Relax your body. Free your mind.
The mind is like water on a lake surface reflecting everything that surrounds it. When that lake starts to ripple and waves build up we become stressed, anxious and mentally unwell. In this state we try to calm the waves and the ripples out of our mind by flatting the waves with our hands, but this only serves to cause bigger splashes and disturb the water more and more. When this happens the reflection of our reality, our world is unclear and distorted. However, if we let go and surrender, the mind will be allowed to settle. Read more below.
When our mind is still, it will take on the form of a mirror. The reflection of our world will become peaceful and beautiful, as we see life just as it is without any future or past attachments, preferences or expectations on how life should be. In this mind set we allow ourselves to enjoy the beautiful, chaotic, shocking and sometimes destructive flow of life without needing to change a thing, and enjoying it every step of the way.
That is exactly what my approach to therapy is designed to do. Using evidence based, client centred and strength-based approaches via the methods and interventions of occupational (engagement and exposure based) (OT or EET) therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help create the mental, social and physical environment that allows your mind to become still like a mirror and become the very best version of yourself. Through defusing and dissolving unhelpful thinking styles, emotional blockages and behaviour patterns and cultivating behaviours which a line with the values, behaviours and thinking styles of acceptance, courage and compassion we can learn to not just survive, struggles and suffer our way through life, but thrive, finding meaningful pursuits and enjoy it to the fullest with complete confidence that we can handle anything it can throw at us.
Core Principals
Acceptance
Courage
Self-compassion
My Therapy & Approach
1 Hour 1-1 Talking Therapy (£90)
This sessions is designed to help you build confidence and self-esteem. We’ll use a variety of effective techniques to achieve your goals. Can be done online, or in person either at your home or in the therapy office.
1 Hour Gradual, Guided Exposure Therapy (£120)
One of the biggest hallmarks of developing self-esteem and confidence is learning to relax in uncomfortable situations. I’ll guide you through the process using research-backed techniques,
Personal Meditation Recording (£25 each)
I’ll record you a meditation designed specifically around your needs and goals. You’ll gain access to the audio file and can listen to it however often you want, whenever you want.
Group Embodiment and Emotional Releasing (£30pp)
I’ll guide the group through positive embodiment and help to release negative or weighing emotions.
Group Self-Esteem
Workshop (£20pp)
In this workshop, I’ll work with the group to help you and others grow and improve their self-esteem.
1 Hour Group Mindfulness Therapy (£20pp)
Release stress and negative emotions in a safe environment. I’ll teach you how to relax your body at will, even under stressful circumstances.
I’m Ben, fully licensed and qualified therapist specialising in self growth.
“Let me tell you why you’re here… you’re here because you know something. What you know you can’t explain, but you feel it. You have felt it for as long as you have been alive. That there is something wrong with your world, you don’t know what it is, but it’s there like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad.”
At the age of 21, having experienced mental breakdown after breakdown while ironically studying my undergrad degree in psychology at Exeter University, this is how I felt as I attended my first CBT therapy session for social anxiety and self-esteem. I also felt that, although useful, the techniques and strategies I was taught from those following CBT sessions did not come close to actually touching the root of that feeling. If anything, they were simply covering them up and allowing them to fester. Other members of the mental health community would look at me and simply disregard or disqualify or simply lack the understanding in my condition to even see my problem as worth treating.
I had never once had suicidal thoughts so everything must have been fine right? But even if those I went to for help could not see it, I knew there was something wrong. I was so socially inept that I could not make any friends. I lacked so much confidence that I had been fired not once, but 3 times on this aspect alone. And as for the relationship I had with my girlfriend…. well I didn’t have one and was adamant that I never would, for who would ever want to be with me. But I am nothing but determined, and I made it my mission to find a way out and to help others to do the same. I was determined to free my mind.
Now 29, a mere 7 years’ worth of effort, trial and error and dedication (not to mention going through a global pandemic which slowed my progress and unbelievable amount) I have achieved what I set out to do and refined my approach through practicing in the NHS to a degree where you can learn to do the same if you have the dedication to change yourself. To quote my first social mentor word for word, “If you do as I say, give me a year and I will give you the tools to make you the most confident person you know.”
If you’re hoping that my journey was easy, think again. You cannot learn how to handle the waves of life by escaping the storm that causes them. You must surrender and embrace the storm until you settle in its eye. Through learning to cultivate acceptance, courage and compassion for yourself, others and the world around you and letting go of emotions which make you avoid and resist life you can learn how to contain and shelter the waves of your mind letting them settle into stillness in the eye of the wonderful storm which is life.
Why Me / My Story
During my work as a mental health occupational therapist, I have received training as in both Dialectical behavioural therapy and Acceptance commitment therapy. I also previously have had training in hypnotherapy and counselling and specialised in Mindfulness based cognitive therapy during my undergrad psychology degree.
During my short career in the NHS I have worked with extremely complex comorbid cases where the simple linear approaches of CBT, DBT and medication are ineffective. My synoptic and person-centred approach to therapeutic intervention helps to yield subtle but effective change where the above approaches (although effective when used appropriately) often fall short in these more complex cases. My approach works because of a simple principle that I have applied compassionately throughout my career. I treat people based on the fact they are human beings; not based on the individual diagnosis or diagnoses they happen to have. But, to be specific, I specialise in Developing Self-esteem, and self-confidence, anxiety/stress management, behavioural activation and graded exposure.
Who this therapy is (and isn’t) for
In Mirror Mind Therapy I have concessions as to who I can work with. Firstly, I regret to say due to conflict of interest if you are of a community mental health team within the NHS then I am unable to see you. Also due to similar conflicts of interests due to the work I am already doing in the NHS I cannot see anyone who is currently suicidal or engaging in self-harming behaviours. I also do not specialise in eating disorders, psychotic disorders (including type 1 bipolar) or learning disabilities such as Autism or ADHD. I also believe that therapeutic rapport is one of the most important elements to effective change, more so than any therapeutic intervention. Due to this I am willing to offer a 30-minute consultation to ensure an appropriate triage and establish an effective working relationship with you.
Confidentiality
Keeping in line with the ethics and code of practice of RCOT, HCPC and NICE guidelines that I utilise within the NHS, the confidentiality of information sharing within 1-1’s, groups and potentially public exposure therapy sessions is of up most importance. All participants will be given a consent and service agreement form to sign on first session (weather that is 1-1 or group), ensuring that they understand the rules, limits and regulations of the service and all their shared information will be 100% confidential. All notes will be stored within an encrypted file, password protected by my biometric fingerprint.
Get in touch
Send me a message today or give me a call to book an appointment or find out more about how I can help.
Matrix Therapy
Relax your body. Free your mind.
Services
Meditation
Confidence
Anxiety
Depression
Contact
07775250003
ben@mirrormindtherapy.com