Although this workshop is directed primarily at counsellors and therapeutic work it will be of interest to anyone in mid life and those who support those who are.
In spite of a rapidly increasing rhetoric about longevity and positive ageing in recent years, there remains a prevailing narrative that we are growing until we are in our midlife and then we decline until death. Associated with this is considerable stigma and shame associated with ageing, which can drive our experiences to be hidden and ignored, even from ourselves. So much is being missed without open acknowledgement and dialogue within friendship groups, families, the workplace, health and mental health practitioners of the challenges and growth opportunities of this phase of life. Midlife is a time of regeneration and revolution of self as well as one of loss, it is one of liberation as well as of dependency. Through a deep understanding of the landscape of midlife and menopause (developmentally, emotionally and physically) we practitioners can listen in and help our clients navigate this intense, complex time of their lives. Such a perfect storm of personal growth, if navigated well! How well prepared are therapists, society, and our workplaces to respond to this life stage? And how can the therapeutic space be a place where the myriad of physical and emotional ‘symptoms’ are witnessed and explored in service of clients’ growth? How do we make sure we don’t inadvertently silence or homogenise those we work with? After all, midlife, as with every other experience, is an entirely unique experience for us all. These are the themes that we will cover in this session, shining a light on the subject and empowering practitioners and individuals to navigate it openly and bravely.
Bio
Helen Kewell is a humanistic counsellor and supervisor with a private practice in Sussex. She is the author of ;Living Well and Dying Well: Tales of counselling older people' and ‘Midlife: Stories of crisis and growth from the counselling room’, published by PCCS Books. She is a regular contributor to BACP Workplace and Therapy Today and a spokesperson for the BACP on ageing and midlife. Helen is also an educator in counselling and wellbeing and a management consultant specialising in leadership, people and organisational change.
Check out Helen's website here.
CPD certificate : 2 hours
