'A song for self-esteem' with Dominic Cookson
“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music” - Aldous Huxley
We are excited to announce that Relational Spaces’ own Dominic Cookson will be hosting our 5th Coffeelogue event!
This Coffeelogue is about exploring and experiencing the therapeutic value of musical expression in a creative, fun, spontaneous and safe environment.
Reflecting on our therapeutic and personal self-esteem and confidence as a starting point, we will come together as a group to create/compose a piece of ensemble music, inspired by our conversations and explorations.
Acknowledging, embracing and exploring our fluctuating self-esteem and confidence can be a powerful and facilitative way to experience a potential shared process with our clients, which in turn can lead to deeper connections.
With some relaxed, fun activity and exploration alongside some simple percussion exercises, we will build and grow as a group to create a musical backing. The lyrics that we then write together will be informed by our experiences of self-confidence and self-esteem in relation to our therapy work.
By the end of the two hours, we will have a piece of music to perform and record for posterity!
This judgement-free, fun and creatively safe Coffeelogue workshop is open to all experiences – from those who consider themselves tone-deaf or rhythmically challenged, to those who might be more/most happy singing and performing away, from their showers and/or to the group.
About Dominic
After several years trying and failing to “make it” in the music industry, Dominic decided that rather than singing about his own issues it would be more rewarding to help others with theirs and trained as a counsellor.
For the past 10 years he has also run a music workshop at the childhood adversity charity Body and Soul, and this workshop will form the template for this Coffeelogue session. The group is a place where young people can learn to write and perform music, gain confidence and experience the benefits of sharing your feelings and thoughts in a safe, creative space.
In addition to finding it uncomfortable writing about himself in the third person, Dominic also realises that his confidence as a therapist can go up and down on an almost hourly basis. He thought it would be beneficial to explore this musically, a theme also dealt with in the excellent book The Myth of The Untroubled Therapist by Marie Adams.
About the Coffeelogue
For those new to this event the Coffeelogue is a space where we get together to learn and socialise, meet some new colleagues and find out what others are up to, as well as digest new ideas over coffee and croissant.
The term ‘Coffeelogue’ was coined by Doron and Darren, to depict both causal and deep space that can occur in short and informal settings.
We hope to learn together and from each other in the form of a casual learning community in a friendly atmosphere, with the added fun of late morning coffee/tea and pastry. And of course for all you health freaks like us there will be alternatives surprises...
The added bonus is that we structure it as a CPD event so you’ll be able to count it as CPD hours (a CPD certificate will be provided as well).
Programme
- 10am–10.30am: Coffee/croissant/meet etc.
- 10.30am–11.15am: Presentation
- 11.15am–12.30pm: Discussion
Booking information
Free for Relational Spaces members, £15 for non-members.
Relational Spaces members - book your free spot by emailing us at therapyroomsuk@gmail.com.
Non-members - places cost £15; to confirm your booking please email us at therapyroomsuk@gmail.com and we will reply with details of how to pay.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Warm regards,
Darren, Dianne, Doron and Cressy
07848 013 328