FAQ
Are you wondering if mind-body healing is the right approach for you?
Are you wondering if it will work for you?
These are important questions to ask!
The answer is simple:
If you are drawn to it, excited about it, and feel good about it, this approach is right for you. You might still be slightly skeptical, which is completely normal. Take it slow and read the blog posts, listen to the free downloads, check out the Healthy Mind Toolbox Course, and explore. The more comfortable you get with these concepts, the easier your process will be.
The most important factor in deciding if mind-body healing is right for you is a quick check-in with your own inner wisdom. Does the concept resonate with you? You’ll need to look past any fear or panic you’re feeling, so take three deep breaths, hold the idea of mind-body healing in your mind, and check in with your gut – the place where we all feel gut feelings! Do you feel a sense of rightness? Do you feel like you’ve been released from prison? If so, it’s for you. If you feel tension or a sense of heading into prison, then it’s not for you.
Here are some of the common traits of people with Mind Body Syndrome:
- You have had many different types of mysterious pain/chronic pain syndromes that have either cycled or replaced each other over the years.
- You tend to be very hard on yourself.
- You don’t think you’re a perfectionist, because perfectionists would have it all together. (Ahem…)
- You find ways to avoid feeling emotions, whether it’s through activity or mental activity such as worrying, analyzing, obsessing…
- People suggest that you might consider not working so much, or taking some time to relax.
- Relax? How does one do that? I’ve heard it’s nice…
- You feel an almost constant state of anxiety and feel jumpy, irritable, and restless.
- Panic is a frequent visitor and a regular part of your vocabulary.
- You think you ought to be able to figure all of this out yourself – after all, you’re smart, motivated, driven…
Here are some of the indicators of success I’ve noticed from working with so many clients. If you find yourself agreeing with these statements, then you are ready to roll up your sleeves and take charge of your health!
- You are ready to learn more about the mind-body approach or have even already done some reading on your own.
- You are frustrated with traditional medical approaches and want to try something different – without throwing out the things that have been helping.
- You feel a flutter of hope at the thought of not relying on outside sources for your return to health.
- You are ready to spend time each day (probably between 15 minutes to an hour) working on this approach, implementing the tools, and doing introspective, self-awareness work.
- You are ready to put yourself and my healing process as a top priority in your life, recognizing that saying “I don’t have enough time for this” only postpones the healing.
- You are willing to work toward believing in the possibility of healing from a mind-body approach, even if you’re a bit skeptical right now.
- You are excited to have a personalized approach and are willing to experiment to discover what works for you, and in what combination.
- You are willing to take accountability for your health and step into the role of leader, director, and creator of your well-being.
- You are willing to do the work continually, even if it takes time for your body to begin to return to health. (You’ll find the work to be live-giving, not draining!)
“I thought I was doing coaching to heal my body. I ended up healing my life.”
- A.P.
Why do some people get mind-body issues like this type of pain?
Here’s the short answer! It’s quite likely that most people have mind-body pain of some type more than once in their life. They just don’t know what it is, and it leaves when they release the stress that created it in some way. For people with really persistent pain, the issue actually lies in the way they relate to themselves and the outside world. For instance, perfectionists, people who are driven to succeed, people who are trying all the time to do the right thing, be good people, and take care of everyone, and people who worry a great deal are all putting tremendous amounts of stress on themselves, usually unconsciously. Their bodies can only take so much, and if the stress is not dealt with in a constructive, helpful manner, pain appears. There’s a whole lot of science behind that, but that’s the quick and dirty overview.
Is coaching enough to help me back to health?
Yes. However, I do recommend other modalities that will make the process faster and easier. Some people are able to release enough stress and emotion through coaching that their bodies can relax and the pain recedes. Others need to add in other resources. There’s no right or wrong way to heal – it’s just about what works for you and what doesn’t. The best thing about coaching is that you’ll be able to figure out what you really need using your own inner wisdom. You’ll also be able to take what you learn in coaching and apply it yourself in your daily life. Coaching is about making you more independent and empowered.
Does coaching include teaching me what you do in your life to stay healthy?
Yep!
How long do I need to be coached?
As long or as short as you want. Some people work with me for up to a year. Others for just a few sessions. Mind-body healing can take time, so there’s no pressure to hurry. The point of coaching, though, is to help you get your feet under you with some strong, effective tools and insight. Then you take that into your life without your coach, because you can do it. Some people come back for the random tune-up every now and then.
What if I read Dr. Sarno’s book and saw myself in its pages, but can’t seem to make it work?
This is really common. Applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which is the basis of Martha Beck Coaching and the newest, most effective psychology, to the Sarno concepts is highly effective. In my opinion, Sarno’s psychological approach needs to be expanded to create even more lasting and effective results. In my approach, I use elements from the latest brain and neurological research, psychological understanding, and coaching tools. I remember being frustrated after reading The Mindbody Prescription because I wanted more tools. So, I researched and created more tools! Now they are available to you via the Healthy Mind Toolbox.
I’m not sure if I believe in mind-body healing – is that a problem?
If you’re interested, then wanting to believe and explore it is worth it. Everyone has doubt – lots at first, then less and less as they gain evidence and knowledge. As long as you’re willing to entertain the possibility, you’ll be able to gain benefit from mind-body work.
What do I have to do to apply the mind-body techniques?
Set aside some time to do a little “homework” from your coaching sessions or The Healthy Mind Toolbox. The most important determining factor in the success of mind-body healing is your practice and implementation of the tools daily. There’s just no other way around it. But I can tell you that it’s the most worthwhile self-care you’ll probably ever do, and it is applicable to all life stressors and issues. You will heal on a larger scale than you can even imagine.
Should I notice symptom improvement quickly?
It is possible, but it is such an individual thing that it’s best not to put any time pressure on yourself. The learning process for mind-body techniques takes time, as does understanding and learning how to stop suppressing emotions. The body heals quickly, but the mental understanding and learning takes time, and there’s just no rushing it.
I live in another time zone or in Europe – can I still be coached?
Absolutely. Most of my European clients choose email coaching, so that it’s not a scheduling issue. It works very well. Time zones make no difference – we just schedule what works for both of us. I work with clients currently in several different European countries, Canada, California, New York, Texas, Chicago, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, and of course, Wyoming! So as you can see, your location does not matter.
Is Mind-Body Coaching only for people with pain?
NO! Understanding the mind-body connection and using the wisdom of the body to unwind stress, anxiety, tension, and other life issues is incredibly effective. It’s a bit hard to describe, but mind-body coaching will make magic happen in all areas of your life. My clients who are working on releasing pain end up creating lots of amazing things in their lives – great relationships, fulfilling careers, a sense of purpose and direction, and much more happiness. Mind-body coaching is extremely effective for weight loss, too. I don’t always talk about my own experiences with overeating, but I spent much of my early twenties over fifty pounds overweight. It wasn’t until I started to understand my mind that I was able to help my body lose weight. It was such freedom to stop feeling guilty about food, stop obsessing about what to eat and what not to eat, and to relax about my body. So, please email me to schedule a consult if you’re interested in applying mind-body coaching to your situation. It’s powerful stuff!
What if I’d like to know even more about coaching?
Click here to purchase Mind-Body Coaching in Action, a 75 minute coaching session recorded for your benefit. Get a feel for a coaching session and my approach to mind-body healing all in one recording!
