Anxiety, depression and stress

Core Development – Counselling, Somatic Psychotherapy or Emotional Learning?

by Donald Marmara, Somatic Psychotherapist and Emotional Learning Facilitator, Artarmon, Sydney, Australia

Are you experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties or other emotional challenges?

What is core development and how can it help you?

Core Development can help you discover for yourself, in your own unique way,  the root cause of your emotional challenges and how you can deal with them effectively.

It can take you further than problem solving, further than overcoming your anxiety, depression, stress or whatever is stopping you from living your life more fully.  It can help you create a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Whilst I trained principally as a counsellor and somatic psychotherapist, I developed Core Development as a process of emotional learning rather than clinical treatment.

It is a system of self-discovery aimed at increasing personal awareness and resilience through a sustained exploration of the feelings, thoughts and beliefs that drive us.

It often works when other forms of therapy haven’t been as effective as hoped. It can be used on its own, or in conjuction with other therapeutic modalities.

Too often, our thoughts and emotions become blocked, stopping us relating freely and authentically to others, and having satisfying and fulfilling lives.

Core development, then, is a supportive and creative approach to dealing successfully with life’s many challenges, encouraging you to regain control of your life by freeing the blockages that inhibit your health, wellbeing and creative potential.

Why is emotional learning so important?

A defining 2014 study undertaken by the London School of Economics, discovered that a child’s emotional health is the key indicator in determining their overall happiness as an adult.

Yet so many factors can affect our emotional health – family breakdown, school stress, feelings of worthlessness, fear of failure and high parental expectations to name a few.

It’s hardly surprising, then, that so many of us struggle to find satisfaction in our lives.

Is core development based on experience?

Yes, it is. I have experienced my own share of emotional and life challenges, along with numerous hours of individual and group therapy as part of my own extensive journey of education and recovery.

I was motivated to train as a psychotherapist following my own experience of anxiety and depression, and the sheer frustration I felt when conventional forms of therapy were unable to help me.

Despite several approaches, including dependence on high doses of medication for several years, I only started to turn my life around when I began having ongoing individual and group sessions in somatic psychotherapy, and then committed to a four-year training course in somatic psychotherapy and counselling at the Gerda Boyesen Institute in London.

This course was largely experiential, with over 2000 hours of face-to-face training and “theory arising out of experience”.

How long will core development take?

This is different for everyone. It depends upon the level of wellbeing you wish to attain, the complexity of your issues and your own willingness to commit.

The approach is not prescriptive and, because it is not a clinical treatment, there is no prescribed course or length of treatment.

This lies in your hands. I will work with you in a way which encourages you to find out for yourself what works best for you.

Many people think the answer to their problem is out there, waiting to be plucked from the tree like an apple. Too often they seize on a convenient, one-size-fits-all wonder drug, therapy, course or practice which appears – and usually is – far too good to be true.

The reality is usually more time-intensive. In order to find genuine and enduring insights which can truly transform your life, we need to work together one step at a time to enable you to discover what really works for you.

Through provision of a safe, supportive space, I encourage you to explore and communicate your thoughts, feelings and desires, some of which you may never have been able to share with anyone – including yourself.

As well as time, core development takes courage and persistence. Working through emotional issues can be difficult at times, but the real, life-enhancing benefits which emerge are priceless.

Are core development and clinical treatment compatible?

Yes, they are. Having traditional, clinical treatment and/or other forms of therapy for your anxiety, depression or other emotional challenge does not necessarily rule you out of core development work.

On the contrary, I can work with you in a complementary way, aiming to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

It does not have to be ‘either/or’. While core development often works where clinical treatment fails, a flexible approach is important and in some cases clinical treatment is necessary.

I am always happy to have a chat about if and how core development may be able to help you. So don’t hesitate to call me on  0412 178 234.  This could be the first step on your new, healing journey.