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IN THIS PODCAST:Exciting News on This Week's Episode! The Holistic Counseling Podcast is rebranding! In this special episode, I'm sharing the inspiration behind the decision to rebrand and giving you a sneak peek into what you can expect from the new direction of the podcast. Tune in as I explore what alignment and purpose mean to me, the factors that led to this decision, and what you can expect from the newly rebranded podcast. This episode is all about embracing change, living authentically, and stepping into a more aligned and purposeful path.Connect With MeInstagram: @yogachris58FacebookJoin the private Facebook groupRate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.Sign up for my FREE email course: How to Build Confidence As A Holistic CounselorSelf-Care for the Counselor: A Companion Workbook: An Easy to Use Workbook to Support you on Your Holistic Healing and Counselor Self-Care Journey ... A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals)Claim your 30-Day Aura Guest Pass from Chris McDonald
In this episode of the podcast, I'm talking with Jivana Heyman about accessible meditation. Jivana is the founder of the Accessible Yoga movement, and he has plenty of insights to share about how meditation practices can be relevant in our world today. You'll hear about Jivana's own personal journey of learning meditation, and his perspective on how an inward practice like meditation can help during uncertain times when the outer world also needs our attention. Jivana describes the central role that meditation plays in the Yoga tradition, and the wide variety of meditation styles within Yoga (including breath meditation, mantra, chakra meditations, yoga nidra, and more). You'll also hear Jivana's thoughts on reframing asana AS a form of meditation. We talk about: how pranayama is distinct from breath meditation adaptations to make meditation more accessible, especially for those with anxiety, trauma, or neurodivergent minds similarities and differences between Yogic and Buddhist philosophies and practices broadening the definition of what counts as meditation I hope this episode will leave you feeling empowered to find your own ways of bringing meditation into your life! -- To learn more about Jivana Heyman's work, visit jivanaheyman.com or accessibleyogaschool.com. For more links and resources mentioned in this episode, find the show notes at movedtomeditate.yoga/podcast. The 100th Episode of the podcast is coming up, and I want to hear YOUR voice! Send me a short message about why you practice, and I will include it in this special episode. Go here to record your message, or email it to me through the website. Our next Teacher Masterclass is on August 24th, with guest speaker Chris McDonald of the Holistic Counseling Podcast! Get the info and join us at https://movedtomeditate.yoga/teacher-masterclasses/ The Mindful Movement Teacher Training is returning this Fall, and applications are now open! Learn more about this unique program at movedtomeditate.yoga/mmtt. Feel free to reach out through my website with any episode requests, topics you'd like to hear about, or guest interview suggestions. You can also connect with me on Instagram or Threads at @addie_movedtomeditate (for mindfulness, movement, pictures of Pacific Northwest nature, crocheting projects, and my adorable kitty, Mustache).
Chris McDonald is a Holistic Therapist, Yogi, Meditation Teacher and Author. She is Certified in Brainspotting, is a 200 hour RYT, and offers gentle yoga to clients in sessions. Chris offers Yoga courses for Therapists, wrote the book "Self Care for the Counselor" and is host of “The Holistic Counseling Podcast.” She is a Meditation Teacher on the Aura app and Insight Timer. A Fun fact is she loves Halloween and Horror movies.
As Season 10 draws to a close, it's a time for heartfelt reflection and storytelling that will leave you both inspired and introspective. You'll be moved by the tales of growth from those who make a living by listening, like Courtney Romanowski, whose transition from guest to guest host embodies the beauty of mental health counseling and expressive arts therapy. She can be reached on her website here.You will hear from Eric Knox who discussed firefighters and mental health.Pavel Ythjall describes his strength when tragedy struck during the holidays with his new bride. His book can be found on Amazon.Michele Lareau-Alves wants to talk about sex and she can be reached on Psychology Today.Is attachment issues affecting your life? Marc Sholes discusses that and his website can be found at Marcsholeslcsw.com.A regular on the show, Stephanie Simpson, discusses the importance of good coaching and good coaching training. She can be found here.The fearless leader of the PsychCraft Network, Gordon Brewer discusses spirituality and podcasting. He can be found here.Bill Dwinnells is my business partner in Gambit Counseling. He has many years of experience in the crisis world.Susan Roggendorf is a sister from another mother and had has a great podcast called F*ck The Rules. Lane Kennedy and Tamar Medford are the amazing hosts of Laughing Without Liquor, a podcast for sobriety, focused on women.Andrew Kang and Dennis Sweeney are part of our Mental Men group, returning guests for sure, who talk about mentoring, treatment, and mental health, Chris McDonald is the host of The Holistic Counseling Podcast, part of the PsychCraft Network. We talk holistic treatment. Maegan Visconti talks about dance therapy and mental health treatment. She can be reached at A New Leaf Counseling.Gina Moffa is a grief author and good friend of the show. She is truly amazing and her website is ginamoffa.com. Finally but certainly not least, Jenny Helms, LCSW is by far my favorite social media publisher, but she is so much more more than that. She is also a great business owner and has the largest independent office of therapists in Kansas. They are called Somawichita.comYouTube Channel For The Podcast
This week's guest, Chris McDonald, is a breath of fresh air in a world beset by false dichotomies between "traditional" and "holistic" approaches to mental health. Chris is a holistic therapist, yogi, meditation teacher, author, and host of The Holistic Counseling Podcast. She owns a group online practice called Path to Hope Counseling. Chris is a 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher, is certified in brainspotting and offers gentle yoga to clients in session, and offers private yoga sessions. She specializes in treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma and grief in young adults. As the author of Self-Care for the Counselor, she has helped many therapists prioritize their own mental health and wellness. She is a Meditation Teacher on the Aura app and Insight Timer. On this week's episode, host Nikhil Torsekar and Chris cover myriad areas, including: The state of mental health among mental health practitioners, especially after COVID. How self-service mindfulness techniques like three part breathing can help combat burnout and compassion fatigue. How holistic modalities like yoga, breathwork, and guided meditation can be beneficial in getting to the root of the issue vs. superficially addressing symptoms Brainspotting, a modality developed by Dr. David Grand as an offshoot of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). How therapists can leverage the basic, yet powerful adage that "where you look affects how you feel" to help their clients effectively process trauma - sometimes moreso than with traditional talk therapy Subtle yoga, which can help ground us, strengthen our connection with the present, find the "window of tolerance" and strike a balance between our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. The importance of finding community - whether through Facebook groups, virtual / in person happy hours, hosting a podcast, or yoga circles - in navigating the sometimes overwhelming "rabbit hole" of holistic modalities The wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh (known as the "father of mindfulness"), Kristine Weber (the founder of subtle yoga) and other figures who have influenced Chris in her holistic counseling journey Interested in learning more about subtle yoga, brainspotting, or the other modalities discussed on this episode? Check out The Holistic Counseling Podcast or join the Facebook group. Additionally, click here to claim your 30 day Aura app guest pass from Chris McDonald; find peace and get restful sleep with Chris today! Therapists can check out her book entitled Self-Care For the Counselor at Amazon. Connect with Nikhil to learn more about Untether Your Life and other projects: Instagram Website LinkedIn Twitter
Chris McDonald hosts The Holistic Counseling Podcast, and does virtual therapy sessions integrating yoga, breathwork, Brainspotting, and is a Holistic Counselor. Find her podcast and book sessions at: https://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/ Find her meditations on Insight Timer at: https://insighttimer.com/chrismcdonald * Book sessions with me at: https://www.nolatherapy.com * Magic Mind will blow your mind! My favorite drink to boost focus, increase productivity, and relieve anxiety. Order at https://www.magicmind.co/lisa and use code LISA for 56% off a month subscription or 20% off your entire order during the next 10 days! * Take $15 off your order to try MyVitalC- The ESS60 molecule is stabilized in organic and Kosher olive oil and extends life by 90% as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory! I love what it does for my health, so try it at https://www.myvitalc.com/lisa with code Lisa. * Take 10% off Nadovim NAD+ Nootropic for Whole Brain Health that stimulates neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin! More at: https://nadovim.com/lt/?rfsn=7164851.534a9c&coupon_code=alltherapy10 * Purchase juiceplus+ a whole food supplement I use daily! https://lt17885.juiceplus.com/us/en
Chris McDonald is a Holistic Licensed Therapist and owns a group online practice, “Path to Hope Counseling”. She is a 200 hour RYT, is Certified in Brainspotting, and offers gentle yoga to clients in sessions, workshops, and private yoga sessions. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief in young adults. Chris also offers Therapy for Therapists and is the host of “The Holistic Counseling Podcast.” Her favorite holistic daily routines include yoga, meditation, and spending time with her cats Annabelle and Ginger. Discover the transformative power of holistic therapy as Jana Short interviews therapist Chris McDonald, delving into the limitations of traditional counseling and the host's goal to inspire young adults to embrace self-care and resilience in the face of trauma. This episode is focused on: Recognize the transformative potential of holistic healing methods in your wellness journey. Acknowledge the repercussions of overlooked trauma on the psyche and strategies to address them effectively. Absorb how lifestyle modifications can be a game-changer for mental and emotional wellness. Identifying the intertwining of spirituality in therapy can turbo-charge your journey towards holistic wellness. Decipher the correlation between quality sleep, mental wellness, and the effectiveness of sleep meditations in promoting restful sleep. Get in touch with Chris: https://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com @holisticcounselingpodcast https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mcdonald-bb831823/ TheHolisticCounselingPodcast Find peace and get restful sleep with me on the Aura app, click the link to get 30 days Free: https://www.aurahealth.io/guestpass/chris-mcdonald Don't forget to take a listen to Chris's Podcast Episode 128 How do I Find a Holistic Therapist: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/episode-128-how-do-i-find-a-holistic-therapist/id1560859961?i=1000618853182 Get in touch with Jana and listen to more Podcasts: https://www.janashort.com/ Show Music ‘Hold On' by Amy Gerhartz https://www.amygerhartz.com/music. Get the Best Holistic Life Magazine APP! One of the fastest-growing independent magazines centered around holistic living. https://www.presspadapp.com/digital-magazine/best-holistic-life-magazine Grab your gift today: https://www.janashort.com/becoming-the-next-influencers-download-offer/ Connect with Jana Short: https://www.janashort.com/contact/
Welcome to another episode of the Soul Care for Therapists Podcast! In this episode, Dawn Gabriel and her guest Chris McDonald have an insightful conversation on holistic self-care. Chris is a therapist, yogi, podcaster, meditation teacher, and author. Chris shares his personal and professional journey, highlighting his passion for holistic care and helping therapists incorporate holistic practices into their work. They discuss their shared experiences as podcasters and the importance of practicing what they preach. Personal and Professional Journey Chris McDonald is a therapist, yogi, podcaster, meditation teacher, and author. She shares his experience of juggling various roles in his life, acknowledging the challenges that come with it. Despite the occasional chaos, Chris finds fulfillment in his work. He runs a small group practice and hosts the Holistic Counseling Podcast, which has been nurturing for two years. Her podcast aims to grow its audience and provide more offerings for therapists. Chris particularly enjoys helping therapists with self-care and teaching them holistic practices to use with their clients. Passion for Yoga and Meditation Chris's journey into yoga and meditation started gradually. As a school counselor, she initially learned about breathwork during a teacher retreat. She noticed the positive impact it had on her students, allowing them to calm themselves. However, Chris realized that breathwork alone wasn't always sufficient. She discovered the power of combining breathwork with movement, which deepened the healing experience. Alongside this, Chris began exploring meditation by joining a local Buddhist group. Through consistent practice, she learned valuable lessons in maintaining daily practice and incorporated these practices into his personal lifestyle and therapeutic work. Teaching and Practicing Self-Care Dawn and Chris discuss the common tendency among therapists to teach mindfulness and self-care skills while neglecting their own practice. Chris emphasizes the importance of therapists actively engaging in the practices they teach. She admits that even as a teacher, she often uses practices as a band-aid, only turning to them when he's having a bad day or trouble sleeping. However, Chris encourages therapists to develop a regular self-care routine and integrate mindfulness, yoga, and meditation into their daily lives. By practicing what they preach, therapists can experience the transformative power of these holistic practices and better support their clients. Holistic Practices in Session As a therapist, Chris integrates various holistic practices into his sessions. She considers breathwork, meditation, and yoga as the trifecta of holistic self-care. Dawn states being mindful and present is difficult. “It's like we are asking people to slow down and get mindful, and that's so different than. Level up and hustle and do this thing next.” These practices help ground clients and promote mindfulness, slowing down the fast pace of their lives. Chris clarifies that the yoga he teaches isn't focused on fitness or flexibility but centers on calming the nervous system through mindful movements. He also incorporates brain spotting and polyvagal theory into his work, recognizing the importance of psychoeducation in helping clients understand and benefit from these practices. People do not realize how fast they are going and the permission and skills to slow down can be life-changing. Conclusion Dawn and Chris conclude their conversation by emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself. Chris's decision to have a small group practice, despite external pressure to expand, exemplifies his commitment to his own well-being and soul care. They discuss how holistic practices challenge the culture of constant hustle and encourage individuals to slow down, be mindful, and find balance in their lives. By embracing holistic self-care, individuals can discover the transformative power of mindfulness, yoga, and meditation. Ways to Engage Holistic Self-Care Prioritize self-care: Develop a consistent self-care routine that includes mindfulness, yoga, and meditation practices. Make time for these activities daily to experience their full benefits. Practice what you preach: As a therapist, actively engage in the holistic practices you teach your clients. By integrating these practices into your own life, you can better support your clients and lead by example. Educate yourself: Explore books and resources on topics such as polyvagal theory and holistic approaches to therapy. Expand your knowledge and incorporate new techniques into your practice. Be true to yourself: Don't feel pressured to conform to societal expectations or follow the path that everyone else is taking. Listen to your own needs and desires, and make choices that align with your values and well-being. Slow down and find balance: Challenge the hustle culture and prioritize slowing down, being mindful, and finding balance in your life. Take breaks throughout the day, avoid rushing, and savor the present moment. By implementing these action steps, you can engage holistically in self-care and create a more balanced and fulfilling life for yourself and your clients. Links and Resources Book: Self-Care for the Counselor: A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals Podcast Episode Holistic Self-Care Boundaries for the Therapists: The Therapy Show with Lisa Mustard/Mustard Consulting LLC The Holistic Counseling Podcast: Home - Holistic Counseling Podcast Show Notes and Podcast Production by James Marland
Licensed professional counselors Johanna Dwinells and Sarah Bryski-Hamrick are slowly demystifying and destigmatizing therapy, one episode at a time. Recording and living in the Philadelphia area, Johanna and Sarah work to make therapy feel more accessible, with quirky, sometimes intrusive questions that reveal the human side of healthcare professionals, all while they overcome their own anxieties and internalized stigmas. CW: NoneEpisode summary: Johanna rewatches Encanto. Sarah rallies. They both discuss a brief history of yoga. Guest, Chris McDonald, joins them to talk about holistic care, trauma informed yoga and much more!Guest Bio: Chris McDonald is a Holistic Licensed Therapist and owns a group online practice, “Path to Hope Counseling”. She is a 200 hour RYT, is Certified in Brainspotting and offers gentle yoga to clients in session, workshops and private yoga sessions. She specializes in treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma and grief in young adults. Chris also offers Therapy for Therapists and is host of “The Holistic Counseling Podcast.” Her favorite holistic daily routines include yoga, meditation and spending time with her cats Annabelle and Ginger.Resources: Abortion Resources; Chris's book, Self-Care for the Counselor: A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals; Chris's podcast, The Holistic Counseling Podcast, Episode about Trauma Informed Yoga; Chris's website; Bodies are Cool by Tyler FederQuestions/comments/concerns? Want to be interviewed on TND podcast? Email us at therapistsnextdoor@gmail.com, or visit our instagram @tndpod!Follow us: IG: @tndpodTwitter: @tndpod1Do you want bonus features, including early episodes, the ability to vote on what questions we ask our guests and so much more? Do you want to help support us as we demystify and destigmatize mental health? Visit our Patreon: patreon.com/tndpodcastOr visit our website: Tndpodcast.comWhere can you find Sarah and Johanna:Sarah: website; blog; instagram, etsy Articles Featuring Sarah: How to Avoid Productivity Guilt Podcasts Featuring Sarah: Empowered Connections: Internalized Capitalism From the Outside InJohanna: website; instagram Articles Featuring Johanna: Walk the Talk in this issue of Breathe Magazine
-What is holistic therapy and how can it help treat codependency? -How can you build holistic boundaries? -How can you better prepare if your boundaries piss people off, hurt others, or are met with pushback? Welcome to Episode 121! We have the honor of getting to know Chris McDonald, LPC, and her approach to treating codependency through holistic therapy. In this episode, Chris shares with us on what holistic therapy is and how it can help us set boundaries. You'll hear how Chris helps her clients become more aware of their psychological, physical, mental, emotional, social, and physical selves in order to identify how to better meet their needs. We conclude with hearing unique tips from Chris to set boundaries and realistically prepare for pushback. It's a must-listen! Links for the show: Sign up for the newsletter to receive all things codependummy: https://keap.app/contact-us/2302598426037497 Journal! The Confiding Codependummy: 30 Days of Journaling Prompts for a Less-Codependent and More-Conscious YOU for just $1 a day. www.codependummy.com/toolsforhealing FREEBIE! The Self-Validation Challenge: Learn to validate your GD self: www.codependummy.com/challenge Money! Funds! Help support the show via a one-time donation via secure Paypal link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=RJ3PSNZ4AF7QC Work with me! Email marissa@codependummy.com to inquire about psychotherapy, coaching, or coming on the show! More on this week's guest: Chris McDonald is a Holistic Licensed Therapist and owns a group online practice, “Path to Hope Counseling.” She specializes in treating young adults with anxiety, depression, trauma and grief. Chris is host of “The Holistic Counseling Podcast.” https://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com More deets on this week's episode: We begin with hearing how Chris conceptualizes codependency: as a learned behavior that is a consequence of unavailable and/or narcissistic parents. Chris describes how codependents often have a core belief that “I don't matter” and prioritize the needs of others, engage in people-pleasing, have a fear of conflict, worry about hurting others, have perfectionistic tendencies, and complain of feeling depleted. Chris shares about codependent experiences from her own life, including an email exchange from earlier in the day! She recalls a codependent relationship from her young adulthood. Can you relate? We shift gears and focus on Chris' specialty as a holistic therapist. She defines holistic therapy for us and how the client is assessed in multiple areas of their life: emotional, mental, spiritual, physical, social, physical, and psychological. In addition to perceiving her clients through this holistic lens, she integrates somatic work and trauma therapy to have an all-encompassing perspective on the client and their needs. And what about setting boundaries in a holistic manner? Chris describes how codependents often do things for others out of obligation. When they get in touch with their needs in a holistic manner, they are then able to better identify their needs and set them with others. Chris details how she has her clients start small, focus on their values, and role-play in order to prepare for the pushback from others. Others might be pissed–they might be hurt. Chris helps her clients by role-playing and preparing for the aftermath of setting boundaries. She also helps empower them by standing firm. As a consequence to setting boundaries, she's observed how her clients then have more time, more ownership of their time, and are able to schedule self-care. We hope you're able to create a holistic boundary this week as a consequence to hearing this episode! Thanks for coming on Chris! And thank you for listening, my dear listener! PLEASE: Rate. Review. Subscribe. Share. We need more ratings on Spotify! TY! -The Self-Validation Challenge - free 30-day guide to providing yourself with all the validation you seek: www.codependummy.com/challenge -Get your copy of the Confiding Codependummy: 30 days of journaling prompts for a less-codependent and more-conscious you! www.codependummy.com/toolsforhealing -If you are wanting to dive into your codependency deeper one-on-one, please email marissa@codependumy.com to work with me! -Sign up for the newsletter: https://keap.app/contact-us/2302598426037497 -Support the show via a one-time secure donation: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=RJ3PSNZ4AF7QC See you next week!
Chris McDonald, a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor helps young adults transition into adulthood and provides holistic counseling services, navigating the conflicting expectations of traditional and holistic therapy. "It's bringing together treatment of the whole person instead of individual parts. And with holistic counseling, we're looking at every part of the self from body, physical, somatic, spiritual, mind, and of course, using some talk therapy as well - it's bringing all the best of both worlds together to treat the whole person." Chris McDonald is a licensed clinical mental health counselor supervisor and host of the Holistic Counseling Podcast. She has a small group practice that focuses on working with young adults struggling with transitions, anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief. She uses holistic modalities such as trauma-informed yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and brain spotting in her sessions. Chris encourages her clients to get a physical from their primary care to rule out any physical issues that might be causing mental health symptoms. She encourages self-care and the use of breath work, relaxation strategies and yoga to help clients calm their nervous systems. Chris believes in treating the whole person, and she has created a holistic intake form to help do this. (So important!) She has also created a podcast to help other mental health professionals learn and build their practices with confidence. In this episode, you will learn the following: 1. How to build a successful virtual practice with holistic modalities? 2. What are the components of holistic counseling? 3. How can yoga and other physical modalities be integrated into therapy sessions? And more! Get all the links, resources and show notes here: https://wellnesscentercreators.com Sponsored by Jane App, Jane offers online booking, charting, scheduling, secure video and invoicing on one secure, beautifully designed system: https://jane.app/ Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!Get all the links, resources and show notes here: https://wellnesscentercreators.comSponsored by Jane App, Jane offers online booking, charting, scheduling, secure video and invoicing on one secure, beautifully designed system: https://jane.app/ Use code wellness1mo for a one-month grace period on your new Jane account.
Chris McDonald, a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor helps young adults transition into adulthood and provides holistic counseling services, navigating the conflicting expectations of traditional and holistic therapy. "It's bringing together treatment of the whole person instead of individual parts. And with holistic counseling, we're looking at every part of the self from body, physical, somatic, spiritual, mind, and of course, using some talk therapy as well - it's bringing all the best of both worlds together to treat the whole person." Chris McDonald is a licensed clinical mental health counselor supervisor and host of the Holistic Counseling Podcast. She has a small group practice that focuses on working with young adults struggling with transitions, anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief. She uses holistic modalities such as trauma-informed yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and brain spotting in her sessions. Chris encourages her clients to get a physical from their primary care to rule out any physical issues that might be causing mental health symptoms. She encourages self-care and the use of breath work, relaxation strategies and yoga to help clients calm their nervous systems. Chris believes in treating the whole person, and she has created a holistic intake form to help do this. (So important!) She has also created a podcast to help other mental health professionals learn and build their practices with confidence. In this episode, you will learn the following: 1. How to build a successful virtual practice with holistic modalities? 2. What are the components of holistic counseling? 3. How can yoga and other physical modalities be integrated into therapy sessions? And more! Get all the links, resources and show notes here: https://wellnesscentercreators.com Sponsored by Jane App, Jane offers online booking, charting, scheduling, secure video and invoicing on one secure, beautifully designed system: https://jane.app/ Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it!
Chris McDonald is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holistic provider with a group online practice, “Path to Hope Counseling” in North Carolina, USA. In this episode, Chris takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour of her Top 2.5% podcast, The Holistic Counseling Podcast. In this episode, we talk about: How the podcast fits into Chris's business model. Chris's favourite episodes. (see links below) Other podcasts Chris loves listening to. Top tips for hosting your own podcast. Top tips for being a podcast guest. The power of making business friends. Chris's free email course. (See links below) Full show notes and links mentioned are available at https://badasspreneurs.com/holistic-counseling-podcast/ =====
Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This month we resume new episodes after a summer that seemed to fly by! In today's episode, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews a returning guest who was last on the show in 2019. Today's guest is Chris McDonald, LMHCS! Chris generously agreed to join the Trauma Therapist Network community to share some experiential holistic self-care practices last month, and our members loved what she shared with us. Today you'll hear Chris speak about incorporating holistic self-care practices into your life, and how these methods can help us get back into our bodies when we are feeling disconnected from ourselves. Chris McDonald is a Holistic Licensed Therapist, 200 hour registered yoga teacher and holistic provider in Garner, NC. She is also host to the Holistic Counseling Podcast. She specializes in treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma and grief in young adults experiencing life transitions. She integrates yoga, mindfulness, meditation and Brainspotting into treatment. Chris also offers Therapy for Therapists and published the book “Holistic Self-Care for Counselors.” She launched The Holistic Counseling Podcast in April 2021 to help Mental Health Therapists learn how to integrate holistic strategies into treatment and how to build a Holistic Counseling Practice. Her favorite holistic daily routines include yoga and meditation. We hope you'll enjoy listening to this week's episode! Looking ahead, we are very excited about what's coming up this month! Next week's episode features Zabie Yamasaki, whose book "Trauma Informed Yoga for Survivors of Sexual Assault," was released earlier this year. This was another beautiful conversation of a subject that both Zabie and Laura care deeply about - sexual trauma. Be sure to look for that episode next week! And more fabulous interviews are coming throughout the next few months...stay tuned for a wonderful surprise that we can reveal soon! If you're not already a subscriber, please subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you won't miss a thing! Resources Find Chris McDonald's book, Self Care for the Counselor - A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals on Amazon here Listen to Chris's first interview on Therapy Chat here. Thank you to TherapyNotes for sponsoring this week's episode! TherapyNotes makes billing, scheduling, notetaking, and telehealth incredibly easy. And now, for all you prescribers out there, TherapyNotes is proudly introducing E-prescribe! Find out what more than 100,000 mental health professionals already know, and try TherapyNotes for 2 months, absolutely free. Try it today with no strings attached, and see why everyone is switching to TherapyNotes. Now featuring E-prescribe. Use promo code "chat" at www.therapynotes.com to receive 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes! Thank you also to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this week's episode. It's the highest-rated digital check-in software for therapy offices and behavioral health clinics, used by thousands of practitioners across the country. Sign up for a 14-day free trial of The Receptionist for iPad by going to www.thereceptionist.com/therapychat and when you do, you'll also receive a twenty five dollar Amazon gift card. This episode is also sponsored by Trauma Therapist Network. Learn about trauma, connect with resources and find a trauma therapist near you at www.traumatherapistnetwork.com. We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available. Therapists - get on the waiting list for TTN membership here! HEALING SEXUAL TRAUMA COURSE COMING 9/13/22: Listen to episode 305 with Erika Shershun, LMFT here. Get on the interest list for the Healing Sexual Trauma Course that opens for registration 9/13 here, and receive a free e-book, "The Many Ways to Ground," as a gift from Erika. When you join the list, or if you are already on Laura's mailing list, you will be notified when registration opens - SOON!! - for our 6 month online Healing Sexual Trauma course. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio
This week we welcome Chris McDonald to the podcast - host of The Holistic Counseling Podcast, and mental health therapist here in Raleigh, North Carolina. She shares with us some insights on building personal resilience, from breath work, meditation, and yoga, to learning how to empower your inner enabler, rather than your inner critic. Find out more about Chris and her practice at the links below! https://www.pathtohopecounseling.com/ (Path to Hope Counseling) https://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/ (The Holistic Counseling Podcast) https://www.facebook.com/groups/227234677747980 (The Holistic Counseling Facebook Group) https://www.instagram.com/holisticcounselingpodcast/ (The Holistic Counseling Podcast on Instagram) ––– https://www.facebook.com/groups/therelationshiproadtrip (Join the conversation on Facebook) https://www.patreon.com/relationshiproadtrip (Support the show on Patreon) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-relationship-road-trip/id1497471088 (Rate & review on iTunes) Ask us anything Support this podcast
Have you heard of muscle response testing? How can you use muscle response testing to do deep trauma healing work with your clients? What are some self-care tips that you can utilize at work? MEET ANGELA SANTIAGOGrowing up in Germany, Angela lived on the outer skirts of a small town in Bavaria, where using holistic remedies was just a daily way of living. After moving to the US at age 24, she slow and steadily pursued her passion to learn more about herbal tinctures and holistic remedies, mainly for her own family. In the mid-nineties, the path to her healing practice expanded while studying the gentle art of Healing Touch, EFT, Touch for Health, and eventually Emotion Code. In addition, Angela's deep-rooted love for herbal medicine has also lead her to become a certified Aromatherapist, which she specializes in for over a decade, to support and balance client's emotional ups and downs, safe and naturally. Angela is the mother of 3 children and 7 grandchildren, that continued on the same Holistic Path that she instilled in them. Visit her https://www.angelasantiago.com/ (website). Connect on https://www.facebook.com/simplyholisticremedies/?eid=ARALAR1ZIJO5XHjTc_p4QBIqzO4_iZfYNa-BofcaMCcosh63FoUZjbT8qJXzyW2yMwsfvgxUJl3HHf4o (Facebook) and https://www.instagram.com/simplyholisticremedies/ (Instagram). Download the free e-book: https://red-snow-9938.ck.page/11ac78344a (How to Move Forward with Ease) IN THIS PODCAST:What is muscle response testing? Conscious and subconscious mind Angela's self-care tips for therapists WHAT IS MUSCLE RESPONSE TESTINGMuscle response testing is an energetic modality where I can check on myself … it's called a ring-in-ring method. (Angela Santiago)I take the tip of my pointer finger and the tip of my thumb, and I put it together as a ring on both hands. I open the ring on my right hand and lock it into my left-hand ring. The ring in ring method is when you: Connect the tip of your pointer finger with the tip of your thumb, creating a ring. Create a ring on both hands. Open a pointer finger and interlock it with its thumb through the other ring, so that your rings on both hands are interlocked with one another on each side. If you ask a question and the ring breaks, the answer is no. If you ask a question and the ring remains in place, the answer is yes. You can use the ring method to find if there is still trauma in the body from past experiences that have not been resolved. CONSCIOUS AND SUBCONSCIOUS MINDI have to say with some clients you achieve results quicker [than] with others, and it has to do with … are they receptive? Do they want to release their stuff? (Angela Santiago) Some people may have suppressed their feelings and thoughts so deep that their conscious mind and their subconscious minds are not able to hear one another. In this case, using muscle response testing can help you to get your clients to find the place in their memory or trauma that they have missed that is still being triggered, and work through it. SELF-CARE ADVICE FOR THERAPISTSBreathing deeply with your hand on your forehead, Sitting quietly with your hand on your heart and taking intentional deep breaths, Take a walk around the block on your break to calm your mind from work and to revitalize your energy, Place a diffuser in your office for using essential oils. [Self-care] is imperative, to keep our mind clear, calm, and collected, because it's very easy to get overwhelmed and go down the rail with a client sometimes. (Angela Santiago) Connect With MeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/holisticcounselingpodcast/ (@holisticcounselingpodcast) https://www.facebook.com/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-345738889889873 (Facebook) Join the https://www.facebook.com/groups/227234677747980 (private Facebook group) Sign up for my free email course: http://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/ (www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on...
How can therapists combine mindfulness with equity? Can mindfulness be made more accessible? What are your most effective mindfulness techniques as a therapist? MEET YUNIESKA KRUGYunieska Krug and has a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from Boston University. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Yunieska is also licensed as a Masters Level Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor in New Hampshire. She has extensive experience working in various settings with diverse populations. Yunieska holds certifications in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectal Behavioral Therapy, and Mental Health with aging populations. Yunieska's clinical specialties include treating Trauma, Anxiety disorders, Depression, Adjustment issues, Life coaching, Interpersonal conflict resolution, Relationship loss, Multi-cultural issues, Dual-diagnosis, and Substance use disorders. Her treatment approach is empathic, empowering, and patient-centered. Additionally, she is able to speak Spanish fluently. Visit her https://www.dmcounselingservices.com/ (website). IN THIS PODCAST:Mindfulness strategies for therapists Equity and mindfulness Mindfulness advice MINDFULNESS STRATEGIES FOR THERAPISTSWe really have to take care of ourselves and our bodies so that we can be present for our clients because … we're constantly exposed to vicarious trauma. (Yunieska Krug)Guided mediation Subtle yoga course Aromatherapy Reiki Having a daily mindfulness practice that is dedicated to yourself and your wellbeing will enable you to give great therapy while maintaining your peace at the same time as you guide people through their treatment. EQUITY AND MINDFULNESSMindfulness should not be exclusionary or be kept away from people who cannot afford to pay for full services. Teaching people mindfulness tactics and techniques in their counseling, especially people who do not have the time or financial resources to pay for a full course, is a good way to make sure that mindfulness is accessible for everyone. Making sure that we are updating and letting … our clients know that [there are] mindfulness strategies that don't have to be a large expense. (Yunieska Krug)If you have the capacity and the resources at your practice, consider offering free sessions or videos to people who could greatly benefit from valuable mindfulness information. MINDFULNESS ADVICEDo not be hyper-focused on the journey and trying to control outcomes. Embrace contrast in your life to give yourself the emotional freedom to move forward with intention. Connect With MeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/holisticcounselingpodcast/ (@holisticcounselingpodcast) https://www.facebook.com/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-345738889889873 (Facebook) Join the https://www.facebook.com/groups/227234677747980 (private Facebook group) Sign up for my free email course: http://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/ (www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-holistic-counseling-podcast/id1560859961 (Apple Podcasts), https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-holistic-counseling-podcast (Stitcher), https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-p1420697/ (TuneIn), https://open.spotify.com/show/3hEmF2DyEKm49I2tqXDX0k?si=Xlq6uvasQb2MWVfvUbfBvQ&nd=1 (Spotify), and https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vaG9saXN0aWMtY291bnNlbGluZy8 (Google Podcasts). Resources Mentioned And Useful Links:https://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/episode/25 (Holistic Treatment of Eating Disorders, Interview with Rebecca Capps) https://www.facebook.com/subtleyoga/live/ (Subtle Yoga) http://www.practiceofthepractice.com/network (Practice of the Practice Podcast Network)
Are you interested in bringing sound healing into your therapy practice? How can sound healing and singing bowls create an effective ritual for commencing and completing the therapeutic process? How does sound affect you? MEET JADE PERRYJade is a Shaman, Doula, and Homeschooling Mama of 2 Beautiful Souls. She's studied and been certified in a variety of Holistic Practices such as Sound Healing, Massage Therapy, Shamanic Healing(Energetic Work), and Aromatherapy. Visit her https://www.natureisthehealer.com/ (website). Connect on https://www.instagram.com/natureisthehealer/?hl=en (Instagram) and Clubhouse (natureheals) IN THIS PODCAST:What is sound healing? Physical benefits of sound healing Using sound healing alongside other modalities Be mindful of how sound impacts you WHAT IS SOUND HEALING?For me sound healing is anything that deals with singing bowls. You can also use your voice and a variety of other instruments, but I typically use singing bowls, and you get some that are made out of different metals or some that are made out of quartz crystal. (Jade Perry)Sound healing works through the fact that sound creates its own vibration, and that vibration infuses into your energy, bringing about change, and this change can look like: Relaxation, A greater sense of calm, Clarity, Greater awareness, Overall, sound healing creates an encompassing and soothing presence, allowing you to align with that type of clear and peaceful energy. PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF SOUND HEALINGGoing for a sound bath, being surrounded by singing bowls that are played either on or around your body, can have similar effects on your body and mind as going for an in-depth massage. If you place and play singing bowls directly onto the body, the vibrations that are created travel directed into the physical body instead of going around the room, leading to a more immediate calming effect. USING SOUND HEALING ALONGSIDE OTHER MODALITIESI use [sound healing] with shamanic healing in my practice … I don't always start with the singing bowls and the shamanic healing because it can be a lot … but for certain things that we're working on, it really helps to bring the integrative and the new energy in so that [the patient] can integrate it more easily. (Jade Perry)Using singing bowls at the end of a session can help a client to take the new energy in and allows them to end their therapy session with you in a higher vibration, both mentally and physically. In this way, using singing bowls makes the therapeutic process smoother and more centered. At the end of a healing session, that's kind of the space that you're in, and so having the sound bowls come in [at the end] allows you to really anchor it, accept it, and remember how to get back there. (Jade Perry)You can use sound healing and singing bowls as a ritual to either begin or end the session. Having a ritual such as this signifies the start and the end of the sacred healing space that the therapist and the client enter when the session commences and closes. BE MINDFUL OF HOW SOUND IMPACTS YOUSound impacts you in different ways. Notice how sounds make you feel, such as listening to the news versus listening to your favorite song. You can use this new knowledge to find a deeper equilibrium in life when you are feeling overwhelmed. Try chanting, singing bowls, singing with your voice, listening to nature, and so forth. You can learn about sound, how it impacts you and how it makes you feel to learn more about yourself. Connect With MeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/holisticcounselingpodcast/ (@holisticcounselingpodcast) https://www.facebook.com/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-345738889889873 (Facebook) Join the https://www.facebook.com/groups/227234677747980 (private Facebook group) Sign up for my free email course: http://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/ (www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on...
What does holistic wellness look like? How can different types of exercise positively aid the body and mind in different ways? Why should you pause? MEET GENNIFER MORLEYGen is the owner of North Boulder Counseling, a thriving group therapy practice in Boulder, CO which specializes in anxiety at all ages. She is a Licensed Practicing Counselor and has spent her life outside and is curious about the human experience. Gen's goal in life is to promote freedom from anxiety and fear for as many people as possible. Gen is wildly and lovingly, disarming. With Gen, you will laugh, think and play every time. She is also a triathlete and a very low runner. Visit her https://northbouldercounseling.com/ (website). Connect on https://www.instagram.com/northbouldercounseling/?hl=en (Instagram), https://www.linkedin.com/in/gennifer-a-morley-ma-lpc-1b12416b/ (LinkedIn), and https://www.facebook.com/NorthBoulderCounseling/ (Facebook). https://northbouldercounseling.com/videos/ (Find candid and relatable videos on mindfulness, meditation, and holistic lifestyles changes that are accessible here). IN THIS PODCAST:What is holistic? Exercise advice Mindfulness WHAT IS HOLISTICHaving a holistic outlook on your therapy, habits, and overall life practices means simply look at the entire picture. Being holistic and working holistically means observing how everything impacts everything else. This is why holistic counseling will not only look at which emotional issues someone is dealing with, but will also look at what a person's eating, exercise, and daily habits are because they too have an overall impact on someone's health. EXERCISE ADVICERecent findings suggest that people who are anxious prefer to do weight training and people who are depressed may prefer to do cardio. To really oversimplify her research, what she has found is that cardio is very good for depression and weight-training is really good for anxiety. (Gennifer Morley)Lifting heavy weights forces you to go slow and focus on controlled, deeper breathing. In turn, this can greatly benefit someone who may be struggling with anxiety and who is always running on a fast-paced cycle. If you are hyper-aroused or stimulated, doing a hypo-activity like weight training and deep breathing can be soothing to the nervous system. Conversely, if someone is in a depression, doing cardio and running, swimming, or even going for a brisk walk can ramp up the body's functions and release happy hormones. When it gets to where your muscles burn, it releases all kinds of endorphins but the research my friend is doing is actually talking about specifically about what neurochemicals get released … we're not talking about getting cute, we're talking about using exercise specifically in place of medication because its going to make chemicals go in your brain that are exactly what you need. (Gennifer Morley)MINDFULNESSA pragmatic way of looking at holistic wellness and mindfulness is to practice becoming aware of when you are not doing okay, and on the other hand, when you are doing okay. When you are on your healing journey, the first step is noticing when you are not doing so well and pausing the story in your head that your ego might try to tell you as to why you are not doing good. Simply notice pause, and take a little moment to be with yourself. The pause can be merciful. Even after a difficult event, you can still pause and retroactively care for yourself. All of this work relates to building your neuroplasticity skills and helps you to change your mindset and approach to yourself so that you can be kinder, more empathetic, and reach the highest version of yourself. Connect With MeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/holisticcounselingpodcast/ (@holisticcounselingpodcast) https://www.facebook.com/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-345738889889873 (Facebook) Join the https://www.facebook.com/groups/227234677747980 (private Facebook group) Sign up for my free email course:...
Why do some people embark on spiritual journeys? How is the mind like a puppy when it comes to meditation? What can you do to make yourself “lighter”? MEET JOE GILBERTJoe Gilbert is a clinical mental health counselor and meditation teacher. His primary office is at the Cedar Walk Wellness Center in Hillsborough, NC. He lives with his wife in Hillsborough, enjoys hiking and backpacking, listening to the birds, and cuddling with his animal companions. Find out more at his https://www.gilbertmeditation.com/ (website). IN THIS PODCAST:Why would you want to embark on an inward facing journey? Stilling your mind Travel lighter WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO EMBARK ON AN INWARD FACING JOURNEY?We hear people say “I want to be more present. I want to be in the present moment” and the reality is that you are never out of the present moment, it's just for a lot of us – a lot of the time – we don't like it and so we think there's something wrong, that I need to go out of my soul to find something to fix it. (Joe Gilbert)Many people live on autopilot, unaware or dissociating from their current reality, and think that they need to achieve something other than themselves in order to find peace, or presence, in their current lived experience. Going on an inward-facing journey means meeting your own needs so that you can be present in your reality without running away from it. You meet your needs, put your ego to rest and simply be, without worrying continually. I knew I could not keep living my life the way I was living it … I always had existential questions … a lot of the times I would get the response “just don't think about it, no big deal” …there was this continual pull from me to question everything … self-inquiry to me is continuing to ask “what's true here?” And we find out what's true by stripping away what's false. (Joe Gilbert)Surrendering helps you to let go of the structures that you hold onto that remain the perception of what you think your reality is. Surrender, and open yourself up. STILLING YOUR MINDFind what works for you, because some people need: More movement: People who find stillness in mind and spirit could try a form of yoga, tai chi, or a gentle hike to move the body without becoming over-excited. To get rid of the script: Get rid of the idea of what you think meditation and stillness look like because it is different for everyone. To stop running: Stop running from something, because yoga works well when you settle into the unknown and say “yes” to what comes up if it resonates with you and your Higher-self. To trust your intuition: This may take a little while, but use meditation as a way to get back in touch with your intuition, and you can even use your intuition to get in touch with meditation. Treat your mind like an excited puppy. It will run off and get distracted and want to play and collide into a million things at once, but you accept it for where it is and you do not yell at it because you understand that it is new to the world, just as your mind is new to meditation. TRAVEL LIGHTERWe just travel lighter [so] we don't take ourselves so seriously, and when I'm not taking myself so seriously, I don't have much to defend, I don't get so defensive … I don't get addicted looking for something that is going to somehow save me. (Joe Gilbert)Through embarking on an inward journey you can travel lighter through life. By completing a spiritual journey and figuring out who you really are, what is really important, and what you really want to focus your energy and attention on, you become lighter. When you know what is important to you, you can release all the rest that is weighing you down and keeping you stuck in the past and stuck in old habits that no longer serve you. Connect With MeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/holisticcounselingpodcast/ (@holisticcounselingpodcast) https://www.facebook.com/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-345738889889873 (Facebook) Join the...
As a therapist do you find yourself putting up a front of who you should be to your clients? Does being authentic as the therapist to who you are, increase the success of the counseling that you provide? Why is self-care important to being authentic? MEET SAM MAHONSamantha Mahon is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)) in North Carolina. She has an associate's degree in human services, a bachelor's degree in social work, and a master's degree in mental health counseling with a specialization in crisis and trauma, phew, that was a lot. She is a certified life & business coach, is trained in Rapid Resolution Therapy®, and is a Certified Holy Fire® Level II Reiki practitioner. Rest assured, Sam is not a stuffy collegiate who brags about all of her educational experiences, in fact, she is quite the opposite. If you met her on the side of the road, you would have no idea that she was a therapist. Her tattoos speak to the painful and miraculous experiences that she has embraced throughout her life. Her words- both written and spoken are words of authenticity, sometimes crude and lewd but always true to who she is as an authentic person. Find out more at https://www.mypeakpractice.com/ (www.mypeakpractice.com) IN THIS PODCAST:Getting past personas Does your authenticity aid counseling? Self-care and authenticity GETTING PAST PERSONASIt is challenging but it is so rewarding to see someone really step into that energy of being authentic and being true to who they really are. I don't think that there's any other options in living our lives these days. (Sam Mahon) There will be times where you might modify or slightly change how you portray who you are, but the essence is that you are true to being yourself, in whichever way, shape, or form that takes. You are able to be authentic in your role as a therapist because being a therapist should not mean that you change yourself. Instead, you bring the best aspects of yourself forward and utilize that in order to make your therapy stronger. It doesn't really matter what style of healing you do necessarily. What matters is the connection or the relationship that you have with your therapist or the therapist with the client. If I'm not showing up as me then they're connecting to something that isn't me. (Sam Mahon)DOES YOUR AUTHENTICITY AID COUNSELING?Definitely! As a therapist, you are a person first and it is from your personality that you can authentically connect with your clients through the lens of the therapy that you offer them. People respond positively to sincerity and to authenticity, and when your clients can see that you are offering them your full attention as you are, with your therapist hat on and your full presence as who you are, you show them that they are valued, that you care and that you are not pretending. If we don't do the work ourselves, then it's really hard to get our clients to do the work … for example, with most clients: I'm not asking them to do something that I haven't already done myself … and I'll tell them [that] this particular strategy … modality I have already done, so I know that it works, and here is how it works. (Sam Mahon)SELF CARE AND AUTHENTICITYIf you want to bring authenticity to the table in your counseling, you need to be taking care of yourself in order to bring your best self. Therapists are experiencing the same stressors and anxieties due to the pandemic as their clients are, and so it is important for you to also be taking care of yourself as well as teaching them to care for themselves. Connect With MeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/holisticcounselingpodcast/ (@holisticcounselingpodcast) https://www.facebook.com/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-345738889889873 (Facebook) Join the https://www.facebook.com/groups/227234677747980 (private Facebook group) Sign up for my free email course: http://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/ (www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com) Rate, review, and subscribe to...
What are some top marketing tips that can help you to expand your client base? How can Google My Business help you to grow your business? MEET jADI FERGENJadi Fergen is a counselor and the owner of a private pay group practice named Altitude Counseling. They are located in Colorado Springs, CO. They offer a collaborative approach to healing. Visit her https://altitudecounseling.com/ (website). IN THIS PODCAST:Tips on marketing a holistic group practice SEO and online marketing TIPS ON MARKETING A HOLISTIC GROUP PRACTICE1: What is the pain point that you speak to within your clients? This is an important first step to take because it is very clear on what you provide to your clients in order to help them on their healing journey that you make important business decisions. 2: What is it about your group practice that makes it holistic? What are some specific modalities that you offer, or an approach to counseling and healing, that is unique to you and to your group practice? 3: Encourage your practitioners to market themselves Encourage your therapists to market themselves as well, to put their unique skillsets forward, so that the group practice and each therapist involved is marketed to their ideal clients. 4: Connect with other health practitioners As a holistic group practice that offers therapy with a multitude of other modalities, it is always a good idea to network, and to become business acquaintances with other medical centers around you that could be places where your ideal client may go it. One thing I found with marketing my practice as a holistic practice … as far as marketing goes, I always try to look at where do they turn to for people that I may be connecting with … I do connect a lot with other holistic providers in the area. (Chris McDonald) Networking is also a good way to encourage other medical centers to refer patients to you for therapy. By building relationships with other medical centers around your business, you foster a mutually beneficial relationship where you can both refer out to one another if and when needed. Building those relationships with other therapists … I would just focus on that because that brought me the most referrals because we all connect with these other therapists in the area … especially people who are just like us because when they get full, and you have a dip, then they can refer to you and vice versa. (Chris McDonald) SEO AND ONLINE MARKETINGWorking on your online marketing can bring in a lot of potential clients and works passively for you online: SEO Google My Business Use Google My Business and place content for your business on there so that Google can see that you are active and can then make your website more visible. Ask your clients to give you reviews on Google as well, as this all adds to building your online presence and visibility. Connect With MeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/holisticcounselingpodcast/ (@holisticcounselingpodcast) https://www.facebook.com/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-345738889889873 (Facebook) Join the https://www.facebook.com/groups/227234677747980 (private Facebook group) Sign up for my free email course: http://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/ (www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-holistic-counseling-podcast/id1560859961 (Apple Podcasts), https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-holistic-counseling-podcast (Stitcher), https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-p1420697/ (TuneIn), https://open.spotify.com/show/3hEmF2DyEKm49I2tqXDX0k?si=Xlq6uvasQb2MWVfvUbfBvQ&nd=1 (Spotify), and https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vaG9saXN0aWMtY291bnNlbGluZy8 (Google Podcasts). Resources Mentioned And Useful Links:https://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/episode/13 (Live Consultation with Shery Clark) http://www.practiceofthepractice.com/network (Practice...
Are you looking to incorporate new treatment modalities into your counseling practice? How can you assess a new modality to make sure that it would be beneficial to your clients and to your practice? Can you incorporate your new modality alongside medical care? MEET SHERY CLARKShery has had a long career in healthcare. Before training in counseling, she worked in several areas other than mental health for large hospitals and trauma centers in the Triangle. That diversity gave her a unique understanding of how biopsychosocial factors interact in our lives. In addition to private practice, Shery volunteers with the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health, prior to Covid she was an active founding member of the Raleigh chapter of Death Cafe and Drag Queen Story Hour. She also shares her life with 3 purebred Labrador Retrievers that she shows in AKC competition obedience and confirmation. IN THIS PODCAST:Assessing new treatment modalities Do research ASSESSING NEW TREATMENT MODALITIESYou can look at a wide range of empirical evidence: Is this treatment modality working for your clients? Read a range of online reviews from both practitioners and clients, Do some research into how long this modality has been around, How long has this modality been in the counseling field? How much experience does the mentor who would teach you about this modality have? Asking others. I just feel like talking to people … asking questions and getting more information from people [to figure] that out. Networking is important … [to find] other people that might be trained in that, but if you can't find anybody trained in that, I might be a little hesitant. (Chris McDonald) DO RESEARCHIf you are looking to add another or new treatment modalities into your counseling practice, do as much research as you can. Look at books, check out online reviews and testimonies, network and find other counselors who have used it before. Grounding yourself in the available research will enable you to make a clear decision as to how you want to incorporate this modality into your practice. You can discuss them with your clients as well to see if these new modalities might be something that they would like to incorporate into their therapy with you. Connect With MeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/holisticcounselingpodcast/ (@holisticcounselingpodcast) https://www.facebook.com/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-345738889889873 (Facebook) Join the https://www.facebook.com/groups/227234677747980 (private Facebook group) Sign up for my free email course: http://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/ (www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-holistic-counseling-podcast/id1560859961 (Apple Podcasts), https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-holistic-counseling-podcast (Stitcher), https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-p1420697/ (TuneIn), https://open.spotify.com/show/3hEmF2DyEKm49I2tqXDX0k?si=Xlq6uvasQb2MWVfvUbfBvQ&nd=1 (Spotify), and https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vaG9saXN0aWMtY291bnNlbGluZy8 (Google Podcasts). Resources Mentioned And Useful Links:https://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/episode/12 (Live Consultation with Jaclyn Fortier) http://www.practiceofthepractice.com/network (Practice of the Practice Podcast Network)
Are you aware of all the common holistic therapies out there? Which modality would be best suited to your client's specific needs? What are the modalities that require a lot more intense training and supervision? IN THIS PODCAST:Mindfulness/Grounding Breathwork Guided imagery Meditation Yoga Reiki Aromatherapy 1. MINDFULNESS/GROUNDINGThis means being in the present moment, not worrying about the future or the past. You are just connecting to what is right here, right now. You can do this by: 5-4-3-2-1 technique (5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste) Doing a body scan Internally asking what you need at that very moment 2. BREATHWORKBe extra careful with this modality, especially if you are working with someone who has experienced trauma. Have your clients see what works for them and practice it outside of therapy, as much as possible. 3. GUIDED IMAGERYUsing this in therapy can be very powerful and a common one to use could be to think about a safe place, imagery for relaxation. And this combined with breathwork can really make a big difference. 4. MEDITATIONThere are so many forms of meditation and as always, there is no right or wrong way. You have to experiment and practice to see what works. A few are: Mindfulness Transcendental movement based Mantra Loving kindness Progressive relaxation Zen Sound 5. YOGAThis is about helping the parasympathetic to engage, to settle down the nervous system, especially with anxiety. It can be broken down into grounding practices (helps with anxiety, stress, feeling hyped up) and energizing practices (helps with depression, trauma, dissociation). 6. REIKIEnergy healing helps physical, emotional, and spiritual issues. It comes from universal life energy force. It works with removing blockages and releasing negative energy. 7. AROMATHERAPYThis is using plant-based essential oils that help harmonize mind, body, and spirit and helps to heal. You can inhale using a diffuser, you can combine different essential oils to cater to different needs such as balance, motivation, or relaxation. It can also be used on your skin (mix with a carrier oil first). Connect With MeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/holisticcounselingpodcast/ (@holisticcounselingpodcast) https://www.facebook.com/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-345738889889873 (Facebook) Join the https://www.facebook.com/groups/227234677747980 (private Facebook group) Sign up for my free email course: http://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/ (www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-holistic-counseling-podcast/id1560859961 (Apple Podcasts), https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-holistic-counseling-podcast (Stitcher), https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-p1420697/ (TuneIn), https://open.spotify.com/show/3hEmF2DyEKm49I2tqXDX0k?si=Xlq6uvasQb2MWVfvUbfBvQ&nd=1 (Spotify) and https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vaG9saXN0aWMtY291bnNlbGluZy8 (Google Podcasts). Resources Mentioned And Useful Links:https://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/episode/episode3 (How to Integrate Holistic Strategies Into Clinical Practice Safely and Effectively) https://www.doterra.com/US/en (Essential oils I use - DoTerra) BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Here-Discovering-Present/dp/1590308387 (You are here) BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Peace-Every-Step-Mindfulness-Everyday/dp/0553351397/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=PEACE+IN+EVERY+STEP&qid=1617023179&s=books&sr=1-1 (Peace in every step) BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Revised-Illness/dp/0345536932/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Y366KUAOFD1U&dchild=1&keywords=full+catastrophe+living&qid=1617023127&s=books&sprefix=fully+catas%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C610&sr=1-1 (Full Catastrophe Living...
Where do you see yourself as a therapist, are you in the new or advanced category? How do you decide which type of holistic practitioner you want to be? What are some of the most common holistic practices? IN THIS PODCAST:New practitioners Advanced practitioners Recap on the previous 4 episodes NEW PRACTITIONERSThis could be someone who fresh out of college or maybe someone who has some experience but is new to using holistic strategies. Not sure how or where to start Still building enough confidence In the discovery phase May make the mistake of taking on too many trainings and not applying the lessons Feeling isolated and may experience imposter syndrome ADVANCED PRACTITIONERSThey feel confident in their practice and have internal ease with connecting mind, body, and spirit. Actively seeking out others in the field to network and consult with Utilizing the support of the community Know which areas to focus on, and don't take on too many trainings - instead, they are always advancing their skills in their chosen field RECAP OF THE PREVIOUS 4 EPISODEShttps://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/episode/episode1 (Introduction and Discover Holistic Therapy) https://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/episode/episode2 (Legal and Ethical issues in Holistic Therapy) https://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/episode/episode3 (How to integrate holistic strategies into clinical practice safely and effectively) https://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/episode/episode4 (An overview of the most common holistic therapies) Connect With MeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/holisticcounselingpodcast/ (@holisticcounselingpodcast) https://www.facebook.com/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-345738889889873 (Facebook) Join the https://www.facebook.com/groups/227234677747980 (private Facebook group) Sign up for my free email course: http://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/ (www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-holistic-counseling-podcast/id1560859961 (Apple Podcasts), https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-holistic-counseling-podcast (Stitcher), https://tunein.com/podcasts/Health--Wellness-Podcasts/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-p1420697/ (TuneIn), https://open.spotify.com/show/3hEmF2DyEKm49I2tqXDX0k?si=Xlq6uvasQb2MWVfvUbfBvQ&nd=1 (Spotify) and https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vaG9saXN0aWMtY291bnNlbGluZy8 (Google Podcasts). Resources Mentioned And Useful Links:https://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/episode/episode4 (An Overview of the Most Common Holistic Therapies) http://www.practiceofthepractice.com/network (Practice of the Practice Podcast Network)
Welcome to the Holistic Counseling Podcast, I am excited to be on this journey with you! IN THIS PODCAST:Meet your host, Chris McDonald Why I started this podcast and who it's for What to expect How do you discover what kind of holistic practitioner you want to be? Meet your host, Chris McDonaldI believe a good holistic practice starts with a ritual, and so this morning I lit the candle at my 'desk/altar space' to remind me of my intention for the year, which is summed up in my word for the year: ACCEPTANCE. I like to do a Word of the Year to show something I want to focus on, and I have it surrounded by my crystals as well as my Palo Santo essential oil which is diffusing around my office right now helping to keep me calm and start my day the right way. What would be a good holistic ritual for you while you listen to this podcast? There is no wrong answer to this. It is an open space and invitation for you to practice a small ritual with yourself to create an intentional space of healing and awareness. So, I am Chris McDonald, and to me, Holistic Therapy looks at all parts of the self: the mind, body, and spirit. It focuses on wholeness and, not just the psychological aspects. Years ago I was a school counselor and went to a retreat for teachers. This was my first experience with meditation, I immediately connected with it and really loved it. I started to learn more about meditation, breathwork, essential oils, mindfulness, and yoga and thought about how I could incorporate these into traditional therapy. Why I started This podcast And Who It's ForThere are not a lot of holistic therapists out there. We are spread few and far between and often struggle to find one another in the midst of traditional therapy. Traditional therapy is great and has its strengths but I wanted to build up the holistic therapy world and provide a voice for this budding community. I wanted to build that strong community, especially those that are like-minded and free from judgment… some people who are more traditional-minded may not [understand] and could judge you for that so I think having people who are non-judgmental would be great, to be able connect with them and learn from each other.This podcast is geared towards mental health therapists who are interested in integrating these holistic strategies into treatment, or even if you just want to build your own personal practice. What To ExpectSolo shows Guest/Interview shows How to integrate your learnings A variety of topics spanning meditation, breathwork, and essential oils How to do this safely and ethically Practice building tips Your self-care How do you discover what type of holistic practitioner you want to be?The way you do this is by turning inward to hear yourself more clearly. Opening up your mind and heart and listening. Where do you want to be with your therapy practice? Who do you want to be? Pause if you would like and write some thoughts down, without judgment, and be playful, curious, and creative with your raw ideas. Explore your ideas: research different teachers, practices, free courses, podcasts, and teachings. Spend some time looking through the resources you find on Google or Youtube. Look around to see if there are any holistic centers near you to see what is available. Consider visiting a local Buddhist temple if you have one near you and spending time with like-minded people and engaging them in the conversations you would like to learn more from. Connect with meInstagram https://www.instagram.com/holisticcounselingpodcast/ (@holisticcounselingpodcast) https://www.facebook.com/The-Holistic-Counseling-Podcast-345738889889873 (Facebook) Join the https://www.facebook.com/groups/227234677747980 (private Facebook group) Sign up for my free email course: http://www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com/ (www.holisticcounselingpodcast.com) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on...