Shortly before my ordination to the priesthood, while while sitting at a bonfire on the rocky shore of Lake Superior, Wendy asked me, "Who do you serve?" The answer I gave without thinking, to her version of the Grail question, "Who does the Grail serve?" was, "I serve the brokenhearted."
Who are the brokenhearted?
~ Individuals who have lost a loved one;
~ Those who feel unloved or abandoned by God;
~ People who feel rejected by a church or religion;
~ Those who are struggling with life-threatening or chronic illness;
~ Women and men who feel unforgivable because of the past.
My approach to healing* is psychotherapy in the sense of its original meaning from the Greek: therapeia, to heal or minister to, and Psykhe, the soul, mind, or spirit. It is an integrative approach that incorporates a variety of healing methods including Jungian oriented counseling and dream work, clinical hypnosis, qigong**, and ritual. The foundation of this work is always spirituality. As a clergy member in a sacramental tradition, I view healing the whole person, mind, body, emotions, and spirit as a central mission of the Christ tradition. Therefore I include prayer, and if desired, the sacraments of anointing of the sick and reconciliation (confession) as part of this integrative psychotherapy approach.
I see my work as gently guiding those who seek counseling toward wholeness by helping each person experience a deep shift in which they can draw upon their own healing energy and inner wisdom. This shift can alter the body, relationships with others, with the world, and with the Divine.
I meet with people in my home, in natural settings, at coffee shops or at their homes.
* It is important to differentiate between healing and being physically cured. While healing can bring about a dramatic improvement in physical health, a person may be healed (move toward wholeness) but not cured of a specific physical illness.
** Qigong (pronounced chee gung) is a system of healing from China which dates back 3000 years or more. Qi is perhaps best described as the energy that flows through and around all things. I think of it as the Divine Energies. Qigong involves learning special breathing exercises, gentle physical movements, and imagery, as well as energy work similar to Healing Touch or Reiki.
Who are the brokenhearted?
~ Individuals who have lost a loved one;
~ Those who feel unloved or abandoned by God;
~ People who feel rejected by a church or religion;
~ Those who are struggling with life-threatening or chronic illness;
~ Women and men who feel unforgivable because of the past.
My approach to healing* is psychotherapy in the sense of its original meaning from the Greek: therapeia, to heal or minister to, and Psykhe, the soul, mind, or spirit. It is an integrative approach that incorporates a variety of healing methods including Jungian oriented counseling and dream work, clinical hypnosis, qigong**, and ritual. The foundation of this work is always spirituality. As a clergy member in a sacramental tradition, I view healing the whole person, mind, body, emotions, and spirit as a central mission of the Christ tradition. Therefore I include prayer, and if desired, the sacraments of anointing of the sick and reconciliation (confession) as part of this integrative psychotherapy approach.
I see my work as gently guiding those who seek counseling toward wholeness by helping each person experience a deep shift in which they can draw upon their own healing energy and inner wisdom. This shift can alter the body, relationships with others, with the world, and with the Divine.
I meet with people in my home, in natural settings, at coffee shops or at their homes.
* It is important to differentiate between healing and being physically cured. While healing can bring about a dramatic improvement in physical health, a person may be healed (move toward wholeness) but not cured of a specific physical illness.
** Qigong (pronounced chee gung) is a system of healing from China which dates back 3000 years or more. Qi is perhaps best described as the energy that flows through and around all things. I think of it as the Divine Energies. Qigong involves learning special breathing exercises, gentle physical movements, and imagery, as well as energy work similar to Healing Touch or Reiki.