The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind.
-William James
 
I follow a paradigm that views each person through three components of equal importance, the mind, body and spirit. Like a tapestry, these three aspects weave together to create the whole person. Each thread supports as well as is dependent upon the others. If one aspect is ignored all parts suffer.

Not that we are necessarily ready to act on each component of ourselves with equal enthusiasm. Some changes must start out quite small (micro movements), or wait for the right time. But waiting to catch the wave of willingness is different from being unaware. At the least, all the threads of wholeness can be looked at and considered.

One of the therapists I most admired was Milton Erickson, M.D. who said “I create a new therapy for every client.” It is a guiding principle that each person is unique and needs to have the work of therapy made just for them. I trust my own judgment and intuition as well as the preferences and inclinations of my client to create a healing partnership.

I am grateful that I have been exposed to the work and ideas of many fine teachers and approaches to therapy. I am happy to make use of varied philosophic and spiritual paths. Here is a sampling of some of the modalities we can draw from.

Conversation
This may seem like stating the obvious, but many therapies seem one sided. I believe that therapy should be highly interactive, a conversation in which two people deeply explore a chosen topic. This topic is you and whatever it is that you need to learn in order to take the next step in self- realization. Both therapist and client bring themselves, their thoughts and experience to the conversation, it is a creative, collaborative endeavor.

Reality
Given that reality can be highly subjective, we can still benefit from a consideration of real life. What can we expect from life, from ourselves? What is life like here on planet Earth? What does it mean to be a human being? Are our assumptions about life, ourselves or others really true? As Sigmund Freud commented, “being entirely honest with one’s self is a good exercise.” I also resonate with Jean Anouilh’s “I like reality. It tastes of bread.”

Humor
Therapy does not have to be such a serious undertaking. We can enlighten-up through laughter. It is the best medicine, and what freedom it brings. I am a deep and compassionate person, but I’m also full of fun and irreverence. I don’t plan to be this way, it just pops out, and I will probably encourage these tendencies in you.

Meditation
In meditation we move from the domain of “doing” to the domain of “being”. It is about stillness and oneness. Meditation provides a way of understanding yourself that thinking can never take you to. It provides an opportunity for profound self-acceptance, and allows you to experience directly that you are already whole. There are many forms of Meditation, and we can find one that suits you.

Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a form of meditation that can be extended to the activities of everyday life. It uses the breath as an anchor to the present moment, without forcing, without pushing anything away. Mindfulness allows us to be there for the experience of being alive. So often we are off balance, we obsess about the past and future so that we are not in touch with the present, which is the only place we can feel alive or have the opportunity to love or to grow.

Hypnosis
I prefer to call hypnosis “trance” because this implies that it is a state of being that we enter by ourselves and is under our own control. In fact, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. It is a natural part of our daily experience much like day-dreaming or all the routines of life we do on automatic pilot. If you like, I can assist you in entering this deeper and more profound state of consciousness so that you can learn from yourself the things you would like to know.

Nutrition
“Let food be your medicine” advised Hippocrates. Each person’s chemistry is sensitive in different ways. The brain requires the best fuel possible. Most of us understand that certain individuals are physically allergic to particular foods, some even deathly so. What many do not realize is that many negative mental, emotional and energetic states are the result of allergy as well. So much mental confusion, inability to concentrate, lethargy, depression and anxiety could be helped by proper nutrition. Please refer to my page on Nutrition and Psychotherapy for further thoughts.

Spirituality
Whatever your path or religion, we can incorporate it into the therapeutic process of growth and healing. Please see my page on Spirituality for a deeper exploration of this possibility.

Mystic Tools
For those so inclined, Astrology, Palmistry and Tarot are filled with useful information about oneself. Far removed from “fortune telling”, these mystic signposts show us the tendencies, challenges and gifts given at birth. At the very least, it is fascinating to see what they reveal. Only you can know if they strike that chord of truth inside you.

Dreams
Carl Jung said that an unexamined dream is like an unopened letter. It is actually quite easy to learn how to remember your dreams. All it takes is a little self programming. I would be delighted to show you how.

Accessing the Voice of Wisdom
There is a voice of wisdom inside us often called “the Being with a thousand names.” It is one of the goals of therapy to help you to have a clear channel to this voice, it is our birthright.

The Work of Byron Katie
I am very fond of Byron Katie’s “Four Questions and a Turn Around”. It has been of great value in my own process. Simple to learn and simple to use, this method of self inquiry helps you to examine your own thinking with clarity, humor and compassion. Find out what is really true for you. As Katie has quipped, “if you believe everything you think, you’ll go crazy.”