In the individual session that are available in person and over the Internet, I recommend participants take them in the following order: body, mind, spirit and self. This piece describes why I believe that starting with the session focused on the body helps lay a powerful framework for the work itself.
We have the ability to experience life and trauma from our most primitive components to our highest evolution. As infants, our awareness begins through the sensations that we have in our physical body; therefore, in many ways our body retains the deepest essence of our life story. The body does not compartmentalize like the mind; thus, it holds a very raw rendition of our experience. When we have suppressed something, our body often holds the initial cues as to what that material is, and depending upon the intensity of the suppression, we might recall the memories through flashbacks and dreams.
For many of us, and in particular women, our body is the source of targeting our negative beliefs, personal narratives and thoughts. Therefore, our relationship with our body holds the key to developing genuine self-compassion and love. Developing genuine self-compassion and love are key components to healing from a traumatic illness or injury. And thus, we start with the body.
– Stephanie McLeod-Estevez, LCPC, is an art therapist and breast cancer survivor. She began Creative Transformations to help others who are healing from a life threatening illness or injury. Creative Transformations offers individual sessions in person or via Skype, as well as workshops and this weekly blog. Please visit our website to learn more: www.creative-transformations.com.