The pRocess
I offer afternoon or evening individual appointments and weekend retreats with up to four participants. In addition to cognitive behavioral therapy and Twelve-Step process, I incorporate mindfulness based stress reduction practice, guided imagery, self hypnosis, Reiki, and Qigong. These sessions bring understanding and peace. They teaches self-help tools and help one develop a regular practice of health for mind, body and spirit.
Mindful meditation is a cornerstone of Buddhist philosophy and has been used to cultivate acceptance and compassion. It has been practiced in Asia for thousands of years. Mindfulness practice trains the individual to focus on the present moment, which quiets the mind. As unsettling thoughts enter the mind we learn to observe without judgement, to “note with a smile” and return to the breath. This acceptance defuses emotion and allows one to deal with problems from a place of compassion. It is the subject of much medical research and has been found to reduce anxiety and help control stress-related illness such as hypertension, headache, gastrointestinal irritability and other inflammatory disease.
Reiki and Qigong are healing arts of Buddhist tradition. They are based on a philosophy that the oneness of the universe is connected in an endless flow of energy that sustains and strengthens. If there is a block to this flow, we experience illness. Reiki uses the intension of the mind through the healing touch to remove tension and allow the free movement of energy. Qigong is a practice that allows the intension of the mind to float on the breath of spirit and gentle movement of the body to promote energy flow to bring balance and harmony.
The words we use are very important. We believe the lies we tell ourselves. Guided imagery is a meditative technique that helps the mind to focus and calm and strengthen by imagining pleasant, powerful or peaceful thoughts or sensations. Training in self hypnosis enables the patient in times of stress to come to focus and respond to their own gentle suggestion. With repeated use, these gentle techniques enlist the power of the mind to relax and to heal.
Twelve-step work, based on self-introspection and spiritual connection, acceptance and forgiveness, offers recovery tools and a support system for individuals trouble by anxiety, depression or compulsive behaviors such as addiction to food, work, TV, relationship, etc.
Benefits of practice range from simple relaxation to improved personal behavior traits such as patience, forgiveness, gratitude and compassion, improved interpersonal skills and heightened spiritual connection.
Individual Appointments include exploratory and educational work as well as hypnosis and Reiki. Weekend Retreats include an individual session and meditations on the development of a meditation practice, expansion to 24 hours a day mindfulness, mindful sleep, mindful eating, mindful exercise, developing patience, dealing with chronic illness, anxiety/depression, self acceptance and forgiveness, as well as Reiki and Qigong. The retreat is held mostly in silence.