Welcome to Healing Connections Psychology

healing

noun

  1. 1. the process of making or becoming sound or healthy again.

adjective

  1. 1. tending to heal; therapeutic.

connections

plural noun

  1. 1. a relationship in which a person or thing is linked or associated with something else.

psychology

noun

  1. 1. the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behaviour in a given context.
  2. 2. the mental characteristics or attitude of a person or group.

I often ask people ‘and what does that mean to you’ when they use a word or phrase to explain something, so we can develop a shared understanding of our individual beliefs and perceptions when working together. We (i.e., humans as a collective whole) share so much in common, yet each of us are distinctly unique. I wanted to share a little bit about my business name, my thoughts and beliefs, why I chose it, and ultimately how it represents part of my therapeutic approach with people.

I started this blog? with the dictionary definition of each component of my business name, not because I believe in fixed concrete rules around what each word means, but rather despite the specific definition it’s really our interpretation or belief about these concepts that holds meaning in our heart.

For me, healing means so many things. It likely starts with being able to recognise when we find ourselves caught up in our mind telling us old stories about how we failed, how we could do better, how we need to do more, and how we’re just not quite good enough. Healing here means how we notice these self-stories in our day to day lives and how we can learn to hold ourselves lightly to develop ways to move forward despite these stories that sometimes hook us briefly yet other times hold on fiercely. Healing for me is an evolving journey that does not mean broken, but an ongoing process of self-development rather than a destination in itself. The natural flow of life includes inevitable challenges, (as simple as a flat tyre on the way to work to more complex grief for losing someone we love, and all the experiences in between), where we can learn to move through these challenges with self-compassion and self-awareness.

The healing journey inherently involves connections. I believe connections can be internal, within ourselves, and external, with others around us in the world. At the very core of human life, is connectedness. At times our connections are strong and solid, and other times they’re frayed and distant – this is true for within ourselves and within our relationships with others. The healing journey includes developing an understanding of our connections within self and with others and learning how to support ourselves and make room for the challenges that befall us in moments of difficulty.

I am incredibly passionate and privileged to be a clinical psychologist who is momentarily let into people’s journeys to share their pathway towards healing, whatever that means for them. I believe in holding a warm, nurturing, and safe space for people to feel confident in working with me. I’ve been fortunate over my 13 years in this role to work across many settings, including public and private hospitals, group private practices, solo private practice, universities, and community organisations. And across these settings, I’ve worked with individual and group clients across the lifespan, mostly from young people (13+ years) to older adults (75+ years). I work with families with younger children (12 years and younger) predominantly with parents, as the core connections during this time is in family relationships, whereby much of the work is with parents and their healing journey within self and others (partner, children). I have specialized expertise in working with people experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, grief and loss, life transitions and adjustments, parenting, chronic pain, complex trauma, panic, obsessions and compulsions, anger, and more (please contact me to discuss).

The final part of my business name ‘psychology’ represents the expertise I have developed over many years, including ongoing professional development and provision of clinical supervision, to continue in optimally engaging in my role that I’m so passionate about. I am highly experienced and work within the following evidence-based therapeutic approaches: acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); emotion-focused therapy (EFT); attachment therapy for individuals, couples, and families; compassion-focused therapy; mindfulness based cognitive-behaviour therapy (MiCBT); cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT); schema therapy; and solution-focused (brief) therapy. With every unique person, there is a unique approach. Through nurturing a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship, I work collaboratively with people to find the right approach for you.

Brenè Brown (sociologist, author, researcher) once said “you’re imperfect, and you’re wired for struggle, but YOU ARE WORTHY of love and belonging”.  I believe in the power of vulnerability, of holding a safe, empathic, and warm space for the freedom to allow that vulnerability to surface, and nurturing and guiding you through challenging times to help create the balance in your life that meets your needs now and into the future.

Francene x

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Francene Hemingway