10 Questions with Stefanie Marris

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

• I have always been fascinated by people and why they do the things they do! Even after studying psychology and sociology 20 plus years ago I would find myself drawn to books and training that was people related. It took me a while to get around to actually work as a counsellor but I am thrilled to have finally ended up on this path. It is really rewarding to work with people to help them to understand themselves see them make positive changes for lives.

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

• Because I come from a sociology background I am greatly influenced by the bio-psycho-social approach to therapy. This means that I look beyond the person, their thoughts and behaviour and see the social systems that they interact in and how these may be impacting their mental wellbeing. I also focus on their physical health to determine if it may in some way contribute to or be a result of what is happening for them mentally. Looking at the big picture provides clues for addressing the presenting problem/s that might otherwise be missed.

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

• This is a hard one to narrow down. I am interested in a lot! However, I would say that the internal world of the client is really important. I am fascinated by coping strategies and mechanisms that clients develop to safeguard themselves in life.

• What method/s do you use?

• I work as an integrative therapist but utilise elements from Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness and Somatic Experiencing.

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

• This is a hard one to answer as it will vary from client to client. From personal experience I think that when a client feels heard and validated they will be able to open up to the possibility that things can be different for them.

• How has therapy made you a better person?

• I think the best advice I have been given has been that "attention seeking" behaviour is really "connection seeking" behaviour. Once you apply this lens you can see beyond the persons behaviour to the pain they may be experiencing. This has helped me in professional and personal relationships, especially as a parent.
  

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

• The a-ha moments! There is nothing better than seeing someone identify something important for themselves that allows them to break through in to a different way of thinking and feeling. The weight that lifts for them in that moment is visible and it is a real privilege to honour that moment with them.
  

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

• Every.single.day.
  
  Short hair means bed hair! There is no escaping it.

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

• Our inability to listen properly. It is played out and modelled for us on the world stage. There is so much conflict in public discourse. Very few really take the time to listen deeply before responding. Very few are respectfully curious and take the time to hear and understand the views of others and, indeed, why they have them.

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

• Untamed by Glennon Doyle
  
  These Days by Powderfinger
  
  This is me from The Greatest Showman
  
  OnBeing with Krista Tippett podcast