Clinical Case Study by natural health therapist, Joannah Metcalfe

I see this gentleman, who is in his early forties, once a month – usually for preventative aromatherapy massage and Reiki. He usually has some degree of neck/back shoulder tension/discomfort. He has an open, relaxed nature and is usually someone who finds it easy to laugh at life’s challenges and keep them in proportion, discussing any concerns easily and with a degree of self awareness.

However, on this occasion I had been briefed by a relative (with his permission) that he was struggling. It was the 1 year anniversary of the death of a very close family member, who he misses dreadfully. This, coupled with a few other issues at home and at work had compounded, and it had all become too much. He had begun to break down at the mention of his loved one, and was finding work a real pressure.

When he came in – we had decided to book a two hour session to give us all the time we needed, I first of all asked him, in his own words – to describe to me how he was feeling, and what he was worried about, if he felt able. We have a good rapport and level of trust, built up over a period of 8 years, so he found it easy to talk, which was great. With a little encouragement and discussion I was able to ascertain there were 3 main areas of concern, a work issue, a home issue but the foundation issue – the main problem that was causing the essential difficulty, was grief. I asked him if he felt that  if this feeling was different for him – if he felt that the other issues would be resolvable. We agreed that he had begun to lack perspective on these other issues due to the emotional turbulence he was feeling in relation to his loss.

I suggested therefore, that we focused on this aspect of how he was feelings, and then reviewed how he was feeling about/coping with the other issues. I also suggested that we have 3 more sessions weekly to back up the momentum we started that day, so he felt additional support and was less worried about losing his job through “being unable to cope”. He appeared to feel very positive that things were beginning to move forwards almost immediately. A degree of relief at admitting how he was feeling, instead of keeping it “all inside” (not wanting to upset /worry his family). I also reassured him that I had helped other people in similar situations very successfully, so I felt confident that we could improve how he was feeling. I was also informed that he had been for a check-up to his GP, who was discussing the possibility of anti-depressant medication, had signed him off work for 2 weeks and asked to see him again at the end of that period. I asked him to let him know about our sessions, which he already had discussed, and the GP was very positive about it. Times are changing!!

I first of all started with a TFT (Thought Field Therapy) session, to clear some emotional blocks and release the lack of self confidence and fearful feelings that he had. After a mere 30 minutes he was laughing rather than crying when we revisited certain issues. I said that it was important that he could look back and remember the vastly predominant happy memories he had shared with his relative, without the recent sadness occluding these happy feelings and pictures in his mind eye. He was delighted that this began to happen again within this time. Yet again I was impressed with how quickly this therapy unlocks peoples inner resources and innate capabilities with such profound rapidity and gentle effectiveness, as blocks are released.

I then gave him a back massage and some Reiki, as he was holding on to a great deal of tension and his posture was quite hunched. I used Lavender, Petitgrain and Sandalwood to ease the physical and emotional tension and to boost confidence and a feeling of calm reassurance.

We finished with a 45 minute Hypnotherapy session. In this session I concentrated on various techniques (including NLP) to help him to release his worries and fears (in a content free way) and allow his confidence and self esteem to gather momentum once again. I finished this session with some “time line” work “future pacing”, getting him to imagine experiencing some future happy times (he had mentioned some events he was looking forwards to) and bringing those positive happy feelings back into the present moment, reinforcing his natural optimism and the “feel good factor”.

He left looking a completely different man. His colour/complexion was pink (it had been white when he came in 2 hours previously) his posture more relaxed and upright. He was grinning and laughing, and recounting some positive memories of his loved one as he left.

This type of session is always such a joy, as it enables you to hand back the inner resources that we all have within us, but sometimes lose connection with. Occasionally we all need a little help to get back to feeling ourselves once again.  I have seen this gentleman again this week and he was delighted to report that he was able to remember his loved one without feeling upset, he was sleeping better and feeling more himself. We will continue reinforcing these feelings over the next few weeks, just to make sure he’s back on track. Then back to our monthly sessions once again, unless anything else needs additional attention or resolution.

Joannah Metcalfe