Mindful Life Counseling is my private practice overlooking beautiful Seneca Lake, near Geneva, New York. I use a gentle, intuitive approach. Trained with a Graduate Certificate in Trauma Counseling and a background in addictions work and family systems, I’m available to assist with untangling the challenges of change and conflict. Many of my clients are working on renewal related to shock or sudden upheaval, grief, chronic pain, serious illness, ended relationships, children leaving home or other life-altering events, including so-called happier events such as an upcoming marriage, graduation, job promotion or arrival of new children. All, of course, involve stress. Our mutual interest is in personalized care at the individual’s own pace.
My own life’s journey has included immersion in the arts, particularly classical and world dance, music and writing, with strong appreciation for the visual arts. Thus, I generally incorporate writing and journaling, drawing and work with color and sound into my counseling sessions. For those interested in tarnsformative body work and energic shifts, I use my BA in Therapeutic Dance, and chakra awareness to assist with this process. I also use movement in a variety of modalities, principally for relaxation but also for evaluation and release of patterns of holding, both physically and emotionally. All these methods, in concert with standard psychotherapeutic methods, are part of a whole imagery and processing methodolgy for right/left brain balance.
I’ve been a serious student of Eastern philosophies, meditation and Jungian psychology for over 35 years, having studied directly with excellent teachers in a traditional sense. This exposure informs my work while at the same time not imposed on the client. For those who are interested, mindfulness in particular, and various meditative techniques in general, are introduced in a non-religious context and utilized throughout the counseling process. I frequently recommend books and often go through all or part of them with appropriate clients. Whenever possible, I hold study or awareness groups in conjunction with individual appointments.
Throughout my life I’ve written poetry and often use poetic imagery as a tool with clients. I’ve additionally begun utilizing my own nature photography in workshops and presentations on mindfulness or related topics, and now ask clients to independently take their own pictures, paint images or write, sing, etc. about what they see or feel so we can bring these observations back into session.
I do not focus solely on events and circumstances but rather nurture an uncovering of the fullness of spirit, mind and heart. Neither do I encourage a stifling of anger, jealousy, or other emotions. Rather, the aspects of human nature that we often would rather deny are recognized as transformative materials to be sculpted into a newly forming, ever changing life. The client actively makes use of personlly meaningful archetypal associations to tap into new resources for continued growth, while gently and steadily cultivating a calmness of heart practicing mindfulness and meditative tranquility.
