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

Dear Belleruth,

I have a question about your affirmations.  I have been listening to the Anger & Forgiveness affirmations. This CD (and others) includes the affirmation that "I can avoid re-injuring by myself with repeated visits to past wounds."

Yet, doesn't it sometimes make sense, to examine the past in order to overcome it? What is the difference between "repeated visits to past wounds" and confronting past pain in a therapeutic context?  Please clarify this issue for me as I find it somewhat confusing.

Thank you.
Mike

Question:
Actually not a question but a personal observation. I have several of your guided imagery/affirmation cds which I use often. They've been very helpful but for me, there's too much suggestion. I guess it's the way my brain works.  When you suggest going to a place where I feel safe, etc., I can usually do that, but then I'm distracted by your various suggested alternatives and find myself mentally flitting from place to place. Similarly when I'm in that place, your suggestions about seeing, smelling, hearing and feeling it, while helpful, get undermined by the varied scenarios you present. I have encountered similar "obstacles" when involved in other guided imagery situations and figure it's my personal idiosyncrasy. I suppose I could be in the place and tune out the alternatives, but then I lose my guide.

Question:
First I wanted to say thank you for your work! I use your General Wellness, MS, Stress and Healthful Sleep cds frequently. My question has to do with anxiety. I am seeing a doc for meds, but I still have some breakthrough anxiety especially, at stressful times and while menstruating.

I recently purchased the Panic Attacks cd, thinking the calming and feeling secure images would help. When I received it I started having second thoughts. Before I open it, would this be helpful to me? I saw that you do recommend the Stress cd to people with anxiety. Thank you
Joyce

Hi Belleruth.
I wonder if its possible to focus my attention on what I want, like a career in the culinary, and end up doing catering for a very critical group and wonder if this is a sign. Is it possible that I didn’t tweak my focus well enough and now I’m getting some negativity in the mix?
Love to hear from you.
David D.

We got an exasperated email from the caregiver husband of a chronically ill woman, suffering from a perfect storm of health challenges.  We’re including an edited version of the whole sequence of emails, because it’s got some good info and it has a nice progression:  

Dear Health Journeys,
My wife just bought a couple of your CDs and the background music is so loud and annoying that she can hardly listen to them.  She can't hear the words because of all of the background noise which you apparently think is calming music. We complained about this previously and had hoped that the new ones would not have all of the annoying background music. I guess no one at your company cares.
Jim Waters

Question:

I have been listening to your Weight Loss guided imagery program and have noticed that there is a section that brings me great sadness.  Saturday I was crying outright during the section and had great trouble getting on with my day.  It is the part where you have me visualize all the loved ones helping me.  There is no one there.  I am alone.  I don't know what to do - I believe the imagery is helping but this part is having a real negative impact on the rest.  I would appreciate any advice.  
Lauren