Psychological Roots Behind Physical Pain: Understanding Somatic Symptoms
Our bodies may not speak in words, but they express every emotion we feel. Often, when the mind cannot find a way to voice its pain or when we suppress our feelings the body sends out distress signals in the form of physical discomfort. This is the “inner self” calling out for help. These physical pains caused by the mind are known as Somatic Symptoms.
What is Somatic Pain?
Somatic pain occurs when psychological distress such as stress, anxiety, or trauma manifests as actual physical pain. While the pain is very real, medical tests often show no physical cause or illness. This isn’t “all in your head”, the pain is genuine, but its root lies within the mind rather than the body’s tissues.
Your physical pain might not be just an illness, it could be a reminder saying: “You are emotionally exhausted, and you need to rest.” Your body’s discomfort may be guiding you toward a journey of mental healing. Please do not ignore these signs, take them seriously and care for yourself.
Motivational Interviewing Training — Programme Completion
We recently wrapped up a specialised training on Motivational Interviewing (MI) with Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Benjamin Weinstein, PhD. Motivational Interviewing is a client-centred approach that focuses on one of the hardest parts of therapy: helping people resolve ambivalence and find the motivation to change.
By hosting these sessions, the Professional Counsellor Pathway continues to ensure that counsellors in Myanmar have the support, supervision, and skills they need to practice safely and effectively. If you are interested to be parth of Professional Counsellor Pathway, send email to professionalcounsellormm@gmail.com.
Counselling Corner’s Thingyan Well-being Box
With the New Year approaching, many of us are looking for ways to refresh and start anew. At Counselling Corner, we’ve put together a Thingyan Well-being Package designed to help teams pause, reflect, and celebrate together.
Rather than just a gift, we see this as a way to bring the traditional “cleansing” spirit of the Water Festival into the office. Each package includes:
- Our Emotions Game and Reflective Journal offer a quiet way for staff to check in with themselves after a busy year.
- The “Splash Away” Emotion Board provides a creative space to jot down old stresses and symbolically “wash them away” to find clarity for the year ahead.
- We’ve included Individual Counselling Vouchers as a gentle way to encourage anyone on a self-care journey.
- To keep the office feeling bright and festive, the package also comes with Padauk flowers, a symbolic Scented Atar Pot, and Water Guns for fun.
The full well-being package is available for 800,000 MMK. As a special part of this program, we are also offering an exclusive well-being webinar for each company that joins us. It is a dedicated hour for your team to come together, share reflections, and feel truly appreciated before the holidays begin.
If you’d like to bring this experience to your team, feel free to reach out to us at 09-969054978. We’d love to help you celebrate a meaningful New Year.
Emotions Game Collaboration
We are excited to share our recent collaborations with Beer O’Clock and SPACE 17!
To bring mental health awareness into everyday spaces, we teamed up with these popular local spots to introduce our Emotions Game to their customers. Visitors had the chance to play the game, share their experiences on social media, and engage in meaningful conversations over food and games. A huge thank you to the teams at Beer O’Clock and SPACE 17 for helping us create a relaxed, fun environment for emotional reflection. If you would like to bring a similar experience to your space or community, please contact us at 09-969054978.
Voices From Counselling Corner Mandalay Office
As the one-year memorial of the earthquake approaches, our team in Mandalay has been reflecting on their own journeys of healing. Here are the heartfelt messages they shared:
“I thought I was doing fine, but seeing familiar places that are no longer there or feeling the sudden emptiness brings back waves of sadness and longing. My heart goes out to everyone who has faced such immense loss.” — May Thu
“A year has passed… but the feelings from that day can still linger in our hearts. Please don’t pressure yourself to ‘forget’. It is only natural to remember.” — Chit Min Khant
“A year has gone by, yet for some, it might still feel like it only happened yesterday. If you feel this way, please know that it’s okay. Remember, you are not alone.” — Khin
“Falling down and having to get back up is a natural part of being human. Let’s get through this together.” — Thin Yadanar Hsu
“One year since the earthquake, it is natural for painful memories to resurface. Please remember: these feelings are normal. Healing has no fixed timeline, so treat yourself with gentle patience.” — Nilar
“At this time, you may feel those anxieties returning. These feelings are natural and normal to experience. Let’s take care of ourselves and support each other, our families and friends. May you all be safe and healthy.” — Eaint Wai
Beyond the Earthquake: Dealing with Loss & Grief
On 28 March, we mark the one-year memorial of the earthquake that changed so many lives. Beyond the physical damage, such events often leave us grieving for the things we cannot see, the loss of our dreams, the loss of a steady life and the loss of the future we had envisioned.
To support our community during this sensitive time, we are hosting a special session titled “Beyond the Earthquake: Dealing with Loss & Grief”. This workshop focuses on navigating these losses and finding ways to rebuild a sense of inner stability.
We invite you to join our experienced counsellors for an hour of reflection and support:
Free in person seminar at Counselling Corner Mandalay Office
Date: 26 March
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Our Mandalay Office
Free Online Webinar
Date: 28 March
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
How many of these signs do you recognise in yourself or someone you know?
If you relate to these points, please remember that it is not your fault. You can heal these childhood wounds and build a healthier, happier adult life. We encourage you to speak with a professional to begin your journey of healing.
With our Buy 1 Get 1 Free gift card offer, you can treat someone special and receive a little something for your own self-care journey, too.
To purchase, call or send a Viber message to 09969054978.