Getting under the skin of my clinical work
What’s been on my mind recently…
…is the power and potency of the relational. I pretty much work exclusively 1:1 with people, meaning we're in a dyad together that allows us time and space to be really seen and heard and listened to. This is what 'relational' means to me in the context of my work and clinic. How, even if we have conflicting viewpoints, or we disagree, we can bear witness to each other, and this seemingly has such important benefits not just to physical and t1d health, but to our complete sense of belonging, identity, and sense of self. Connection and space, that's where it's at.
Being honest, when I first started out doing this work, I felt a great need and urgency to tell you that:
1. I know it
2. that I should tell you I know it, and
3. that you can use that knowledge to go and do it
In a really humbling way, what I've realised through working relationally, is that there's such power in opening yourself up to not knowing. Once you accept you don't know or there could be a different way or that you can change your mind, a space can open up for something other. This could be something creative, more left-field, unique, or scarier, or darker. But in this other, space can be created and you can give yourself permission to think differently.
Through a t1d lens, this could be exploring your relationship with your body, or unrealising some of the beliefs you hold about what t1ds should do, or even addressing some of the shame you may feel living with this condition.
This other space gives us other options
The freedom to try. And succeed. And fail. And re-think.
And the thing about nutrition is that what we believe to be 'true' can change with further research and investigation. It's an evolving evidence base. We must hold it with seriousness, but also hold it loosely. So we can accept it might change, and we must re-examine what we know to be true.
Another aspect of this work, is that we both come to the sessions on an equal footing. Locking arms and joining forces. I really value what you're bringing to the table. This is your condition and experience. I have my own experience that I can add and often do. Fundamentally, this is about partnership. This often shifts expectations around the power dynamic you may expect or have experienced in a different healthcare setting.
I will always offer up recommendations and gentle guidance, and you will be rooted in the heart centre of these. They are delicately crafted for your unique self. I don't use a fixed protocol that all my clients undergo. And hey, if something isn't working for you, we change it.
You may have an expectation of what working with me looks like in terms of success or achievement. That might be a lowered hba1c, or an improved food relationship, or another tangible goal. I'd love to guarantee that for you. Sadly there are no givens on that front.
But what I can 100% guarantee you'll get working from me is connection, space, and a prioritisation of the relational. A space to look into the other. And to do this in collaboration with me.
And most times, if we prioritise the relational (a given), the other achievements can come later.