10 Questions with Joshua Comyn

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

• I have always been fascinated by the human mind, and it was through theatre, literature and philosophy that I originally pursued this interest. My own journey of self-discovery and healing led me to undertake my own personal therapy (an essential experience for anyone interested in becoming a therapist ). Through this, together with some very important mentoring relationships, led me to undertake studies, and finally, a profession in psychotherapy.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional/personal development?

• Psychoanalysis, existentialism, phenomenology, systems theory, consciousness studies, attachment theory and integrative approaches to psychotherapy have all influenced my professional and personal development. I have a growing interest in Eastern Contemplative traditions and practices which I hope to one day integrate into my psychotherapeutic work.

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

• My psychotherapeutic training has been strongly trauma-informed, and trauma remains fascinating for me, especially insofar as it reveals so much about the 'ordinary' functioning of the human mind. Other interests include the psychological underpinnings of autoimmune disease, and so I hope to explore interconnections between an integrative approach to psychotherapy and the exciting research being done in the field of psychoneuroimmunology.

• What method/s do you use?

• My methodological approach work is influenced by Person-Centred psychotherapy, Psychoanalysis, CBT, Emotion-Focused Therapy and Somatic Psychotherapy.

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

• When they start getting to know their own mind better.

• How has therapy made you a better person?

• By helping me to get to know my own mind better and inspiring me to continue to expand and deepen my journey of self-discovery.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

• Getting to know the mind of others in the context of a warm and trusting relationship.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

• Of course. And I will continue to have 'bad hair' days in the future. It's not a question of having perfect hair. It's a question of tipping the balance in favour of having more 'good hair' days than bad ones.

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

• A lack of genuinely deep thinking, feeling, and sensing. Immaturity in other words.

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

• I can share several!
  
  Book: Being and Event by Alain Badiou.
  Film: Once Upon a Time in Anatolia by Nuri Bilge Ceylan.
  Songs: 'Hoist that Rag' by Tom Waits, 'Sun In My Mouth' by Bjork
  Event: the October Revolution