Holistic Counseling for WOMEN

I have been active for more than thirty years in the pursuit and practice of spiritual and holistic healing of the mind, body and spirit. I am excited about the opportunity to share my knowledge with women who have made the personal commitment to transform their lives. If you are ready to let go of past fears and feelings that you are "less than" or "not good enough" - you now have the exciting opportunity to step out into a new consciousness. You may truly become happy, joyous and free - experiencing a continually heightened level of personal well-being, strength and self realization.

I am uniquely qualified to help you on this life long journey. More importantly; I personally continue a disciplined spiritual practice myself - that results in the continued benefits of a spiritually centered life. I love to share these powerful concepts and practices with those who are willing to start the journey. This is not a "religious" journey. It does not conflict with any particular "religion" . . . it is nondenominational and purely "spiritually" based.

Do you feel spiritually, emotionally and physically bankrupt from time to time? There is a process to change from within to gain a continued sense of well-being with only slight occurrences of those old feelings. If you are ready; the transformation can begin . . . you no longer have to be a victim of situations and circumstances that you have no control over.

What are my Qualifications?

There is a difference between Spiritual Direction and Life Coaching. Realistically, it is wise to consider both disciplines if we are to experience a well-rounded spiritual and successful life. In addition to my training and experience as a spiritual director and life coach, I am a licensed professional counselor. I will also be able to help you work through "psychological issues" that may come up.

Spiritual Direction develops your direct connection to spirit, regardless of how your "life" may appear to be. Through Spiritual Direction you can gain a sense of inner joy that remains steady despite the ups and downs of everyday life and despite the appearance of failure or success in the "life" that is outside of your self. This inner joy becomes a constant regardless of situation and circumstance.

Life Coaching deals with your connection to and development of those aspects of your life that are outside of your self . . . what we tend to call our "lives". Life Coaching helps to develop those conditions (situations and circumstances) in our lives that tend to give us a feeling of success and quality of life.

Spiritual Direction . . .

"To listen a soul into disclosure and discovery is the greatest service one human being can offer to another." . . . Quaker saying

Spiritual direction leads to the understanding that comes when our veil of separateness dissolves and we intimately embody the unfolding of the Good that is Spiritual Guidance. Each of us is inherently spiritual. There is a deep longing within each one of us for connection. Spirituality might be defined as "that within us which connects or longs for connection". Spirituality is the rich realm of connection with God, Spirit, Higher Power, our true Self, and each other.

Spiritual direction is a gentle and powerful process for intuitively exploring these connections. As a spiritual director/mentor, I am trained to deeply listen and partner with you as you explore your dreams, struggles, joys and fears - and allow the deeper questions to emerge from within. This process results in greater self awareness, freedom and fulfillment.

Through spiritual companionship, deep listening and conscious conversation in a space of sacred trust, we create an opening for the deeper meaning of life to emerge; we recognize and honor the sacred dimensions of ordinary existence; and experience ever deepening connection with God, self and others.

My Mission:

To walk along side you on your journey - to partner with you . . . assisting you in your emotional and spiritual birthing process.

Benefits of spiritual direction:

• Integration of all aspects of life: spiritual, material, emotional, and mental.
• Finding a deeper meaning in life.
• Clarification of your personal faith.
• Increased inner peace.
• More hope and passion for living.
• Bringing a greater sense of presence to daily living.
• Improved self-understanding, acceptance and self-love.
• Awakening and trusting your natural intuition.

• My certification: Inter-spiritual Mentor.
• School: Claritas Institute, Boulder, Colorado - a two year training program.
• My instructors were: Dr. Joan Borysenko, Gordon DeVries and Janet Quinn.

Spiritual Resources:

• Joan Borysenko ~ www.joanborysenko.com
• Spiritual Directors International ~ www.sdiworld.org
• Caroline Myss ~ www.myss.com
• Marianne Williamson ~ www.marianne.com
• Wayne Dyer ~ www.drwaynedyer.com
• Deepak Chopra ~ www.chopra.com
• Dan Millman ~ www.danmillman.com
• Hay House ~ www.hayhouse.com
• Sounds True ~ www.soundstrue.com

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Life Coaching . . .

A truly successful life must remain in balance. We strive to become aware of - and nurturing to - all aspects of our lives. Even when focusing upon specific parts of our lives we remain vigilant of the big picture. We strive to experience love, joy, peace, prosperity, recognition and success in our lives.

Picture a surfer "catching a wave". There is a certain point on the wave where the "action" takes place. If you get behind the wave too much, it quickly gets "scary" and it will "crash" upon you and your ride is over. If you get ahead of it too much, there is no energy in the wave. It does not support you and your ride has never really begun. The "expert" knows just where to be in the wave. That point of control and excitement and movement. And so it is with life itself . . . when we are in balance we can experience a life of self-fulfillment and excitement with very little effort of our own. We can allow love and happiness and joy and peace and prosperity into our lives.

A person has many important parts that make up what we call our life. Together, we will explore these aspects and vision our goals for each aspect of our lives.

I work with people who . . .

• are motivated and raring to go — who just need clarity, direction and support.
• are willing to commit to a minimum of 3 to 6 months - to really move forward with their goals and dreams.
• love personal development and are willing to put in the time for deeper growth and change.
• may have fears about moving forward, but are willing to face their fears, with my support.
• are focused, motivated and creative in their approach to life.
• are willing to keep appointments, show up on time and do field work between sessions to move forward with their goals.
• desire improved self-understanding, acceptance, and self-love.
• awakening and trusting your natural intuition.

Life Coaching will help in all aspects of one's life. I will help when . . .

• you want to explore and improve many areas of your life.
• you’re doing great and want to take it to the next level and find exciting new challenges.
• you have big dreams and goals and want the support of a coach to help you achieve them.
• you have many areas of interest and need support on making good choices, making progress in those areas, integrating different areas of your life and staying in balance.
• you want to explore your life from a spiritual perspective.
• you are ready to find and pursue a new career path.
• you want to find your dream job, not just any career where you can make a lot of money.
• you want to explore active retirement activities.
• you want to make more conscious choices about your career path.
• you want to do work that's meaningful and makes a difference in the world.
• you started, or want to start, a new business and need support in making the transition from salaried employee to business owner.

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Healing Touch - Experience Healing Touch for your Health and Healing.

What is Healing Touch?

True HEALING TOUCH (HT) is not synonymous with massage therapy . . . healing touch is a spiritual process involving energy flow. Healing Touch is a therapeutic approach to wellness that addresses physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. It is truly a holistic approach to health. Healing Touch is a compassionate energy therapy in which practitioners use their hands in a heart-centered and intentional way to support and facilitate self healing.

What is the philosophy of Healing Touch?

In a healthy person a state of equilibrium exists between the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. In illness, an imbalance occurs which results in discomfort and eventually disease.

What is the goal of Healing Touch?

The goal of Healing Touch is to restore harmony and balance within the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies and to teach self-healing and self-care techniques to the individual. Healing Touch focuses not only on the symptoms of illness but also addresses the issues and thought processes in ones life which allowed dis-ease to progress to disease. Healing touch creates an optimal environment for the body's innate tendency for healing to occur.

What are some of the specific benefits from Healing Touch?

• Reduces Pain
• Reduces anxiety, stress and depression
• Provides support during chemotherapy
• Strengthens the immune system
• Creates a sense of well-being
• Reduces effects of trauma and chronic pain
• Enhances recovery from surgery
• Deepens spiritual connection
• Supports the dying process

Healing Touch has been used in wound healing, pain management, stress management, prevention of illness, enhancement of spiritual development and support and assistance in the dying process. Healing Touch is appropriate for all ages and states of health and/or illness. Because Healing Touch therapy requires only a receptive participant and a practitioner, it can be used for nearly any indication or ailment. Many hospitals are incorporating Healing Touch to calm and prepare patients for surgery, chemotherapy, and other anxiety-provoking procedures. Studies have suggested that Healing Touch may decrease wound healing time and shorten the length of hospital stay. Other common indications for Healing Touch include chronic pain, headaches/migraines, generalized anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Healing Touch therapy facilitates a spiritual connection and often helps clients with emotional distress. It is especially useful for patients who are in pain but unable to tolerate traditional massage or touch, such as fibromyalgia and burn patients.

What should one expect on a visit to a practitioner of healing touch?

Healing Touch facilitates a deep sense of calm and relaxation as well as overall and specific responses for body-mind-spirit healing. You may feel nurtured, balanced and energized.

Healing Touch is often done in a setting somewhat similar to massage therapy, often with a table and relaxing music; however, Healing Touch can be performed practically anywhere and with the client in any position – sitting, standing or lying. This therapy does not require the removal of clothing, only that the client is as comfortable as possible. A short discussion of medical history may take place during the first visit. The practitioner should always ask for permission to touch the client. Practitioners will often perform meditative centering prior to beginning therapy. An assessment of the energy field is completed by observation and movements of the hands over the body. Sometimes a pendulum, consisting of a piece of crystal or other mineral that dangles on a chain, is placed over the chakras (a Sanskrit term for vortices of energy that connect the physical and energetic body) and places of discomfort.

Typically, practitioners will use a Healing Touch technique to balance and clear the energy field. This can be done with hands placed just above the body or with actual touch involved. The balancing technique usually concentrates on the seven main chakras and the joints of the extremities. Then, the practitioner will often focus on areas where the energy field is believed to be stagnant or not flowing properly. By being able to sense what the flow of energy feels like, practitioners locate aberrant energy and, using intention, to direct it to a desired location or pattern. The ultimate goal is removing all energetic obstacles and facilitating an ideal condition for healing to occur. Oftentimes, this treatment produces a state of deep calmness and relaxation. Patients can even fall asleep or be in a dreamy state of consciousness. Moreover, they can experience warmth, tingling, pulsations, or an emotional release. Their body may even exhibit involuntary muscle spasm and jerking. Some individuals report seeing colors or visions. Others experience feeling elevated or being outside their body. Whether these effects are due to the Healing Touch therapy or simply a manifestation of expectations that the client brings to the session is undetermined.

When the session is finishing, the practitioner often will “ground” the client by placing his or her hands on the client’s feet or shoulders. Care should be taken when getting up off the table to avoid falling due to disorientation or lightheadedness. Clients are told to drink plenty of water afterwards and over the next few days, as well as to pay attention to any changes in body sensations.

What about traditional approaches to health care?

Healing Touch compliments traditional approaches to health and healing. It is not a substitute for them. Referrals to physicians and other licensed health workers are an expected part of the practice of Healing Touch.

How is Healing Touch Learned?

The ability to facilitate healing in another person is an art learned through apprenticeship with experienced healers. Healing Touch International is the non-profit umbrella organization that offers a 5 level Healing Touch Certificate program through approved workshops. Healing Touch is endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association.

Do I have to remove my clothes for a Healing Touch session?

Healing Touch is non-invasive and may be done sitting or reclining. It takes approximately thirty minutes for the actual energy work. The only clothing removed is socks and shoes. The entire session lasts about an hour with brief discussions before and after the session. The total time elapsed for the "hour session" is 50 - 55 minutes. The cost for the session is $75.

The responsibility for health lies with each individual and the answers to wellness and wholeness lie within the individual. All healing is an individual choice. Transformation is the responsibility of the individual to deliver his or her own healing, but all healing, without exception, is self-healing by the Grace of God.

Healing Touch Research . . .

Studies support Healing Touch as an integrative therapy. Surveys indicate that patients evaluate it highly. Research has been supported and/or funded by hospitals, universities, colleges, professional organizations, private foundations, and the National Institutes of Health: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).

Healing Touch is accepted, validated and utilized in hospitals, hospice, long term care, integrative health centers, private practices and clinics.

Recommended reading list to better comprehend the Human Energy Field and how it works:

• The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
• Heal Your Body by Louise Hay
• Love, Medicine and Miracles by Dr. Bernie Siegal
• Hands of Light by Barbara Brennan

Healing Touch is being taught to hospital nursing staffs around the world and is part of the curriculum at eighty universities in the United States and abroad, including:

• Harvard University
• Duke University
• The University of New Mexico

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Contact
Questions?  Please contact me for further information.