Derek McMillan, the first certified practitioner of Gabor Mate’s compassionate inquiry in Scotland, is offering these trauma exploration sessions this autumn. They are aimed at facilitators, spaceholders, and helping professionals to support them in their work.

There is more info on our website about each particular session. (see below)

The dates are Tuesdays, 19:15 – 20:45, in the Studio.

• 16th September: Creating safety in the body
• 28th October: Moving beyond the stories we tell ourselves
• 18th November: Embracing our authentic self
• 16th December: Transforming core beliefs

28th October: Moving beyond the stories we tell ourselves

“We may not be responsible for the world that created our mind, but we can take responsibility for the mind that creates our world.” – Gabor Mate

You will work individually, in pairs and in groups practising a range of activities, which will help you and others to experience a deep and safe connection with your body.

The intentions for this session are:

1. To understand how our thoughts shape our experience of ourselves and the world.

2. To bring awareness to and lead others in making a distinction between thoughts, bodily sensations and emotions.

3. To understand the difference between explicit and implicit memories.

4. To create new ways of understanding and experiencing ourselves and the world.

Guidelines of the space

Explicit agreements: The topic here is trauma and you may get triggered. We’re here to learn how to work with it and so I encourage you to lean into your edge. However, if things get too much for you then know that you don’t have to share anything that you don’t want to; you can leave the room and give yourself some space; there will be an assistant here who can be with you if you need some support. What will support you in feeling safe?

If at any point you feel uncomfortable with a topic, a person or an issue we’re discussing, get curious about it. Ask yourself, what am I making this mean? Is it true? And if it’s not true, then what is true?

If you do not want to share out loud then you have the option of journaling or sitting and connecting with your breath and body, whatever helps you to regulate and express yourself in a way that feels safe.