Dealing with painful thoughts and being haunted by the past can stall us from moving on in our lives and from achieving our potential. The past will always be part of who we are but it is possible to find a better way of living with it. In counselling or psychotherapy for dealing with troubling or painful thoughts, memories or dreams we would explore how the past affects you in your contemporary life. A bit like taking an old suitcase out of the wardrobe, unpacking the contents, sifting through what is there, seeing what can be thrown away and what can be repacked in another way. It is the effect that the past has on you now that is the focus of my work, rather than dwelling on what happened. I have no investment in keeping you in the past once we have concluded our work there.
People are often fearful that they might ‘open a can of worms’, get uncontrollably angry or upset or even go crazy if they lift the lid on their past. This can be such a frightening thought and it is often the one that puts people off coming into therapy, even when they believe it may be helpful for them. I like to work with painful thoughts, memories and dreams gently, sensitively and at your pace – this is a time for reflection, gaining clarity and reconsidering the present. Rather like unpicking a tapestry, it is delicate work.
It is true that reflecting upon the past can be distressing at times and all sorts of feelings can surface but it is important to remember these things when considering embarking upon counselling or psychotherapy for painful thoughts, memories or dreams:
If you would like to discuss painful thoughts, memories or dreams, then please email or call me on 0777 557 0208 for more information or to arrange an appointment.
Amanda Falkson. Psychotherapycity.
Humanistic Psychotherapist & Counsellor in Central London.
© Amanda Falkson 2005
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