Structure of sessions

On being listened to, and talking about risks

Your first Healing The Shadow session (either face to face or via zoom) will probably be 5 hours long. This allows you to go deeply in to the issue you wish to work on, and to work at the speed and depth that is appropriate and safe for you, with plenty of breaks and lots of time. One of the most important aspects of this type of shadow work work is the deep listening I provide: a confidential, empathic space devoted to you, to listening deeply to all of the things you have to say, and understanding the meaning behind your words. Later we can move on to work "on the carpet"....

If your time is limited, or if you feel you need to take the work more slowly, so that you can fully assimilate and process what is happening, what we are uncovering together as you work, you can also split this first shadow work session over two days: 3 hours and 3 hours.

You might choose to use a 5hr Healing The Shadow session to start working on a specific issue and then return for a series of shorter sessions - to best suit the time that you have available, and the explorations that you wish to make. Some clients book a series of 5 hours sessions over a period of a few months. There is considerable flexibility around these options.

Shadow work can be deep and powerful. My experience allows me to “hold” whatever you bring to a session safely and strongly. This means the timing and structure is largely guided by what you want to explore on the day, and by your sense of what is safe and best for you throughout the time you working with me. This is a time where I will support you so you can explore parts of yourself without any ‘real world’ consequences.

Before your first Healing The Shadow session, you will have completed a detailed Confidential Information Form. In your session we may start by giving you space to speak at length about what is going on for you, exploring what you want to work on, and what you are bringing to the session. During this time we can discuss your family history and significant events in your life,  so that I can facilitate you safely later on when we move on to the carpet work. 

Before we start the carpet work, where I will facilitate a process that addresses the issue you would like to work on, I will introduce you to what working on the carpet looks like....

The timings above are approximate and every session is adapted to suit what is best and most appropriate for you, on the day.

Alongside all of this, we take as many breaks as you like.

You may choose to make use of the time in a 5 hour session to talk and be deeply listened to. This might be the first time that you have been listened to in this way.

I will also spend as much time as is needed discussing and working with the parts of you that see risks to doing this type of work. In this form of shadow work, we hold a belief that your sense of what is safe and what is best for you is of fundamental value, and it is to be welcomed and listened to - never ignored, avoided or swept aside.

Shadow work sessions are known for providing a shame free space for you to explore parts of yourself.