Philosophy & Vision
The therapeutic relationship between us is the heart of our work together. My approach is to offer a calm, empathic and non-directive presence in which you feel respected, supported and safe. Whatever the experience, feeling or watershed moment that has prompted you to want things to change, I view this journey as one of uncovering and discovery. Together, we begin where you are now and then explore possibilities for living life more satisfyingly, by your own standards.
Background
My experience has been gained in private practice, in running psycho-education groups and as a counsellor in a community welfare organisation where I also train and mentor interns in the development and use of key counselling micro-skills.
Many years in communication and in my own brand-building organisation have given me insight into the power of words to both reveal and conceal us and into the different ways we communicate and understand the world and others.
Services
I offer short and longer-term counselling to individuals over 20 years old as well as Supervision to practitioners. Some key areas in which I work include: general anxiety, depression, grief and loss, issues arising from abuse, life transitions, exploration of meaning, self worth, communication styles and problems, personal boundaries and desire for change.
Quality Provision
My training as a Counsellor was undertaken at the Australian College of Applied Psychology. Further studies followed, primarily with an Existential focus, a philosophical approach which informs my work.
I continue to undertake professional development and training each year and receive clinical supervision monthly. I also undertake my own psychotherapy to help me continue to grow personally.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Post Graduate Diploma Counselling - 2007
Modalities
Existential - Meditation - Person Centred
Therapy Approach
I seek to help my clients increase their awareness of their ways of being in the world and to explore with them new possibilities that lead to greater choice. My counselling style is informed by Existential and Person Centred approaches and, where appropriate, meditation and focusing.
A conversation with Lyn Gamwell
-
Firstly I was looking to add another dimension to my life. And I had always been curious about a time of great need in my own life when some help seemed to open up a space for me in which I could regain my footing and other help contracted it and interrupted the process. I decided to study to find out what those facilitating qualities were. Eventually, I decided to enter the profession with the intention of creating a space in which others can find their way.
-
I immediately fell in love with Carl Rogers' Person Centred approach and his views on the innate desire of humans to self actualise. Existential psychotherapy also appealed to me with its notions of freedom and responsibility, its lack of labels and judgment. It sits in comfortable alignment with Buddhism, a way of being that I had come to appreciate through meditation. Today, I work in the here and now with my clients, with a mix of Person Centred and Existential approaches. In my personal life, I am adding focusing to my meditation practice to see where that may take both me and my practice
-
What it takes for each person to live a satisfying life by their own standards.
-
The here and now in the room and the relationship between us is primarily how I work with my clients. I do not use 'tools' per se and consider the journey one that we both undertake, with my acknowledgement that the client is always the expert in his or her own life.
-
There is no one answer to that question. Every client is an individual and the meaning of 'progress' can vary widely from person to person. If it is a single problem that is being addressed, then some change can be expected in around 6 weeks, if weekly sessions are undertaken.
-
Therapy continues to teach me that we are all bonded by being human and that we all struggle with 'the human condition' and the desire to find meaning in our lives.
-
The journey of uncovering and discovery that I am privileged to accompany a client on
-
Yes of course I do, I'm human. Being a therapist doesn't mean that I know how to not have them.
-
Wow. What to choose? There are many. Guess finding a way to sustain the planet and help the planet to sustain us might take prime place.
-
Going on Being by Mark Epstein - a wonderfully readable book about the intersection of buddhism and psychotherapy. D W Winnicott's theory of 'good enough mothering' beautifully integrated.
'In the Name of The Father' and 'The Lives of Others' are two films that have had a profound effect on me in their portrayal of the infinite sides of what it means to be human.