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...

In my work as a therapeutic coach , it is vital to hold space for the complexity of being human. No single model or theory ever feels enough because the human psyche just isn’t that tidy. I often reflect on the interplay between the frameworks I use professionally, and the philosophies that shape me personally. This piece brings some of those threads together, mapping the three gunas from yogic philosophy (a lens that shapes how I understand energy and states of being), alongside  Bowlby’s attachment theory   and Pete Walker’s 4 F trauma responses , which form key parts of my professional framework, particularly in terms of the therapeutic aspect.   I have been exploring aspects of yogic philosophy with my friend, also a therapist. We have been away twice to immerse ourselves in yoga practice and discussion, using the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as a guide. On our last trip, a few weeks ago, we leant into the concepts of  Vairagya  (non-attachment) and the  G...

"A profession rooted in compassion, nuance, and relational understanding should reflect those values in how it treats its own members." On April 18th 2025, I will lose the “Senior” part of my BACP Senior Accreditation. * I earned my Senior Accreditation with the BACP in 2019 after submitting extensive written work, supervisor reports, and paying the necessary fees. It marked a meaningful milestone in my professional journey. It recognised not only my experience and capability but my commitment to the therapeutic field over many years. Now, in the wake of the BACP’s adoption of the SCoPEd framework, that recognition is being stripped away. A Shifting Landscape The BACP’s new SCoPEd-aligned system changes what it means to be a Senior Accredited therapist. Despite the BACP having a dedicated Coaching Division, and despite the fact that my Level 7 qualification is in coaching, specifically designed for experienced therapists, I no longer meet the new eligibility criteria for Seni...

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...