Championing Neurodiversity and Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

To capitalise on the wide arc of talents and capabilities that come with neurodiversity, we need a fresh approach. Think of data crunchers with a myopic eye for details at one end, to big picture thinkers with an eye for pattern and connection at the other.

We need them all.

My colleague at ERC, Cathy Harris, and I were recently asked to co-author a white paper with PSI (global leaders in providing and nurturing talent in the workplace), on ‘Championing Neurodiversity and Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace’.

What a joy: to be asked to shed light on what it is like to have certain talents in combination with recurring challenges. When we recognise the patterns of this paradox, creative people can feel acknowledged, understood and offered a chance to get their needs better met. This leads to freedom, motivation and a more consistent expression of their capabilities. Everyone wins.

Download to read the full article and discover more about neurodiversity and the clear advantages that can help businesses.

5 things a psychotherapist wants you to know

I often find that I evaluate my life and connections, with myself and others, at certain times of the year – particularly in early spring and around the New Year. They are times for renewal, rejuvenation, to reset and to reconnect.

You might do the same.

Perhaps you’ve become aware that you wish to make changes due to some obvious signs of imbalance in your life which you hope to address; or, simply because you want to make a ‘good life, great’.

You may be uncertain how to go about this on your own, and perhaps you are considering working with someone to jump start the process.

On the other hand, the idea of ‘therapy’ can be intimidating and stops too many people from reaching out to get the support and encouragement they deserve.

Why?

It might be the fear of someone rootling around in your past, or anxiety about receiving confirmation of what we most fear: that we are in some way flawed. Or maybe you dread the thought of being trapped into years of therapy. Perhaps you have simply accepted that this is the way you’ll always be.

There are lots of reasons we don’t reach out, but with enough determination and aided by the plethora of resources available to us, we can move forward in our own time and in our own way.

5 things a psychotherapist wants you to know

Read the full Breathe Magazine article for free

Perhaps the article I was commissioned to write by Breathe magazine, will help you make up your mind.

In it I describe the positive ways you can work with a therapist, to look to the future and build on your resources, develop skills and improve ways to manage yourself and regulate your emotions.

As a psychotherapist who has been practising for over 20 years, there are five things I’d like you to know before you consider therapy. I hope they’ll help you decide.

Download the article and discover if therapy could be for you.

What are your thoughts after reading the article?

Perhaps you’re confident you would like to explore ways of working together or maybe you have more questions to ask. Either way, please feel free to get in touch here ⤑

I work from my private practice in Woodchurch (near Ashford) in Kent. However, for some time now, I've been working with increasing numbers of people via Skype (or Facetime) as it suits certain types of of situations very well – including dealing with workplace stress and short sessions for parents to focus on specific difficulties as they arise.

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About Renée

Renée van der Vloodt ( M.A. , FHGI ) is a psychotherapist and coach – and has had a private practice for over 20 years, which is now based in Woodchurch (near Ashford), Kent. She also works with people around the world via online sessions.

Renée works with children and adults as a coach and therapist to help them overcome life's challenges and emotional difficulties including stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger or addictive behaviour.

Renée is a regular contributor to Breathe Magazine and the author of the CD Calm the Chaos of the Creative Mind.

(Audio) Why can it be so difficult to snap out of angry behaviour?

In our stressful modern world, inappropriate expressions of anger are becoming more and more frequent. When anger flares up uncontrollably or chronically, it indicates that our lives are out of balance and is a sign that we need to address the angry behaviour.

Often, we can find ourselves trapped in this angry place and have a really hard time getting ourselves out. It can be an addictive state to be in and because of the brain's natural negativity bias, sometimes we really have to focus in order to break free.

If you find yourself easily hooked by your anger and are having difficulties snapping out of this habit - you are not alone!

So why do we like to bask in this rage when so often it has negative consequences?

Discover Why You're Having Trouble Snapping Out Of Your Angry State 

In my recent conversation with Catherine Robson about anger and the creative mind, we explored many components of anger and Catherine asked an important question that I believe many people will also wonder: why is it so difficult to snap out of angry behaviour?

Listen to this extract of our conversation to hear my answer.

Why is it so difficult to snap out of angry behaviour?

Renée van der Vloodt

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It is also important to say that angry outbursts are not a reflection of who you are, but rather a clear sign that your life is currently out of balance. 

Before you listen, remind yourself that dealing with anger requires courage, because under its hard feelings and hard-bitten inclination, sit softer and more vulnerable feelings and they can be very scary to face up to.

If you enjoyed this extract of our conversation, then you'll find much more in 'A Guide to Understanding Anger' in which I explore why and how anger can manifest in our lives – as well as further practical ways to deal with excessive anger and a guided meditation to help you break old, unhelpful patterns. 

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About Renée

Renée van der Vloodt ( M.A. , FHGI ) is a psychotherapist and coach – and has had a private practice for over 20 years, which is now based in Woodchurch (near Ashford), Kent.

Renée works with children and adults as a coach and therapist to help them overcome life's challenges and emotional difficulties including stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger or addictive behaviour.

Renée is a regular contributor to Breathe Magazine and the author of the CD Calm the Chaos of the Creative Mind.

(Audio) Do you experience the phenomenon of emotional backdraft?

After we recorded A Guide to Understanding Anger, I had a niggling sense that there was an important question I'd missed. It was this: why is it that when everything is going well, I start to worry about everything that could go wrong and get a surge of discomfort?

So, Catherine Robson, who helps me pull together all these recordings, and I sat down to explore this question and the phenomenon known in the world of Mindful Self-Compassion as backdraft. 

When we begin to show ourselves self-compassion, the pain can often increase at first. Just as when everything is going right, we often worry about the future or get a surge of anger or discomfort.

As Dr Kristen Neff says, “Love reveals everything unlike itself.”

Backdraft is a firefighting term that describes when a door or window is opened or shattered in a burning building – the oxygen rushes in, giving the flames new fuel, and the flames burst out. The same is true when you open the doors to your heart.

Listen to this short audio recording where I speak to Catherine about what backdraft is and why it occurs. You may be familiar with the scenarios and examples we discuss... 

Listen now or download to listen later

What is backdraft and why does it occur?

Interview with Renée van der Vloodt

Download

If you enjoyed this recording and want to learn more, take a look at my online shop where you'll find A Guide to Understanding Anger and other audio guides. 

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About Renée

Renée van der Vloodt ( M.A. , FHGI ) is a psychotherapist and coach – and has had a private practice for over 20 years, which is now based in Woodchurch (near Ashford), Kent. She also works with people around the world via online sessions.

Renée works with children and adults as a coach and therapist to help them overcome life's challenges and emotional difficulties including stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger or addictive behaviour.

Renée is a regular contributor to Breathe Magazine and the author of the CD Calm the Chaos of the Creative Mind.

Book a session with Renée » 

In the Press: Cool to be kind (Quietening the Inner Critic of the Creative Mind)

An active and vivid imagination often spurs creative people to achieve great things, but it can also conjure up doom-and-gloom scenarios that isolate and bring on feelings of self-loathing.

Perhaps it’s time creatives showed themselves more self-compassion?

Read my latest article for Breathe Magazine and discover: 

• What being a 'creative person' really means

• Why some creative people feel so intensely

• How to quieten your inner critic

• How being kind to yourself can lead you to develop a stable and more consistent sense of self-worth

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Could you benefit from sessions of coaching or therapy via Skype?

Over the past year, I've been working with increasing numbers of people via Skype (or Facetime) as it suits certain types of of situations very well – including dealing with workplace stress and short sessions for parents to focus on specific difficulties as they arise.

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About Renée

Renée van der Vloodt ( M.A. , FHGI ) is a psychotherapist and coach – and has had a private practice for over 20 years, which is now based in Woodchurch (near Ashford), Kent. She also works with people around the world via online sessions.

Renée works with children and adults as a coach and therapist to help them overcome life's challenges and emotional difficulties including stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger or addictive behaviour.

Renée is a regular contributor to Breathe Magazine and the author of the CD Calm the Chaos of the Creative Mind.

In the Press: 5 things a psychotherapist wants you to know

Telling people you’re a psychotherapist is an instant conversation stopper.

For all our interest in wellbeing, there remains a taboo about the topic of mental health and psychotherapy.

Perhaps it’s a fear of someone rooting around in your past, or anxiety about receiving confirmation of what so many fear: being flawed. Or maybe you dread the thought of being trapped into a lifetime of therapy. Or perhaps you have resigned yourself to always feeling this way.

As a psychotherapist who has been practising for more than 20 years, there are five things I’d like you to know – and I wrote an article for Breathe Magazine detailing exactly what they are. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL ARTICLE

Pick up a copy of the magazine, available in all good stockists or online – or download the article (with the most beautiful illustrations) above.

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Could you benefit from sessions of coaching or therapy via Skype?

Over the past year, I've been working with increasing numbers of people via Skype (or Facetime) as it suits certain types of of situations very well – including dealing with workplace stress and short sessions for parents to focus on specific difficulties as they arise.

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Renée van der Vloodt ( M.A. , FHGI ) is a psychotherapist and coach – and has had a private practice for over 20 years, which is now based in Woodchurch (near Ashford), Kent. She also works with people around the world via online sessions.

Renée works with children and adults as a coach and therapist to help them overcome life's challenges and emotional difficulties including stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger or addictive behaviour.

Renée is a regular contributor to Breathe Magazine and the author of the CD Calm the Chaos of the Creative Mind.

Book a session with Renée » 

In the Press: All we need is...

Nature predisposes us to thrive and flourish.

Yet more and more people are struggling to find their place in the world, and mental health problems are on the increase. What do we need to reverse the trend and to build health, happiness and resilience into the fabric of our lives?

Maslow and, more recently, the Human Givens Paradigm offer us real answers that are in keeping with the rules of nature to which we are subject. Rather than looking immediately at stress-related symptoms, they suggest we first take a step back and look at the bigger picture: getting our emotional needs met.

In Issue 5 of Breathe Magazine, I explore our nine emotional needs and how you can get them met.

Pick up a copy of the magazine, available in all good stockists or online – or download the article (with the most beautiful illustrations) above.

In the Press: When Life Tips out of Balance

Don’t we all love that effortless feeling of flow?

The times when life unfolds with ease and we experience a clarity of mind and levels of energy that imbue us with what seems a permanent sense of optimism and inspiration. I often wish I could bottle that feeling and pull it off the shelf when life seems more of an uphill struggle.

It’s curious, though, how difficult we find it to notice ourselves drifting away from that ‘happy home’; how long it can take us to realise that our life is out of balance, and in fact, that we’re not very well at all.

In Issue 5 of Breathe Magazine, I explore what to do 'when life tips out of balance' – and how to return to that feeling of flow. 

AUDIO: How to break out of your irritable mood

When you're feeling irritable and snappy, it can feel like you've drifted far away from yourself.

With the added pressure and uncertainty of life, we lash out at our partners, family or co-workers. But how to break out of your bad mood?

The answer lies in 'returning home' – back to your kind, resourceful self. 

Below is practical, guided exercise I use with clients to help them reconnect with their inner resources. The more you strengthen your connection to your calm and wise inner voice, the more "bounce" you'll develop and the quicker you'll be able to snap out of your moods. 

How to break out of your irritable mood

Renée van der Vloodt

Download

Keep coming back to this exercise when you need a tool to help you when you're feeling snappy – and let me know how you get on! 

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HOW TO HELP YOURSELF AND OTHERS MANAGE ANGER SUCCESSFULLY

A ONE-DAY WORKSHOP WITH RENÉE VAN DER VLOODT

SATURDAY 6TH MAY 9.30AM – 4.30PM
REGENT'S COLLEGE, LONDON

This practical workshop is for health professionals, teachers, line managers, and anyone interested in truly comprehending and learning to deal with this most misunderstood of our human emotions.

This workshop will give you: 

Up-to-date insights and understanding            

• New insights into the real causes of (excessive) anger that often go unnoticed — even by health care professionals

• Understanding of the upside of anger

• Ways to identify the patterns of angry behaviour and an insight into the different and often hidden ways anger disorders manifest themselves including subversive behaviour

• The latest scientific understanding of how anger is generated and how chronic anger affects physical and emotional health

• and much more!

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About Renée

Renée van der Vloodt ( M.A. , FHGI ) is a psychotherapist and coach – and has had a private practice for over 20 years, which is now based in Woodchurch (near Ashford), Kent. She also works with people around the world via online sessions.

Renée works with children and adults as a coach and therapist to help them overcome life's challenges and emotional difficulties including stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger or addictive behaviour.

Renée is a regular contributor to Breathe Magazine and the author of the CD Calm the Chaos of the Creative Mind.

In the Press: Why Bother?

In Issue 4 of Breathe Magazine (January / February 2017), you'll find my article: "Why Bother?".

We can be our own worst critics – and this negative internal voice can wear us down. We wind up wondering, "why should I bother?". 

But there are things we can do to reignite our sense of joy and optimism – and feel connected to ourselves and motivated to explore our innate potential and the world beyond. 

Pick up a copy of the magazine, available in all good stockists or online – or download the article (with the most beautiful illustrations) below.

In the Press: Breathe Magazine (November 16)

View fullsize

In Issue 3 of Breathe Magazine, you'll find my article: "Calm the chaos of the creative mind".

Inspired by my work with creative people and audio CD, this article gives you practical ideas on how to stay focussed, tackle time management, work on your relationships and discover the 'real you'. 

Pick up a copy of the magazine, available in all good stockists or online – or download the article (with the most beautiful illustrations) below.

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Want to learn more?

This article is based on my audio CD: Calm the Chaos of the Creative Mind. It provides an in-depth guide to unearthing and harnessing your true potential.

For more information and to purchase the CD (including a free ebook) click here. 

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About Renée

Renée van der Vloodt ( M.A. , FHGI ) is a psychotherapist and coach – and has had a private practice for over 20 years, which is now based in Woodchurch (near Ashford), Kent. She also works with people around the world via online sessions.

Renée works with children and adults as a coach and therapist to help them overcome life's challenges and emotional difficulties including stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger or addictive behaviour.

Renée is a regular contributor to Breathe Magazine and the author of the CD Calm the Chaos of the Creative Mind.