Take back control of your life!

The impact of this workshop starts immediately after you register and receive your ‘Shake it Up!’ preparation sheet. This is some relatively simple ‘homework’ designed to encourage flexibility in your habits and enhance your brain's ability to change (neuroplasticity) —so you can start your change journey right away.

By experiencing the essentials of change for yourself, you will then have your own unique experience to explore and reflect on during the workshop.

When you register, a link will be sent outlining what is suggested.

Research has shown that emotional regulation underpins our personal resilience and our sense of 'self.' This is one of the main influencing factors in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and ASD. This module is designed to explore and experience bodily regulating and grounding techniques:

• Breathing - deep breathing for ongoing regulation as a way of being

• Grounding - techniques and importance of being connected to the present moment

• Noticing - turning towards your body to become aware of it's senses and sensations

• Somatic Boundaries - noticing how the body has it own awareness of boundaries

This module suggests a simplified model of the complex human 'self' that is experiencing daily living. It outlines the components of this 'self' as well as the elements that influence it, and are being influenced by it, to highlight the multi-dimensional aspects of personal change. This understanding is crucial in responding effectively and sustainably to ASD and ADHD experiences. The model proposed includes:

• Brain - having a social brain means co-regulation is a primary function necessary for survival

• Embodied self - the body/mind interconnection is a primary source of self-regulation

• Embedded self - explore how the family/social/employment systems we inhabit influence us

This module aims to highlight the influences on and complexity of any personal change process. It will suggest core features of change that need to be considered when working towards change if change is to be achieved.

• Brain's ability to change (neuroplasticity)

• Readiness to change and stages of change we typically follow

• Thoughts/beliefs - explores how thoughts may be deeply held beliefs so are resistant to change

• Sustainability - considers some key features to ensure changes endure

• Habits - explores our natural tendency towards automaticity as opposed to change

This section introduces the fundamental question of 'what is going on here?' for any individual 'self'. The answer underpins a psychotherapeutically integrated way of understanding each individual person. The answers are typically experienced in the levels of soma-bio-psycho-social-spiritual experiences previously discussed:

• Somatic/bodily

• Biological/physiological   

• Psychological/cognitive 

• Social/systemic

• Spiritual

• Conflict / internal parts

• Mental health diagnosis as a system of categorisations