Psychotherapy and Alternative Religion

As a psychotherapist, it is important that we are tolerant of all religions and ethnicities.  However, it is also difficult to discuss an alternative religion such as the occult or even topics such as astrology or ghosts with a therapist who has good intentions but really believes you are delusional.  Recently, this discussion has come up in my psychology group that I belong to online.  Therapists were talking about the horror stories clients were sharing about being of a unique mindset in a world that appears to be tolerant of only one religion.

As an alternative thinking psychotherapist, it is not important that I share my beliefs with my clients as this is not appropriate.  You, the client, are the person I am there to listen to and serve.  What I will do though is make statements so that the client is aware that I am open to and can relate on some level to what they are saying in a discussion about religion.  On my website, I do discuss the fact that I have studied world religions and that I am open to working with the Pagan/Wiccan community as well as those who are spiritual/not religious, metaphysical and such.  This opens the doors to folks of this persuasion and I believe it goes without saying.

I enjoy discussing religion in therapy because this is a very relevant topic to our psyche.  A client should be free to discuss their feelings as this has a bearing on their lifestyle, their community and the family that they are often hiding from.  Or as some will say “in the broom closet.”  More so here in Ohio, then when I worked with clients in California.  If you can’t say it in therapy safely, where can you (with exception of your community).  Someone who is new in the transition of spirituality from say Christianity to Wiccan for example, will be going through a spiritual confusion of sorts.  Of course that actual education or guidance toward spiritual growth would best come from a High Priestess in this faith, not a psychotherapist.  My role is to discuss and listen to how religion is played out in your family and in your household and the stressors related to it.  To allow the person to be heard and feel validated in their process.

Transpersonal therapy is a way of bringing spirituality into the room.  In a true holistic setting an appreciation of culture, sexuality and spirituality are very important to the process of healing.   While a person may say they are open minded, we all have our biases of one thing or another – psychotherapists are human too.  Someone who truly has an appreciation of the other world is better to know the difference between someone who is delusional and someone who has had experiences.  Spirituality is a tough topic to go down. It can even be difficult in your own community if you feel that you are like them but feel different, as with a solitary practitioner.

When you choose a psychotherapist, think of it like when you are choosing someone who will read your chart or do a Tarot reading.  Trust your instincts, research their background and have a chat with them over the phone.  If you feel guided to having a discussion with that professional than that is the direction you should go in.  And, like with anything, just because the person has that particular background, does not mean they are right for you.  Take this step consciously as psychotherapy, like any other path toward your growth, is very sacred and individual.

TMJ refers to the tempromandibular joint, the hinge joint that makes up your jaw. When tissues become inflammed, pain and dysfunction can occur. There are several common symptoms that clients come in displaying, such as; headaches, neck pain, popping of the jaw when opening or closing the mouth, earaches, and tinnitus . Psychological stress, clenching of the jaw, grinding of the teeth, dental trauma, and whiplash are some of the most common causes of discomfort. Because CranioSacral therapy has a direct impact on the nervous system and helps decompress the muskuloskeletal system, it can be highly effective in helping find relief for TMJ dysfunction.

*Tina came into the office because she had been experiencing intense headaches and
pain and clicking in her jaw. She spoke of having a highly stressful job and a very
demanding boss. She also remarked that she was often upset with herself because her stress didnʼt end at the workplace. She was irritable and quick to anger at home when interacting with her husband and son. Her goal was to find relief from the pain and to decrease her stress levels.

During Tinaʼs first two sessions she was able bring awareness to how she was
clenching her jaw when under stress. She discovered that when holding her jaw in this way, she was taking short shallow breaths and tensing her entire body around this clenching pattern. These were important discoveries for her, as they became the
foundation for Tina to transform the model of tension she had created that was not
serving her well. Over the next few sessions, Tina found significant relief from the
headaches she had been experiencing and the tightness in her jaw diminished. She
continues to come in on a regular basis as part of her general self care regiment.

*clientʼs name has been changed for confidentiality

Written by Tori Weinstock, LMT, CST

I am so excited to share with you an organic u-pick about 90 minutes away from Columbus, Ohio!  Blueberry Hill is a 15 acer farm that is open from 9am until dusk. I have been calling weekly to see when they are ready for picking and they tell me that hopefully the weekend of July 8th they will be ready. It is best to call to find out for sure!  The phone call alone was worth it. Both of the owners are simply delightful and wonderful.   They told me to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy the unsprayed, chem-free land and enjoy the nature around the farm.

This trip is a wonderful way to support local organic farmers in Ohio as well as nourish your body with pure antioxidants.  


Blueberry Hill2011 Blueberry Hill Family Farms
23038 Gessling Rd., Glenmont, OH 44628 
740.599.5050 or 330.603.0540
http://www.mustardseedmarket.com/blueberryhill

Did you see the Health Section of the Sunday Dispatch in Central Ohio? It extensively talks about Complementary Medicine.or Alternative Medicine. It features Acupuncture, Cupping, Yoga and Reiki or Healing Touch. You are one step ahead because you know that Inner Connections in Columbus, Ohio offers them all! Good for your health.


Links to Columbus Dispatch Article on Complementary and Alternative Health

Practitioners of traditional medicine more open to 'complementary' treatments

Research persuades doctors that reducing stress protects health

Did you know that here at Inner Connection we have a team of wellness practitioners working together to help you achieve your wellness goals?  We truly are a team.  Just yesterday I worked with a client who was concerned about her mother (fatigue and anxiety) and wanted to talk about who at Inner Connections would be a good support for her.   After a short discussion we put a plan together that involved Acupuncture with Deb Engelagu and CranioSacral Therapy and Massage.Then last week after I gave a Fertility Massage with Maya Abdominal Massage we came to realized that this client would benefit from a series of Hypnosis with Chel Hamilton to reduce her anxiety and negative self-talk.  Furthermore, she asked about our Naturopathic, Jennifer Ball, to work on her food cravings and begin a fertility diet that was higher in nutrients than what she was currently eating.  I almost forgot the phone call I received last night from a client whose friend was in an auto accident. She wanted to find out if massage would be helpful for his recovery.  After more discussion we thought that a combination of Acupuncture, Massage, and CranioSacral Therapy would help him with his whiplash recovery.  

It is all about being a resource for living and living well.  If you would like to put together a wellness plan simply give me a call! I will meet with you and together we will build your team.  

Here is to your wellness!
Suzi
(614) 560-9069

This Winter has brought such wonderful surprises to Inner Connections.  The ice and snow has not deterred new clients from out of town coming to the center.  We partnered with our neighbor, the Victorian Village Guest House and welcomed Betsy-McFarland, a travel writer for newspapers in Wheeling, Huntington and Charleston, West Virginia. She was in town experiencing Inner Connections, the Short North and other Columbus attractions.

Did you know that within 2 blocks of Inner Connections there are 2 Bed and Breaakfast accomodations?  Across the street from us is Victorian Village Guest House and around the corner is Harrison House B&B.  Victorian Village is full of wonderful jewles tucked within the historic neighborhood.  Another favorite jewel in this is a wonderful Italian bistro, Basil Italia.  

You can make unique day or unique weekend out of being in Victorian Village and the Short North.  The secret is out!  Now that it is enjoy the personal touches and creativity from our lovely local neighborhood.

Links
Short North:www.shortnorth.org
VVGH:www.victorianvillageguesthouse.com
HH B&B:www.harrisonhouse-columbus.com
Basi-italia: www.basi-italia.com
North Market: www.northmarket.com