Bodymindspirit Therapy

Description

Body+mind+spirit

What is integrated bodymindspirit therapy?

     A bodymindspirit approach to the whole person is a non-traditional way of working with a person's total health goals. Historically, practitioners tend to operate from their primary training. Bodyworkers tend to view things in terms of the body and then try to figure out how to bring the mind and the spirit into their understanding of the body. Similarly, mental health practitioners tend to view things in terms of psychology and then try to figure out how to bring the body and spirit into their psychological work. Spiritual counselors can face similar challenges. A practitioner's initial training tends to create a bias that is difficult to overcome, and there has not yet been a clear pathway to address those challenges.

     Integrated bodymindspirit therapy begins from the question of what it would be like to re-imagine a type of therapy which does not prioritize the body, the mind, or the spirit, but instead seeks to work with all. There is much philosophical and scientific work yet to be done, and the research methodology of complexity science and systems theory holds great promise for being able to model and bridge many dualities: ancient/modern, eastern/western, Indigenous/scienfic, and the complex interactions of body, mind, and spirit/soul. 

What does a session look like?

     In my practice there is "chair work" and "table work." Chair work is when you and your practitioner are seated across from each other or visiting through a video call. Chair work is good for clarifying goals, discussing concerns, building somatic awareness, incorporating mindfulness skills, or any issue that might benefit from a conversational style of working. Table work involves hands-on contact. It is good for the physical assessment and treatment of tissue-based concerns, which may play a part in your overall concerns. Table work usually looks like a patient lying on the massage table fully clothed while the therapist palpates and evaluates the tissues gently and then treats using the gentlest techniques possible. The release of tissue-based restrictions can be an important and valuable way to support the larger bodymindspirit awareness and healing.

     All of the modalities used in treatment are advanced therapies and are designed to help you be as healthy as possible using the least invasive means possible. Effective treatment is a collaborative process between you and your therapist, and it will be helpful to revisit treatment goals and methods regularly to ensure your comfort and your progress.

First session:

     In our first session, you can expect to visit with me about your personal health goals as well as receive an initial evaluation and treatment. By the end of the first treatment, I will be able to offer you some initial impressions of what our work will include and an initial treatment plan if you decide to continue. These impressions will be based on my clinical experience, available research, and knowledge of working with other people and other practitioners. You should evaluate this information along with your own assessment about whether I am the person which whom you feel comfortable working. Bodymindspirit therapy sometimes takes a commitment of time, money, and energy, so you should be careful about the practitioner you select. If you have questions about me as your practitioner, we should discuss them whenever they arise. If your doubts persist, I will be happy to help you find other practitioners.