Relational Best with Amanda Williamson

Are You Ready to Embrace Meaningful Change in Your Life? I offer sessions both online and face-to-face from my dedicated premises on Southernhay East in the center of Exeter, Devon. In this professional and confidential space, you are warmly invited to offload, explore, develop, and discover.  I specialise in working with individuals and couples —be they life partners or business partners—who understand the transformative power of structured, meaningful conversations. Together, we will: - Expand your thinking - Clarify your professional and personal goals - Overcome personal obstacles - Explore and realise your full potential Life often presents profound challenges; be it loss, illness, relationship upheavals, career transitions, or episodes of depression and anxiety. Such events compel us to re-examine our ways of being. I invite you to seize these moments as opportunities to embrace change and become the best version of yourself. Alternatively, you might feel the need for subtle ...

Last November, my friend and fellow therapist Harry Toogood and I created our own 7 day DIY yoga retreat in Morocco. We immersed ourselves in yoga philosophy and practice, with three hours of practice each day alongside   Satsang (or 'being in the company of truth") , where we delved into and discussed the   Yoga Sutras of Patanjali . Our discussions focused on the   five Vrittis ; the mental fluctuations that shape perception and suffering. These ideas have stayed with us and we continue to explore the concepts during our regular walks and sea swims. At the start of the retreat, to deepen our practice, we adopted the chant  Asato Maa Sat Gamaya , finding a particularly evocative recording by Ravi Shankar and George Harrison. Chanting has been shown to enhance clarity of thought by reducing mental clutter and fostering mindfulness ( Brandmeyer & Delorme, 2013 ). Chanting stimulates the vagus nerve, promoting relaxation and emotional regulation by activating the ...

Divorce ranks among the most challenging experiences adults can face, second only to the death of a spouse on the  Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory . However, achieving a fulfilling life post-divorce is possible. Here I give some pointers on how you might approach this huge change in life circumstances. The Importance of Grieving The end of a marriage, civil partnership or long-term relationship, is a profound loss. It's essential to grieve this loss, regardless of who initiated the separation. Allowing yourself to process the associated emotions brings you closer to acceptance and the ability to move forward.   Practical Steps: Seek Support:  Engage with friends, family members, or support groups. Sharing your feelings can foster mutual openness and healing. Professional Guidance:  Consider counselling services, coaching, or consulting with a sympathetic GP to navigate your emotions.   Embracing New Opportunities Post-divorce life offers a chance to forge new frien...

[Addendum 12th November -  This issue was raised today by Sky News Breakfast - my interview with Wilfred Frost is here:  https://youtu.be/Ic7P4_jtaJk?si=FR3BDEjKzF40cwps ] Friday 25th October I’m grateful to have been part of an important and exclusive investigation led by Patrick Strudwick for The i paper that uncovers the alarming reality of unregulated therapy in the UK.  The  main article  reveals how abusive therapists still practice, even after being struck off, leaving vulnerable people at risk.  There are further articles as part of this i investigation, to which I was asked to  contribute,  all published today: GP struck off for having sex in his surgery is working as a therapist with new name Rogue therapists struck off for sex with patients are still practising And, this is a promising follow up by Patrick Strudwick: Alastair Campbell: Rogue therapists are a danger to patients – the laws we need The  Daily Mail  have picked up...

  In my therapeutic practice I highlight the importance of physical well-being. This might include recommendations on light exposure, physical activity, or breathwork in acknowledgment of the fact that that a healthy body supports a healthy mind. Using the PERMA+ framework, and in particular the +, I support clients in creating a lifestyle that flourishes on multiple fronts.   I believe in the power of small, science-backed habits to transform our well-being. My morning routine is influenced by Dr Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist from Stanford whose research on light, movement and the nervous system has shaped how I approach my daily habits. His work aligns with my goal to optimise focus, energy, and emotional balance for both myself and my clients. Huberman describes his Five Pillars of mental & physical health and performance:    ·        Sleep  ·        Sunlight  ·     ...