Never Stop Learning: Recognizing the necessity of continuous learning and professional development is crucial. Staying abreast of the latest research, therapeutic techniques, and advancements in the field ensures that I can provide the best possible care for my clients and adapt to their evolving needs.
Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Milou Katsikare.
Marie-Louise Katsikare (Milou), a multicultural BACP registered therapist and EFT practitioner based in Surrey, brings a unique perspective shaped by her personal journey as a breast cancer survivor. Drawing from her diverse professional background, she integrates person-centred and psychodynamic approaches to offer compassionate support in navigating life’s challenges. With a deep commitment to empathetic listening and exploration of past experiences, Milou creates a safe space for individuals to find healing and empowerment on their paths to self-discovery.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
Certainly! My name is Marie-Louise Katsikare, although many call me Milou. I’ve had a multifaceted journey that’s shaped who I am today. As a breast cancer survivor, I’ve experienced firsthand the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of finding support during challenging times. With a multicultural background, I bring a unique perspective to my work as a therapist and EFT practitioner based in Cobham, Surrey. My professional journey has been enriched by years of experience in private practice, where I’ve honed my skills in person-centred and psychodynamic approaches, guiding individuals through their own paths of self-discovery and healing.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
One of the most intriguing moments in my career occurred when a client, grappling with profound trauma, embarked on a transformative journey of healing. Witnessing their growth underscored the importance of continuous self-work for both therapist and client. It highlighted the necessity of maintaining personal growth and introspection as a therapist. This experience reaffirmed that the depth of healing one can facilitate is often mirrored by the depth of work one commits to within themselves.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Certainly. When I first started my career, I made the mistake of trying to work with anyone and everyone, addressing a wide range of presenting issues without specializing. However, I soon realized that my true passion and effectiveness lay in working with clients dealing with anxiety and trauma. This realization taught me the importance of finding a niche in my practice. By focusing on a specific area, I could deepen my expertise, provide more targeted support, and ultimately enhance the quality of care I offer to my clients. It taught me that specializing allows me to make a more significant impact and serve my clients more effectively.
Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
As a therapist specializing in anxiety and trauma, my work plays a crucial role in promoting mental health and wellness. By providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their emotions, heal past traumas, and develop coping strategies, I contribute to fostering resilience and emotional well-being in my clients’ lives. I aim to inspire hope and resilience in others facing adversity, thus contributing to a broader culture of empowerment and healing. Ultimately, my work is about facilitating personal transformation and empowerment, which I believe has a ripple effect, positively impacting not only my clients but also their families, communities, and beyond.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing?
1 . Absolutely, here are five lifestyle tweaks that can support people’s journey towards better well-being:
- Prioritize Self-Care Rituals: Incorporating self-care rituals into daily life can significantly enhance well-being. For instance, dedicating just 10 minutes each morning to meditation or mindfulness can set a positive tone for the day. I had a client who struggled with chronic stress and anxiety. By implementing a morning meditation routine, they found it easier to manage stress throughout the day and noticed improvements in their overall mood and mental clarity.
- Establish Boundaries: Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining mental and emotional health. This might involve saying no to commitments that drain energy or setting limits on screen time to prioritize real-life connections. I worked with a client who constantly felt overwhelmed by work demands and social obligations. Through therapy, they learned to assertively communicate their boundaries and prioritize activities that nourished their well-being, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
- Practice Gratitude: Cultivating a gratitude practice can shift perspective and enhance feelings of happiness and contentment. Keeping a gratitude journal and reflecting on three things to be grateful for each day can foster a more positive outlook on life. I had a client who struggled with depression and negative thinking patterns. Introducing a daily gratitude practice helped them reframe their mindset and appreciate the beauty and blessings present in their life, even during challenging times.
- Nourish Your Body: Paying attention to nutrition and physical activity is crucial for overall well-being. Making small changes such as incorporating more fruits and vegetables into meals or going for a daily walk can have a significant impact on health. I worked with a client who struggled with low energy and mood swings. By adopting a balanced diet and incorporating regular exercise into their routine, they experienced improvements in energy levels, mood stability, and overall vitality.
- Cultivate Supportive Relationships: Building and maintaining meaningful connections with others is vital for emotional health. Whether it’s spending quality time with loved ones, joining a support group, or seeking professional therapy, having a strong support network can provide comfort, validation, and encouragement during difficult times. I witnessed the transformative power of supportive relationships in the life of a client who struggled with feelings of loneliness and isolation. Through therapy, they learned to cultivate authentic connections and found solace in knowing they were not alone on their journey towards healing and self-discovery.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
If I could start one movement to bring the most wellness to the largest number of people, it would be “Psyche and Soma: Mind-Body Wellness for All.” This movement would emphasize the profound connection between the psyche (mind) and soma (body) in addressing anxiety and trauma, integrating mindfulness practices to promote comprehensive healing.
Through “Psyche and Soma,” individuals would learn to cultivate present moment awareness and develop greater resilience in the face of anxiety and trauma. This approach recognizes that these experiences not only affect the mind but also manifest in physical symptoms and somatic experiences, highlighting the importance of addressing both aspects for holistic well-being.
The movement would advocate for trauma-informed mindfulness practices, mindful movement therapies like yoga and tai chi, and body-centered psychotherapy approaches to support individuals in regulating their nervous system, releasing tension stored in the body, and cultivating self-compassion on their journey toward healing.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
Certainly, here are the “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” as a therapist specializing in anxiety and trauma:
- Find a Niche: Discovering the importance of finding a niche early on would have been incredibly valuable. Specializing in anxiety and trauma allows for deeper expertise and better serves clients’ specific needs, fostering more meaningful and effective therapeutic outcomes.
- Never Stop Learning: Recognizing the necessity of continuous learning and professional development is crucial. Staying abreast of the latest research, therapeutic techniques, and advancements in the field ensures that I can provide the best possible care for my clients and adapt to their evolving needs.
- You Still Need to Work on Yourself: Understanding that personal growth and self-awareness are ongoing processes, regardless of professional expertise, would have been enlightening. Continuously working on myself not only enhances my effectiveness as a therapist but also contributes to my own well-being and fulfillment.
- Therapy Is Not One Size Fits All: Realizing that therapy is highly individualized and that what works for one client may not work for another is essential. Tailoring therapeutic approaches to each client’s unique needs, preferences, and circumstances fosters a more collaborative and effective therapeutic relationship.
- Be Aware of Your Mind and Body Connection: Embracing the interconnectedness of mind and body in both personal and professional realms would have been insightful. Understanding and nurturing this connection not only enhances my own well-being but also informs my approach to helping clients cultivate holistic wellness and healing.
Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?
As a therapist specializing in anxiety and trauma, mental health is the cause dearest to me. Mental health is fundamental to our overall well-being and affects every aspect of our lives, including how we interact with ourselves, others, and the world around us.
Addressing mental health issues is crucial for building resilient and thriving communities. It’s deeply fulfilling to witness the positive impact that therapy can have on individuals’ lives, empowering them to overcome challenges, heal from past traumas, and cultivate greater emotional well-being.
Furthermore, mental health intersects with other important issues such as sustainability, veganism, and environmental changes. Individuals facing mental health challenges may also experience heightened stress and anxiety related to environmental concerns or ethical dilemmas, such as those surrounding sustainability and veganism. By prioritizing mental health awareness and support, we can create more compassionate and resilient societies where individuals feel empowered to address not only their personal struggles but also broader societal issues. This interconnected approach resonates deeply with me, making mental health advocacy the cause that is nearest and dearest to my heart.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
Readers interested in following my work online can connect with me through my website : thegaiatherapy.com and on instagram @thegaiatherapy
Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com .
