Meeting Point Counselling

Owner/operator of Meeting Point Counselling, addiction-recovery specialist and former founding host of the Men’s Show on Bay FM 99.9, Andy Travis, introduces transpersonal counselling…

‘Transpersonal’ means transcending the ordinary sense of self. The idea behind transpersonal counselling is to facilitate clients’ exploration of ‘non-ordinary states of consciousness’ (without drugs). This can enable clients to access more resources than ordinary talk therapy.

Any good therapist listens well and supports you to find your own solutions. In addition, here are four non-ordinary states of consciousness that you could be taken through during a session at Meeting Point Counselling:

• Tailor-made guided meditation. Starting with a relaxation of the body and a centring into the present moment. From there, the meditation could include one or more of the following, depending on your preference: Grounding; tuning in to and feeling alignment of energy centres up the spine; awareness of the third eye, understood in mystical traditions as the seat of consciousness; opening to a Higher Power; feeling for a resource or inspiration to deal with a particular issue; affirmations and/or visualisations that could help you move towards greater wholeness.

www.brahmakumaris.org

• iRest Yoga Nidra. iRest stands for Integrative Restoration. It’s a meditative and nurturing practice that can be done on your own or as part of a counselling session. One of its key components is exploring what primary sensations are in your body. The process then integrates opposing sensations (and/or thoughts and/or emotions.)

www.irest.us

• Focussing. During a session, sometimes a client comes up with a burning personal question about an issue or difficult situation. Sometimes they just can’t get a satisfying answer with their analytical mind alone. Focussing is a simple technique you can be guided through to ask your own body’s wisdom that question.

• SEEL stands for State-Enhanced Exploration and Learning. It’s a transpersonal process that’s like hypnosis. Whereas Focussing enquires of the body, SEEL enquires of the unconscious. A guided SEEL journey can often be a gold mine of symbology / deeper meaning and hidden resources for clients.

Andy and his partner, Despina, moved from Byron Shire to 7 ½ acres in Smiths Creek three and a half years ago. During this time as a new Uki local, along with learning to be a farm boy, he’s completed an Advanced Diploma of Transpersonal Counselling and a Diploma of Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapy. He’s meditated with Brahma Kumaris Australia for over 30 years, facilitated addiction recovery group and individual work for over 10 years, and facilitated men’s groups for five years. Meeting Point Counselling operates from the cabin (pictured) on their property.