Trusting the Flow

Good therapy is the thing that is already trying to happen. Good therapy is not one technique or approach - it is whatever is called for in the moment for that particular person on that very day!
Good therapy does not always make the person feel better. It does not always bring about change or improvement; sometimes only new understanding or a fresh perspective.
Good therapy believes that symptoms are meaningful; that they are our greatest teachers and allies. Good therapy knows that the person, not the professional is the expert; the therapist is a mere facilitator of the person's awareness about themselves.
Good therapy doesn't have a pre-set goal; it deals directly with what needs to happen. Good therapy doesn't have a restricted view of the human condition; it welcomes moods, jealousies, dreams, altered states, depressions and conflicts; and sees them all as rich with potential meaning for the person.
Good therapy means bringing all of yourself (as therapist) to your interactions; daring to be human rather than clinically objective, detached or neutral. Good therapy means using your awareness to facilitate the person's awareness and growth; and not denying that you are growing yourself and that the process is also your teacher.
Good therapy addresses both the conscious and unconscious needs of the individual. Good therapy is deeply democratic; valuing all inner-parts, voices, and experiences equally.
Good therapy follows nature; it trusts in the flow of life and learns how to keep up.
Regardless of our own evaluation, Good therapy is not 'good' unless our client's feedback agrees with us.
Good therapy doesn't patronize individuals by believing they need our help. Good therapy is showing people they already know how to help themselves.
Good therapy will sometimes look like dance therapy, art therapy, music therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, emotional release therapy, role play, group work, inner work, meditation, yoga, psychoanalytic analysis, active imagination, dream work, symptom work and world work.
Michelle: "My philosophy is largely inspired by that of Dr. Arnold Mindell and Process-Oriented Psychology, of which I am currently a Diploma student. Process Oriented Psychology states that the solution to every problem or issue is already present and needs only to be uncovered and experienced. This is like saying we each of us have exactly the problems we were meant to solve."

Michelle McClintock
Back to Philosophical Enquiry
At a glance
- Temenos Journal (26)
- Time (15)
- Friendship (4)
- Dreams (3)
- Authenticity and Play (1)
- Progress and Process (1)
- Bliss and Awareness (1)
- Poetry (3)
- Conversations (2)
- Reviews (10)
- Books (3)
- Films (8)
- Music (1)
- Library (64)
- Anxiety and Depression (5)
- Burnout and Balance (4)
- Career and Calling (2)
- Communication (1)
- Culture and Society (7)
- Education and Ethics (2)
- Emotions (5)
- Family and Parenting (15)
- Grief and Loss (4)
- Human Condition (9)
- Personality and Identity (3)
- Health and Wellbeing (1)
- Relationships (13)
- Trauma (4)
- Therapy (20)
- Professional Training (3)
- Conferences (1)
- Practitioners (1)
- Good Therapy News (2)
- Philosophical Enquiry (14)
- Forum Questions (174)
- July 2022 (1)
- November 2019 (1)
- September 2019 (1)
- June 2017 (1)
- May 2017 (2)
- September 2016 (1)
- August 2015 (1)
- July 2015 (1)
- November 2014 (1)
- October 2014 (2)
- June 2014 (2)
- May 2014 (1)
- April 2014 (2)
- January 2014 (1)
- November 2013 (3)
- October 2013 (1)
- September 2013 (2)
- August 2013 (5)
- June 2013 (17)
- April 2013 (1)
- August 2012 (1)
- June 2012 (1)
- January 2012 (2)
- November 2011 (1)
- November 2010 (1)
- June 2010 (1)
- May 2010 (1)
- February 2010 (1)
- January 2010 (1)
- February 2009 (4)
- June 2008 (1)
- May 2008 (1)
- March 2007 (1)
- December 2006 (2)
- September 2006 (1)
- July 2006 (3)
- May 2006 (1)
- March 2006 (2)
- February 2006 (1)
- November 2005 (2)
- October 2005 (2)
- September 2005 (2)
- August 2005 (10)
- July 2005 (3)
- May 2005 (3)
- April 2005 (1)
- March 2005 (4)
- February 2005 (1)
- January 2005 (3)
- December 2004 (2)
- November 2004 (6)
- September 2004 (1)
- July 2004 (2)