitter.

You may also be interested in...

• Charlie Damonsing: Stress Management Services in Ipswich, Suffolk, East Anglia
• PTPP: Mental Toughness & Emotional Resilience for Individuals, Schools & Corporations

Christine Charters-Young is an extremely professional complementary therapist offering reflexology, reiki and indian head massage in Newmarket, Saffron Walden, Bury St Edmunds and Cambridgeshire. In this article she explains a little bit more about what reflexology is and how it can help emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Reflexology – What is it and how can it help emotional wellbeing and mental health – by Christine Charters Young of The Healing House

Reflexology – a brief history

The art of reflexology dates back to Ancient Egypt, India and China.  Working on the feet is an ancient practice, used in many cultures but it was not introduced to the West until Dr William Fitzgerald developed ‘Zone therapy’. He believed that reflex areas on the feet and hands were linked to other areas and organs of the body within the same zone.

In the 1930′s, Eunice Ingham further developed this zone theory into what is known as reflexology. Her opinion was that congestion or tension in any part of the foot is mirrored in the corresponding part of the body.

What is reflexology and how can it help emotional wellbeing?

Reflexology is now a popular complementary therapy often used alongside conventional care. Precise reflexology massage movements are non invasive and aim to treat the imbalances of each individual as well as alleviate and improve symptoms. It is a unique method, using the thumb and fingers, usually performed on specific points on the feet, ankles and lower legs, but in some cases also on the hands, face and ears.

Reflexology is a therapy which can be received by anyone at any age, from newborn babies to those receiving end of life care, and everyone in between. However, there may occasionally be times when it is not suitable to provide a treatment.

The theory is that reflexology helps the body to restore its balance naturally, encouraging relaxation and a greater sense of wellbeing.

Reflexologists work holistically with their clients and aim to work alongside GPs and counsellors to promote better health. Numerous disorders may benefit from depending on the specialism and expertise of your reflexologist. Examples include pain, headaches, sinus problems, hormonal imbalances, back problems, stress and tension.

What impact could reflexology have on my life?

After one or two treatments your body may respond in a very noticeable way. Most people note a sense of wellbeing and relaxation; however, sometimes people report feeling lethargic, nauseous or tearful, but this is usually temporary and reflexologists believe that it is part of the healing process. With regular treatment you may notice yourself sleeping better and find your mood and sense of wellbeing improving. You may also find that other aspects improve too; however, this happens on an individual basis.

What will happen during a reflexology session?

Reflexology is a very easy therapy to receive; depending on the type of reflexology, the most clothing that will have to be removed for a treatment to take place will be your socks and shoes.

A full medical history will be requested on your first treatment to ensure that reflexology is right for you. You will be asked to sign a consent form and all information will be kept confidential.

A treatment usually lasts for one hour and you will be invited to recline on a comfortable chair or couch in a warm environment.  Feet may be examined and cleansed at the start of treatment. The therapist will then use their hands to apply appropriate pressure to the feet, lower leg, hands, ears or face, depending on the type of reflexology chosen. You may feel areas of transient discomfort during the treatment, but generally the experience should be relaxing.

It is useful to give feedback to the reflexologist as this may show the response of your body to treatment. This in turn might help the reflexologist to tailor treatments to suit your individual needs and devise a programme of care to help improve your condition.  A series of treatments are usually required.

Research on the effectiveness of reflexology

Whilst there is a lot of research that indicates reflexology is a beneficial treatment, as yet, there is not a large enough body of evidence to make clinical claims of effectiveness. Professional reflexologists do not claim to cure, diagnose or prescribe and reflexology should not be used as an alternative to seeking medical advice.

According to several studies in the USA, the practice of reflexology has resulted in reduced sick leave and absenteeism. People have consistently reported complete or partial improvement in conditions where they sought reflexologists’ help and even relief for additional problems related to stress. In one health study, almost one-third of the patients reported greater satisfaction with their jobs after completing six sessions with a reflexologist.

Choosing a reflexologist

Deciding to visit a complementary health practitioner, at a time when you might be feeling vulnerable, should be considered carefully. It is important to choose a qualified reflexologist who has undertaken all the necessary training to understand the theory and practice of reflexology. For specialist practitioners working with infants, children and women throughout pregnancy, additional training is also required.

There are several recognised professional associations for reflexology including the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) and the Association of Reflexologists (AoR). You should ensure that the therapist is a member of a professional association as this is evidence of compliance with national standards of best practice in complementary healthcare provision.

The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) is backed by the Department of Health and if a complementary health practitioner has the CNHC quality mark it means that they have:

• undertaken a programme of education and training which meets, as a minimum, National Occupational Standards,
• relevant experience of at least three years,
• provided an independent reference of their good character,
• hold current professional indemnity insurance.

For more information on reflexology or to find out more about the treatments Christine provides, please view her editorial profile on The Mind Sanctuary Directory, or visit her website.  You can also connect with her on twitter or facebook.

You may also be interested in...

• Effective Complementary Therapy Treatment for Stress and Anxiety in Newmarket, Haverhill, Cambridge and Saffron Walden
• Natural Tips & Resources for Banishing Insomnia and Overcoming Sleep Problems