Intuition is the knowledge within us.\u00a0 Look at the word:\u00a0 INtuition ->INside.\u00a0 To use intuition, we have to trust ourselves and follow our feelings.\u00a0 In general, as a society, we spend so much time focusing on logic and what \u201cmakes sense in our heads,\u201d that we neglect our gut feelings.\u00a0 Research is showing the body has neural fibers associated with communication and memories located OUTSIDE of the brain.\u00a0 This makes sense!\u00a0 We are not just heads hovering around, but whole people with whole bodies!\u00a0 Research has also shown vertical integration, listening to feedback from our bodies, is vital for brain development and is a function of secure attachment.\u00a0 With all this, there is no way I am able to ignore my intuition, least of all during sessions.<\/p>\n
So, how do I use my intuition as a therapist?\u00a0 I pay attention to how I am feeling during sessions and listen to my brain chatter.\u00a0 I follow my clients\u2019 leads and trust them to show me what they need most during our time together.\u00a0 Sometimes what they need is not verbalized or readily apparent.\u00a0 This is where my intuition is really important.\u00a0 I offer words and activities that feel true<\/em> to the client\u2019s predicament.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I recognize that \u201cfeel true\u201d may be a bit airy-fairy for some people, but I firmly believe in its power.\u00a0 Sometimes, I ignore what feels true<\/em> and play it safe by following my treatment plan to a T.\u00a0 I have to be honest here, when I do that, the sessions are not bad, but they lack something that those, where I follow my intuition, have.<\/p>\n Active listening within sessions shows me if my intuition is correct: the client will always make it known if I am following her\/him or leading them to a path that feels incongruent.\u00a0 If I find I am leading more that aiding, I pull back and readjust.\u00a0 Likewise, active listening shows me if I need to follow my intuition more: sometimes I follow all the \u201cright\u201d interventions and they just do not work as well as I hope.<\/p>\n My feelings on intuition during sessions can be surmised as this: I trust that my client and myself have the knowledge within to facilitate growth.\u00a0 The client, deep inside, knows what feels true to him\/her and I, following their lead and my gut, can offer therapeutic interventions to aid their growth.\u00a0 These interventions can include, following my treatment plan exactly, venturing away from it, or even referring to another therapist.<\/p>\n I would love to hear your thoughts and stories about intuition and sessions!\u00a0 Email me at: Jaclyn@trecartintherapy.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Intuition is the knowledge within us.\u00a0 Look at the word:\u00a0 INtuition ->INside.\u00a0 To use intuition, we have to trust ourselves and follow our feelings.\u00a0 In general, as a society, we spend so much time focusing on logic and what \u201cmakes sense in our heads,\u201d that we neglect our gut feelings.\u00a0 Research is showing the body […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1001026,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,409],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-counsellingandpsychotherapyincanada","category-privatepractice"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n