Madeleine Flynn Endorsed Mental Health Occupational Therapist
APHRA: OCC0001745796
Medicare, NDIS, and Private health rebates
I work with people of all ages using both traditional modalities such as activity-based therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and general psychotherapy/counselling as well as new and emerging frameworks such as Animal-Assisted therapy, Somatics and Dance Movement Therapy, Sensory Modulation and Nature Therapy.
About my setting and "nature therapy"
As a mental health OT, I work with a variety of modalities in a peaceful rural setting. Body-based modalities can be helpful techniques to add to "talk therapy" modalities, as a means to connect more fully with your whole being, rather than your busy mind. Nature therapy, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Sensory Modulation and Somatics and Dance and Movement therapy, are all techniques aiming to increase your strategies to self-regulate (calm), and to increase your embodiment i.e., your connection to your whole self . Increasing self-regulation strategies and embodiment can facilitate clients to access their own inner resources so they can move forward in a more joyful, calm, connected and authentic way.
A growing trend in therapy (and society generally) is people looking for a more real connection with the environment, in the context of realizing that as humans this is not just a desire but an evolutionary need linked with our health. (Wichrowski, 2012)
Similarly, therapies that involve nature and animals are growing in popularity with Animal-assisted therapy and Equine Assisted Therapy finally becoming more recognized and popular in Australia. Part of the benefit of AAT is that it involves nature. There is growing articles on Biophilia with focus and research on biophilia related activities showing what we all know anecdotally about the benefit of being connected to nature.
Another “buzz” word is Forest Bathing - and its beautiful Japanese name of Shinrin-Yoku. And again, there is increasing research in this field, looking at how these practices help humans physically and mentally. (Wen et al, 2019) (Kotera, 2020). Improvements were found in both acute and rehabilitating medical conditions as well as menta
Another “buzz” word is Forest Bathing - and its beautiful Japanese name of Shinrin-Yoku. And again, there is increasing research in this field, looking at how these practices help humans physically and mentally. (Wen et al, 2019) (Kotera, 2020). Improvements were found in both acute and rehabilitating medical conditions as well as mental health conditions e.g., anxiety through a variety of activities completed in a forest setting where participants were facilitated to cue to the environment.
In therapy sessions here, I regularly help cue clients into using all their different senses to calm and appreciate the world around them – it might be when we are llama walking and go to a nearby forest, or standing in a paddock with the donkeys – I encourage looking at the tall trees around us, listening to the many bird calls, and the sound of breeze in the trees, seeing what we can smell (pleasant and unpleasant!) and taste in the air! This is both from Animal Assisted Therapy theory and Sensory Modulation.
Having worked in traditional clinical settings previously, I am aware of how much this outdoor rural setting meets and satisfies our human sensory needs. Of course, being outside can also be hot in summer and insects can abound! There can be rain! However, all of this also helps us be realistic about the world around us, and to appreciat
Having worked in traditional clinical settings previously, I am aware of how much this outdoor rural setting meets and satisfies our human sensory needs. Of course, being outside can also be hot in summer and insects can abound! There can be rain! However, all of this also helps us be realistic about the world around us, and to appreciate nature and manage/work around these challenges rather than avoid or romantise nature. In this context, everyone is advised to wear sunscreen, insect repellent, hats, practical shoes/gumboots etc and sessions are made at times that are realistic for the weather.
Somatics and Dance Movement Therapy
Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) can be an effective form of therapy for a variety of mental health challenges including anxiety and depression. DMT interventions focus on themes of self/body awareness, social interactions, self- expression and emotional regulation, empathy, and motor co-ordination (Weare, 2020).
Mirroring is a common DMT technique that helps work with social interactions and boundaries and can also be seen as an exercise to help tone the Vagus nerve. Mirroring achieves these social goals through attunement and reflecting. (Scharoun et al, 2014) This attunement requires increasing body awareness, and awareness of emotional states through attention to movement, gestures and vocal patterns and expression.
I am a member of the Dance Movement Association of Australasia (Prov.Prof DMT).
Sensory Modulation
Sensory Modulation is using your senses to calm your emotions. There is growing research now to support these concepts that a lot of people already do intuitively - with this modality the aim is to identify and practice personalized strategies expanding the way you already intuitively do this, understand your own sensory profile better , and conscientiously using sensory based strategies to support yourself at times of stress.
Memberships
