Ms Tessa Ipp

A conversation with Tessa Ipp

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  I was going through some issues of my own in my 20's. A good friend suggested I see a wise and insightful Clinical Social Worker, Bev. She had such a profound impact on my life that I decided to change professions. I enrolled to study Social Work at Sydney University and began volunteering as phone counsellor. My field placement with Relationships Australia was another important influence as was meeting a gifted body-mind psychotherapist in 1999. This lead me to study a more holistic approach to psychotherapy involving the mind-body connection, and how that shapes our brain, emotions and behaviours.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  I read books about Jungian Psychotherapy, and became involved in play back therapy which increased my self awareness and awareness of the other. I enjoyed the mystery of Jung's approach to making the unconscious conscious through shadow work. My thirst for more knowledge widened as I developed an interest in Buddhism and its' connection to psychotherapy. Having read Stephen Levine's book called, "A Gradual Awakening", and then Ram Dass's book called, "A Grist for the Mill". I really liked their view on self compassion and allowing what is to unfold organically and safely.
  
  My interest in body-mind psychotherapy broadened when I met a Hakomi and Sensorimotor Psychotherapist. Having the privilege of meeting and experiencing a session with the founder of Hakomi, Ron Kurtz I was sold on this form of working with people. I loved the authentic approach to healing that fosters safety and dignity of the individual.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I am particularly interested in helping a person to integrate and transform unexpressed parts of self that make us whole. In feeling this communication and contact there's a real sense of self acceptance and an appreciation for human beings. In particular, the be-ingness of the person where they can rest, and take in pleasure, as well as know how to respond in a given situation.

• What methods do you use?

  I draw on my experience in cognitive behavioural therapy from my Social Work experience working with families and individuals in welfare settings, and also in a medical centre. My main interest is working from a Sensorimotor and Hakomi Psychotherapy perspective. I like the Sensorimotor tools that firstly ground the client with awareness of boundaries and resources/strengths that provide a strong container. I also like the tangible tools that I've learnt in level 1 Sensorimotor Training in healing trauma, and the level 2 training in working with developmental and attachment repair work with individuals with a range of issues. The Hakomi 3 year training has also been very useful in understanding developmental milestones, ways to provide missed developmental experiences, and how to explore this collaboratively with the client using experiments. I also apply my training in Internal Family Systems as I am a graduate of the Level 1 and Level 2 training of Internal Family Systems. It is a safe and very respectful method that enhances your capacity to be self aware.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  A person is most likely to notice and experience small incremental shifts during each session. Often this is the best healing because it is natural. I have witnessed clients regaining hope in the first session as they feel heard and understood for the first time in quite a while. With each session the client comes to understand who they are in relation to how they do what they do and how this influences their existence. This work can be liberating as people shift out of out dated behaviours that are no longer useful. In turn a new more satisfying experience evolves with their partner, parent, child, friend or employer.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Yes I definitely feel and see the changes that have happened in my life. When I look back on my journey as a client, then student, and professional therapist I can see how I have developed as a human. I believe it has been a culmination of healing moments that have enabled me to be at this place in my life. I feel blessed to have met the therapists that I met that helped shape my choices and transformation. I realise now that life continues to be an amazing opportunity to learn and grow utilizing meditation, and body-mind psychotherapy to evolve as a better person.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  I enjoy seeing my clients feeling happier about who they are and their life. I feel uplifted when together with my client there's an 'aha' moment and suddenly there's a deeper understanding of what just happened.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Sometimes, then I realise I need to give to myself to again find my balance and presence as counsellor/psychotherapist.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  Finding our true self and living from a place of authenticity so that we can love the imperfections of who we are.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  Ron Kurtz's book "Graceful Unfolding", and Ram Dass's book, "Be Love Now".