Clare Nicholetti, LCSW

It has never become more clear to me, then in the past ten years, how a person’s beliefs spill over to his/her leadership, affecting everything and everyone around…not just the US, but the world.  Some of our past leaders have used their powers and privileged status to manipulate the American people into their way of thinking, in regards to religious beliefs, disregarding the majority that are not of that belief system.  This is frightening, to those of us who are paying attention.  So, I have many clients who are learning, like myself, to use that fear and anger in productive ways.  Feel free to share your ways of coping.

If you read “A Psychiatrist Speaks Out with Courage”, in my blog, or read the book I metioned by Brian Weiss, MD, then you know what can happen quite dramatically, in treatment.  But whether or not you have the belief in past lives, hypnosis serves a number of purposes.  In this very hurried pace of ours, first, as one learns to slow down one’s breathing, one learns to slow down…which means we tend to pay more attention…

To what?  To our surroundings, our body, what our thoughts are, how thoughts affect our feelings, and how all of it affects our behavior.  Think of the consequences of that ( not always pleasant, but needed, nonetheless)!!!

We remind ourselves that there is another way to “be”.   And just as we can resolve some of our issues on a conscious level, hypnosis allows the possibility of work to be done on that subconscious level as well.

I welcome your experiences as therapist or client on this topic.

Or was it the night before?…oh, well…no matter.  The point is, dreams, for me, and for many of my clients and friends, give incredible insight, if we take the time to notice.  Could this one be under my “mindfulness” blog?…or…well, it could fit under any of the other titles, because what I have learned is that the dream world at night can be just as powerful a lesson as any daytime experience. We get messages, somehow, whether from ourselves or the spirit world.

Let me give you an example.

I am in the process of moving the locale of my private practice (of nine years this Nov), to an office in the city of Ithaca, where I will share with a colleague, since I am choosing to work part time.  Although it is an exciting move, and I know it is the right thing to do, transition is very difficult, and I have been grieving the many losses that accompany this move (and yes, my body has been protesting with unique aches and pains…).

So, I had a dream that I was riding in a car with my father (who died in March of 1999- this month!).  I believe the car was his, as he was driving, and wanted to show me something.  I was content that we were sharing this time together, and awed at the view looming ahead.  We came to a cliff, nose first, and he stopped the car, gesturing toward the view.  Although I was fearful at being so close to the cliff, I let go of that fear, and followed his gaze.  The message that came with this, as I was writing about it, is that ” the discomfort of fear and insecurity can co-exist with beauty and peace”.  I know I am living this message today… if I would just pay attention!

As always, your comments are welcome!

Yes, after reading John Sarno’s Mind Body Prescription I am reminded of how my body can reflect the emotional conflicts, distract me, and beg for balance in my life.  Some conflicts I am aware of,  some are more subtle,  or remain in the subconscious.  Meanwhile, my body can continue holding the stress, causing chronic pain.  So I take myself to the chiropractor, and release some old patterns.   Oh, and did I mention that I am also paying attention to breaking old emotional patterns of thinking as well? A beautiful thing!…pain can be reduced or eliminated on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level.                                                                                                                                           Your experience?

“Therapists need to consider the possibility of life after death, and integrate it into their counseling.”

I introduced this quote last week, stated by the author Brian Weiss, MD. We can continue with this topic, and I will add, as being part of life’s purpose, is the acquisition of mindfulness. Now there’s a challenge beyond many challenges for me! And so I talk with clients about starting with the breath, and just noticing it from time to time. For me, if I am racing around doing mindless tasks (which have to be done!), I stop myself, slow down, slow my breathing, and focus more on what I am doing. It helps save time in the long run, as I do not loose my keys, or ask someone to repeat what they have said….even my memory improves!