Effective Working with High Levels of Stress and Overwhelm
August 10, 2023 @ 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
Helping clients effectively and immediately regulate high levels of stress and state of overwhelm.
Many clients present to therapy highly stressed, overwhelmed or “numb” and distant from their emotional experiencing. In both ways, they are stuck in a ‘reactive state’ and unable to process what they experience and make adaptive choices in their life situations. Neurologically, they are not in “a social engagement” or optimal processing zone. They are either stuck in being unable to make important decisions or making hasty ones which further perpetuate problems.
Consequently, it is often very challenging for therapists to engage such clients and start establishing a therapeutic alliance without helping them to regulate first. In such states, the clients cannot say what they need or what their goals are. Unfortunately, relaxation techniques can have unwanted effects – highly stressed people cannot engage or get irritable, and already withdrawn or emotionally “numb” clients get even further distant from their experience.
Combination of the theory and practice was great. I really enjoyed the experience of facilitating clearing a space and partaking in it. – Participant.
This workshop is going to provide practical learning of the process called “Clearing a Space” which has been developed in the context of Focusing–Oriented Therapy (FOT). It has been researched and utilised as a stand-alone process with many applications. Various research studies have confirmed the effectiveness of the Clearing a Space process in the:
- Immediate reduction of a high level of stress
- Efficient dealing with a state of overwhelm, overstimulation and consequent numbing
- Facilitating a sense of self that is separate from the problems, which enables instantaneous a shift of the whole experience of the problems
- Providing incremental release of the bodily tension
- Dealing with sleeping problems
- Promoting a sense of wellbeing in people recovering from cancer and other challenging health issues
- Promoting the students’ learning in all educational settings
- As a tool for mental hygiene for all health professionals
Upon completion of the workshop, participants will be able to apply the Clearing a Space process in their personal life and professional settings.
Our Trainers
Biliana Dearly, Senior Lecturer
Ms Biliana Dearly is a psychotherapist, supervisor and educator who has experience in working with people of all walks of life presenting with a wide range of problems, including working with individuals, couples, and health professionals. She has a particular interest in experiential, process-oriented therapy and working with the ‘whole person’. Biliana is a senior lecturer at the Cairnmillar Institute and a Certifying Coordinator for The International Focusing Institute, USA.
Biliana has excellent expression/wording which helps refine my understanding and clarity of the subject. – Participant.
Important Information
Please note, this course is subject to receiving a minimum number of enrolments and conditional to Government restrictions implemented at the time of the course. In the case we are unable to deliver a face-to-face workshop, the event will be transferred to online delivery instead. We will email all registered attendees as soon as possible if changes are required. In this case, a free course transfer will also be available to an alternative course date, or a full refund of the course minus any platform ticketing fees.
Ticket Options
To request an invoice to be sent to you, please type “invoice” into the promotional code section on page two of the event enrolment form.
By purchasing a ticket, you are confirming to have read and agreed to the Enrolment Terms and Conditions set by The Cairnmillar Institute.