Shining a light – on Counselling

You might have seen an article in the press recently about how scientists at Oulu University in Finland have discovered that shining a light in your ears can brighten your mood -possibly a great therapy if you are one of the millions who suffer from “the winter blues” or as it's more correctly known - Seasonal Affective Disorder ( SAD). The results are being presented by the researchers at an International Forum for Mood and Anxiety.

The university researchers have found that the brain can absorb light through the ears with beneficial results, taking remarkably short periods of treatment. They are now working with a manufacturer to come up with a small portable device that delivers the light dose through inserts similar to small earbud headphones.

However depression and anxiety associated with SAD can arise for reasons other than the absence of sunlight in winter. Possibly a bereavement, stress at work or relationship difficulties might be the root causes and counselling can be the answer in terms of treatment.

Counselling certainly takes longer than a few minutes. It may take several sessions (each session is normally 50 minutes) to find the cause. However, it's gratifying that several clients have used a similar expression when we work together to identify the often deep-seated basis for their condition - they say it feels as though a light has been switched on.