An author, who me?: February Reflections

I've spent the last 5 years writing whenever I had spare moments, often after I had offered supervision to another counsellor or therapeutic professional. I wanted to bridge the gap between theory and practice: dealing with the complexity of child protection concerns, navigating questions of sex and complex families, and even not having a room to work in. The real day-to-day issues of therapy with young people.

With a lot of curating and care those notes have turned into a full book:

A Practical Guide for Working Therapeutically with Teenagers and Young Adults

Last month was spent doing final tweaks with the lovely Catherine at PCCS books and pouring excitedly over book cover designs. And this month I'm hopeful to announce a release date. I'm excited to share the labour of love with you.

This may all seem calmly presented, but please know that I am sick with excitement.

All my life I've been a book nerd, carrying the maximum 8 books out of the library and finishing every book in the children's section before begging to be released into the adult aisles. And now my name will be on an actual book! I may look different now... glowy and nauseous.

Themes to explore

I have felt overwhelmed with themes to consider this month, my squirrel brain has been jumping from topic to topic, from sex education to the way I store my notes to the research behind the crossover in the diagnosis of autism and EUPD. So, my theme this month is embracing my squirrel brain and giving myself permission to explore those rabbit holes of thought. Why not, it’s still cold outside!

Things to Read

• Open When by Dr Julie Smith - I am currently reading ‘Open When’, a book recommended to me recently. It is a book to help you find your way at different difficult moments in life. Because it isn’t authoritative but more personal, it feels like we can take from it what we need, and even as a reflection, it is helpful to think about how we do handle situations such as feeling unwelcome, overwhelmed, and consumed with grief. It feels for a moment, someone is holding your hand to help you find the way.

• Mirror Me by Lisa Williamson Rosenburg. This is a fiction book but explores (if in a somewhat fantastical way) a representation or experience of BPD. I started to absorb it initially from a therapist's perspective but shortly moved to simply enjoy it as a fiction story.

• In a month or two, this may be my book A Practical Guide To Working Therapeutically With Teenagers And Young Adults!

Tools to Try

Acupressure Rings

These inexpensive, small rings can be bought in multiple (Amazon) and are surprisingly helpful. If you work with young adults in any capacity, I recommend keeping a couple in your pocket. Whilst research around fidget toys is mixed, there is an agreement that, for many, it aids in calming and regulation. If you are working with a disregulated young person, sharing one of these small rings is a peace offering, immediately diffusing defensive behaviour and showing you are there to support, not berate. It is a distraction, interrupting negative thoughts and behaviours. If you use one as well, it offers the chance for mirrored behaviour and a sense of connection. Finally, it offers the intended use of regulation and grounding. If you are working with those who struggle with self-harm, or you suspect they do, these rings can help manage these urges as, with some pressure, they can stimulate a sense of pain without harm.

• Ideas to Consider

  • Research - As I have been writing more recently, I have found myself back in the world of research papers. I have to admit if I am not writing, I tend to lean towards the easier-to-digest articles, podcasts and books. However, it feels like a misstep to avoid them, this way, we get the core data and usually the more recent hypothesis and findings, with less bias and interpretation. I am not saying I read the entire study, like most of us, I read the abstract and the conclusion; little effort, great reward. Maybe consider including research papers in the odd Google search or I find Chat GPT is a great way to find links to relevant papers.

  Resources and CPD to Explore

  • Childline Report Remove - https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/report-remove/ Childline has a new service that supports those under 18s in getting any online sexualised content of them removed, using the Internet Watch Foundation. A hugely valuable tool for those working with young people to be aware of.

  • Safe Lives has several resources and support around Domestic Violence -
    Resources library - SafeLives Holding an awareness and general knowledge of Domestic violence is so important. Even if this is not something that you deal with regularly, being able to signpost and find information quickly can help keep your clients and young people safe and you calmer in a disclosure or conversation. I also recommend their very comprehensive training.

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  What’s New?

  Some of my resources are now available to purchase for immediate download, tools to use in therapy sessions with young people and old! Store 1 — Branch Counselling

  Closing Thought

  As we start to think about Spring, hold on to those urges of productivity, let them simmer a little longer while you attend to self-care and wait for some spring bulbs to sprout.

  Lovely to share a moment with you,

  Helen

  Thanks for reading Therapy for a New Generation: Working with Young People! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.