The Power of Communication:
The Impact on the Soul and Psyche
A reflective piece by author and counsellor Katherine Foster, inspired by recent professional experiences that reaffirmed the power of communication, compassion, and intentional self-care in nurturing the human spirit.
The Week That Was....
The week that was had a profound effect on me, and upon reflection, there were two settings in which I experienced the full spectrum and impact of communication on both the soul and psyche.
One conversation was marked by warmth, respect, genuine curiosity, and collaboration, leaving me feeling heard, understood, appreciated, and valued. What we call in counselling unconditional positive regard.
The other, while brief, carried a very different tone. The words felt sharp, critical, and dismissive. They left me feeling diminished, with a lingering sense of heaviness, self-doubt, and emotional fatigue. It prompted me to reflect deeply on my sense of purpose, not only in that context, but more broadly in life.
Recognising and Responding to Impact
As a self-care author, counsellor, and individual with lived experience of trauma, I can recognise and articulate the impact of such interactions. I am aware of the stages of grief and loss I am navigating, and the coping strategies I need to implement to care for myself.
However, this awareness does not make it a quick fix. Healing is not immediate, and the emotional residue of feeling unsafe or devalued cannot be resolved overnight. Like anyone else, it takes time to rebuild a sense of safety, restore equilibrium, and nurture the psyche and soul.
Tending to the Soul and Psyche
So, what was the starting point in tending to the soul and psyche?
It began with recognising and accepting that I was not feeling okay, and acknowledging that I needed to reach out to my support structure, which includes both loved ones and professionals.
One of those professionals gently reminded me to give myself time and breathing space, to allow the cortisol levels to settle and to do something kind for myself that evening.
Since that conversation, I’ve engaged in a number of small but meaningful self-care practices. I have been observing and monitoring my thoughts and physical responses, for example, noticing the impact on my body, including fatigue, gluggy eyes even without crying, early morning moments of silent tears, replaying the words in my mind, feeling numb and confused about the experience, and feeling apprehensive about future encounters and their possible impact.
Additionally, I revisited old text messages from a mentor who has known me for over nine years. Two recent messages I found were: “Take it easy. You’re doing great” and “I am proud of what you have achieved.” Seeing these words in that moment reminded me of my growth and progress, and gave me the added resolve to keep going in the face of adversity, reminding me that I have conquered taller mountains and that I can do this!
Furthermore, I began reclaiming small areas of my environment, for instance, cleaning the kitchen and pantry (a work in progress!), and gently encouraging myself to take positive, achievable action steps. I also spent time watching some comforting and thought provoking old movies (including Baby Boom with Diane Keaton and What Dreams May Come with Robin Williams), soaked in a warm bath with magnesium salts and a softly scented candle flickering on the windowsill, scheduled an EMIT (Eye Movement Integration Therapy) session with a counsellor, and decided to write this blog, hoping to support others who may feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start or turn to.
This experience reinforced the immense value of having a self-care strategy or plan already in place. Many of the activities I’ve described are part of my own Self-Care Workbook and Card Set, yet what matters most is not the tools themselves, it’s the proactive action of using them.
By activating my plan, I am managing what I perceive to be a period of stress and overwhelm, in an intentional and compassionate way. I am giving myself the time and space to breathe, process, and heal, while establishing healthy self-care and self-preservation boundaries, and remaining open to safe, professional opportunities that support my journey.
A Ripple For Others
My hope is that this blog resonates with you and reminds you that you are not alone. To remind you that reaching out for help, whether you’re a counsellor, health or allied health professional, or simply someone navigating life’s ripples, is not a sign of weakness but of strength and courage.
I also hope these reflections provide a few insights, tools, or ideas to help you on your own path toward balance, renewal, self-appreciation, and reflective growth – the kind that emerges when we take a moment to pause, learn, and integrate our experiences. May these words serve as inspiration as you continue on your journey:
As Marilyn Monroe once said, “Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle.”
My thoughts: May this experience and the wisdom obtained from it, one day, become the light that helps you guide others through their moments of darkness.
Katherine Foster is the Author of “Self-Care Awareness, Action and Planning Workbook” and “Self-Care Awareness, Action and Planning Card Deck”. A highly experienced nationally registered Australian Counsellor and Career Development Specialist in private practice (Blu Ripples pronounced Blue Ripples).
Drawing on her rich blend of professional and lived with experiences, Katherine provide practical, authentic, empathetic, down to earth and meaningful insights in her publications, and videos. Currently pursuing a Master of Rehabilitation Counselling Degree with Griffith University, her publishing goals are to empower and support others through periods of stress, crisis and transition and to build a community of like minded individuals whom engage and support each other in a positive and meaningful way thereby transforming the challenges of life into a positive legacy.
