At last it seems Spring may be upon us, I hear so many comments about the rain, the cloud, and the cool weather that it seems we are collectively willing the season on. I hope that the lengthening days will reinvigorate you and you will find ways to bring forward new liveliness in your life as the bloom opens around us.

In this edition you will find information a way to improve communication in your relationship, ways to regulate your nervous system when you are feeling overwhelmed or shut down, and some information from my colleague Justin Havens about the EMDR process for use with troubling systems now that relate to events that are past.

Doing my five year re-accreditation with UKCP recently I was able to identify a number of things that are really important to me in the way I work.  Among them are:

• Diversity and respect for difference, valuing that which is unique in each person

• Creating safety and enabling healing of trauma and attachment wounds 

• Enabling embodiment and integration of all that a client is, connecting with our whole selves and each other

• Being real and present, experiencing all it means to be human right here in the room, with play and laughter as well as the full range of challenging emotions and thoughts

After twelve years of accredited practice, and ten of clinical supervision, I feel ready to take the next step in my professional life.  In these next five years I will be exploring how I might combine my previous capability as a professional trainer with my depth and breadth as a psychotherapist, and give back to the next generation of psychotherapists as they develop.

I am as excited and enthusiastic about my work as I was back in 2011 when I saw my first therapeutic client.  A huge thank you to each and every person who has supported me and worked with me since then, you have all shaped my path and for that I feel blessed.

I work in the West End of Darlington, a short walk from the town centre in a beautiful period property that is a wonderful therapeutic partner. I offer in-person work here and work online for UK based clients, seeing individual clients, couples and clinical supervisees.  I am currently working Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday during normal office hours. I am taking on clients for short term work between now and the autumn currently.

Please pass this newsletter on to anyone you feel might get benefit from it.  As ever, you can be in touch confidentially at fejrobinson@gmail.com or on 01325 467042. It's always great to hear from clients and friends past and new. 

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters, Portia Nelson from Sogyal Rinpoche, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

I. I walk down the street. 

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. 

I fall in. I am lost. I am helpless. 

It isn't my fault. 

It takes forever to find a way out. 
 

II. I walk down the same street. 

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. 

I still don't see it. 

I fall in again. 

I can't believe I am in the same place. 

It isn't my fault. 

It still takes a long time to get out. 

III. I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. 

I see it there, I still fall in. 

It's habit. 

It's my fault. 

I know where I am. 

I get out immediately. 

IV. I walk down the same street. 

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. 

I walk around it. 

V. I walk down a different street.

I love this piece of writing, it speaks so powerfully of the impact of habit and the importance of honest reflection and acknowlegment that change starts with us ourselves.

Wishing you a springtime full of growth and possibilities.

Fe x