Blog

6 September 2022

This week is World Suicide Prevention week.

Staggering Statistics In Florida On World Suicide Prevention Day ...

In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day on the 10th September, I felt it was important to break my silence and become more active on my website and Social Media. The World Health Organisation state that ‘Every 45 seconds someone takes their life; an estimated 703,000 people a year around the world. For each suicide, approximately 135 people suffer intense grief or are otherwise affected, resulting in 108 million people, annually, who are profoundly impacted by suicidal behaviours. For every suicide, 25 people make a suicide attempt, and many more have serious thoughts of suicide.’

Reaching out and asking if someone is feeling suicidal is so important in giving them the support they need. As the Samaritans recommend, ‘asking someone if they’re suicidal won’t make things worse. Evidence shows it could protect them.’

This year’s theme is ‘creating hope through action’; encouraging and empowering people to take action to help create a world where fewer people die by suicide. If you feel this way or know someone else that does, please do not hesitate to get help, either via local Crisis teams or through private practice Psychotherapists (like myself). https://suicidepreventionwestyorkshire.co.uk/

Waiting times for ASC and ADHD diagnosis

Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Model Benefits Rural, Underserved ...

I work with many clients whom suspect they might have a neurodiversity (usually Autism or ADHD) and want some support whilst they wait for assessment, which on the NHS can be a number of years! Since COVID this has become a much worse situation and prior to the Lockdowns, the waiting lists were extremely long. It would appear inevitable that this would create more issues with waiting times. However, I have learned this does appear to depend on the area you live in, a postcode lottery dependent on the CCG you are under, and I understand London’s wait list is not quite so long. Due to my Zoom sessions, I work with clients all over the UK, and it is fascinating to hear how different clients experiences can be, with all kinds of services.

I am not able to give a diagnosis as a psychotherapist, however I am able to screen clients and give clients an indication of whether a diagnosis is likely to be confirmed in an assessment. The wait times have now become so long, that many of my clients pay to go privately, so they can get the support they need in education or the reasonable adjustments necessary in the work place. Although during that long wait it is often helpful to have therapy and coaching to support clients in the traits that might cause them difficulties and also to see the positives of being neurodiverse, of which there are lots!

My work can be seen as a cross-over between psychotherapy (working with mental health issues), psycho-education (teaching clients about mental health conditions and their neurodiversity) and also coaching (teaching techniques and methods that might be helpful in terms of executive function or social interaction).

If you are interested in finding out more, please do email me on seba@spring.me.uk

Current times are very stressful!

Zoom app: what it's like having therapy over Zoom during lockdown

I know some of my clients have reduced sessions now due to the rise in the cost of living, however many are keeping the sessions and/or finding ways to pay for them. It is an extremely difficult time for everyone, however at least by using Zoom sessions or phone calls this reduces travel time and extra fuel costs. I know some clients do ask if I will move back to face to face sessions, however this is not something I am considering doing. Online therapy is very convenient for lots of my clients, particularly those that travel for work, go on holiday but still wish to have a session, have time constraints with other activities or live a long way from me.

Zoom isn’t for everyone, and I do understand that. If face to face is something you need, then finding the right fit for you in terms of a psychotherapist is important. I do have some Autistic clients that find the camera difficult to deal with in the beginning. Autistic people can find social interaction extremely stressful, so why add to this! Usually over time, many clients begin to feel more comfortable and will have the camera on. As a neurodiverse specialist psychotherapist, I understand the needs of my Autistic/ADHD clients, I work flexibly, so some clients work without the camera on and just talk. Some clients might find interaction too difficult in the beginning, so I will talk to the parents to help alleviate their anxiety and help give tips. The important point is as a neurodiverse psychotherapist, it is necessary to be flexible and to work with the needs of the clients and that is what is at the forefront of all my sessions.

Supervision

Supervision - CJS Psychotherapy & Consulting Services

As a post graduate trained supervisor and private practice psychotherapist, I have lots of experience that would be helpful to newly qualified or long term psychotherapists looking for a supervisor with specialism in neurodiversity. I know when I was looking for a supervisor it took me some time to find a supervisor that had the experience I required, and it was great to find my supervisor who has a wealth of knowledge in neurodiversity. If you are a psychotherapist, please do contact me to find out more.

As a client, you can be safe in the knowledge that the professional guidelines set by the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists are adhered to. The unqualified and untrained are putting an awful lot of people at risk on various social media sites. All psychotherapists should have monthly supervision, and group supervision is something I choose to do as a supplement to my training/reading. I find this helps me as a professional to keep my skills up to date and current. My group supervision is with other neurodiverse specialist psychotherapists. This networking and knowledge sharing is invaluable to my practice and the benefit of my clients.

To see my therapist posting on the BACP click the attached link: https://www.bacp.co.uk/search/Therapists?UserLocation=53.8814211%2C-1.8793893&q=Seba+&LocationQuery=&Location=Microsoft.Spatial.GeographyPointImplementation&FoundLocation=&SortOrder=1&TherapistSortOrderSelectionMade=false&Distance=10

Training and Workshops

Small Business Workshops SCORE Chicago | Business Training Seminars

I have delivered a number of workshops over the year to schools and local charities such as Airedale and Wharfedale Autism Resource. These can be tailored to the needs of your audience. I have trained teachers on neuordiversity and given talks to parents on various topics that have been helpful to them. These workshops are invaluable to many because the opportunity to talk to others and share experiences is often very helpful in itself. Sharing top tips and asking questions that others may want the answers to also.

If you are a parent with a child that is diagnosed or not, you can become a member of AWARE, please contact them to find out more. I know clients I have signposted their way have found them a huge support! https://aware-uk.org/

Do you Home School? I offer Primary Tutoring 13.8.18

There are many families who have school refusing children either through ASC, ADHD and/or mental health problems.  As a primary teacher of 10 years and a parent of a child who had a difficult time in the education system I can fully appreciate these difficulties.

I can offer afternoon sessions a few times a week or weekly sessions to support confidence whilst in school.  If you need support with tutoring please call me to discuss your childrens needs. 

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/apr/11/parents-hit-out-at-plans-to-increase-oversight-of-home-education

Top Ten Tips for Loving Life 13.8.18

1 Live on purpose A sense of purpose brings the greatest of life satisfaction.  According to research people with a sense of purpose are happiest, they live longer and even make healthier life style choices (diet and exercise).  How do you find a sense of purpose?
Ask yourself: What do I care about?  What energises me?  What am I doing when I am happiest?
2 Plan for happy times  Don’t hope for a happy future – plan one!
Ask yourself:  Will this make me happy?  Going to yoga, visiting a friend will make us happy but we watch TV… plan and do it.  Choose what you do for the right reasons.
3  Stop comparing  We all do it.  The trick is to catch yourself doing it and remind yourself of what you are doing.  Do you post the least flattering photo of yourself on social media?  Tell a stranger how stressed you are?  You are presenting this to the world.
Ask yourself: Is that envy inducing friend who seems to have it all really that secure and happy?  He or she might have lots of worries you don’t even know about.
4  Count your blessings  Our outlook is what we see.  Our brains have a built in negative bias to spot potential threats.  It is to keep us alive not to make you happy.  We therefore need to consciously notice the positives.  I often tell clients to look for 5-10 positives everyday.
Ask yourself: Make a note of 5-10 things that went well that day.  What made you smile?  What did you achieve?  Read over these the next day and days when you feel low.
5  Wear your heart on your sleeve     Feeling upset about something your partner, boss or acquaintance has said?  You might think it better to keep quiet, not make a fuss but this can backfire.  Next time you are upset, let it all out – write a letter you never send and talk to them calmly when the anger has passed.
Ask yourself   Also, never suppress a generous impulse – tell someone something positive – tell them they are great, tell them now!
6 Ask for help   Are you the one who always does everything?  Most people don’t help out due to habit and ignorance – so tell them!  Ask yourself   
Rather than wearing them down with digs and reminders.  Set time aside for a bigger conversation and tell them why it matters to you and the advantages to them for helping.
7  Worry less  We have evolved to anticipate threats and because nowadays most of the threats we face are not life threatening – being on constant red alert isn’t helpful.  Constant worry can become toxic if left unchecked.  A distracting alarm in your head making it hard to focus on what you are doing and simply enjoy the moment.
Ask yourself   Worries are only useful if they alert you to potential hurdles – which you can plan for and act on.  If it is beyond that seek help.  If you worry about money then seek help from a financial adviser.
8  Get things in perspective The day from hell – train cancelled, late for work, forgotten train/bus pass, it starts to rain not dressed appropriately… We are all prone to a spot of drama!  Catastrophising leads to becoming stressed out with hormones that makes us feel like we are living in a war zone.
Ask yourself   The next time something goes wrong – try re-framing.  Remind yourself that missing the train is annoying but not the end of the world.  This will pass.
9  Be here now   Mindfulness.  Close your eyes to really taste your food.  Try using all the senses – grounding techniques.
Ask yourself  you are waiting for a bus rather than reach for your phone to kill time savour the moment and notice your surroundings.
10 Don’t take things too personally    If you are going to achieve anything in life you are going to achieve some critics along the way.   To avoid criticism – do nothing.  So roll with the punches and remember that you are going to pick up a few bruises when you are participating in life.
Ask yourself Do you want to love the live you life?  Then you need to live the life you love!

Social Anxiety 13.8.18

Social Anxiety is a common problem. 

Many of my clients suffer from this issue, here are three steps to find your social courage:

1  Challenge yourself and go to a social situation that triggers your social anxiety. 
Notice how you feel and hear your negative self talk of self-doubt. ‘What is everyone thinking about me here?’ ‘Do I belong?’ ‘Will anybody want to talk to me?’
Instead of trying to stop these thoughts, recognise them and be willing to temporarily accept and embrace that uncertainty and acknowledge that you are now aware these thoughts are unhelpful thinking.


2 When you are aware of a high level of social discomfort, try a mindful body scan.
Run your mind over your body, from your toes up. Notice how much resistance to anxiety you are experiencing by tightening, fidgeting, tensing and when you come to your thorax, you will problem notice you are holding your breath. Slowly noticing this let this negative energy go.


3 Don’t be afraid of rejection because it happens to everybody.
People are complex beings. Rejection is as much a part of human interaction as forming friendships. Sufferers of social anxiety tend to catastrophise rejection, fearing that if they start with a conversation with a new person they will receive dramatically abusive response. This is not logical and it is helpful to recognise that and to instead learn to accept rejection as something undesirable but not unbearable. 


If you recognise some of these examples and want some support. You can message me or speak to me about a one to one appointment on 07719 751138.

What happened to the Parents Peer Support Groups?

Parents Peer Support Groups

I have not completely stopped the Parents Peer Support Groups but I am looking for Schools and Children’s Centres to take up some dates from September onwards.

I am currently meeting with various Head Teachers, SENCo’s and Children Centre managers to come up with a schedule of events to relaunch the PPSG.

If you are interested in hosting one of these but want to know more:

  • I will provide a free 1 hour session on various topics from ASC, ADHD, emotional and behavioural challenges, Growth Mindset to Mental Health topics aimed at parents.
  • They take place preferably on a Wednesday morning from 9.30am – 11am but this is negotiable.
  • You will provide a room big enough for parents to sit in, with a power supply so I can plug in my laptop, projector and room for a pull up projector stand.

Previous hosts have after hosting these sessions asked me to run their own parental workshops specifically for their parents needs and INSETs for their teaching staff.

Parents have said how much they have enjoyed the sessions and that they have learned a lot from them.  Attached is a poster from June with the types of topics I can provide for your parents.

If you are interested please contact me so we can talk about dates and topics that might suit the parents in your school or Children’s Centre.

What is Bingley Business Social?

Why have I created it?

As a sole trader and owner director of a company I have been to lots of networking events and groups.  I found that I couldn’t find one that didn’t involve paying out quite a bit of money, meeting more often than I felt I needed to (or it clashed with clients and they come first!), I felt pressured to make referrals when they weren’t relevant, it was too exclusive (only women or only certain types of businesses which in fairness have their place), it didn’t feel relaxed enough to be able to comfortably chat or it was too far away.

Lots of us, as business owners can probably relate to those anxious feelings:

Did I say the right thing?

Did I talk too much or not enough?

Do they think I am an idiot?

Did they like me?

Do I fit with this group of people?

Will this work for my business?

Will anyone want to collaborate and work with me on some projects?

I couldn’t find a Bingley, Business Social so I though I shall create one.  It is exactly that, a social in Bingley, for businesses once a month.  It costs – nothing!  All I do is arrange the dates and times and all you have to do is turn up and network.  If this evolves into something more then that is fantastic!

I am very excited to launch the first Bingley Business Social on Thursday, 31st August 2017 at Martinez Wine Bar.  I do look forward to meeting many more Businesses from Bingley!

Tutoring… does it work? What is different about Spring Tutoring

Does Tutoring Work?

We are getting nearer to the end of the summer holidays and many parents are starting to think about children’s school uniforms, bags, pencil cases, PE kits, name labels and the like.  The practicalities of school might not be all that you are preparing your child for.  You might have had a report that concerned you at the end of the summer term.  You might have concerns about SAT’s this school year, you might be sending your child to a Grammar School and they need to practice for the entrance exams.  Whatever your concerns, they are generally about confidence and self esteem.  You are probably more concerned about that than academic achievement.  But did you know they tend to go hand in hand.  The worries, anxieties and lack of self confidence will hold back your child’s chances of success.

It is natural that we want our children to be confident, to have high self esteem and to be able to succeed at whatever they want to succeed at.  However children are just like us and have worries and anxieties about their own abilities in life.  No matter how small they might seem to us, they are not small to them and can often become bigger if they are not addressed.

Growth Mindset is important because it is a mindset that is in all successful people.  They don’t sweat the small stuff, they enjoy making mistakes because they understand that is part of learning, they don’t rush to complete tasks and they see the value of small achievements as a journey towards a bigger picture.  They see long terms aims as a valuable to their aspirations.

‘Students’ mindsets significantly impact their success in school. Years of mounting evidence shows that growth-minded students tend to have better academic outcomes than their fix-minded peers. In addition, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated, enjoying learning for the pleasure of learning rather than just to reach an external goal.’  (https://rsi.gse.harvard.edu/research/growth-mindset)

I am currently running INSET’s in schools for teachers on this type of teaching and learning.  We all need to consider that  in order to achieve, we must believe that we can achieve.  That effort and hard work is part of success, but also we need to relax, we need to know that it is OK to make a mistake, that it is important to know we cannot do everything right first time and in fact we need to make mistakes to learn.  How can we improve if we never make a mistake?  Short answer is we don’t improve if we don’t make a mistake.  We need to have a culture of understanding that it is OK to acknowledge a mistake, to realise what it was, and to work out what we need to learn from that.  What challenges do we set ourselves to move on from that?

I offer tutoring to children with or without special needs because I believe children need to believe in themselves, in order to be successful academically.  Children with ASC are more susceptible to a fixed mindset and I often work with these children on Growth Mindset sessions but it isn’t just children on the Spectrum lots of us (adults and children) have fixed mindsets.  Studies have proved that having a Growth Mindset assists learners to achieve and builds resilience.  I teach children academic skills to develop their progress in certain areas but also combine my therapeutic knowledge, Growth Mindset theory and teaching and learning theories to support my pupils in breaking down their barriers to learning.

They are then making positive changes to become successful learners because they know they can.  It is not about being the clever person in the class; as one of my pupils said nearing the end of our sessions ‘I am just as clever as ‘name of high achiever’ now!’  He didn’t believe in the beginning that he could be, that he could get full marks in a Grammar test, but by changing his mindset, working hard, not getting upset or worried and putting effort in, he was able to achieve those tasks that were challenges to him.  He aced his Year 6 SATs, because he believed and therefore achieved!  He made positive changes and I was immensely proud of him.

‘In conclusion, the current study aims to investigate the possible mediating roles of resilience in the associations between growth mindset, psychological well-being, and school engagement. Resilience acts as a partial mediator between growth mindset, psychological well-being and school engagement, implying that resilience might be the key factor in reaching the objective of positive education, not only to enhance the well-being of students but also their academic achievement.’

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5147462/)

It is so rewarding to see my clients making positive changes to their thoughts and reactions to situations such as learning and achieving so much!  Contact me if you would like to book an appointment for a no commitment first session.