STT - A Selection of Talk and Thoughts on Writing, Counselling and Business

The Ups and Downs

2009-06-16T09:10:00.002+01:00

This is the time of the year when many people focus on the UPs and DOWNs of their favourite football team. With championships and play-offs and relegation battles there is a considerable amount of money at stake for many clubs as they face the final few days of the football season.

That got me to thinking about the words “UP” and “DOWN”. Both have many uses and I thought it would be fun to explore some of them here.

I would suggest that the little word UP has perhaps more meanings than any other two-letter-word in the English language. When we start the day, we wake UP. At any meeting we might attend there will be topics which come UP. At that same meeting some officers might be UP for election. It will be the responsibility of the secretary to write UP the minutes of the meeting and we might call UP our friends to tell them what a terrible meeting we have experienced.

You may look UP to someone, the weather might brighten UP, a beautiful baby might light UP our lives when we see her first smile. As that child grows UP she might play dressing UP or she might clean UP her bedroom or fix UP a meal for someone. She might even travel UP to London… and I’m starting to dry UP of ideas now, I think!

In the reversal of this we might dress DOWN for an occasion or even look DOWN on someone else who is there. If you break the law you could be sent DOWN by the judge or magistrate. Watership DOWN is the book, and film. Sadly, some people suffer with DOWN Syndrome.

For the sports fans among us there is the terrible threat of going DOWN to a lower division or league. This is balanced by the sheer delight of the fans whose team is coming UP!

All this takes me back to my courting days when I took my girlfriend (now wife) to a concert by Steeleye Span, an UP and coming folk-rock group of the 70s who are still around today. One of the songs this group sang is “The Ups and Downs” which I think is a nickname for a regiment of soldiers - it was a fun song anyway and I was pleased to see the lyrics are still available on the Internet.

It can be great fun to play around with words, and explore their odd uses and dream UP ways of using a particular word, whether you are writing a story, a poem or even a letter or email to a friend. There are writing courses which explore all of these.

I never get tired of playing with words and having fun with them. How about you?

Now I will shut UP!

Poet - Top of the Form!

2009-05-06T10:22:00.001+01:00

Carol Ann Duffy was named as the new Poet Laureate by Downing Street. She succeeds Andrew Motion who has held the post for the past ten years. Famous names who have held the post include William Wordsworth (1843-50), John Masefield (1930-67) and more recently, Ted Hughes (1984-99).

Equally famous are some of the people who have refused to accept the post. These poets include Sir Walter Scott (1813), William Morris (1896) and Philip Larkin (1984). So what is it about this position which makes it such a hot potato for some poets? What is a poet laureate?

According to Wikipedia, a Poet Laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government and is often expected to compose poems for State occasions and other government events. In the UK it is specifically the title of the official poet to the monarch. Poets laureate are appointed by many countries some of which even have a Children’s Laureate or a Student Poet Laureate.

Carol obviously has a string of credits to her name, in a number of different writing genres. Some of her work has found its way into the pages of the GCSE syllabus for Literature. When searching on the Internet for examples of her work I found a couple of really short pieces by the names of “Talent” and also “Stuffed” but the piece which really took my attention was the poem with the very catchy title, “The Captain of the 1964 Top of the Form Team”.

“The Captain” (to give it a shortened title) is a four verse poem all about the useful and useless knowledge which was required reading for teams which entered this competition - Top of the Form. I remember watching it as a child and as a young parent. This quiz show ran for a total of thirty-eight years from 1948 to 1986 either on radio or TV and sometimes on both. Again, upon researching “Top of the Form” I was reminded of the famous question masters who appeared on the show. Such folk as Bob Holness, Paddy Feeny and Geoffrey Wheeler were household names to the children and parents of that time.

It is very fitting that the quiz show is remembered in this rather erratic poem by our new Poet Laureate and it is perhaps an inspiration to those studying poetry that you can pick the most unusual subject matter for your next piece of work!

Until recently, piracy was all about counterfeit goods!

2009-04-23T13:14:00.002+01:00

Look up the word ‘piracy’ on any Internet search engine and you will be presented with lots of references to the production of forged DVDs or computer software or such like. But now, with the situation concerning the Somali Pirates escalating, we have reverted back to the meaning of the word and piracy is all about stealing boats and goods on the high seas.

However, did you know that until as recently as July 1998, piracy with violence was still a Capital Offence in England, which meant it carried the death penalty? It is hard to believe that as recently as that it was still technically possible to receive the death penalty for this crime.

There is a great deal of information to be found on the internet concerning the Death Penalty in Britain. I think a key date was probably 1808. This was the time when Samuel Romilly introduced reforms to abolish the penalty for around 200 crimes of a less serious nature. Up until then, it was possible to be hung for such ridiculous offences as “being in the company of gypsies for one month” or “vagrancy for a soldier or sailor”. Romilly really did set things in motion to clean up what became know as the “Bloody Code” in England and Wales.

However, it was not until Sidney Silverman’s private members bill of 1965 that the death penalty was suspended for five years, to eventually be abolished for almost all crimes in 1969. The last two people to be executed in England were Peter Allen and Gwynne Evans who were hung on 13th August 1964. The 13th really was an unlucky date for these to men.

The final twist in the story of the death penalty was the Criminal Justice Bill of 31-7-98 which removed the death penalty for High Treason and Piracy with Violence. However, with the Somali situation being on people’s minds at the moment maybe there will be calls for the reintroduction of this ultimate deterrent.

For those of you who are keen to write historical fiction, and need to have accuracy of detail for the penalties for particular crimes, then do search the Internet and discover the wealth of information on the subject. I am still searching, but it would appear that the youngest person to be hanged in England, for the simple act of stealing it would appear, was a 7-year-old child. What will your research turn up?

Writing Inspired by Worms!

2009-04-09T14:02:00.003+01:00

We recently had a crisis in our household. Well, I think we had a small problem but my wife assures me it is a crisis. In a moving round of some furniture we discovered a collection of little holes, and a pile of fine sawdust on one of the back support sections of our settee. It looked like woodworm we decided.

But what exactly is woodworm and what do you do about it? Well it was time to turn to the Internet and discover what the problem was. Wikipedia is always a good source of information on any subject so that is where I started. I very quickly established that there is more than one type of woodworm. Did we have Ambrosia beetles, or Common Furniture beetles, or Powder Post beetles or what?

Before I realized what was happening, I had forgotten the original problem and was merrily surfing the Net in order to improve my knowledge on all these little arthropods and their ability to consume my furniture. The level of detailed information was all quite fascinating and much more interesting that the plight of our settee.

Bookworms, I discovered, were actually not a specific breed of creature but a popular generalization for any insect which supposedly bores through books. These include silverfish and cockroaches. Our settee was actually in the room we very grandly call the library! As the name suggests this room is full of books. Now my interest was really taken up. I was not overly concerned about one settee, but if all our books are at risk of being on some bugs’ Michelin Food Guide to our library then I was all for some kind of remedial action.

The trouble is that these little blighters are only about one millimeter in length, and you only know you have them when they leave the holes they make and become bugs which fly away! Reading little phrases like “the adults do not feed; they just reproduce” didn’t fill me with confidence at all.

Anyway, it got me thinking about stories I could write which involved all this newly gleaned information I now had about woodworm. This writing could be fiction, science fiction or maybe a factual piece about the stresses of discovering these little holes. There was a slim chance I would be inspired to write poetry about my woes. I’ve already got a blog piece out of it all!

PTSD covered on TV – well almost!

2009-03-25T08:26:00.000Z

I have been somewhat bombarded this month with requests for help from TV companies. They are interested in looking at Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from a number of different angles and that is because the subject has been very newsworthy recently.

For one company it was a strong interest in the emergency services and PTSD. For another it was the way that soldiers were being affected with traumatic symptoms following tours of duty in Afghanistan or Iraq, or even Northern Ireland.

Both areas of study were of some considerable merit and I was happy to assist in any way that I could with either broadcaster (BBC and Granada). I was aware that working with any television company was always a matter of “hurry up and wait” because they are traditionally madly urgent about signing you up. Then they dangle you on a piece of string while they wait for the other elements of the ‘story’ they are developing actually to slot into place. Only when all the contributors are primed and ready will the producers set the wheels in motion and start filming.

I did drop a slight spanner in the works by daring to mention to one of these television companies the very dirty word - fee!

Anyway, time passed. Emails shuttled back and forth and the occasional telephone call was received by me and things appeared to be developing at the usual pace. The frustrating thing for me is the eternal belief of these TV companies which assume that they always have first call on your time and that everything else you are doing can wait, or be pushed to one side. I swiftly made it clear to both companies that I had other commitments which were carved in stone and just could not be dropped at a moment’s notice. They reluctantly accepted this surprising fact. I have worked with both companies before so I guess we all knew the game the other was playing.

Anyway, when push came to shove, neither company was in a position to continue with the development of the story. The excuses came in thick and fast and placatory words were exchanged in emails and over the phone. I guess I will have to ‘hurry up and wait’ for the next time these people come calling!

Children and Trauma

2009-03-10T10:27:00.001Z

For a good number of years I have been delivering training on PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and this subject has also been the basis of much of my writing. I am always on the lookout for writing from other people which will either further my own understanding of the subject or show new light on some aspect of the training I deliver.

One of my pet topics is PTSD and children and within that I explore some of the major traumatic events which have involved children. These historic events include the Aberfan disaster of 21st October 1966, the Buffalo Creek flooding on 26th February 1972, the Chowchilla kidnapping of 15th July 1976, and the Jupiter Cruise ship sinking on 21st October 1988. It was with great interest therefore, that I picked up on the blog of M.J.Best where she reflects upon the sinking of the Jupiter twenty years later. She was one of the many school children on that ship that fateful day and even twenty years later (at the age of 35) she has a considerably detailed memory of what happened on that day. She starts off the blog by expressing her deepest desire that writing the piece and sharing it with the world will help her “finally put it to rest”. One of the things which she describes so graphically is the smell of the diesel oil as she slid off the deck of the boat and into the oily sea.

I think this blog illustrates just how valuable the sharing experience can be. Such a terribly traumatic event needs to be shared with others - not to distress them but to help the teller come to understand the smaller details of the event.

The blog is also a reminder of just how important some smells and sounds can be as triggers which stimulate the memory - sometimes of good things, and sometimes of bad things - ‘smell’ is the greatest evocator of memories.

You can read more about the research studies which focused upon the children on the Jupiter Cruise ship in a book called “Wise before the Event” written by William Yule and Anne Gold. Alternatively, I have made some observations of my own in my text book on children and trauma “Supporting Children with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder” and in the course work written for the STT “Living and working with PTSD”. This is a distance learning course about PTSD and is suitable for anyone interested in a detailed study of the disorder.

Cracking the Dreaded Writer's Block

2009-02-25T08:25:00.002Z

If you've got round to reading my profile you will know I'm not only a counsellor but also a writer and writing tutor.

My students often complain about getting writer’s block. This can happen whatever you are doing. You might be writing the final chapter to your novel, or your University dissertation. You might be writing a short story or even writing a thank-you letter for that Christmas present that you really didn’t want. But you can’t write it! Your mind has gone completely blank and that great idea which came to you in the middle of the previous night has gone for good.

It happens to us all. There is no secret fix to get you around the problem. The best thing you can do is to walk away from your computer – perhaps go and stack the dishwasher or clean the car. Indeed, doing something mundane might actually help release your brain and allow it to think about your problem from a fresh point of view. Then, before you know where you are, you are rushing to your keyboard and you can’t get the ideas down quickly enough.

In an attempt to pre-empt writer’s block it is always a good idea to keep a tiny notepad and pencil beside you wherever you are. Then when ideas come to you, you can pause for a few seconds from what you are doing and can jot down a handful of key words which will remind you of your brilliant idea at a more convenient time.

This is how I wrote my first book, all about Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and how it had affected me. Some of the chapters flowed very easily but others were much harder work. Every paragraph was chiselled out at a painstakingly slow pace and several times I almost dried up completely. However, the little notebook came to my aid on a number of occasions and it has been with me ever since.

Of course, those of you with a bit of technical ability will be able to make use of your mobile phone or Note Book or Blackberry to do the same thing. These gadgets are in a different world from me. I admire everyone who can use them, just as I admire anyone who can programme a DVD recorder to save their favourite programmes on TV – but I know my limitations!

The ACC Conference

2009-02-10T15:18:00.004Z

What an interesting four days Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC), turned out to be. Some 320+ delegates attended with counsellors travelling from as far afield as USA, Iceland and Finland to attend my workshop I was running on Psychological Debriefing (I have a book out!).

I also got the chance to attend a couple of interesting workshops myself. On the Saturday morning I spent two and a half hours exploring the positives and negatives of Couple Counselling. This workshop, presented by Christine Tufnell, was an opportunity to explore why it is always a complicated issue to counsel more than one client at the same time.

On the Saturday afternoon, Chris and Sue Monckton-Rickett explored the field of Sandplay as a healing process. This was something very new to me and proved to be a bit of a personal struggle to apply the Jungian Theory to the concept of sandplay. See what you think!

Over the four days no less than 35 different workshops or teaching sessions were available. It is just a pity that time limits the number of events you can attend.

I suppose this is one of the disadvantages of attending conferences, whereas with distance learning time is not an issue. You study when you like and, with STT, you’re not isolated from fellow students as discussions go on through the forums – even if they take a little time!

Anyway it’s always a joy when a group of like-minded people can actively participate in any learning experience whether face-to-face or via the Internet.

Preparing to teach at the ACC Conference

2009-01-26T13:26:00.005Z

I am currently preparing for some training sessions at a Conference to be held at the end of January. “A better Offering - Intimacy and Involvement” is the title of the four day event hosted by the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) which is held at the Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, on a biannual basis. I am actually teaching for the first two days and then becoming a delegate for the second two days - a very enjoyable mix.

Preparing to teach for two days - when you know your audience is going to be hanging on your every word and ready to pounce - can be quite challenging and as part of my preparation for this I have been reading an interesting document by Cliff Atkinson and Richard Mayer with the title “Five ways to reduce PowerPoint overload”.

The problem of PowerPoint overload is a serious issue. Many people have had more than enough of presentations which clearly shut down understanding instead of opening it up.

Anyone who is any good at report writing will know that the real challenge is deciding what to include and what can be left out. Likewise with PowerPoint. When you think you’re impressing people by putting everything you know on your PowerPoint slide, you’re actually doing the opposite by shutting down their cognitive processes! So say Atkinson and Mayer, and I am inclined to agree with them.

Back to the Conference at Swanick. Around 400 counsellors and therapists will be attending the event and it is a great time to meet up with old friends and to make new ones. Stories of ‘scary clients’ are told long into the night by those who frequent the bar. I am there to teach about Psychological Debriefing which is a subject which gets mixed reviews at the moment. However, for the second two days I will be listening in on a number of different workshops which are focusing on other areas of counselling.

I'll let you know how I get on!

Sobering up after Christmas

2009-01-07T15:03:00.002Z

As the New Year dawns it's traditionally a time for reflection on the year just gone and looking ahead to the future. We live in serious times so I thought I'd start the year with a sobering thought after the frivolity of the holiday season.

For me it was Henry, Harry and William who captured my attention and admiration during 2008. The three men are the only three surviving servicemen from World War I, the Great War, as we sometimes refer to it. At a combined age of 330 years, these three men have a lot of memories. Some of the most vivid memories however come from their engagement with the enemy during the Great War. These traumatic memories have stayed with them for eighty years now - that is a lifetime of suffering they have endured.

Today, we think we understand about the traumas of war. We know all about PTSD and the acute stress reactions which some soldiers experience. Back in 1914-18 though the authorities couldn’t even decide what to call this disorder which was affecting front line troops. “Effort Syndrome” or “War Neurosis” or “Shell Shock” were the names which were banded about with no real understanding or comprehension of what these men were suffering in their minds.

I think the celebrated ‘war poets’ were probably the people who came closest to putting into words what men like Henry Allingham, Harry Patch and William Stone were reliving every day of their very long lives. The mournful poem by Siegfried Sassoon “Suicide in the Trenches” captures in verse what so many men had to face every day during the conflict.

At long last commentators and newspapers are picking up on stories about soldiers today and the trauma they have to face. It does seem that the Ministry of Defence always plays down the number of soldiers who are suffering from PTSD. Whatever figures you see on this matter, take them with a pinch of salt!

Looking to the year ahead, Britain’s military presence in Iraq will probably wind down but our military forces will be asked to take on an even bigger role in Afghanistan. With more frequent tour duties in countries of conflict the chances of troops developing PTSD are even greater.

Of course being British I'm seeing this from a British view point, concerned for our lads in the conflict zones. But we need to spare a thought for all those caught up in the theatre of war, from innocent civilians to those fighting on the other side. Who is there to recognise their mental stress and offer the help they need?

Learn how to help those with a Gambling Addiction

2008-10-03T16:49:00.003+01:00

A gambling addiction can have disastrous consequences on an individual’s life and the lives of those who are close to them. It can lead to the break down of relationships, destruction of family life and spiraling debt. To enable their addiction the sufferer may turn to crime, increasing the chances of a criminal record and prison. Suicidal tendencies may also result.

As part of our aim to add new, in depth and quality courses to STT we have now launched the Gambling Addiction Counselling Diploma. This course is specifically designed to train people who want to help compulsive gamblers. You’ll develop a full understanding of this type of dependency and learn how to help your clients overcome their need to gamble and change their behaviour to a more positive lifestyle.

It contains 16 detailed in all with 4 assignments to complete.

Click here for full course details and how to enrol.

Need help setting up your own business?

2008-10-03T12:06:00.001+01:00

We are pleased to announce a new distance program which could be ideal for you. Our 'Certificate in Starting and Running Your Own Business' helps you build the foundations to be successful in business.

This course is for anyone who has the ambition and drive to start their own business. You will gain the skills and know-how that will give you the very best chance of creating a business that will work for you.

This new business course comes with a 15 day trial to see if this is the course for you.

Just like all of our distance learning courses on STT you can enrol online and save 10%.

Click here for additional course details and how to enrol. We look forward to hearing from you!