Question:
Dear Belleruth,
I am leaving soon for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, to provide mental health services to our military and their families. I have been in private practice for the last 6 years, and have used your book Invisible Heroes and CD's nearly daily. My question is this:
Do you have any advice for me as I begin this two year assignment?
Warm Regards,
Paul

Question:

I have a question about guided imagery and hypnosis.  I am a counselor, and teach meditation, and am certified in with the National Guild of Hypnotists.  However, I am more interested in meditation than hypnosis as a healing tool for a few different reasons.  My question is: Do you believe one can one get the same healing benefits with GI/guided meditation (or self-hypnosis) as with hypnosis?  The reason I wonder is it may seem that, or most hypnotists believe that one goes into deeper states with hypnosis.  Any information or referrals would be very helpful here.  Thank you!!

Peter

Dear Belleruth,

Several months ago (I remember the date: November 5, 2003) I received a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer. My PSA was 600 and my alk phos reading was over 700. Both are problematic barometers, as you may know. That was the beginning of the journey… and the adventure..

In these past several months I have invented, reinvented and kept inventing protocols to take me toward being well. And this is in the fullest sense of being well. I will get there, because I know it is not time for me to die, as I do have unfinished business, and service to render.

Dear Belleruth,

Do you remember when AIDS was first discovered?  Do you remember the stigma attached to the illness and how that stigma created much more pain and devastation than the physical illness itself (as if it weren't bad enough)?  Who can forget, actually?  The patients... the disregarded... fought like hell to be recognized and respected, treated and researched.  No one ever thought AIDS could be successfully treated or that people could live productive lives after diagnosis.... but how wrong that was!

Ed note:  This is Diana’s response to BR’s reply to her question, posted here.   Clearly this is one plucky dame.

Dear Belleruth,
I was just viewing a video clip linked to your blog ... I somehow wandered smack dab into it and this is what I saw - I saw a 92 year old woman dancing the salsa with her 29 year old grandson and I felt joyful just watching her.

Question:

Hi.  I have ptsd and I bought the audio imagery about Ease Grief.  It’s been a week that I am using it and... i don’t know what’s going on, I keep crying and I feel a lot of anxiety.  I don’t have the possibility to see a therapist here in Hawaii, I looked but no expert in the matter.  I don’t know, I just feel like my feelings are all messed up and I can’t control the cry.  Is this normal?

E.

Question:  

Dear Ms. Naperstak [sic],
About a year ago, I was going contemplating leaving my marriage (which I eventually did) and I was very depressed.  I used your guided imagery CD   which was of some help.  I have since had ups and downs and right now am quite down again.  However, using the CD now actually brings me back to last year when I was at my lowest instead of helping me.  I cannot listen to the CD without it bringing up very bad memories now.  Any suggestions?  Thanks.
Donald

Hi Belleruth,

I would like to know if you had any training prior to creating your first meditation tape.  I am a LCSW and have a deep desire to create a relaxation/meditation tape for the physicians I serve. They are in recovery and I would like to learn how to create a CD. Any support would be greatly appreciated! Peace.

R.A.M.

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