Psychotherapists and Counsellors Answer your Questions
Conversations with Therapists
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What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?
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Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?
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Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?
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What methods do you use?
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When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?
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How has therapy made a difference in your life?
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What do you like most about being a therapist?
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Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?
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What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?
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Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?
Michelle Morris
Yes, like other humans, there are times of challenge. But, these days I have more internal resources and skilful ways of responding and view these challenges or walls also as Windows/opportunities.
Adam Szmerling
Actually, I treat a number of patients presenting with what is often called trichotillomania or compulsive hair pulling, so forgive me if I don't answer this question so literally. Ok, so some days...
Sudhir Dean
I do. Everyone does. When I do, life is challenging me to walk my talk.
Sarah Kane Lawson
Yes, bad hair days come with mid-life ... but I have found a great conditioner!
I have my ups and downs, and days where my energy can be a bit low. But I find that being present and giving service...
Joshua Comyn
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...
Andrew Macdonald
Sure, you should see my hair some days... Seriously though, nobody is immune to having a bad day. I work hard in my practice to be fully present for my clients and bring a realness to my approach.
Stephanie de Niese
Is it possible to not have a 'bad hair' day? If you want to know how I deal with them, well, I usually cry. I'm human, just like you, and 'bad hair' days remind me I am not superwoman and I don't have...
Sirini Kularatne-Samarapathi
Life is change, everyone has their moments where life throws things that can be faced head on, or at times one has to step back and take another look at. That is what makes me human, and brings in the...
John Bacash
All the time, but I don't get taken in by them. I break free through faith and openness.
Ashley White
Literally? No - my bald head is always... well, the same.
Figuratively? Sure - I try to own them and be transparent about bad hair days, though. I think it's the only way.
Lauren Sokolski
Of course! Sometimes I may not be feeling 100% and my brain may feel foggy. I think when you look at the therapeutic process overall, when a session occurs when I'm not feeling 100%, it is balanced...
Fenella Hansen
All the time! No one is perfect 100% of the time and being open about this with my clients allows them to connect to me as a human, rather than me being seen as someone who has all the answers and all...
Natalie Anderson
I sure do. But I just try to practice self-compassion and go with the flow as much as possible. One of my favourite mantras is this too shall pass!
Karen Thomas
They are very rare as my daily practice of Focusing keeps me both anchored within myself and alert to any subtle (or louder) stirrings inside me that need my attention or that need company. Focusing...
Michael Dods
As I am bald the answer could be always or never or both.
But, in a less literal sense. Absolutely as I am human.
Magdalena Jantac
I certainly do. But I have number of different techniques and rituals to 'put my hair back in the place' and always ensure I show up as my best for my clients.
Melis Topsahin
Bad hair days? I have bad hair weeks, months and even years.
Deborah Schou
With hair like mine, that's not hard! Yes, we are all human. And there's much to be learned from these experiences.
Penelope Lovegrove
Of course, everyone does, but it doesn't usually bother me. The beauty of being a therapist is that I can forget about all of that when I am with a client and just be in the moment with them.
Grace Lee
Of course. Some days I feel grumpy and annoyed. But there is something about working with clients that means I can retain focus on the important things - the things my clients are concerned about, and...
Jonathan Tandos
Of course! Like everyone I am sometimes a bit tired, distracted, or in a mood that makes therapy a bit harder to do. I make mistakes, confront difficult aspects of my personality, and am frustrated by...
Dee Kumbukage
Yes, there are days when I, like anyone else, may experience what could be called bad hair days. On those occasions, when I feel less centered or grounded, I have found solace and rejuvenation...
Denise Howells
YES! I'm having one today. It could be the weather or the early morning start. Either way it's just hair and not all of me!
Volker Krohn
Looking at my receding hairline I have to answer yes'. As Buddha used to say: “Life is suffering.†We cannot escape it. We all have to face our own mortality and loss in different ways....
Christina Kioulafas
Of course! I am human. As a mother of two young children, 'bad har day' has a new sleep deprived meaning.
Yael Clark
Of course. Especially before the summer holidays. I often see an influx of new clients then and it's all a blur! I have to write myself lots of notes to hold it all in. And ask for understanding! As...
Anugrah Bhagwat
I have my fair share of bad hair days ;)!!!
I have to remind my self to breathe just like anybody else. Having bad hair days is not the bad part. How we treat ourselves during those bad hair days...
Robin Wilkinson
I started losing my hair when I was 23, so I'm not sure that I've had a good hair day in years!
In all seriousness, I am only human and naturally, I have bad hair days. One thing I have noticed,...
Brian Whiter
Yes, of course! Without it I wouldn't be compelled to consider alternatives that are better and more in the service of remaining an effective therapist and more importantly, a better person to be...
Steve White
Due to being quite bald this is every day!
Yes, like everyone I have my ups and downs.
Natalie Incledon
Yes, of course, when I sleep in and run out the door! It happens way too often.
M.Rose Hoey
A bad hair day would mean going to the hair dresser! But if you mean do I find my work causes me to suffer? the answer is NO!
Sometimes it takes many tries/sessions for patients to open themselves up...
Nina Green
Yes.
All the time :) Every now and again I have a great hair day and I try to roll with those as a lovely bonus rather than the end game.
Marcus Dally-Law
Literally - yes. My hair won't do anything right unless I've had a shower and then stuck it in place with whatever gummy hair product I have around.
Figuratively? Absolutely. In a way, though,...
Tracy Clark
YES!! I have bad hair days where the planets don't align or where my mojo is out of sorts. I really try to be aware of these days and if I turn up a bit ruffled I am upfront with the participant and...
Dalit Bar
Of course! We all have bad days. It's how we deal with these bad days and move forward.
Nicky Angelone
No, I have never had a bad hair day! I embraced my hair for what it is many years ago - dead straight, and going grey. I get comments on the grey all the time and people find it hard to believe this...
Louise Jansz
Yes of course! Being a therapist doesn't mean I have perfected anything! While I do come to work very regulated, I am also having human experiences in my life. I live a numinous life, meaning I aspire...
Kim Bailey
All the time. I have straight Asian hair and unbeknown to non Asians they are a nightmare to keep looking tidy!
Jeannene Eastaway
Oh yeah. Thing is, I am human in all aspects of that word.
Rosie Burgess
Bad hair days are just days when our hair is being more creative than usual. The trick is to roll with it, lean into the crazy hair, or get a really cool hat.
Bhakti De Bon
Sure thing! On those days I usually try to get my hair into some style that's acceptable, even if it isn't perfect.
Tim Clark
Literally: not really. I don't have much hair to speak of.
Figuratively: of course. Everyone does.
Jacqueline Baulch
I most certainly do! Some mornings I think you just wake up and know you've got a tough day ahead. This is when I try my best to be kind and compassionate by keeping things simple, reducing the...
