Physical and mental therapy suggestions wanted - Brighton&Hove especially

[OhMyTummyMummy]

Dear all,

After a couple of very tricky years, I realise I need to devote some time (and money no doubt!) to rebuilding both my physical and mental well being.

We have recently moved to Brighton and Hove, so although there are hundreds of practitioners specialising in lots of weird and wonderful therapies, I don?t have a network to call on for recommendations...and I feel lost!

On the physical front, I am looking for suggestions of therapies that will help me recharge my energy levels. The batteries are empty, my body is dog tired and in pain ? everything feels like a huge effort and I feel stuck in the body of an old lady! I also want to feel more grounded and connected again. Does that make sense? PS I hate sport, my idea of hell!

On the mental front, I also need to work on some issues that becoming a mum has thrown up, as well as work through my feelings about my daughter?s father. I also need some support in parenting my toddler as I often feel like I am not being the mum I could be, but I don?t know how to break that cycle! I feel unsure about looking online for a shrink and don?t really know what kind of practitioner could help me with these ?parenting? related issues

If you have any brainwaves where to look for help then I would be very grateful. And if you have any local practitioner recommendations, then that would be wonderful!

Thanks for taking the time.

[orangeflutie]

Hmmm.. you might have to work through your list in some sort of order. It sounds like starting with your mind and body would be best. I certainly feel older than I should a lot of the time. Parenting is often hard work. Hope you don't mind me asking, are you still with your daughter's father?

You say you hate sport. What about starting with getting out for gentle walks maybe either with or without your daughter. Don't know how old she is? There are lots of good places to walk around you. The seafront or the south downs for example. There are also probably yoga or pilates classes near you. These are great for your body and your mind. Could you treat yourself to a massage every now and then? Maybe a beauty salon that uses essential oils.

If your body is in a lot of pain, I can recommend 'The Physiotherapy Centre' in Haywards Heath near me. There are some good physiotherapists there which your local doctors surgery would be able to refer you to, or there may well be a centre nearer to you. Your doctor would also be able to talk to you about parenting groups and counselling if you feel you need either/both.

I think if you can start to feel better in mind and body, you may find that you're not such a bad parent as you think. Depending on your daughter's age there will be clubs around that you and/or her could join. This will help as you can then meet local mums and share ideas.

Good luck.

[OhMyTummyMummy]

Hi Orange Flutie

Thanks for your reply. To answer your questions:

I am a single mom, my daughter's dad has seen her just a handful of times and we get no support from him at all - his family don't even know he is a dad.

And my daughter is nearly 2 and a half. I would love to find some groups/child friendly places to take her in Brighton&Hove, especially at the weekends...

Thanks again

[BustyDeLaGhetto]

Hi OMTM - I currently live in Brighton and find this website really useful - you can either search by the type of activity you want to do (art/music/soft play etc) or use the calendar to see whats going on on a daily basis.

Whereabouts are you based ? The Jubilee Library is a wonderful space in town and the children's library is excellent, they have story telling and singing sessions on some days. Details on their website, I think. Also Queens Park and St Anns Wells Gardens are both lovely open spaces which are also good for clearing the head a little I find - I regularly attend a wonderful children's art class in Hove and a toddler group by Preston Park with DD - I can PM you the names of them if you'd like.

I'm not sure what kind of parenting issues you're experiencing but all the local classes I've seen recently tend to be based on the book 'How to Talk so Your Kids Will Listen and Listen So Your Kids Will Talk' - its meant to be brilliant so that may be a good place to start ? Cheapy on Amazon I think.

It sounds as though you need to recharge physically before you can start to help yourself mentally. Have you thought about acupuncture or hypnotherapy? I am currently seeing a very good hypnotherapist and will happily recommend her to you - similarly a friend of mine swears by acupuncture for flagging energy levels - I've never tried it myself but hopefully that may give you the boost you sound as though you need!

[OhMyTummyMummy]

Ooh Busty (hope you dont mind me using your first name!) you sound like a gold mine of info!

We live near Western Road, just as Brighton runs into Hove so we are close to St Anns Wells Gardens and went up there alot when the weather was kinder!

I would love a PM with details of where I might find an art class (suitable for a toddler?), and ditto the classes based on the book you mentioned (or where might i see ads for such classes?) as someone else has mentioned this book, I just need to stay awake to read past page 1!

If you could also pass on the hypontherapy and acupuncture practitioner contact details then that would be wonderful - I agree, at the moment I feel so low energy that I need to work on feeling better in my skin first and foremost...

Thanks so much, look forward to hearing from you

[LadyMedea]

On the physical front why don't you have a go with the Feldenkrais method. www.feldenkrais.co.uk/ My physio is a trained practitioner and I've been really impressed. Definitely one for the non sporty.

If you're interested in talking therapy and want to deal with issues from your past, look for a therapist with psychodynamic training. They should do you right.

[BustyDeLaGhetto]

Hi Tummy, I've PM'd you!

[thepeoplesprincess]

Have you heard of the Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project? It's a volunteer-based community centre for people from disadvantaged backgrounds and there is a LOT of help and support for people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds such as single parents or people with mental health difficulties.

Definitely worth checking out- if only for the free creche