Mary Ashwin: Loneliness

Loneliness is the cause of much personal suffering and is often presented as the reason why people seek psychotherapy. Our need for social connection varies, but when this is not met we suffer social, psychological and physiological damage.  When working with lonely people we too may experience the feelings of hopelessness and helplessness that this emotional state produces in the counter-transference. It has a dreaded familiarity as none of us are immune from this condition and we all experience loneliness at some times in our lives.  Neuroscience and psychoanalysis offer helpful perspectives on loneliness and these will be explored. Ways of working with the client struggling with loneliness will be examined as will the management of the impact of such work on the therapist.

Mary Ashwin has a background in Social Work, both as a practitioner, lecturer and course leader at Southampton Institute (now Southampton Solent University). She is a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist and supervisor and has a private practice as well as working for a number of voluntary Counselling organisations as a supervisor. She is Counselling Co-ordinator for Sage Counselling and chairs the Sage Training Committee.

Please note seats will be allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis. All members are welcome to join us for the shared lunch from 1 pm – 1.30 pm