I think I am joined by many around the world who will be very happy for the season to change. In Australia we are having another cold snap as we inch toward Spring and friends in Europe and America are very keen for rain in many regions and others just want the rain to stop. As much as we prefer stability and we have clear ideas on what are the parameters of our “comfort zone”, there is no end of instability and change in world, both around us and within. It is our ability to adapt and adjust to variations in the surrounding and inner milieu that has helped to make us such a successful species.

Understanding how our brain hemispheres help us to be adaptable is continued by Matthew Dahlitz in his series of discussions about Iain McGilchrist’s work. This 6th episode addresses Attention. The issue begins with another of our In Conversation With series. I talk with Egyptian psychiatrist, Sharif Darwish who established the Recovery Center in Alexandria to help people recover and manage recovery from addiction. There is so much more to the story now.

Effective therapy is achieved when there is a successful engagement with client capacities. We explore two fascinating discussions with case studies. Joseph A. Goldfield and Michael F. Hoyt describe the benefits and the experience of Using Progressive Muscle Relaxation to Make Embedded and Embodied Hypnotic Suggestions. Rubin Battino stirs our perceptions and thinking in his discussion of Exorcisms―Brief Therapy with Hypnosis.
We conclude this issue with another book reflection from Gunnel Minett that highlights the theme of this issue – The Key To Mental Health Is Understanding – as she considers the new book from Avigail Abarbanel, Therapy Without A Therapist, A DIY Guide to Good Mental Health & Growth.

The development and growth of our understanding of our clients, and ourselves, is a life-long process that is nourished by both knowledge and experience which is both individually procured and co-created when we engage with others. I hope your journey is enhanced by our monthly sharing of what is going in the minds of fascinating people from around the world. I repeat my invitation for all who would like to submit a contribution to the magazine. I look forward to your email.

RICHARD HILL | EDITOR