These sessions are for therapists, facilitators and helping professionals in understanding themselves and others in the work they do.

This is not a closed group - you can join one or more workshop depending on your own personal and professional commitments.

Dates and topics: Monthly (September to December) on a Tuesday evening from 7.15-8.45pm

September 22nd – Moving beyond the stories we tell ourselves

October 27th – Embracing our authentic self

November 17th - Transforming core beliefs

December 8th - Connecting with our essence

September 22nd – Moving beyond the stories we tell ourselves

The intention for this workshop is:

1. To understand how our thoughts shape our experience of ourselves and the world.

2. To bring present moment awareness to lead others in making a distinction between thoughts, sensations and emotions.

3. To understand the difference between explicit and implicit memories.

4. To create new ways of understanding and experiencing ourselves and the world.

Derek McMillan, the first certified practitioner and mentor of Gabor Mate’s compassionate inquiry in Scotland, is offering a series of trauma exploration sessions this autumn. They are aimed at facilitators, spaceholders, and helping professionals to support them in their work.

These insightful in-person events focus on understanding the impact of trauma, how it shapes our lives and learn from the wisdom it can offer. This unique opportunity is designed to support both personal growth and professional development.

Engage with the topic in a supportive environment that encourages understanding and healing. Whether you are seeking to deepen your self-awareness or enhance your professional skills, this event offers valuable perspectives and tools.

Guidelines of the space

Explicit agreements: The topic here is trauma and you may get triggered. We’re here to learn how to work with it and so I encourage you to lean into your edge. However, if things get too much for you then know that you don’t have to share anything that you don’t want to; you can leave the room and give yourself some space; there will be an assistant here who can be with you if you need some support. What will support you in feeling safe?

If at any point you feel uncomfortable with a topic, a person or an issue we’re discussing, get curious about it. Ask yourself, what am I making this mean? Is it true? And if it’s not true, then what is true?

If you do not want to share out loud then you have the option of journaling or sitting and connecting with your breath and body, whatever helps you to regulate and express yourself in a way that feels safe.

Respect anything shared in the space by maintaining and honouring confidentiaslity.

About Derek

Hi there, I’m Derek.

I have a background teaching philosophy, psychology and religious/moral studies in secondary schools. I also love to travel and whilst my home is in Edinburgh, Scotland, I have spent the past three decades studying and practising bodywork, martial arts, movement, meditation and music throughout Asia.

There is no division between my personal and professional life. My offerings come out of my own deeply personal journey and interests, whether it be exploring the deeper meaning of life, growing in relationship to myself and others, addressing childhood trauma and old patterns/beliefs, developing a positive relationship with my body or creating more peace and harmony in my life.

You can read more about my work on my website.

You can either book each session individually directly via Eventbrite or email me to reserve block bookings - derek_mc@hotmail.com

Description supplied by the event organiser.