What do I need? A coach, therapist or a course?

[EmiA]

Hi, this is Emi from Japan, been listening to Michael's Hayhouse radio show for a while but just joined the community and is my first time to post.

I have a question which I hope one of you guys who is professional can answer for me. I am recovering from depression but still am very emotionally fragile and quite unstable. I've tried medication and therapy in Japan and Thailand unsuccessfully and reached to spiritual way together with healthier meals and excercise. I've attended Debbie Ford's Shadow Essentials course 1 which had just finished. And here is the question. Lately my depression seems to be coming back and I'm in need of a professional's help. But I don't know whether I should go for a coach, a therapist, or another Debbie's course. I was going to take the advanced course of Debbie's course regarding bringing our emotional age up to our chronological age, however with my depression coming back, now I'm not sure taking this course now will help me with the depression, or maybe hiring a coach or therapist would be better.
Can anyone advise?

Love & passion,
Emi

[Michael Neill]

Hey, Emi -

First off, no one can answer that question for you, so anyone's advice (including my own) would be a 'best guess' based on our experience and our understanding of your experience.  Dealing with depression is a large part of my new book "Feel Happy Now: Overcoming stress, anxiety and depression" which will be coming out in the UK in April/May, and while I'm loathe to attempt to condense 16 years of research into just a few sentences, I'll give it a try anyways:

Becoming happier comes down to three things:
1. Giving yourself better feelings
2. Telling yourself better stories
3. Acting on your inner knowing

Which one of those three areas jumps out at you? 

I'm not familiar with Debbie's work in this area, but I'll refer you to step three - if you have an inner knowing (or even just an inner inkling) that it's right for you and you have the time and space to do it, why not?  If you're excited at the prospect of working with a coach, why not?  If you'd love to work with a wonderful therapist, again, why not?

Happy exploring,
michael

[EmiA]

Hi Michael,

First of all, thank you so much for answering to my post. I didn't think YOU would answer me, so it was a wonderful shock to me! It made (and still does) me feel sooo warm that you actually emailed back for me, taking your time for me.

Thank you for your advise. I listend to my inner inkling and I'm confused now. It says taking Debbie's course is too heavy ("life is hard"). It says to go with your way("it doesn't have to be so hard"). I had just bought your book "You Can Have What You Want", started reading it on top of haveing been listening to your radio for half a year. And following your "it doesn't have to be hard" fun way seems to work with me better while Debbie's way makes me feel overwhelmed and under pressure. However, although I don't agree with ALL of Debbie's stuff, some of the work does open my eyes. So while it's stressful and a lot of work, I am afraid I may miss out some great breakthrough/change I could have by not taking her next course which has just started and I need to make my decision by next week whether to take this course or drop it..

Can you advise me again on this?

...Regarding depression, funnily enough, with gaining understanding and support of my boss from work to cut down my overtime hour (I confessed to him of my recoveing depression) and following some of your advise from your radio show (cut down doing what I don't want to do and increased doing what I want to, and try listening to my inner voice) seemed to be working for me greatly. I wish I could hire you as my coach if only I could afford you! That'd be perfect.

Love & passion,
Emi

[geenadavis]

Hi Emi,

I just want to let you know I feel the same way to an extent! I am familiar with Debbie's work... and also find it "hard" and a bit overwhelming at times. . . And then I listen to Michael's show and it all seems so simple !! ...And quite frankly, more fun 

I'm in a place, too, where I'm workign on listening to that inner voice-- I've been sick for the past two weeks and on top of that, just found out two friends of mine from high school died. . . (one of whom I just saw on saturday a few hours before he passed)    so on top of dealing with all my inner stuff, this outer stuff happens and makes me feel worse.

But yeah, i think you just have to find that place inside yourself that knows instinctively what you need and what you should do. ...From reading Michael's post, the one that jumped out at me was "Give yourself better feelings" ... I think I need a break. Some time off, perhaps. My body feels like it's on emotional overload and needs rest, but my spirit wants to keep going and have fun!!

There's always more inner work that you can do... Something new will always surface-- whether thru Debbie's shadow work or just listening to a hayhouse show, you'll probably have some new insight about yourself.

I think there comes a point, as well, where you can feel very overwhelmed by all the "self help" stuff. . . I know, myself, that I've had a tendency to do too much/read too much and lose touch with my true self. . . so lately, I've been cutting back!! ...i've been giving myself a break. letting myself just watch tv if thats what i want to do.
cheryl richardson just did a great show a few weeks ago on Taking a Break. I'd give it a listen. sounds like you need a break

Be good to yourself.


love, light and hot chocolate,
karen 

[peterblythspain]

Hi
just re joined the forum after a break,
Michaels new book which was a present to me from a friend is an excellent start for you to try
also a book called the art of allowing by abraham and jerry hicks is good to work from
BUT remember you are unique and what works for you is the important thing so try the book first and try the excersises in it they are excellent, Michael in my view is the most genuine unconditionaly loving  therapist( sorry michael coach) i have met so far in my life and i have met and worked with a few believe me !!!!!
good luck
llove and light to you
Peter