Mrs Dinah Buchanan

A conversation with Dinah Buchanan

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  I initially had several personal crises that I sought counselling for and was incredibly moved by the quality of the support that was offered to me by my counsellor. I originally started my working life as a nurse and it seemed a natural progression to wanting to help others in the way that I had been so beautifully helped. My journey has taken me further into training counsellors and psychotherapists and I feel honoured and privileged to now accompany others on their journey of growth and change.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  First and foremost I have always seen therapy as a spiritual journey as much as a psychological one and it is always the background to my work with clients. I don't push religion as such but understand the incredible beauty of connection to divine self and the wisdom and understanding that flows from that connection. Some of the work that has greatly influenced me is Martin Buber's work on the Í-Thou', Carl Roger's work on person-centred therapy, Violet Oaklander and Fritz & Lore Perls Gestalt Therapy.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I understand that much of what causes us misery and heartache is part of the 'chrysalis experience'- a shedding of the 'old' me and a birthing of a new expanded me. I believe this is the spiritual and psychological journey that we all must take and I consider my self a 'fellow traveller' with my clients.
  This journey is never easy but rich in spiritual / psychological reward. All of the mental 'ailments' that we have such as depression / anxiety / grief and suffering / relationship breakdown, can be understood through this lens. Growth is not so much then about changing our external circumstances (although often this happens) but a new understanding of ourselves and others that is grounded in compassion, acceptance and authenticity.

• What methods do you use?

  My work is grounded in the Gestalt method which is an holistic, awareness centred psychotherapy that is compassionate, authentic and has elements of mindfulness and acceptance.
  Gestalt therapy is also highly experiential and we use a lot of creative elements such as art, dream-work, exploring imagery and metaphors, chair-work and constellations.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  Because Gestalt therapy is not just 'talk-therapy' and because we bypass the thinking mind and engage the body and spirit in a very creative way, clients often report that they have greater awareness and clarity from the first few sessions. The work can be intense but doesn't necessarily have to be 'traumatic', and often the results are quite subtle yet deeply moving and profound.
  
  I usually structure the counselling and therapy as an initial consultation, and when we decide to engage in therapy together we schedule 6 sessions and a review of our work together - from there we decide on our progress and contract for further sessions.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  I have grown so much personally and spiritually in my personal therapy journey over the years and know that what I am offering is essentially a therapy journey that has rich rewards for both therapist and client. I feel so privileged to be able to accompany others on their journey and I am deeply moved to be able to do this. The journey is not always easy and I know that I am able to hold my clients through places in the journey that can become difficult and challenging. Ultimately I am honoured to call myself a therapist and counsellor and to have a sense of fulfilling a deep sense of purpose and destiny.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  Being able to share the riches of the therapy journey with my clients - being able to accompany others in a way that speaks to the connection we all have to one another. For me the dream has always been about being able to help others connect deeply to themselves and to each other.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Absolutely! I think the more authentic we are and the more we share the journey - its hardships and challenges in a very real way, then we will be better able to accept ourselves with compassion and honesty.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  Disconnection with ourselves, with each other and with our environment. We then become isolated and alone, empty and in deep misery. Once we begin to know ourselves with compassion and honesty we open ourselves to others in a safe and enriching way - that doesn't mean the journey suddenly becomes easy but it does mean we are not alone!

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  I am inspired by the life of Christ through the gospels, by the heroes of the many myths and legends that are part of my ancestry and lineage, by the many people, books and films that point us toward the great mystery of deep love and acceptance, of great compassion and truth.