ABOUT SHADOW WORK
Therapeutic approach
Our therapeutic approach is rooted in depth psychology which explores the relationship between the conscious and the unconscious. We also use archetypal theory and our work follows the principles of person centred therapy.
We work with the concept that we are all made up of many different parts, some we are fully conscious of and some we are partly conscious of and some we have little or no awareness of. It is these parts that we have little or no awareness of that forms our shadows.
The shadow
Our shadows are made up of parts of us that we’ve repressed or denied. Our shadows shape our destructive thoughts, our unmanageable emotions and our impulsive behaviours, and are often the result of painful experiences, trauma, and past memories.
Dealing with your past is necessary for healing, and I find through leaning in with empathy profound change can occur. I support clients to form a new relationship with some of the unlikeable, wounded parts of their psyche in order to integrate new patterns into their lives, as well as forming a healthier compassionate relationship with themselves as a whole.
“Healing The Shadow is the act of taking back control of the unseen forces that have been guiding your life, as psychoanalyst Carl Jung says, making the unconscious conscious.”
Shadow work session
Memories and emotions that have been hidden and held in your unconscious psyche can be accessed through exploring and embodying different parts of yourself. Through this exploration you can release deeply held emotional pain that you've been carrying, as well as reframing limiting and damaging beliefs you may have taken on.
Acceptance and healing
In shadow work we believe that no matter how destructive or unhelpful a behaviour may be there is always a reason behind it (usually the intention of protection is what we find at the core). The darker aspects of your psyche can be frightening and confusing but we believe the more you try to hide or push away this side of yourself the more powerful it can become.
“In this work there is an invitation to explore these darker aspects of yourself so that you can get to know these sides of yourself, reclaim the gold hidden in these areas and no longer be frightened of parts of yourself.”
Often a lot of energy is used to keep these parts of yourself in shadow, and once you’ve worked with and integrated these (energies) parts of yourself, they often reveal themselves as great allies and guides ready to support you on your path to a life filled with deep self acceptance and loving connection.
Your session is led by you which means we explore what you want to explore and at a pace that feels right for you. Once we have discussed what you'd like to have happen in your session, I will guide you and sensitively support you, listening deeply to you and reflecting back what I hear, asking you appropriate questions to help deepen your exploration.
“A life truly lived constantly burns away veils of illusion, burns away what is no longer relevant, gradually reveals our essence, until, at last, we are strong enough to stand in our naked truth.”
— Marion woodman