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?
Ashley Thomson
Of course! Most days, to be honest. But in learning to accept myself as I am, I've come to understand my potential and my value are in no way diminished on those days.
Catherine Sullivan
Ha â?? like today, you mean?! â??Bad hairâ?? days are just as frequent as ever, but I can meet them with a little more equanimity and kindness (most of the timeâ?¦).
Cathy Lee
Of course â?? I have â??bad hairâ? days too, but Iâ??ve learned to pop my own stuff aside when Iâ??m with clients so the focus stays on them.
Lisa Barrett
Yes, but a lot less since I discovered GHD straighteners about 15 years ago -another life changer!!
But yes, I do. And I have parts that try to tell me that I shouldn't and other parts that suggest...
Carolyn Choy
Of course! It's the love and support of family and good friends that gets me through them.
Gaye Mallinson
Most definitely! ...Don't we all?
After decades of life struggles, I have now come to accept that some days are just easier than others & to always have hope when it's been a not so great day -...
Lu Migliore
I often have days where it feels hard to show up for others and myself! On those days I try to be extra gentle with myself and get into nature, even if it is only a few minutes of staring up at the...
Corina Johns
Of course not, I am super human.
More seriously, I have bad hair days and days when I haven't slept well or have a cold or a pain in my back. I forget things and make mistakes. I also have hard...
Megan E Shea
Of course! Hair, moods, and nervous systems all have their own rhythms. I show up anyway.
Michelle Collier
Absolutely! Some days, I think to myself, â??What the hell am I doing? Iâ??m in crisis, and Iâ??m helping others in crisis.â?? But thatâ??s the beauty of being human ... our emotions ebb and...
Helen Brittan
Not sure what this question means exactly....are we talking about my literal hair? (yes, I have bad hair days like everyone) or my practice of therapy? Being human...I make 'mistakes' and always...
Eleni Kidis
Of course I do... I am human after all. Our energy, moods, outlook and daily life experiences shift with each moment and with each day, bringing a different flavour to how we experience the present...
Eric Rangel Oliveira
We all have days when things donâ??t go as plannedâ??when we feel off, unmotivated, or not quite like ourselves.
No one operates at 100% all the time, and thatâ??s okay. Weâ??re human, and...
Sam Thomson
Absolutely... in my mind it's every day!! Unfortunately I'm not someone who can just get up and go....
David Nightingale
Definitely bad hair days when I'm in need of a haircut and believe it or not, bad beard days too!
Daniella Carfi
Absolutely! Some telehealth days you might catch me on a 'bad hair' day, possibly in my pyjamas, and always in slippers. For me, counselling is about showing up authentically and having a space where...
Auður Zoëga
I do notice days when my hair looks a little better or worse, but itâ??s rarely so bad that Iâ??d call it a â??bad hair day.â? Itâ??s all part of the normal ups and downs.
Vanessa Wylie
Since my long-term hairdresser moved overseas, bad hair days seemed inevitable. I tried a few new places, and suffered a few terrible cuts and colours, until I found someone who really got me. I...
Luke Edwards
Um...Yes Indeed. I'm human. It's Ok to not be ok. We don't do ourselves or each other any favours by creating images and standards that are unreal.
Let's make compassion and being human great...
Helen Basili
Of course! Like most other humans on the planet, I experience the full spectrum of emotions and some are more enjoyable than others.
Laura Simpson
Absolutelyâ??I have â??bad hairâ? days just like everyone else! We all have moments when things feel overwhelming or donâ??t go as planned. What matters is how we handle those days, and Iâ??m a...
Karen Thomas
They are very rare as my daily practice of Focusing keeps me both anchored within myself and alert to any subtle stirrings inside me that need my attention or that need space and company.
Nicole Day
Haha, absolutely! I'm not perfect but I will always get up, throw a hat on if necessary, and say, I'm showing up anyway. The beauty is that even a day where everything seems to go wrong, it will pass,...
Abby Draper
Of course! Like everyone, I have days that donâ??t go to plan. What matters most is how we respondâ??with self-compassion, humour, and flexibility. I find these moments help me stay grounded and...
Sebastian Kinne
Of course â?? like everyone, I sometimes have days where Iâ??m self-critical or feel I could have shown up differently. Thatâ??s part of being human. What therapy has taught me is that these...
Uri Bookman
Absolutely. Like everyone, I have days when I wake up feeling sad, fearful, or lost. In the past, I would push those feelings away, hoping to return to â??happy.â? Now, Iâ??ve learned through...
Xanthe Katsouras
Of course and I am very good at taking care of myself on those days.
Reed Everingham
Yes, both literally and metaphorically! Like everyone else, I am broken yet beautiful. I strive to stay authentic, feel my emotions, and lead a life with meaning. However, life can be unpredictable,...
Priscilla Schwartzman
Yes, absolutely. I still have days where I feel unsure or question myself. I still fall into old patterns at times, especially when Iâ??m tired or triggered. I still have moments where I feel...
Mark De Calmer
Have you seen my hair? Seriously who doesn't, it's learning how to deal with those days that makes a difference though.
Jim Filshie
I have fewer and fewer bad hair days as I get older (and my hairline recedes). Or is it that every day becomes a bad hair day, meaning that none of them are? What a conundrum...
Vassilka Dimitrova
Yes, often, but I also have 'good hair' days. I appreciate and enjoy both states of my hair.
Travis Grogan
Occasionally (but I keep my hair short so it's fairly simple). Most recently, I had a bad hair day for my wedding (a few months back). I normally cut my own hair (short back and sides) but for my...
Jeannene Eastaway
Totally, and on those days it's important to 'name it'. That is, I want to let whoever I am with know this is me, and not them. If I'm sensitive or vulnerable because life has been tough who can't...
Debby Heath
Of course - I'm human after all. I appreciate my clients' patience with me when I sometimes struggle to find the right words or make a mistake (which I will always take responsibility and apologise...
Beck Ronkson
Of course (have you seen my unruly hair?).
And even though it's frustrating, I'd be concerned if I didn't. Life circumstances are not able to always be controlled. Bad hair days happen, and so do...
Kelsey Hendrickson
Absolutely I have bad hair days. Sometimes I wake up and the weather is sticky and humid and my hair is just frizzy that day. The key for me and for my clients is to remember that tomorrow the weather...
Mary A McIntyre
Naturally !
I have the same challenges that beset most of us, trying to figure out what makes us human and humane and negotiating Life.
Oh- and I do regularly have actual 'bad hair' days !
Megan McGrath
Absolutely and all the time! My morning routine always gets a sweat on either with running or a gym session - a ponytail or a bun slicked back is practically my daily uniform.
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...
Adriana Cope
Iâ??m human too - ask my husband and five kids. Therapy isnâ??t about having it all together ... itâ??s about showing up as we are, even on the messy days!
Dominique Caesar
Literally? Not really - thanks to my shaved head, bad hair days arenâ??t really in the cards for me! But figuratively? Absolutely. Like anyone else, I have days where things feel harder, where Iâ??m...
Gabriele (Gabe) Marranci
Yes, just like everyone else, I have days where I may not feel at my best. In the Internal Family Systems (IFS) context, we can think of these moments as different parts of me expressing themselves....
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...
Ron Dowd
They're more like 'bad hair' moments, but yes. I'm not 'perfect', never will be, and I'm fine with that.
'Bad hair' moments are the triggers that remind me what's important - and how I can gently...
Dee Hardy
In so much as - do I get bothered, angry, upset...sure....but not at the expense of my inner self..
I am a classic case study of 'the glass is always full'... this is my default and I have done so...
Carlyn Chen
Absolutely! We are all human, and the older I get, the more I am able to embrace the complexity of life and accept being perfectly imperfect. Also, as a parent, there is no escape from bad hair days,...
Regina Gerlach
Absolutelyâ??I have messy days, tired days, and yes, definite bad hair days too! I think itâ??s important to stay real and human, both in and outside the therapy room. Life doesnâ??t require...
Sarah 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...
Gregory Poll
Quite often, it is a vital part of my life that allows me to enjoy and appreciate my good days even more.
Carolyn Zantis
Oh yes!!
And if I'm following my process and realise I need to pull back and be quiet, or go within, I make that happen.
Nathan Dick
Yes, I have come to accept these days, often they last a few days or a week. I find my own therapy and supervision supportive. I also have built a network of people around me who I trust and am able...
Ash Rehn
Of course! Everyone has bad days and for many different reasons. I think it is helpful, on days when things are not going so well, to be okay about that. Living with imperfection can be quite...
Leigh Fraser-Gray
WE ALL DO!!! Its why on going self care is essential. It takes time to build up reserves to show signs of resilience. I assist my people to understand bio (biological), psycho (psychological) and...
Debra Sumner
Yes, everyone has â??bad hairâ? daysâ??even me! But Iâ??ve learned that accepting those imperfect moments helps me truly appreciate the great days. After all, without the bad days, how would we...
Hadass Segal
I have curly hair and a curly approach to life. Need I say more?
Darius Leo
Like everyone, I have normal fluctuations in mood and energy. Doing therapy is closely aligned with my personal values. If I am having a day when I'm not performing at my peak, I reflect on why I do...
Bev Whitehead
Hard days come. They do not overwhelm me in the way they used to. Something I have worked hard for is to work towards emotional regulation and independence. Life was a rollercoaster or yogo - I was up...
Arezu Akbarian
Absolutely! I believe itâ??s important to acknowledge that weâ??re all human, and â??bad hairâ? days are a natural part of life. Rather than avoiding or dismissing them, I welcome these moments...
Brenda Rowlandson
Oh yes! And 'bad clothes days' and sometimes I work with a headache, or a backache, but even on those days I still wouldn't want to be doing anything else (except perhaps lying down!). In saying that,...
Gabrielle New
Doesn't everyone?
I have had shit times and wonderful times. I have encountered a plethora of experiences, and I have learnt to embrace them all, because the good, the bad and everything in between...
Dominique Smajstr
Oh, definitely â?? therapists have their bad hair days! Sometimes it feels like my hair has a mind of its own, much like our thoughts and emotions. Luckily, just like in therapy, a little patience, a...
Patrick Oâ??Brien
Sure do. I find it's best to be open to feedback and admit when I get things wrong. There is always a path forward after that.
Philip Hilder
I cut my hair short with a electric clippers, so apart from the need for a beanie on cold days I generally feel good :)
Steve Bonanno
Haha. As a bald guy, actual bad hair days are a thing of the past... but when it comes to the ebbs and flows of the human condition: yes! I have my good days and my bad days. It really helps me to...
Carla Van Der Poel
Yes, absolutely! I didnâ??t become a therapist because I have it all figured out, Iâ??m human too, and I definitely have my â??bad hairâ? days. Life isnâ??t a straight line and we all face...
Katie Beckwith
I have bad everything days now and again. It is part of life and the human condition. Trying to never have a bad anything day is an exhausting exercise in futility. Those tend to be days I turn...
Monica Eriksson
Absolutely! Just like anyone else, I have those days when things donâ??t go quite as planned, whether it is a bad hair day or moments when I'm feeling a little off. What matters, though, is showing...
Cameron Trenowden
A 'bad hair' day is inevitable. Sometimes its important to accept a bad day for a bad day and when these happen for me, I lean on my self-care strategies to help me get through and work towards making...
Alda Curtis
Absolutely! Iâ??d say my hair is rarely having a â??goodâ? day. :) Real life isnâ??t always perfect - and neither is my hair! Thankfully, in therapy, what matters most is showing up as...
Lisa Winther
Of course â?? I'm human too! There are days when things donâ??t go perfectly, but I believe that being real and showing up authentically, even on the tougher days, is an important part of building...
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...
Cecilia Calnan
Sure, don't we all.
It's part of life.
Life would be dull, boring and mundane without these kind of days. Don't you think?
Karen Potter
I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to be doing something I love completely and to have a very balanced work-private life.
Nev Guven
Who doesn't have bad hair days? We all do, it's part of being human. I normalise bad hair days.
Karen Druce
Like most people, I certainly do have bad hair days. More so, as I get older. I see such days as a timely reminder that I am all too human. The good thing about bad hair days is that they tend to...
Fiona Giles
Yep. My approach is to reassure myself that staying present with the client, and conveying loving kindness, will always be valuable, even if my cognitive powers are a little less shiny than usual. I...
Josephine Borg
Yes I have had many but I make sure I am psychologically present for my clients.
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...
Tanya Rae
On occasion, I might have days where my hair is (by today's perfectionistic societal standards) aesthetically-challenged, but I find that these days generally lead to a greater appreciation of the...
Tania Djipalo
Yes I do, but I longer have to be perfect to show up to life. I can also tend to my fragile parts and make sure I ring a friend or be extra kind and loving with myself and show up to life.
Felicity Ahern
All the time. I would only wish for more hair as I age but alas...
Sarah McArthur
Absolutely. Being a Counsellor doesn't mean that I don't experience what every person does. These can be rough days, especially when you just canâ??t get it to do what you want. It's funny how...
Anthony Hubeck
Yes, certainly. I am just as human as the next person. My work affords me some advantage in emotional literacy but i cannot escape the difficult feelings we all have. I too must feel my feelings good,...
Susan Pegg
Doesn't everyone? I know I'm not perfect and I will have days when I feel off or when I don't want to do what I know is good for me. And that's okay - for me and for my clients.
Sudhir Dean
I do. Everyone does. When I do, life is challenging me to walk my talk.
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...
Geoff Heard
Yes, because I'm human. It can also happen that what feels like a bad hair day is the result of relationship dynamics within a therapy session, useful information about the process and not to be...
George Turnure
You bet. I am a human with vulnerabilities and fallible too.
Tessa Ipp
Sometimes, then I realise I need to give to myself to again find my balance and presence as counsellor/psychotherapist.
Leah Wilson
Yes, just like anyone else, I definitely have my share of 'bad hair' days! These are the days when things donâ??t go as planned, or Iâ??m feeling a bit off or out of sync. I believe it's important...
Steven Segal
Rather than fighting my 'bad hair' days, I have learnt to accept them which allows me to focus on something else, e.g., go for a walk in the park. I find this very helpful in allowing me to tune in...
Martina Palombi
Of course! All the time! I am human like everyone else. I do not see myself as necessarily more advanced than my clients. I see therapy as a person to person, human to human process. I am still...
Philipa Thornton
I am human and like anyone have my up and down day's. I think this helps me have greater empathy for others. On those days I give myself permission to take a break and take care of myself as best I...
Stefan Durlach
Sure. Don't we all? The kind of days when nothing seems to go right and we're feeling out of centre. Within a therapy context there are two kinds: The ones that emanate from my own life and the ones...
Marie Mooney
You bet! My approach is to be real and as authentically present as I can be.
David Indermaur
Yes but they are hard to predict - sometimes everything should be right but its not and vice versa. Becoming too sure of oneself and too confident is actually probably more of a problem than feeling...
Meg Bonnell
Of course, I think everyone does! Sometimes you have to just do your best with what you've got to work with, and be kind to yourself.
Rina Taub
Of course we all do but it is not about a Performance or test. As long as I am genuinely listening, authentic and collaborative we can check and get back on track.
Teresa Wilkinson
Yes, Therapists are just people. I try and use my skills to hold myself kindly and gently at these times and hope to role model to my clients that it is also okay for you to have bad hair days too.
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.
Angelina Conias
Absolutely! Just like everyone else, there are days when things don't go as expected, and I may feel a bit off. Experiencing ups and downs is completely normal. On those bad hair days, I make an...
Nicole Kinnaird
Yes of course! I can get as moody and grumpy as anyone. I get tired and sooky and forget I have many wonderful tools and supports around me. It all passes, even though sometimes it's hard to remember...
Amanda Dounis
Let me just say this....when I am with a client, or clients /groups /families, I am entirely WITH them for the duration of the session regardless of my h.a.i.r. I learned that I compartmentalise...
Zoe Hedges
All the time and I have a 101 tips and techniques for catching up and coping with them.
Karen Anderson
Absolutely!! There are days when I am out of sync with my own self and this does impact upon my work in the therapy room and with associated administrative functions. I do notice times when I breathe...
Michelle Lam
Yes I do. What helps me most is remembering to be kind and gentle to myself. This may involve practicing mindfulness, looking after myself better (such as exercising and sleeping more, healthy eating)...
Deb Gavan
ALL. THE. TIME.
I approach bad hair days with humour, mindfulness, open mindedness (and chocolate).
Jean Gamble
When I let my boundaries and self-care slip I can become tired and feel a bit jaded about my work. I know that this is a signal for me to return to the level of self-loving choices and behaviours that...
Catherine Devetzis
Robert Grant refers to trauma as the way of the wound, of course this path is often scary, painful and fraught with misunderstandings. However, I have learnt that maintaining my responses as...
Howard Colin-Thome
I have ups and downs like everyone. I've had periods where I've had stress, relationship issues, anxiety and probably low mood. They are useful periods however as they help me understand myself and...
Kerstin Buccoliero
Certainly, or those days where I prefer to pull the blanket over my head and stay in bed, rather than get up, and walk the dog in the rain...again. I think it is unhealthy to always want to be joyful...
Mia Kennedy
Yes and the older I get the easier it is to admit it. I feel very blessed by the training I was fortunate enough to receive. Early on in my career I volunteered at Lifeline and I stayed there for many...
Martin Hemsley
Blimey, my hair is often so bad! Being human is not easy, I think. I can be anxious, feel overwhelmed and a bit shut down at times.
Sonia Scussel
Like everyone else. I'm still human and life is not kinder to me than it is to everyone else. Fortunately I now have the tools to understand these moments and the capacity to not feel trapped in them.
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...
Michelle McClintock
Very rarely. I enjoy what I do, and I consciously choose to take a positive mindset to each and very day.
And if I am having a bad hair day, sitting down and listening and being present with...
Kim Bailey
All the time. I have straight Asian hair and unbeknown to non Asians they are a nightmare to keep looking tidy!
