The YUM Story
In the beginning…
We (Emily and Sean) met studying Gestalt psychotherapy in 2013 and got together in 2014. She had two daughters (3 & 6) and he had two sons (7 & 8).
Soon after, we began the blended family adventure and not long after that (2018) got pregnant with twins!
Needless to say, there has been some pressure on the relationship - sleep, finances, emotional upheavals, etc.
Tending our relationship…
To support our relationship, we started out having little check-ins in the evening. “How are you feeling?” “What’s up for you?” - that kind of thing. Sometimes if we were feeling generous one of us might give the other a massage.
We soon recognised that some topics were harder to broach: asking for things, giving tough feedback, discontentedness, talking about sex.
Over time we found that a little structure helped, and we began having turns at offering and asking for various things, and listening in silence.
Over the years our meetings evolved in different ways and helped us to get through some really tricky times. The simple structure helped us deepen in trust, to be honest, and to keep the relationship feeling dynamic.
The birth of YUM…
Towards the end of 2018 we decided that we wanted to start a project together. What could we do?
We’d often hear that one of our friends was having a tough time in a relationship. Sometimes we’d comment to each other that we were lucky to have our little structured meetings.
We quickly hit upon the idea of consolidating what we’d learned and sharing it with others. Pretty soon we were on our way.
Our hopes for YUM…
We’ve called it YUM - You. Me. Us. - because, while it isn’t always easy, the longterm impact of tending to a relationship is to make that relationship YUM.
Our hope is that YUM helps you break through the hustle-and-bustle, the resistance and the distance, to find each other once again in all your yumminess.
Emily & Sean.
About US
Emily:
I am a mother and stepmother to six wonderful humans. In my professional life I am a passionate osteopath, and outside of that I love cooking and gardening and generally being alive. Sometimes it takes all day to get out of the house (twin toddlers!) – it’s a bonus if I’m not smeared in avocado, banana or snot. Our home life is very rich and messy!
Sean:
I’m a dad and a “sparent” to the same six wonderful humans. I work as a psychotherapist and lecturer, and have a deep interest in nature-connection, masculinity, and most things psychological and philosophical. Also love to dance and build things. I need to get to the woods - hiking or planting trees - at least once a fortnight or I start going a bit mad. Currently in “the full-catastrophe” phase of life and relishing it…
Our Professional Qualifications
Dr Emily Fishman
Masters of Osteopathy – RMIT University
Bachelor of Applied Science (Complementary Medicine) – RMIT University
Advanced Certificate Relational Gestalt Counselling
Certificate 4 Personal Trainer
Bachelor of Arts (History) – University of Melbourne
Dr Emily Fishman is registered with the Australian Osteopathic Association and AHPRA. She works from Fort Green in Northcote and has been a clinical supervisor at RMIT University.
Sean O’Carroll
Master of Arts by Research in Experiential & Creative Arts Practice (MIECAT)
BA (Honours) Philosophy: Phenomenology (University of Melbourne)
Advanced Certificate of Relational Gestalt Counselling (Gestalt Therapy Australia)
Graduate Certificate in Experiential & Creative Arts Practice (MIECAT)
Advanced Diploma Transpersonal Art Therapy (Phoenix Institute of Australia)
Diploma Transpersonal Counselling (Phoenix Institute of Australia)
Sean O'Carroll has professional registration with Holistic Therapists Australia (HTA). He regularly lectures at the Ikon Institute in Melbourne, in the Bachelor or Integrative Psychotherapy and the Bachelor of Arts Psychotherapy programs, is a certified Dancing Freedom facilitator and trainer, and works as a consultant to St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Monash University on psychedelic psychotherapy therapist training.