Andres Põhjala is a co-addiction counsellor, sound and hypnotherapist.
For me, the gong is a source of presence. Having lived with anxiety for many years, I experienced how easy it is – both as a participant and as a player – to come into full presence on a gong journey. This experience changed me. In this deep, heightened state of relaxation, the body’s self-awakening kicks in. Energy reserves are replenished, clarity emerges. We reconnect with the joy of the inner child, see life from the sidelines, and notice that we have choices.
I work daily as a therapist and counsellor in my private practice, Andres Põhjala Therapy. I came on this journey through a personal need to heal – both mentally and physically.
My heart is about opening up my essence – for myself and others. Our true nature is often covered with layers of protection, formed from early experiences of trauma and abuse. These defences, once necessary, can limit us as adults. It is therefore necessary to gently and consciously open them.
I have noticed that experiences of abuse create an emotional triangle: fear, shame and guilt. It’s like an inner Bermuda Triangle where we lose ourselves and our sense of direction. In my work, it is the deepening of emotions, feelings and self-awareness that comes first. I don’t give you fish, I teach you how to use the hook – helping you to take responsibility for your own wellbeing.
Understanding that there are choices in every situation, we can take back the wheel of our lives and design a life that reflects our true nature.
I specialise in working with codependency and addiction issues – it’s a world I’m personally familiar with. But I also work with anyone who feels the need to understand their inner world and make space for healing.
