Innovative Methods

Guided Imagery
Guided Imagery is a powerful technique that blends full body relaxation and focusing the mind to attain deeper states of consciousness. In individual sessions, clients gain insight and inroads into their emotional lives. The method has been used to help with stress management, creativity enhancement, physical relaxation, mind focusing, finding and dialoguing with an inner ally, pain reduction, addictions, and so much more. Often, guided imagery is used as a way to speed up traditional verbal counseling by bridging to feelings that have been buried or shunted aside. While in a deeper state of consciousness, clients remain in control of their experience and are able to talk and share with their therapist during the process. In the group format, members are lead through an induction (soothing imagery set to holographic music) to facilitate relaxed brain wave states. Members then take their own personal inner journeys to explore in an open-ended way what is emotionally relevant to them at that time. They are then invited to transition back to their normal wakeful state of consciousness to return to the circle for sharing and interpreting images.

Expressive Art Therapy
Using a wide range of natural and other materials and media, this form of therapy is used both individually and in groups. For individuals, the process of creating a piece of art as part of therapy is often enlightening. Producing an image or sculpture that represents deep inner feelings and thoughts promotes self-knowledge. In a group doing mindfulness meditations, making art, listening to evocative music, doing some forms of movement, sharing and discussing all come together for a growth-enhancing experience. The art therapy group offers CEUs for professionals.

Hakomi
Hakomi is an approach to psychotherapy based upon mindfulness and body awareness. Clients gain tremendously in terms of their ability to focus attention to their body and its many signals. Various "experiments" are used to enhance skillful listening in order to understand and move through habitual and entrenched patterns of behavior.

Play Therapy for Children
This offering is specifically for children who need help accessing and expressing their emotions. Working with toys, props, and art supplies, children are able to find for themselves the sources of their distress and the seeds of their creativity. This type of therapy is especially useful for children who are grieving a loss or having difficulty adjusting to a change.