Reiki

Tarot and Psychotherapy

~ claire ballardie

What are Tarot cards?

Tarot cards come in different decks. I use a popular set of cards by Rider Waite. Interpretation of the images can be useful in psychotherapy as a way  to explore unconscious thoughts. Interpretation of the cards helps you to understand how and why you react to situations in a certain way,  developing a sense of intuition, and self-awareness.

Carl Jung, was a pioneer in psychotherapy. He worked with myths and symbols, and the relevance of dreams as being a window into the unconscious mind.

How Tarot cards are used in therapy

 

The images on Tarot cards are symbolic, and their meaning can be interpreted in many ways.

As a psychotherapist, I work with you to see what the images and archetypes represent to you, how they make you feel.

 

For example, when looking at a tarot card closely, notice what you are first drawn to in the image- how does it make you feel? What does it bring to mind for you? There are more than one interpretation of the cards, with the ‘shadow side’ as relevant as the initial response to the image. The cards can be used individually, or interpreted as a spread, or small group. In therapy, we focus on making sense of what the cards mean to you.

Looking more closely at the chosen card, what does each thing represent, either in the past or present? Reading tarot cards is not about predicting the future, but to recognise elements about yourself, your thoughts and feelings around the images, and what they symbolise and mean to you at the moment.

What is an Archetype?

An archetype is a symbolic image that is derived from the past collective experience of humanity and is present in the unconscious mind of the individual, such as Gods or Goddesses, the image of a hermit, or a fool. An archetype may remind you of someone in your life, or an aspect of yourself. Exploring this archetype can help to see yourself, or other people, from a different perspective. Seeing both ‘sides’ of an image (shadow side), highlights both positive and negative straights, wither in ourselves, or as we see others..

Your personal development can get ‘stuck’ at any stage in your life. Using tarot cards in therapy can tap into unconscious processes, and help you to see things from a different perspective. This can help you to develop a sense of peace and control over aspects of your life, planning  a brighter future.

For more information about using Tarot cards in individual psychotherapy sessions or in small development groups, please contact me.

 

 

Psycho-Spiritual Development Group

~ claire ballardie

Psycho-spiritual awareness has both psychological and energietic qualities. We are often aware of our physical wellbeing and our mental capacity, but our energetic self needs care and development too. This course is to help you to develop as a sentient being- one who has a heightened sense of awareness, both of yourself and the world around you.

This development group is aimed at helping you to develop your intuition, to listen to your ‘gut feeling’, to help you to fine-tune the use of your senses. A useful course for CPD for practitioners/therapists, or for self-development.

This 4-week course of 2-hour sessions costs £20 per session and includes:

  • Grounding techniques
  • The body’s energy: chakras and the nervous system
  • Psychology of the senses (clairaudience, clairvoyance, clairsentience, claircognisance)
  • Psychometry
  • Visualisation
  • Intuitive Interpretation of Tarot cards
  • Dream analysis
  • Meditation

What is the Psyche?

The psyche, according to Carl Jung, consists of your conscious mind (ego), your unconscious mind, and the collective unconscious: shared experience with others.

The conscious mind (Ego) is about your sense of self, being aware of what you are thinking, remembering and feeling in the present.

The unconscious mind is about forgotten memories, experiences and emotions that impact on your responses to the world around you. However, you have no awareness of their effect on your reactions, mood, behaviour.

The collective unconscious is a shared experience with others, such as religion, symbolism, rituals.

Please be aware that being present in both mind and body is essential before exploring the body’s energy and sensitivity. 

If you are interested in this course, please contact me. Dates to be arranged once there is sufficient interest. This will be a small group, limited to 4-6 participants.

The Language of Emotional Energy

~ claire ballardie

The Language of Emotional Energy

 Does your body speak to you? Do you listen when it does?

Do you ever have a ‘gut feeling’ about someone? A sense of joy perhaps, of feeling a connection with someone, but you don’t know why? Or perhaps you meet someone that you take an instant dislike to, a sense of foreboding? Emotional energy is created from the effect of your personal life experience.

 

The energy fuelling our emotion response is created by our nervous system. We may describe this as a ‘vibe’ or a ‘gut feeling’. We may meet someone who makes us feel safe, and calm, an instinct that we can trust them. Alternatively, someone may ‘gives us the creeps’, a sense that we need to steer clear of them. Emotional energy fuels joy, positivity, or is the driving force behind anger.

 

We can also connect with others with our emotional energy, by sensing what the other person feels, or needs in that moment. This is where compassion and empathy come in.

Energetic sensitivity

Having energetic awareness (mindfulness) is about noticing how your own emotional energy is at any given moment, in response to other people, or outside influences. It is about sensing what you, or the other person, needs. Sensitivity to this energetic response brings you in touch with your emotions, how you feel. Your ‘energy field’ can protect you if you feel afraid, a shield against unwelcome intrusions.

Energetic sensitivity enables us to be more aware of how we feel emotionally in the moment, in any situation we find ourselves in.

Intuition

Intuition is the ability to sense something, to respond instinctively, without the process of conscious thought. Our body lets us know something is amiss with physical sensations, such as a ‘gut reaction’ a knot in your stomach.

Trusting our intuition comes from developing energetic sensitivity. We become aware of emotion in others, if someone is tense, or relaxed and calm.

How emotional energy works for you

Giving off negative energy, a ‘keep away vibe’ , in situations you may find challenging, such as in a crowded room, will let others know you feel uncomfortable, with out uttering a word.

You can give off positive energy if you feel safe, confident. Being in the presence of someone who has a calming energy can give you a sense of safety, that it is OK to relax.

Paying attention to your own energetic responses, and those from other people, helps you to negotiate the world of connection to others, on your own terms. This can give you a sense of self-worth, confidence, and feeling comfortable in your own skin.

As a psychotherapist, I can work with you to find balance with your own  emotionally energy.

Contact me for more information.

Relaxation

~ claire ballardie

What is relaxation?

  • The ability to rest and recovery after work, physical effort, or mental challenges.
  • Doing something that you enjoy, for pleasure.
  • Finding a sense of peace, of fulfillment.
  • Feeling calm, safe, comfortable.

 

Why is it good for me?

  • It calms the nervous system, reducing stress, anxiety.
  • It slows your beathing and heart rate,
  • It reduces stress, improves sleep
  • It helps you to feel better about yourself, lifts your mood.
  • It improves rational thought, reducing the ‘what ifs’ and worries in your mind.

 

 

 

How do I relax?

  • Pay attention to your breath, focusing on calm, rhythmic breathing.
  • Send this calmness to where you feel tense in your body.
  • Move gently, stretching your muscles to shift tension.
  • Visualise a peaceful scene, imagining you are in a safe, calming place.

Summary

We can relax when we feel safe, and able to let go of our fears, our worries.

Relaxation is essential- without the ability to relax, we live in a permanent state of anxiety, you have need to ‘keep busy’.

So, let go of what you think you need to do right now, and just be present, pay attention to yourself. Feel safe, calm and take that deep breath right now. Relax.

Reiki

~ claire ballardie

I offer Reiki at my practice in Market Lavington.

What is Reiki?

 

Reiki (Universal life force energy) is an ancient technique, re-discovered by Dr Mikao Usui a Japanese theologian, in the 19th century. It is used to provide that extra boost for the body, promoting the flow of energy helping the body heal itself naturally.

On-line and face to face options are available. During a face to face treatment, I will channel this energy through my hands and use it to rebalance the chakras, or energy centres. On-line, I use distance Reiki to work with you.

What happens in a session?

Reiki is a non-invasive, complementary therapy using the energy that flows through all living things, which Eastern medicine has worked with for thousands of years. You will be fully clothed lying on a couch or sitting on a chair. I will place my hands just above or lightly touch, different areas, concentrating on where the energy is most needed.

 

Your body will take as much energy as it requires. It has the ability to heal itself, but sometimes this healing process becomes weak, or blocked. Your energy can be affected by stress, anxiety, life events, or illness. Reiki helps to bring balance to your mind, body and soul, encouraging deep relaxation, promoting self-healing.

I offer Reiki as one-off session, or can include Reiki techniques into counselling sessions if this would be beneficial to you.

Reiki can help with (for example):
  • Anxiety and Stress
  • Fatigue
  • Poor circulation
  • Balancing emotion
  • Immune system
  • Digestion
  • Respiratory issues
  • Skin problems
  • Migraine
  • Menopause
  • Insomnia

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