Why Agatha Christie is my Therapist and Supervisor

Agatha Christie is my Counsellor and Supervisor, to being a 'detective therapist'.

I've always though that being a therapist is like being a detective! And then it makes complete sense why I love murder-mysteries and crime novels!

I read my first AC book at age 10 (Murder on the Orient Express & it's still my fave book of all time!) & I've been an avid crime fiction & AC super-fan since! And my own little grey cells have continued to grow, puzzle and reflect on life and people since then!

Reading all of her books have been instrumental to me becoming a counsellor. I've grown up with wanting to work out the mysteries, puzzles and whodunnits.... although its evolved from whodunnit's to now as a psychodynamic counsellor its all about why-dunnit (why do we relate in the ways and patterns that we do).

As Miss Marple, I sit, listen and observe (if I could cross-stitch or do some neddle-work at the same time I would although Miss Marple prefers to knit!).

As Poirot, I use my little grey cells to identify, explore and reflect on the pieces of narrative and lived experiences clients share.

As Columbo, I'm exploring and being curious of the why-dunnit (we already know the who!), why relate in the ways we do and what are the patterns and blueprints of relating and how have they been created.

I'm the shopkeeper from Mr Benn, magically appearing in front of Mr Benn (aka the client) once a week (ie per episode), to support the client to explore their life and go on an adventure/journey.

I'm Alice, falling down rabbitholes to explore different experiences, feelings or themes with the client and to dive deep into their world and lived experiences.

I'm also walking through the wardrobe every session, in to Narnia, to explore the client's world, both their internal world as well as the world out there and how they experience the world from their identity, intersectionality and lived experiences and relationships. How does the world look to them and how does the world relate to them in return?

So the crime novels of Agatha Christie & crime fiction have been a guide for me, to support me in exploring, excavating (AC was also a keen archeologist!), processing, reflecting & being curious about clients and their lived experiences, helping to work out and understand what is going on and looking at the situation from many different angles.

She lives as my internal counsellor & supervisor to me being a detective therapist!

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