Meet the Therapist: Enfys Jones

Nov 01, 2019

meetthetherapist

Enfys Jones is a therapist in Penarth and online

What attracted you to become a therapist?

I launched my professional career as a multi media performer, choreographer, director, writer and teacher. Much of the work was avant guard exploration of the human psyche. Suffering with my own mental health issues at the time that revolved around bereavement and other life circumstantial-based experiences, my interest was piqued and my journey into the mind began.

Many years later I spent a decade classroom teaching and became drawn to Special Needs Education. This different aspect of brain-works expanded my knowledge and only deepened my interest, not only in how the human mind works, but how we can get the best deal out of being 'us'.

In due course I retrained and spent four years studying psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, CBT, mindfulness, NLP and many other modalities. My passion as a lifelong learner drove my eagerness to become a specialist in my field.

Where did you train?

I have trained with many of the greats of our industry and in many different countries. The bulk of my training was at The Clifton Practice, a place of excellence and ground-breaking techniques.

I trained under David Newton, the pioneer of solution-focused hypnotherapy, which combines 'brief' psychotherapy (a tried and tested talking therapy that helps to speed up recovery) with medical hypnotherapy (which serves to provide a conducive brain state for change to occur naturally and an individual's natural strengths and resources to reconnect).

Can you tell us about the type of therapy you practice?

I am a solution-focused integrative therapeutic coach, which means I draw of several different techniques to create a therapeutic programme bespoke to an individual's needs.

Whether clients are facing challenges that they want to overcome or whether they're looking for ways to work on their self-development, either in their personal or professional life, I offer a safe space where we can work on their goals, together.

I give clients practical toolkits, strategies and knowledge to help them through the process.

How does your type of therapy help?

One of the main areas of my training and expertise is drawing on the latest findings of medical neuroscience in relation to mental health and wellbeing.

A negatively biased mindset alerts the brain into survival mode. The resultant stress hormones produced create stress, anxiety, anger and depression (or any of the plethora of other possible side effects). These issues produce physiological (manifested in the body from the fear mechanism in the brain) feelings in the body. These can range from panic attacks to migraines – the list is extensive.

My approach seeks to tackle these self-perpetuating cycles and to restore balance in the body by changing mindset – literally rewiring the brain.

What sort of people do you usually see?

I work with all ages, presenting all issues. The work is successful as long as the individual/s desire change to happen, are prepared to dedicate themselves to the programme and commit to the 'home tasks' we agree upon.

Have you noticed any recent mental health trends or wider changes in attitude?

I have increasingly noticed the negative effects of society on the general population's mindset. Conditioning is possible through social media, marketing and other avenues that can negatively effect us.

Belief systems are very potent and are not always helpful. If a person has been programmed to believe in their own lack (be it emotionally, skillset, financially, abilities and so on) it can become a self-fulfilling prophesy and often ends up in a person undervaluing themselves and being unable to reach their full potential of happiness, health and success.

We need to start challenging these beliefs and create fresh intentions that are rational, logical and guided by self-love. Overcoming the conditions in our lives is a huge part of being able to love ourselves. During the process we work on turning things around.

So, instead of being a people pleaser, to put our needs first; instead of worrying about what people think, seeking external validation, to rely on our own opinions and not second guess ourselves. This process has infinite possibilities and is thus guided by what the individual/s are presenting and need support with.

What do you like about being a therapist?

I love my vocation. I am passionate about self-development. I invest a great deal of time and energy into my own journey to increased wellbeing. It is a privilege to help others to do the same. We're all on the same journey, just at different stages and so our themes will vary enormously. I love to share my expertise with others and support them as a facilitator to learn on this learning curve of life and progress and fully embrace the here-and-now.

Not everyone will breakthrough to cathartic enlightenment moments either because they're not ready or they're resisting, but all change is still change and is extremely valuable.

Unfortunately, misguided messaging from society is tending to 'normalise' bad mental health, as if it is normal to suffer. I disagree wholeheartedly. Neuroscience backs up our natural propensity is wellbeing. We are here to thrive not survive.

What is less pleasant?

There is nothing unpleasant about my job as I have very strong beliefs systems that keep me anchored to the understanding that I am a conduit to serve people along their journey. It is not my journey, therefore, I assist without judgement or bias.

What you do for your own mental health?

I practice what I preach! I model the techniques and concepts that my therapy is based upon and model the possibilities. I live a wholesome life with a balanced lifestyle and a positive mindset. I exercise regularly, socialise with like-minded people, meditate, eat and sleep well and a host of lifestyle choices that ensure I feel good and think good.