Question:

As an Licensed Professional Counselor who has found great success with Guided Imagery AND the mother of a 26 year old Iraq War veteran who has suffered with severe PTSD for 4 years, I am curious what the VA and military are doing with Guided Imagery.  Since going to the VA and military installations were often "triggers" for my son, we opted for civilian practitioners and a civilian treatment center that provided an array of complimentary therapies including Guided Imagery.

At neither our VA or the military installations that we have HAD to go to, has any alternative/complimentary therapy been suggested...usually just meds and CBT.

Perhaps a "hint" of some of the wonderful stuff going on would be helpful to share on this newsletter...maybe even something I could encourage my son to explore.

Many thanks,
Cynde Collins-Clark, LPC
www.VeteransFamiliesUnited.org
Mom of OIF veteran

I have something weird.  Whenever I listen to my guided imagery cd's, for sleep, trauma, stress, I always get a headache.  Am I weird or has this been heard of before?  Thanks, Carla

No, Carla

It’s not commonplace, but it’s not weird either.  Imagery will more often than not clear a headache, but every now and then, with some people, it can make one worse or even get one started.

Question:  

I'm very new to guided imagery. After listening to Healing Trauma for a couple of weeks, I find that my mind now "goes off" somewhere (sort of like right before falling asleep, but not sleeping). I am aware that thoughts are flitting in and out but I can't remember what I was "thinking" about or otherwise doing. And I have no memory of anything said on the CD. This usually lasts for most of the entire CD.  I feel relaxed when I "awake" but am wondering if, because I don't remember hearing anything on the CD past the first few minutes, if I am missing the whole point or IS that the whole point? This doesn't happen when I just listen to the affirmations. Thank you so much.
PS, I love your voice, it is so soothing and calming.
Christy

Question:

Dear Belleruth,
I am very disappointed that you mentioned the word cancer in the Healthy Immune System program.  I have lung disease and very much wanted to use the program with my own psychotherapy patients.  I now see that this is out of the question. You should have warned your purchasers in advance that this was a cancer CD. I will have to return this.  I expect a full refund.
Sincerely,
Lawrence P.

Question:

Hello, I want you to know that in the late 1990s, my husband and I saw a marital counselor in Atlanta and bought one of your recordings for depression. It helped tremendously! Thank you so much!

Now the same husband and I are going through a divorce. After 26 years of marriage. I have several chronic illnesses, some brought on by stress from living in an emotionally abusive situation for so many years. I would like for you to recommend a place for me to start. I am not sleeping well and have a broken heart and spirit.  I am doing my best to heal, but I am taking it one day at a time and know this is a long process. Please advise me on which CD/DVD would be best.

With Much Gratitude,
Della

Question:

Do the words we use matter for our ability to heal, and more important than just using them, but accepting them?  There is this disconnect between what I KNOW and what I will express.  I know my mother is addicted to alcohol and uses it to numb her emotions, but calling her an "alcoholic" (ouch) gets stuck in my throat.  I can write it much better than I can say it.  I know that if any other child experienced what I did as a child I would say "that child was abused", but when confronted with the question on a medical history form, I was paralyzed and left it blank.  I can't give myself the validation I offer so easily to others.  Am I too hung up on the words, or do the words really matter?

Dianna

Question:

Well...an email from Dr. Shealy's outfit today linked me to an excerpt (chapter 10) from Invisible Heroes [ed.note: this refers to a free report that NICABM has been distributing online]...which provoked me into looking the book up over at Amazon...which, despite the glowing reviews, intensified my already burgeoning dismay. The basis of that dismay is my inability to visualize; my minds eye wears a patch. I wasn't always this way; I know the power of "seeing", visualization. I wonder (hope), do you have any recommendations, suggestions for me? Anything that might make your process fruitful for me? (ooops! I submitted this to the wrong place initially; sorry!)

Mike

Hi.

I watched Belleruth today being interviewed on London TV.  I was amazed.  I was abused as a child, from 18 months to 22 years old.  During my twenties, whenever a memory or flashback invaded my head, I used to visualize myself as an adult, rescuing me as a child.  This had a profound effect on me, and also shifted the dynamics of powerlessness.  Although I could not change what happened to me, I did not have to relive the horror in memories or flashbacks.  In time, the flashbacks faded away and did not bother me. I am at peace with my childhood. 

However, 3 years ago, I was date raped, and I am having difficulties. The memories  are not there, although the feelings of terror are.  I suffer terrible panic attacks, and I jump from anger and pain to apathy and not leaving the house.  How do I get past memories I don't have?  Please help. 

Kind regards, Carina

Question:  

Dear Belleruth,
Is the new Immune System CD appropriate for over- active or autoimmune syndromes/problems??  Would it provide balance, regardless of the immune issue (sort of like an adoptgen herbal remedy)?? It sounds like the Allergy CD does that.

Thanks.
John

Hi Belleruth,

I need help with antidepressant withdrawal. I've slowly withdrawn from Zoloft.  This is my first week without any medication in my system. I'm functioning fine, but feel 'out of kilter'...just discombobulated (is that a word?)

Truth told, I am already happier, feel more whole, and seem to have a pumped up libido, but these other sensations are confusing and unsettling. I'm trying to find the best of your imagery CD's from my arsenal, but am not sure what's best. I'm wondering about the Alchol/Drug Recovery CD, and whether it might help me cope with the unpleasant side effects of withdrawal I might be feeling.