ABOUT
We all know there are times in life when circumstances just become overwhelming. We all face difficulty periodically. Most often we naturally ‘bounce back’ from those situations and get back to a state of normal day to day functioning. However, there are times when life throws so much at us, it is more than we can handle on our own.
The shock to our system has taken such a toll on our emotional and physical health, that it’s more challenging to just ‘shake off.’ In these times, we often struggle to find effective treatment that will get us recalibrated and back to living our best lives.
Early in my career as a Psychotherapist, I was very frustrated with traditional forms of psychotherapy. I was dissatisfied that my clients weren’t feeling better more quickly and effectively and often felt unequipped to treat them with the expertise I deeply desired.
This began a journey of exploring the neurology of our emotional states. It was fascinating to me how the physical body plays such a role in our emotional well-being (and vice-versa). For about 10 years I worked as a contracted provider for our city’s Fire and Police Departments. The cases of panic, anxiety and PTSD were an everyday occurrence. This led me to explore NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programing). NLP suggests that each individual’s mind creates a map of the world, using data received through the senses. Each individual’s map is different, with varying levels of importance placed on input from different senses. It is basically getting to understand the language of the unconscious mind and then how to adapt neurological changes to gain desired results.
After experiencing the rapid and dramatic changes that were occurring with myself and my clients, I gained great respect for how our unconscious mind works and how it is always seeking patterns to download in an effort to help us out. Unfortunately, some of the downloads it deems helpful end up being destructive in our lives and leaving us with a feeling of being out of control. I then began exploring and training in Hypnosis.
As I watched my clients successfully reprogram patterns in their unconscious mind that played out in their day-to-day behavioral changes, my interests began moving to how the physical body holds onto emotional states and often compensates for emotions that we cannot regulate. This often leads to physical symptoms and dis-ease.
My personal research has revealed a direct correlation between our emotional states and our physical health. This journey has placed me in one of the most innovative fields of holistic healing!
Now I LOVE my practice and the results my clients achieve when they apply the protocols they are taught. It is such an honor and privilege when individuals come to me at their most vulnerable moments, and trust me to hold space for them as I accompany them on their journey back to wholeness. We honor our Mind, Body and Spirit and together, we discover the path back to reconnecting all three.
WHAT IS BODY PSYCHOLOGY?
Body Psychotherapy, a branch of therapy that focuses on the interactions between the body and the mind, is founded on the principle of the body and mind working in functional unity.
Mind-body psychology, also known as psychophysiology or biopsychology, is a field of study that explores the complex interactions between the mind (mental processes and emotions) and the body (physiological functions and bodily responses). It examines how psychological factors can influence physical health and how bodily processes can, in turn, affect mental well-being.
The fundamental principle of mind-body psychology is that the mind and body are interconnected and constantly interact with each other. This means that our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs can have a significant impact on our physical health and vice versa.
For example:
Psychological factors affecting physical health: Stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional states can influence the immune system, cardiovascular health, and other physiological functions. Chronic stress, for instance, may weaken the immune system and increase susceptibility to illnesses.
Physical factors affecting mental well-being: Physical health conditions, chronic pain, or hormonal imbalances can impact mood, cognition, and overall mental health. For example, some medical conditions may contribute to symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Mind-body psychotherapists study these connections to better understand the role of psychological and physiological factors in overall health and well-being. They employ various research methodologies and therapeutic protocols to detect the correlation between an individual persons Mind/Body connection. This gives specific insight into what interventions might be helpful in assisting and promoting a person’s overall health.
Mind-body psychology plays a significant role in integrative medicine, where conventional medical practices are combined with complementary and alternative therapies to provide a more holistic approach to healthcare. The recognition of the mind-body connection has led to a growing interest in psychosomatic medicine, psychoneuroimmunology, and other related disciplines.