Emotional Empowerment – getting a grip on Thinking, Feeling and Behaving
Emotional Empowerment – getting a grip on Thinking, Feeling and Behaving !
By Elmarie van Heerden – LifeWorks Personal Development Trainer.
The understanding of human behaviour intrigued scientists since the earliest of times. Theories varied from the 16th century belief that there is a little man (homunculus) living in the brain, mechanically ‘driving’ it, to as resent as 300 years ago when Medici believed that only women can get hysterical. To treat it, they removed the uterus (from there the origin of the word ‘hysterectomy’ – removing the source of hysteria). It is only more or less 100 years ago that scientists realized the importance of thinking and feeling on behaviour.
In an ideal world where we always feel wonderful, always behave in a beneficial way and always manage our thoughts pro-actively, we can assume that we will be 100% mentally healthy. Nobody, however, is perfect and we do not live in a perfect world.
To empower ourselves emotionally means that we have to manage all 3 these areas of our lives: Thoughts, Emotions and Behaviour. It can be compared with a three legged pot that needs all three legs to be balanced. If two of the three legs are stable, the pot might stand firm for some time, but if only one leg is stable, the pot will certainly fall.
Thoughts are basically our awareness. Sometimes thoughts are straight-forward and easy to implement, i.e. the choice to go left of right; to sit or stand. Thoughts can also make our lives very difficult, i.e. the thought that we are unattractive and overweight and therefore do not deserve to be loved.
Behaviour is everything that can be observed in oneself and others. Behaviour is the result of responding to stimuli according to what we believe or think. One woman might refuse an offer to go on a blind date because she is scared of rejection whereas another woman might look forward to it because she enjoys meeting people – regardless of being rejected or not, accepting the risk of being rejected.
Emotions are feelings, varying in intenseness and duration. Emotions are the result of our thinking and actions.
We might not choose to be sick, made redundant at work or suffer the loss of a relationship, but we can surely choose how to respond to it by being aware of our thoughts, resulting in how we feel and determining our behaviour. Pain is inevitable, but misery is a choice!
Emotionally empowered people know that self awareness (of Thinking, Feeling, and Behaving) impacts positively on the quality of their lives.
If you would like to talk, feel free to reach out to us. An LifeWorks therapist would be able to help.
Dr. Naeema Ali trained psychology and social worker students of UAE University. She is actively providing counselling support to cancer patients and their families. She launched an occupational therapy for cancer patients and cognitive behavioural therapy in Tawam.
Due to her continued support in oncology and ongoing support to cancer patients, Naeema received countless awards locally and international to recognize her achievements and skills. She has been invited to participate in various conferences and workshops around the world and invited as a guest speaker in various subjects that covers psychology.
She also joined Al Sayegh Medical Center as a Social Worker, providing comprehensive assessment and treatment services to children and families, in inpatient and/or outpatient settings, and communicates with referral sources as indicated by applying psychometric test, such as IQ Test, MMPI, Wechsler Test for children. Exhibit superior communication skills to uncover complicated mental health issues; develop and recommend treatment plans based on patient needs and diagnosis.
She continued working as a clinical psychologist providing counselling within the multi-cultural environment of the Emirates Airlines for the past 15 years. Her main task is providing mental health support to inflight and ground staff and addresses any problems, anxieties, or job-related stresses that they are dealing with. She uses her findings to help improve processes and behaviors of a patient to maintain a safe environment, to manage stress, overcome trauma, or avoid job-related conflicts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the method Naeema is using to reduce the difficulties, anxieties, and stress that employee faces.
Naeema is also part of “ Shawer ”, the “Seek Our Advice”, and “We Listen To You” program of the Family Development Foundation of Abu Dhabi. The aim of the program was to promote family awareness and support a stable family life. It involves a group of community members who deal with family problems in a positive manner and provide individual and group counseling in social, psychological, and educational areas. They do so in a systematic way according to the needs of community members.
Besides “ Shawer ”, Naeema is also a volunteer of “ Friends of Cancer ” of Sharjah, supporting patients and their families to overcome the multitude psychological difficulties that they are experiencing due to cancer treatment as well as introducing some programs such as health education, self-care and some community programs wherein they can collaborate and share their experiences.
Area of interest:
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Psycho-oncology
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CBT
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Psychometric Assessments
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Children, Adults and Family therapy
Qualification and Membership:
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Psychology graduation from the University of Wisconsin
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Licensed by Community Development Authority
Dr. Mohammed Bardi M.B.B.S, M.D (Psychiatry) has worked under different capacities in clinical and hospital setups in Saudi, USA, and UAE. He comes with over 15 years of experience in mental health. He specifically worked with cases relating to schizophrenic, bipolar disorder, dual diagnosis, major depressive disorder with suicidal risks, anxiety disorders, Intellectual disabilities, Autistic spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).
Area of interest:
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Mood disorders
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Anxiety disorders
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Improving life skills (social skills, self- esteem, decision making, coping with stress, problem solving, and time management)
Qualification and Membership:
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MBBS COLLEAGUE OF MEDICINE, KING SAUD UNIVERSITY 2003 (KKU).
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ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY 2007
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ANXIETY DISORDERS WORKSHOP (DIPLOMA), 2010
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ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA, USA, 2010-2011
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ADDICTION RESEARCH AND MATRIX TRAINING, ISAP, UCLA, LOS ANGELES, CA, USA 2014-2015
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BACHELOR’S DEGREE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY
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ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY
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ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA 2011, 2015
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BETTY FORD CERTIFICATE, ADDICTION PROGRAM 2010
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CDA) Licensed Psychologist
Therapeutic Approach:
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At LifeWorks Holistic Counselling Center Dubai, Dr. Bardi works collaboratively within our expert multidisciplinary team, in treating a wide array of psychiatric conditions including:
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Anxiety disorders
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Substance use disorders
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Mood disorders including depression and Bipolar affective disorders
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Psychotic disorders (Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders)
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Personality disorders
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Cognitive disorders including Dementia
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Learning disabilities (intellectual disability disorders)
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Child and adolescents’ disorders like Separation anxiety disorders, conduct
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disorders and ADHD