Areas of Specialization
Stress and Anxiety
I teach techniques
that can release the stress thus bringing down the anxiety. Research has shown
that anxiety is one of the key components of many illness including cancer,
diabetes, etc.One of the best ways to reduce stress is to meditate on a daily basis. I teach Mindfulness Meditation. This is where the client learns to close their eyes and breathe deeply from their abdomen letting all their thoughts go with their exhale. It's hard at first because most of us have nonstop thoughts. But, with practice this can be accomplished and the feeling of being at peace and being in the moment is achieved. When we are in the moment, we are not feeling guilty about something we did in the past or worrying about doing something dreadful in the future. We are in the moment and that is the place of complete peace.
I teach other techniques that can be very helpful in releasing stress and bringing ourselves to that place of lower blood pressure and total relaxation.
Peak Performance
When we have a long sought after goal like passing a test, giving an important speech, etc. It's easy to worry and do the exact opposite of what we should do.
It's important to remember that the brain doesn't know the difference between what we actually see and what we imagine in our mind. Both are the same to the brain. So, using our imagination in the form of guided imagery, can help us see, feel and experience what it is like to actually succeed.
I coach my clients to help to understand that the only obstacles to success are the one's they have in their mind. I also make guided imagery CDs for them to listen to frequently before they go to accomplish their goal.
Your Inner Child
It is important to
remember that when we suffer trauma at a young age we usually can't defend
ourselves. When we are adults even though most of us can get ourselves out of a
bad situation, a similar trauma that reminds us of the childhood trauma can
trigger that past trauma. We can feel like a child again with no protection,
even though our logical mind knows that isn't true. It can feel as bad as it did
when we were a child.
When this happens, usually our brain knows whatever is happening is not the same thing. But, our body memory sees the similarities and feels like the awfulness is happening all over again.
Transitions
Divorce - A child leaving home to go to college - A new job or the losing
of an old job can all be difficult to deal with because we are grieving the
loss, even though our mind knows it is best to move
on.
I help people process these "loses" and understand that change is what happens. It is a normal part of life and the new situation most likely has a beautiful silver lining. I help my clients reach acceptance about the change and set new positive goals for their future.
Depression
Situational depression happens when something takes place that is out of the ordinary and traumatic, sad, stressful, etc. Because it isn't something that we are familiar with we don't know how to deal with it. It can take awhile to understand it and move on.
Where we get in trouble is when we allow depressive thought to build and multiply. I liken it to the domino effect. You knock one over and the rest fall. That's why it is important to do the necessary cognitive work and learn technique to use when we have the first depressive thought.
I can help you free yourself from this spiral downward. It's important to have a plan in place and to know what you need to do before the spiral goes too far.
