I use an eclectic approach incorporating techniques appropriate to the issues being experienced by the individual. Mindfulness techniques, Guided Visualization, Neurolinguistic Programming, Eriksonian Hypnosis, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Nonjudgmental Christian Focused, and Buddhist Psychology are a few of the more traditional methods used according to your needs.
If an individual is a vivid dreamer, then symbols and meanings found within the unconscious dreaming mind can be addressed and explored. I have a background in the study of dreams as found in the writings of C.G. Jung and Edgar Cayce.
I am a psychotherapist, an artist and a writer. I encourage and guide many individuals (when appropriate) to use therapeutic art journaling, collage, painting, drawing and claywork to unlock deep symbols and images that may be lodged in the unconscious. This may help to facilitate better understanding of problems that the individual is seeking to resolve. Together, we interpret the images and find that "ah ha" moment when seemingly unrelated components converge to create satisfactory solutions to puzzling problems.
You do not have to be an artist to create something that is expressive of your inner emotions. We experience life through symbols. That is the foundation of therapeutic artwork. What are your symbols? They are yet to be discovered through allowing your unconscious mind to drift from thought to thought while you express this streaming of imagination in a myriad of ways. Grab a pencil, some scissors, or glue and let the juices flow!
Let go of your art phobia and old tapes that tell you "I can't." Just let go!
What are you feeling right now???
What color is that feeling?
What shape is that feeling?
What pictures inspire you?
What objects inspire you?
Rip something! Cut out something! Draw a shape!
Paint it! Color it! Assemble it! Go for it!
Keeping A Therapeutic Journal...
WRITING DOWN YOUR FEELINGS IS A GOOD START TO WORKING THROUGH DIFFICULT EMOTIONS.
WHEN EMBARKING ON THERAPEUTIC JOURNALING, NOTHING IS IMPORTANT EXCEPT GETTING RID OF CONSUMING THOUGHTS THAT PLAY WITH YOUR MIND AND EAT AWAY AT YOUR CORE.
THERE ARE NO RULES AND NO REASONS TO FOLLOW THE NORMAL RULES OF GRAMMAR. THIS IS YOUR SPECIAL PLACE TO LET IT ALL GO.
Here is a short excerpt from a therapy notebook printed anonymously with the client's permission:
#1 “I GIVE UP. I HAD SUCH A BAD SLEEP WITH MY MIND DREDGING UP ONE SAD THOUGHT AFTER ANOTHER. I SPENT HOURS SAYING “LET GO” REPEATING IT OVER AND OVER. STILL NO PEACE. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO DESERVE THIS ON MYSELF.
I’VE GIVEN THIS A LOT OF THOUGHT. I’VE PUT THIS OFF AGAIN AND AGAIN, I DON’T WANT TO TAKE ANTI DEPRESSANTS, BUT I’VE RUN OUT OF ALTERNATIVES. I TRY SOOO HARD TO KEEP UP MY POSITIVE ATTITUDE. I HELP OTHERS AND I PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH AND STILL THE ANXIETY CREEPS BACK IN. HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE HELPED BY TAKING MEDICATION. IT TAKES COURAGE. THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANT TO DO, BUT MY FIGHT HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS WITH THE LAST 11 MONTHS BEING THE WORST! I’VE TAKEN TOO MANY HITS. I’M FEELING LIKE A DOG BEING KICKED OVER AND OVER, COWERING IN THE CORNER... NOT TRUSTING LIFE AND AFRAID IT WILL DEAL ME ANOTHER SEVERE BLOW. IT’S DIFFICULT WHEN EVEN THE GOOD IS MET WITH FEAR AND HESITATION. TODAY IS A SAD DAY FOR ME BUT I MUST PLAY MY ROLE AND PUT ON MY HAPPY FACE WITH MY HOPEFUL, POSITIVE ATTITUDE, OH WELL, HERE IT GOES...”
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