Working with Depression, led by Gill Bannister – 26th September 2015

On a clear, sunny autumnal Saturday last week, I was treated to a full day’s seminar on depression… the conflict of light and dark didn’t pass by un-noticed and in fact resulted in a feeling of optimism and lightness – a surprise considering the darkness and negativity of the topic.    Gill Bannister delivered her seminar with feeling and containment – two very important aspects of a therapist’s role when working with clients with depression.

Gill’s 30 years experience as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist working with depression in clients was delivered in a style in keeping with her classic training, enabling us to have time and space to think, to sit with ourselves and our difficult thoughts and feelings, allowing a process to occur.   Gill believes that depression is a result of a client experiencing loss.   The depressed client suffers from a lack of self esteem, often projecting a super-ego which is rejecting, despising and attacking.

The experiential element of the seminar was invaluable, thinking and sharing thoughts, Gill challenged us to confront our own assumptions, experiences and prejudices around depression.  A word which is now loaded with a vast array of interpretation and stigma.    We were guided through the day with exercises and discussion which enabled us to experience the core essence of working with depression in the therapeutic room – trying to get in touch with our client’s inner world.  By experiencing a 30 minute solo role play, I felt more connected and understanding of my client’s depression than I had done before and will be processing and using these insights future sessions with this particular client.

See our future seminars here

29 September 2015

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