What is Soul Centered Growth?

Symptoms of depression, anxiety, fear, and overwhelm are almost epidemic in the 21st Century. We now know that much of this is rooted in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) which  hindered our development, and thus, our functioning as adults.  In addition to personal and individual challenges, we also inherit the wounds of our ancestors. Epigenetics has shown that trauma affects our DNA, and the results will be seen for 7 generations. So we are all healing the hurts of our ancestors, in addition to what we have experienced since birth. Using Depth and Somatic psychologies, including EMDR, we can find the roots of suffering and transform them into roots of well-being. 

Social science researcher, Brene' Brown, defines spirituality as the unbreakable connection we share with all other humans. And Interpersonal Neurobiology has proven that one of the primary components of mental health is secure emotional attachments. In short, we must have safe, trusting relationships with others in order to thrive.  And yet, these are often fraught with anger, fear, shame, and ambivalence due to childhood experiences that were not optimal. Do not despair! It is totally possible rewire our brains and teach our hearts to do things differently. This is what counseling and psychotherapy does best. 

We also know a little something about transitions of later life. Finding meaning and purpose when the body says, "no more of that!"  Role reversal where we need to be taken care of by those we used to care for. Seeking the patience and grace to cope with illness and chronic pain--in ourselves and those we love. Facing end of life decisions and transitions.  These times are not for the faint of heart. You're gonna need some company. 

Famous performers are coming out to say, "therapy has changed my life". The unique gift of being a musician--whether it is your vocation or avocation--brings unique challenges in life. Most creative artists have to dance between contradictions: artistic freedom and financial security; the necessity of solitude and the need to belong; the monotony of practice and the euphoria of inspiration; and the ecstatically painful process of reaching into one's personal  depths in order to bring out a sound, a lyric, an image, a movement,  that somehow captures universal human experience. We can provide a meaningful place to help you navigate all that, in order to create your best work--your best self. 

Sometimes we just need to take a minute to reflect on what is NOT happening.  Sometimes, our creative, spiritual, erotic, or emotional life is in hibernation, or feeling like it packed up and left without a goodbye note. James Hollis calls this "desuetude", and suggests that the Psyche has withdrawn its energy because we are headed in the wrong direction. Or perhaps there are old losses yet to be grieved before we can get on with getting on. Psychotherapy actually translates as soul healing, and these periods of life require a commitment to stillness, reflection, exploration, and play in order to rediscover the wellspring that waits within.  

The medical world has discovered that some pain--especially chronic pain associated with conditions like fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, back and head pain-- is created by the brain and not by an actual injury or illness. Much like PTSD, where the nervous system perceives external threat where there is none, the brain can perceive internal threat where there is none. New approaches such as Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy, as well as Pain Reprocessing Therapy, are helping people reduce or resolve this kind of pain by helping increase awareness and expression of blocked emotions in the body. 

See this article for more information: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/connecting-the-mind-with-the-body/202203/emotional-awareness-and-expression-therapy-for