I just finished reading your book on intuition and I feel like you were talking to me personally.  I relate to everything you describe.  I am a 42 year old empath who has been psychic all my life.  I am blessed that my gift guides me in everything I do.

My question has to do with a deep knowing that a man at work is meant for me. I knew from the first time I saw him that he was my true soul mate, but he is very shy.  He doesn’t respond to our connection.  I believe his shyness keeps him at a distance.

Question: 

Hello Belleruth, I deal with anxiety. I am managing it pretty well. However, both my husband and I are unemployed and job searching, which is stressful. 

Some nights I get monkey brain when I go to bed, and I can't shut it off. It takes me forever to get to sleep and if I do get to sleep, I don't sleep well. 

I do have your Relaxation and Wellness CD, but I am wondering if Healthful Sleep would be better. Please let me know. 

Hello BR,
 
I had a chance this past week to twitter in and listen to/watch your interview with Ann Basset on the Vineyard View.   As always, excellent and thought provoking.
 
You said something that has stuck with me and I wonder if you might elaborate?  You said that just recently professionals have ceased referring to ptsd and now use pts or ptss (syndrome) because pts is not a mental health disorder, but rather a neurophysiological condition.
 
Does that mean that pts is no longer considered an anxiety disorder? And will it no longer be part of the DSM?

Dear BR,
How long or short a time frame do I need for a good, effective guided imagery session?
James

James,
The truth is, all most people need is about 15-20 minutes for getting maximum benefit or close to it.  For some it’s even less – maybe 10 minutes is all they need, because they can very speedily enter a deep, receptive trance state.

Of course, people who have trouble relaxing into this immersive, altered state probably can use the full 25-30 minutes, but that’s the minority. And even if they don’t start out accessing this state quickly or easily, over time, with practice, they get better and better at it, and then they require less and less time.

All best,
Belleruth

Question:
As a practitioner, I want to know some technical things: how do you prepare your voice; modulate your vocal tone and pacing?  Also, if we record in our own voice, should we adjust the language to be in first person?
John

Dear Belleruth,

I have been listening to the Guided Imagery CD, Combat Depression, for a month now, everyday.  I have gotten very emotional during the part where a being enters your thoughts and touches you in a deep spiritual way.  I cry, sob, tense up, get really emotional and then the CD  (after a few minutes) has the being leave saying that you can call on him/her at any time, it is YOU that come and go, and suddenly you feel better for this...... Meanwhile I feel like crap - I don't feel better - I am now an emotional wreck.  What am I doing wrong or what can I do to suddenly feel better for doing this?  Please help.

Lucy

Question:
Hi Belleruth, I'm interested in your suggestions for CD's and other approaches that will help shore me up internally when I am in contact with my Mom and sisters. I do all the right 'things' to support my mental health when it comes to them, but when I speak to them, some of the tension and worry they create inside me just seems to happen and makes me feel bad, regardless of my best intentions and all the tools I've tried... and there have been a lot!

Recently, I've had less and less contact with them. This helps quite a bit, but isn't always a good option; and with my Mom aging, and knowing my sisters and I will be responsible for her care , I feel fear of being overwhelmed by them, as often a simple phone call with them is unsettling.

Thanks for your help, Belleruth!
Janie

Question:  

I am sponsoring a woman in AA who has PTSD-like symptoms from childhood sexual abuse. She is very functional in work and has a well kept apartment. Her finances are in order, and she is sober about 1 1/2 years.

She is suffering from frequent flashbacks of the abuse that are causing great suffering. I referred her to your website for the recordings/books. She is against using psych meds, which I support.

We live in a semi-rural area and the local community services board counselors are very psych med oriented. She went to a counselor for a few sessions who suggested meds., which my sponsee doesn't want and then the counselor was pretty vague about a treatment plan. She isn't going there now.

Question:  

My father has suffered from dementia since 1999.  He no longer has clarity in his mind and does not recognize me or my brother.   He lives in a special care facility where he gets good care.

The staff recently told me that he was becoming more agitated and sleepless during the night.  As a result, he is extremely tired and confused during the day.

Any suggestions as to what kind of tools might help him, or will nothing reach him at this point?

Thanks.  Arnold 

Question:

Hi, Belleruth.  I'm a psychotherapist, and I have quite a few of your guided imagery CD's that I use with my patients.  But this question is personal... my 7 year old daughter has had stomach aches for years.  We've had tests run from time to time, but all is well physically.

I would like to buy her a CD from your website to help her with her stomach aches. Most of the ones for kids seem to focus on relaxation. Perhaps that would be enough.  I'm wondering which CD you would recommend for her.

Rosalynne