SPRING 2020: EDITORIAL

This issue of Inside Out marks the first of the new decade, and there are other transitions occurring as well; Brexit and a change of government to name just two of the most obvious. We may have made New Year’s resolutions at the beginning of the year which we find have already fallen by the way-side or been long forgotten, to be replaced by the familiarity of our habitual ways. But the old Celtic festival of Imbolc reminds us that now is a time more conducive to making change, as the seasons transition into that phase between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and we tip over into the time when nature is on the verge of resurfacing and bursting into growth and the light of the day is getting that bit longer.

Imbolc derives from the Irish i mbolg which translates as ‘in the belly’. Perhaps this is a useful prompt for how to let the material in the articles of this issue impact you, the reader; letting the material seep into you and drop down into the belly to let it reveal its message and voice. Indeed, the review in this edition, of the book Origins by Joan Davies, invites the reader to take it slow; exhorting that “slower is better, and playful curiosity yields more harvest than academically reading the text”. And this is an issue in which the articles are ripe for such an approach. We have a huge variety of topics and styles for the reader to immerse themselves in; ranging from reflections on love and relationships, to birth trauma and our interrelationship to the natural world, a case study dealing with trauma and the body, as well as explorations of the role of diagnosis in therapy and how an understanding of teaching methods can influence therapeutic practice.

We would like to draw your attention to a touching tribute to Alison Hunter, who died last November and who many will know as one of the founder members of IAHIP.

In this issue you will see two advertisements calling for volunteers for various committees in IAHIP. We would like to encourage all members to consider this invitation and take the opportunity to contribute talents and skills to the organisation. Included is a call for new members of the Editorial Board, as new commitments bring former members away in different directions. So, if you would enjoy working with words and the wide variety of authors we have contributing to the journal, please consider putting your name forward.

On that note we say a very fond farewell (if also a very reluctant one) to a longstanding member of the Editorial Board, Aisling McMahon. Aisling has worked on the Board for seven years. Throughout that time she has been an integral part of the journal’s development and successful publication. Aisling’s attention to detail, including formatting and editing standards, has been immense. Her unassuming generosity in offering support to authors and co-editors on the Board has helped to produce excellent articles and ensured the highest professional standards for our journal.

We would also like to offer our best wishes to Martina Breen. Despite being an enthusiastic new recruit, Martina has had to leave the Board prematurely due to a new work opportunity. We wish her good luck with her future endeavour.