The power of positive thinking

Dubai-based integrated therapist and healer to conduct workshop tomorrow


You can't afford the luxury of negative thinking… Ever' is the title of a workshop to be held at the The Ritz Carlton, Dubai on November 11. To be conducted by Debbie Beck, a Dubai-based integrated therapist and healer, it is designed to benefit all those who wish to change some aspect of their life and those who wish to have a better quality of life.

Debbie runs MindBody Dynamixs, a specialist rehabilitation centre on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai and has treated people with emotional and psychological problems. "Most of the people I see on my 'crying couch' are those suffering from stress, irrational fears, lack of confidence and self-esteem. A feeling of loneliness and isolation is also a common problem I encounter among expatriates," says Debbie.

She believes that the root cause of all these problems is negative thinking. "People do not realise that often even problems like obesity are caused by negative thinking leading to low self-esteem. Once they understand the cause of the problem and correct it, they no longer depend on comfort eating, drugs or other unhealthy habits. It is important to focus on the here and now. One must learn not to hold on to past traumas or worry about future events that are not in our control," she says.

During the workshops she will provide participants with tools and techniques to recognise negative thoughts in themselves and others and to understand how negative thought patterns develop, to learn to change their way of thinking and be able to turn negative situations around to their advantage. "The key to happiness is to be able to think, feel and know the positive in all things," says Debbie.

"Most of the consultations I do at my clinic are on a one on one basis. But having seen the extent to which these problems are prevalent here, I decided to conduct this workshop so that I could reach out to more people. Getting a small group together is useful in therapy because knowing that others have problems similar to ours helps in healing; also people in such groups are able to help each other," she adds.

Focussing on the positive begins with the way we communicate. "We often use negative words like don't, but our brain does not recognise this word. Whether it is a mother instructing her child or a boss talking to his subordinate or even dialogue with our inner self, we can be more effective if we use positive words," says Debbie.

Debbie speaks from experience. An information technology executive, her dream was to work for the biggest organisation and close the biggest deal for her company. "I did that and earned accolades, a fat salary, nice house and car. But found that I had no time for friends or a family," she recalls. Having realised that success and happiness are not necessarily connected, she decided to change her attitude to life and focus on her inner self.

She began by studying Neuro Linguistic Programming and qualified as an NLP trainer. She is certified as a practitioner and trainer by the National Guild of Hypnotherapy, USA and has a diploma in nutritional therapy and stress management from UK. Debbie is also a Reiki Master and spiritual healer and began practising integrated therapy eight years ago in the UK. Three years ago she gave up her job in the IT industry in Dubai and started MindBody Dynamixs, which is registered with the Dubai Economic Department and the Department of Health and Medical
Services.

"By using a mix of therapies, I focus on getting people to think positively and proactively rather than reacting negatively to other people and situations.I get them to understand what they have control of and what they do not. Rather than reacting to bad drivers, rude bosses and other elements of the outside world, I teach them to focus on their own inner world and their emotions, which they have control over," explains Debbie. She will conduct two other workshops at The Ritz Carlton, titled 'Turning Stress into Success' and 'Healing for Self and Family'.