The Beech Practice Ltd.

19/02/2025

Are you thinking of signing up for the Foundation Diploma in London, Online or Southend-on-Sea, but you're no sure yet? Try out our FREE 1-hour 'taster session'!

This evening from 7-8pm we'll cover some safety techniques you can use with traumatised clients. This includes a live demo with an anchor, which is a beautiful technique that works for many (but not all) clients. We'll also talk about the autonomic nervous system, breathing, window of tolerance and movement.

So join us tonight! We look forward to seeing you there.

Join our FREE online Trauma CPD Training to learn essential Safety Techniques in Trauma - don't miss out!

05/02/2025

When we talk about regulation when working with trauma, our own nervous system as professionals is key. It is our baseline, we are our own instrument! The question is: How well do we play?

A long time ago, I was studying piano in the Netherlands with the potential, hope or dream to eventually become a concert pianist. Eventually I chose a different path, partially because I found it to be a highly perfectionistic profession (which didn't do me much favours!). But the concept stayed with me: How we feel, directly influences how we play.

And I find that the same applies to us as professionals who work with traumatised clients. Our nervous system has an influence on our work. We can't 'hide' our nervous system behind a façade (nor would I advocate for this!). So instead, let's get to know our instrument. If not professionally, then at least for fun!

04/02/2025

Using the 'container-exercise' can be very helpful in working with trauma, as you can use it in a variety of ways: A visualisation, art-form, or simply by talking it through.

So... how do you do this?

To get you started, you could consider (and practice on yourself, in therapy, or in clinical supervision):
If you would have a container, where we could put in all the awful stuff that happened to you, what size would it be? What would it be made of? What is the weight? What are the colours? Texture? Does it have a lock? Where would you like to put it? And what would you like to do with it?

For some clients building or creating a container can help to have or build a place where it all can go. If you would like to know more about this safety technique and others, have a look on our trauma trainings on www.beechtraumaacademy.co.uk!

30/01/2025

Why do we talk about the nervous system so much? Simply put, because trauma lives in the body and shows up through the nervous system (as well as a host of other somatic complaints!).

The sympathetic nervous system of mobilisation shows itself through movement and activation. Arms and legs may be fidgety, or moving about. The dorsal vagus part of the nervous system shows itself through immobilisation: Numbness, stillness, lack of feeling. And of course, when we feel safe, regulated and connected, our ventral vagus part of the nervous system is work well.

It can help clients who have experienced trauma sometimes to have some of this knowledge, as it can normalise particular experiences. We are not "crazy", or "disordered" when it comes to trauma. Our systems are simply working as hard as possible to try to ensure our survival.

If you want to learn more about trauma, have a look at www.beechtraumaacademy.co.uk for more information about our trainings!

21/01/2025

Working with trauma can feel like a maze! So, in an attempt to shine a little light on how to use safe therapeutic techniques in working with trauma, follow our "How to..." - Series!

We'll regularly cover a trauma element that might be helpful for you as a counsellor, therapist, social worker, or mental health professional. If you have particular topics you would like to see covered, let us know!

And needless to say, no video can replace training, clinical supervision or therapy 😊 But it might just give you a bit of clarity (or inspiration!). So make sure to follow us, as we'll soon talk about how to work with an anchor.

17/01/2025

Are you a manager, HR-worker, director, CEO, or other leader? Did you know that 50-70% of people have experienced a trauma in their life (PTSD UK)? Your employees or workers may show up tired, distracted, triggered, or struggling in a host of other ways.

This Trauma-Informed Leadership Program will support you to become more trauma-informed, and in turn to support your team or organisation to do the same. It is run in 6 modules over 6 months (1 Thursday a month between 3-5pm) and takes place in small groups for in-depth learning.

You can find more information on https://www.beechtraumaacademy.co.uk/leadership-program

We look forward to seeing you there!

18/07/2024

Would you like to be kept up-to-date of all the trauma training we're running? Join our Training Newsletter! We will send you a monthly email with updates about:

* Foundation Diploma / CPD - Therapeutic Safety in Trauma
* CPD - Moral Injury Training
* Soon to come CPD Training - "Parts-Training in Trauma"
* Taking registrations for our London Training
And much more!

Message me with your email address if you'd like to be added.

17/07/2024

"Slow is fast" tends to be my key motto as a trauma therapist. When we go slow (enough), we tend to move faster! From a nervous system perspective, moving fast can be quite triggering and can easily become too much.

Instead, let's take the time to notice, explore, connect, whilst savouring the good, and integrating all the various experiences and sensations.

If you would like to refer a client to our team of qualified and experienced trauma therapists, have a look here to find more information: www.thebeechpractice.co.uk/about-the-team. Feel free to contact us on 07575708865 or [email protected].

16/07/2024

Join our Foundation Diploma / CPD - Therapeutic Safety in Trauma (NCPS Quality Checked) in Southend-on-Sea per Sunday 15th September 2024 or 100% Online per Sunday 26th January 2025!

This training is based on the 3-Phase Trauma Model and polyvagal theory, which focuses on increasing safety for the client. That includes building a therapeutic relationship, increasing regulation in the nervous system, and managing post-trauma symptoms (like flashbacks and nightmares).

This is an integrative and experiential training, where you'll have a chance to put into practice some of the materials we will cover. We have limited spaces available. Contact me if you'd like to be send the Course Booklets.

15/07/2024

I often wondered about hope being a double-edged sword when it comes to trauma recovery. On one hand, hope can be a beautiful thing, like a ray of light. Clients (and us!) might carry some hope for recovery, better sleep, less flashbacks, and so on.

But hope also implies pain, if the hope is unfulfilled (or was unfulfilled in the past). What happens if recovery is slower than we'd like? If there is pain along the way? I often find it helpful to explore the relationship with hope. How might hope help, but also: What might be the cost?

If you would like to learn more about trauma, join our Foundation Diploma - Therapeutic Safety in Trauma (NCPS Quality Checked) in Southend per Sunday 15th September 2024 or 100% Online per Sunday 26th January 2025. Contact me for the Course Booklets, we have limited spaces available!

12/07/2024

Joy is such a beautiful thing, and sometimes so hard to come by for trauma survivors. Joy implies to be in the moment, to go with the flow, to savour what is happening. But that can be incredibly frightening and daunting for trauma survivors.

Because what might happen when we let our guard down (or our protector-parts loosen a little) to let some goodness in? Are we more vulnerable if our protector-parts aren't in the forefront? What might help is to remind those parts that they don't have to go away. The parts that work so hard to keep us safe, will always be a part of us. A starting place might be to savour tiny moments ('glimmers', as Deb Dana calls them). Micro-moments of playing with your dog, or enjoying the smell of a cup of earl grey tea (my favourite!).

To learn more about trauma, join our CPD or Foundation Diploma - Therapeutic Safety in Trauma (NCPS Quality Checked) in Southend-on-Sea per Sunday 15th September 2024 (we have only a few spaces left!) or 100% Online per Sunday 26th January 2025. Contact me for the Course Booklet.