Testimonies:

"I'd like to recommend the work of Nicholas de Castella to you:

I work as a GP in rural Victoria, and the nature of my practice is such that my patient population includes a high proportion of GP Psychiatry cases- anxiety, depression, relationship problems, stress/burnout etc. I've been interested then, in developing ways to help these patients.

I have known and worked with Nicholas de Castella for 7 years. We have worked together at workshops (now called "E.Q.") designed to promote the mental and emotional health of participants during this time, at both country locations (near Horsham) and city locations. I myself have participated in 4 Seminars, as well as assisting at a number of others.

To date, in excess of 100 patients of mine have participated in these events. These have frequently been people who have tried all sorts of help in the past without receiving the benefit that they have hoped for, and this had left many feeling a sort of helplessness. This is where the workshops facilitated by Nicholas and Susan de Castella fit in.

Patients have reported more energy; lessening of physical pain; increased understanding of their life situation; a range of skills that can be used in all sorts of situations to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression; improved mood; improved coping skills with life stressors; more passion in their lives, and hence, improved relationships; finding a network of genuine friends from whom they feel support. Some of my patients attending Seminars have been particularly ill, either physically or mentally, and these patients, too, have been able to make great gains during a short time. It seems to me that the possibilities are only limited by our imagination and willingness to try something new.

These gains occur as there is a combination of the work done in the Seminars combined with ongoing support from GP's and fellow travelers on Life's journey. I am impressed that Nicholas runs an ongoing group to ensure the availability of continuing group support as well as opportunities for one to one counseling, so that patients can continue to work with him on matters that might arise and require more time than a Seminar provides. This continuity of care demonstrates his commitment to being available for patients in the longer term, and I feel is an important ingredient in the overall healing process.

With the epidemic of depression currently in full swing, I've personally found that what's usually needed is a combination of medication (usually SSRI's) and "therapy". Psychologists/counselors usually focus on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) type approaches, which, whilst they have the research backing, don't usually lead, in my experience, to deep seated change- it's as though it's more about learning some mental trickery whilst underneath the heart is still aching. If it's accepted that we have a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual realm, it's been my experience that it's a lack of emotional skills that determines the outcome rather than lack of mental (CBT) skills. With Nicholas' approach to "therapy", the seminars that he runs are designed around a series of emotional exercises, so that participants build up a store of experience about what their bodies are actually FEELING, rather than what their minds are THINKING that they are/should be feeling. There is frequently quite a difference. With this knowledge, it's possible to then learn some ways to release the feeling and move on. As one of my mentors said, "it's insultingly simple", yet so rare to find people with emotional mastery skills.

I'm finding that not only are patients more empowered, deeply empowered, but they support each other, and in so doing, a new quality of "old fashioned community" is starting to emerge again. This is really impressive to me, as it seems to me that much of the dis-ease I see as a GP is born of a sense of lack of acceptance/identity within one's own community- "I don't belong". With the growing numbers of participants in this part of Victoria, there's really a change in this sense, so previously lonely/unsupported folk can feel supported and valued for who they are.

I conclude by thoroughly recommending the range of Seminars facilitated by Nicholas & Susan de Castella. These are high quality events with the potential for changing people's lives forever"

I'd like to propose that you meet Nicholas yourself and talk about this approach.

Dr Jo Horwood MB BS Hons) (Melb) FRACGP FAMAS FACNEM

 

"I became aware of what Being Alive with Passion feels like for me & how out of touch with that I have been. I felt energy coursing through my body as I have not felt for my many years of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. My experience of myself has changed - I feel myself as a person with my own power. I breath more fully and it is so satisfying and enlivening. I thank you from the bottom of my deeply felt heart Nicholas for giving so much with such care & effectiveness". Susan Domopoulos, Casemix Analyst

 

"Revelations about the internal me that are amazing, astounding & revealing. I can't think of a better way of 'finding heart'. Stephen Ware, Farmer

 

"Amazing revelations in discovering myself and recognising and releasing blockages. I am loving myself, respecting myself and refuse to sabotage myself from achieving what I want". Sandra Worsley, Radiographer

 

"I gained insight into an unknown for me. Now I know the first steps to feeling and expressing and experiencing my emotions. I learnt new ways to live.

Andrew Binns, Tax Advisor

 

"Nicholas has empathy and provides a safe nurturing environment to explore issues which may be keeping us from being passionately alive.

Marlana McCarthy, Teacher

 

"I have been able to release emotional blockages from the past which used to control the way I lived my life. Prior to this seminar I was not living in the present and as a consequence I lived in stress and fear and hurt the people I love. Now I feel free from these past emotional blockages & am more willing to love and nurture myself & others. I recommend this workshop to anyone who wants to release blockages from the past & let go." Jean Thomas, Teacher

 

"I have a better understanding of who I am as a person and how I fit into the "Big Picture". The weekend was fantastic. I liked how the workshop had experiential learning interspersed with theory, allowing me to enjoy a weekend of different emotions including happiness, sadness, anger & love" Andrea Winzer, Trainer