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10/28/2020 2 Comments

Member Spotlight: Nick Veit

Nick Veit

Past Life Regression Therapist and Esoteric Development GuidE

Fave food - Ingiera, Shiro and Gomen Wot are a great combo.
Fave book - The Philosophy of Freedom by Rudolf Steiner
Fave flower - Rose
Fave tree - Very fond of Walnut at the moment
Teacher/elder you give special thanks to - Deborah Skye King is an extraordinary influence in my life, I'm so grateful

This week we shine the light on Past Life Regression Therapist Nick Veit. Here, he shares his perspective on his work as a Past Life Regression Therapist and esoteric development guide, the important aspects of his own self-care routine, and some go-to tips for cultivating self-acceptance.

1. How would you describe your work, to somebody that doesn't know anything about what you do?

I practice Past Life Regression and help guide people's esoteric development. Both of these involve a person being able to access unseen realms of their own experience to learn how to connect with themselves on a deeper level. Past Life Regression just requires a client to lay down, close their eyes and allow me to guide them through a meditative process. The esoteric development aspect is more hands-on and incorporates a creative artistic element, paired with specific focused meditative work through workshops and the homework that goes with it.

2. What kinds of issues do you have a particular gift with supporting people through?

People who are near turning points in their lives get the space they need through my work to contemplate themselves and their decisions in a new light. People might come to me following life changing "aha" moments and wondering what's next, or I might be instrumental in leading them to ask themselves if how they've been living their lives is in line with a sense of purpose that they discover within themselves.
I also particularly help people process emotions in a really direct and honest way. I had one client who experienced rejection and lack of love from others her whole life say that she felt she'd been "wiped clean."

3. What is the most fulfilling part about working with this specific healing modality?

That I get to completely set my own cares and concerns aside and be totally attentive to a person's emerging needs. I see and recognize things that my clients aren't necessarily conscious of and it brings me a great sense of fulfillment to connect them to supportive influences which are lovingly and patiently waiting for them.

4. What are some of your go to pieces of advice to help someone cultivate more self-acceptance?

It’s very easy for people working on their own development to measure so much of their personal value against an imaginary standard. In reality it's a tough skill to continuously recognize that challenges are there for a reason. If a person is in a funk there's often a lot of resistance to what they need to embrace for their benefit, but it’s easy to get into blame and self-rejection. That’s the problem, though, it’s easy to reject self. It’s seemingly convenient, but it’s ugly and unnecessary. It’s worth it to be there for yourself.

5. How does somebody find out if you are a good fit for Past Life Regression or not?

Anyone who resonates on any level is suited to PLR:

Someone who feels that there are layers and depth to their feelings and emotions.
Someone who doesn't feel that they have to sacrifice who they are to live a life of value.
Someone whose complacency in life has run its course and realizes that they are willing to follow what makes them happy and feeds their inner fire without needing to know what it's going to look like.

6. If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be, and why?

I'm not sure if this would qualify as self-help per se, but it would probably be a book of meditative and esoteric exercises that involve creative art practices. For example, it could outline some perspectives on how karma is worked over between lives and then prompt the readers to be able to experience it in picture form via the experiences of colour and emotion. I'd choose this topic because symbology and subconscious realms are a big interest of mine and people also seem very interested in enriching themselves through such experiences when given the opportunity.

7. Do you have a daily self-care practice or ritual that is helpful for you?

There are many, but daily I can say that one of the biggest supports is being aware of my energetic states (mental, emotional, physical, spiritual) throughout the day, especially when going to sleep, waking up, when with others, or when left to my own devices.

"I can say that I'm happy when I'm not living simply for my own needs and seek out experiences that are going to benefit others as well as myself."

8. What do you think are the key ingredients to living a happy life?

I can say that I'm happy when I'm not living simply for my own needs and seek out experiences that are going to benefit others as well as myself.

9. What is a quote that you resonate with, which reflects what you believe in & what you practice?

I like this (sort of long) quote by the German poet, philosopher and scientist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe because it is a guiding ideal for me:

"Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideals and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred... Whatever you can do, or dream to do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now."

-Goethe

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10/23/2020 0 Comments

Healers on Healing: In the Spotlight with Andrea Tirone

by Isabel Fiorino-Habib,
Community Engagement Coordinator

Andrea Tirone is a Spiritual Psychotherapist, who incorporates Body Psychotherapy, Intuitive Somatic Inquiry, Chakra Balancing, Emotional Release techniques and Hypnotherapy into her work. She uses several different modalities to connect with and support her clients including: talk therapy, guided imagery, energy work as well as experiential therapy. Andrea’s approach is rooted in intuition and energy and she enjoys the unique experiences that she is able to bring to her clients to help facilitate their healing. She works primarily with individuals and groups who are seeking emotional and psychological support and provides them with a space that is non-judgemental and serves as a sacred container to their story.

I had the opportunity to speak with Andrea and learn a bit more about the multi dimensional approach she uses with her clients. We also spoke about some of the challenges that she, alongside many other healers currently face, as many practitioners adjust to working with clients primarily online. However, despite some of these obstacles, Andrea has still found many ways to support her clients virtually during this time.

When working with clients in person, Andrea often incorporates Body Psychotherapy and Somatic Inquiry into her therapeutic sessions, which involves observing and attending to our sensory experiences, and helping clients to identify potential energetic blocks that may present themselves as difficult feelings, emotions, pain and other physical challenges held within the body. As she is temporarily only seeing clients online, Andrea now focuses on supporting her clients in similar ways by incorporating guided imagery, dialoguing, emotional release techniques and talk therapy into her practice.

Guided Imagery & Dialoguing

One of Andrea’s favourite ways to connect with clients is by using guided imagery. She enjoys using guided visualizations which she believes serve as an important tool to seek information that is helpful in the healing process. Andrea explained that she blends the use of guided visualizations and hypnotherapy, as they can both create the same brain wave state that occurs during meditation, which is a very useful place to work with clients on their subconscious beliefs and programming. During guided visualizations, the client utilizes these same brain waves to enter a state of relaxation and focus, whereby they have greater access to the inherent knowledge that exists within them.

Andrea also enjoys working with clients to help them dialogue with the different parts of their psyche or personality and helps to facilitate a conversation between these complex parts. She spoke to me about how she incorporates dialoguing when working with clients who experience pain. She may ask her clients questions such as, “Is this pain completely physiological or might there be a psychosomatic component to it?”. This allows the individual to reflect and begin to understand what is really going on for them. Additionally, she helps clients manage their chronic pain by asking them to create a dialogue with the pain itself.

“In creating a relationship with the pain, the individual is able to key into some of the feelings which might be associated with it, which then allows them to dissipate, better manage or even move that pain to a different part of the body where it can be dealt with more easily.” (Andrea Tirone)

“In creating a relationship with the pain, the individual is able to key into some of the feelings which might be associated with it, which then allows them to dissipate, better manage or even move that pain to a different part of the body where it can be dealt with more easily.” Andrea mentioned that the use of dialoguing and guided visualizations may help a client incrementally reduce their pain, starting with something manageable like 5 or even 20%, with the hope that they can move as close to 100% as possible.

Emotional Jars Exercise

“We are often told not to listen to our intuition and to shut it down. We are told that we are wrong and we are made to constantly question things. I really encourage individuals in these sessions and within their own lives to rely on these pings of intuition and to trust their gut responses”. (Andrea Tirone)

I asked Andrea if she would lead me through a sample of a short visualization and she suggested that we try what she refers to as the “Emotional Jars Exercise”. This is an exercise that she typically does early on in her relationship with a client that helps both herself and the individual get a sense of the current emotions they are experiencing, as well as the strength of those emotions. Once the exercise is complete, it provides an accurate depiction of the current emotions that are standing out for the individual and allows for a comfortable introduction to dealing with some of the more difficult human emotions, such as shame or anger.

Prior to beginning the exercise, Andrea asked me to try and rely more so on my immediate gut reactions and intuition, rather than on thinking or second guessing the answers that initially come to mind. I began the exercise by sitting in a comfortable position with my eyes closed and took a few deep breaths to settle into my body. Andrea then asked me to visualize a wall of empty shelves that were about 2-3 feet apart from each other.

“Soon you’ll start to see some jars occupy those shelves, and these jars are about a foot and a half tall, they are quite large..there may or may not be anything in them right now, they may be empty, they may be completely full..and as we go through, you will start to see the names of the emotions that I begin to say to you, and these emotions will appear as labels on the jar..”.

As we moved through the exercise, Andrea asked me to let her know how full the jar was on a scale of 0-10 or 0-100%. We then began to identify specific emotions and measured their strength by visually seeing how full the jar was of that particular emotion. These emotions included anger, sadness, resentment, shame, and many others.

After identifying some of the stronger and potentially more challenging emotions that present themselves, Andrea then helps her client to reframe and re shift these emotions and uses further guided visualizations to help individuals cope with and manage these emotions. She may also ask the individual to identify where the emotion is located within the body and to describe the characteristics it posses, such as colour, texture or shape. In identifying and describing these emotions, Andrea would then invite the client to see if they can change its characteristics. “Can this emotion be exaggerated? Can we change its colour or texture and invite them to see that they have more control over this emotion than perhaps previously imagined?”

Once the individual is able to identify this emotion, Andrea would ask them to see if they can change the emotion, move it through the body and with her guidance, would ask the individual to send love and light to the place where it used to reside. After the exercise is complete, she would check in with her client to see how they feel within their body at the present moment. She explains that if you can take control of the shape or colour of the emotion, exaggerate it, and alter its characteristics, then you might actually be able to shift something that once felt overwhelming to something that is a bit smaller and more manageable.

I really like how Andrea encourages her clients to get in touch with their intuition and to trust their inner wisdom and guidance by really listening to what comes to mind first, rather than second guessing the emotion and asking oneself if it is in fact correct.

“We are often told not to listen to our intuition and to shut it down. We are told that we are wrong and we are made to constantly question things. I really encourage individuals in these sessions and within their own lives to rely on these pings of intuition and to trust their gut responses”.

Connecting With Andrea

Andrea uses several different unique and creative approaches when working with her clients and really empowers the individuals she works with to take control of their lives through her non judgemental, multifaceted and safe approach.

If you would like to learn more about Andrea and connect with her to see if she might be the right fit for you, I encourage you to visit the below links:

[email protected]
www.blankcanvastherapy.ca

Andrea offers a free 20 minute phone consultation where people can speak about their concerns, explore potential therapeutic goals and ask her more about her approach and practice.

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About the author, Isabel Fiorino-Habib

Philosophy graduate and Reiki student, Isabel is fascinated by the human experience and the art of wellness.

Receiving little relief or guidance for her own mental and emotional challenges, she sought out various alternative and complementary approaches to support her well being. Now she brings nearly a decade of experience exploring dynamic and individualized approaches to healing, which acknowledge the fundamental connection of mind, body, and soul.

Through her writing as Community Engagement Coordinator for the Inner Arts Collective, Isabel hopes to share her experiences with the healing process, and exposes the various modalities that are available to support us all.

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10/21/2020 0 Comments

Member Spotlight: Andrea Tirone

Andrea Tirone is in the spotlight this week. Take a look at her particular gifts as a psychotherapist and what she finds most fulfilling about this type of healing work. Andrea also offers some great insights around self-talk, self-care during COVID, and how she finds that having the choice to create is key to creating balance and happiness in life.

Andrea Tirone, MA, RP (Qualifying), CH

Psychotherapist

Fave food: Pizza
Fave book: The Four Agreements
Fave flower: Rose
Fave tree: Willow
Teacher/elder you give special thanks to: My grandmothers

http://www.blankcanvastherapy.ca

1. How would you describe your work, to somebody that doesn't know anything about what you do?

As a psychotherapist, I work with individuals and groups who are seeking emotional and psychological support. I do this through the use of several psychotherapeutic modalities, including experiential and somatic, in a physical or virtual space that is non-judgmental and serves a sacred container for their story.

2. What kinds of issues do you have a particular gift with supporting people through?

I work with people on a variety of concerns, however, my therapeutic approach is especially helpful for people who are on the precipice of change in their life. This could be a new job, a geographical move, leaving or joining a relationship, welcoming or releasing a life - whatever it happens to be, I work with people as they adjust to the meaning of these changes in their lives and help them process the loss of their 'old life' as we work together.

3. What is the most fulfilling part about working with this specific healing modality?

I love the 'a-ha' moments that clients have, both in session and those they explain happened between sessions. I am especially grateful when a client experiences these moments outside of a session, because it is a deep testament to the work they have committed to doing for themselves, in the way that works best for them.

4. What are some of your go to pieces of advice to help someone cultivate more self-confidence?

As a psychotherapist, I stay away from advice giving, however, I do offer clients suggestions and invitations to help them build a stronger sense of self-confidence. A common concern for most people is the ability to effectively and confidently communicate with others. The first place I would start with a client is the question, "how do you communicate with yourself?" Exploring the nature of their self-talk - are they impeccable with their word when it comes to speaking to themselves? - can build a foundation for clients to expand their self-talk outward. Using their words impeccably, which is a framework I take from the book, "The Four Agreements", will give clients better agency in how they communicate with themselves and others.

"Exploring the nature of their self-talk - are they impeccable with their word when it comes to speaking to themselves? - can build a foundation for clients to expand their self-talk outward." (Andrea Tirone)

5. How does somebody find out if you are a good fit for psychotherapy with you, or not?

Finding a therapist that is a 'good fit' takes time, patience and discernment. In most of my therapeutic relationships, I would say that it takes an average of 3-5 sessions for a client to get a good sense of their trust in the therapist, first, and second, whether the style and methods used by the therapist are a good fit for what they want to do. This can be especially difficult if someone is new to therapy, because they may not know what therapeutic approach will work best for them, and on top of that, they have to feel comfortable with the person who is on the other side of that work. I offer potential clients a free 20 minute phone consultation where we can speak about their concerns, they can ask me about my approach and practice, and I can get a sense of the goals they would like to work towards through therapy. In these phone calls, I offer a suggested framework for how we might work together and if applicable, I provide insight on therapeutic modalities that may work best for their stated goals.

Book Andrea

6. If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be, and why?

I would love to write a book called, "How to Communicate from my Adult Self". It would be based on transactional analysis, where the idea, simply, is that we have different ego states, the Parent, the Child and the Adult. In every interaction we have, there is a transaction between one of these ego states within us and within the other. Sometimes, we come up against resistance from another's ego state and feel trapped, as if there is no way out of a transaction that seemingly only goes back and forth. Helping people ground in the state of their Adult Ego can move transactions from frustrating to fruitful, or at least bring them to a less combative end.

7. Do you have a daily self-care practice or ritual that is helpful for you?

For me, movement has become a very important part of my day. Since COVID-19 shut-down in-person activities for a good portion of this year, I no longer have my daily commute, by foot. Instead, I have made time in my days to go for neighbourhood walks, to do some at-home yoga and am contemplating the purchase of an indoor stationary bicycle for some increased cardio. Most of my work is done seated, so making sure I have time in my day to be on the move is key.

I am the one who attaches meaning to everything that happens to me and to the things that I witness around me. Having the choice to create meaning helps me maintain balance and the feeling of being content in my life.

8. What do you think are the key ingredients to living a happy life?

For me, it is knowing that there is balance in my life. There are always going to be things I desire to have and things I am grateful I don't have to experience, however, I am the one who attaches meaning to everything that happens to me and to the things that I witness around me. Having the choice to create meaning helps me maintain balance and the feeling of being content in my life.

9. What is a quote that you resonate with, which reflects what you believe in & what you practice?

I like this quote from the book Cloud Atlas: "Travel far enough, you meet yourself".

Stay tuned for a follow-up article, showcasing our Community Engagement Coordinator's personal experience with Andrea!

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10/16/2020 0 Comments

Healers on Healing: In the Spotlight with Niles Patel

by Isabel Fiorino-Habib,
Community Engagement Coordinator

Niles Patel is a psychotherapist and registered social worker who has worked extensively with children, youth and families. Carrying a clinical psychology background from South Africa, and later obtaining his Masters in Social Work with a focus in counselling, he now works as a therapist at the University of Toronto with young adults ages 19 and up, as well as in private practice. Niles supports individuals and couples that are impacted by depression, loss, grief anxiety as well as life, relationship and family stressors. His approach focuses on a collaborative process which aims to empower his patients by building self awareness and helping them cultivate positive change within their unique circumstances.

I had the insightful opportunity to sit down and speak with Niles about his work and learn more about his experiences as a therapist, as well as the dynamic approach he uses to support his clients. I was curious both by his experience working with younger patients, as well as with older individuals. Additionally, I asked Niles to share a bit about the various perspectives that inform his practice and we spoke mostly about Attachment Theory, and Emotion-Focused Therapy.

Working with Youth, Young Adults, and Families

I wondered if Niles often encountered resistance while working with younger patients who may not have decided to come into therapy voluntarily. Niles explained that he did sometimes encounter this and shed some important insight as to how he connects with these individuals to overcome this initial obstacle.

“Here is someone who is not judging me or belittling me, who is actually listening, who is not dismissive, who is allowing me to become aware of my strengths, my skills and is validating and acknowledging my experiences”.
(Niles Patel, on working with youth).

He explained that some younger patients might say things such as, “My mother sent me here” or “I don’t really want to be here” and Niles emphasized the importance of spending time really listening to and acknowledging their concerns, which as a result validates their experience. “Of course you don’t want to be here. Tell me more about what’s happening at school or at home”, he might respond. These types of prompts help to get the conversation moving and then the child might begin to share some information after feeling seen and heard. Niles states that “When they can see that the therapist isn’t just this boring clinical person, they see someone that is more open, that can have a sense of humour, who can tap into their interests and learn about what they like..” this really helps to build a connection with the patient and allows for a very interesting and trusting therapeutic relationship to emerge.

He explains that sometimes as a therapist, he may be the only adult figure that his client trusts and opens up to, which can be quite a different and new experience for the younger patient. The patient might think, “Here is someone who is not judging me or belittling me, who is actually listening, who is not dismissive, who is allowing me to become aware of my strengths, my skills and is validating and acknowledging my experiences”. In fact, some of the same approaches that Niles uses while working with youth, are also quite effective when working with young adults and adults. Niles feels that his humanness rather than the focus of his role as a psychotherapist, is what really helps to break down barriers and build trust within his therapeutic relationships.

As I spoke with Niles, I could really get a sense of his adaptive and chameleon-like nature. I felt intuitively that Niles would have no issue modifying his approach to best suit the needs of the individual at hand. Niles’ genuinely inquisitive and down to earth nature, alongside his open minded and warm approach would definitely provide a safe environment for younger patients who might be struggling and allow them to begin a process of growth and transformation. His light hearted and fun disposition makes him super easy to speak to and I can see how his personality would be well received by patients both young and old.

Dynamic Approach

Niles’ practice is informed by four major perspectives: Attachment Theory, Psycho-Dynamic Relational Perspectives, Emotion-Focused Therapy and Narrative Therapy. In our conversation together, we spoke mostly about Attachment Theory as well as Emotion-Focused Therapy and how it can be applied to support his patients.

Attachment Theory explores how our early relationships, primarily between ourselves and our caregivers, impact our behavioural and emotional development as we move through adulthood. Attachment Theory deals with the ways in which we relate to others, the types of partners we might be attracted to and can also explore certain patterns of behaviour that might be unhelpful and rooted in our early attachment experiences. There are different types of attachment styles: Secure, Anxious, Avoidant and Disorganized, which a patient might be able to identify with after learning about the differences between them and examining the relationships within their lives.

In identifying one’s particular attachment style, it is likely that they will be able to recognize their own triggers and as a result move forward in their life with more self awareness and hopefully more equipped to handle life’s obstacles.

Niles explains that Neuroscience and evidence based science shows that we are able to change our attachment style and become Secure, despite our past experiences. This can be achieved through a positive attachment relationship with a therapist, another adult or someone that you have a really good and healthy relationship or friendship with. Hearing this was quite reassuring and exciting, as it shows that we as humans are capable of change and can truly cultivate more healthy and secure patterns of attachment through self awareness and with the support of a kind, caring and safe figure.

"In identifying one’s particular attachment style, it is likely that they will be able to recognize their own triggers and as a result move forward in their life with more self awareness and hopefully more equipped to handle life’s obstacles."

(Isabel Fiorino-Habib)

I then asked Niles to tell me a bit about Emotion-Focused Therapy, something that he says he has really come to love. “Personally and as a therapist, I am all about emotion and I like to believe that from the time that we awaken to the time we go to bed, we go through a range of emotions”. Niles believes that it is important for the individual to have space to express what is coming up for them. He explains that the emotion itself is not the issue but more so when the particular emotion comes up, he asks “are you able to express it and is it being expressed in a way that is appropriate and healthy for you?”.

Niles tells me that we do not want to shut down or avoid emotions but rather we must honour the feelings that arise. He explains that we must investigate what is happening and ask things like “What do I usually do when this particular emotion comes up?” or “Is this behaviour maladaptive, adaptive, is it healthy or not healthy?”. Niles helps people to identify with and address these questions and normalizes the fact that we as humans experience a multitude of emotions.

“It is unfortunate, that we can be socialized into this idea that we should only feel happy, that we should only feel positive emotions ‘you shouldn’t be sad, you shouldn’t be angry, you shouldn’t be frustrated, etc’..and then when we feel these emotions, we feel bad. We suppress them, we don’t talk about them”.

Niles stresses the importance of having a space to express every and any emotion and hopes that in his therapeutic sessions, clients feel that they can express, process and let these emotions come out. Afterwards, he would begin to work with his client to identify ways to cope with the emotions, all while acknowledging that it is perfectly normal to have a wide range of emotions.

Niles enjoying the view of Lake Ontario

Connecting with Niles

Niles Patel is truly a wealth of knowledge and just within our conversation, I could immediately sense how much genuine interest and attentiveness he brings to the individuals he works with. Niles is an experienced, fun, dynamic, easy to talk to and deeply caring individual who has dedicated his life to supporting others. Niles also offers a sliding scale making him even more accessible.

If reading about Niles speaks to you, or if you think you might have a friend or family member that might benefit from working with him, please be sure to get in touch with Niles directly through the below links:

https://www.innerartscollective.com/niles-patel.html
https://nilespateltherapy.wixsite.com/toronto/contact
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/niles-patel-toronto-on/271946

About the author, Isabel Fiorino-Habib

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10/14/2020 0 Comments

Member Spotlight: Niles Patel

This week we shine the light on Psychotherapist Niles Patel. Here, he shares his perspective on his work, and why experiencing a full range of emotions is the key to personal fulfillment and self-care.

Stay tuned for a follow-up article, showcasing our Community Engagement Coordinator's personal experience with Niles!

Niles Patel, MSW, RSW

Psychotherapist

Fave food - too many, but Italian
Fave book - currently The Alice Network
Fave flower - rose
Fave tree - weeping willow
Teacher/elder you give special thanks to - all my elders in spirit, guiding & protecting me

"Be who you want to be, acknowledge your strength and wisdom which guide you." (Niles Patel)

1. How would you describe your work, to somebody that doesn't know anything about what you do?

I provide collaborative counselling support to people age 19 and up who are coping with various concerns. These concerns can be from experiences with depression, anxiety, stress, communication, relationship issues and more.

2. What kinds of issues do you have a particular gift with supporting people through?

Emotional work, looking at their coping, assisting with communicating feelings or having challenging conversations.

3. What is the most fulfilling part about working with this specific healing modality?

The hope that people take away something from the collaborative work which helps in some way or assists with awareness building toward change in their circumstances.

4. What are some of your go to pieces of advice to help someone cultivate a better relationship with their feelings?

It is completely okay and normal to feel a range of emotions, and to be able to express them in ways which are meaningful and helpful. We can work on how to cope with these emotions rather than shutting down or avoiding an emotion.

5. How does somebody find out if you are a good fit for Psychotherapy with you or not?

Through an initial session where we explore the ways in which I work and the reasons/goals/intentions for their attending counselling. Seeing if what they seek aligns with how I work.

6. If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be, and why?

"Emotions - fragile. How to be, to feel and be okay with myself" I believe that we are surrounded by emotions towards everything in our daily lives, and that becoming more comfortable with them can help us in many situations.

Contact Niles

7. Do you have a daily self-care practice or ritual that is helpful for you?

Music of all kinds is helpful, and finding space for me-time.

8. What do you think are the key ingredients to living a happy life?

Tricky question. Individually this can be very different. The space and freedom to be yourself, to live the life you want I would say are the general pieces along with many more specific aspects.

9. What is a quote that you resonate with, which reflects what you believe in & what you practice?

From myself - be who you want to be, acknowledge your strength and wisdom which guide you. 

"...the space and freedom to be yourself, to live the life you want I would say are the general pieces...

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10/8/2020 0 Comments

Healers on Healing: In the Spotlight with Deborah Brodey

by Isabel Fiorino-Habib,
Community Engagement Coordinator

Spotlight Interview with Deborah

Deborah shares her take on her work, as well as some tips and advice for a healthy fulfilling life!

Read

"How We Heal" Panel Discussions with Deborah

Writing contributions by deborah

Quelling Fear
The Grandmothers - A Poem
An Awakening Story

Deborah Brodey www.deborahbrodey.com

Today I had the wonderful opportunity to connect with Deborah Brodey for a vocal sound healing session via video and to discuss her upcoming free 5 Day Radical Self Nourishment Challenge. Deborah, a transformation guide, yoga teacher, vocal sound healer & ceremonial artist, works with individuals who are out of alignment with their self care and helps connect them with what she calls Radical Self Nourishment, so that they can unleash their full power, potential and creativity. She supports change makers, healers and empaths and helps guide them towards their own truth and unique voice.

Deborah works with those struggling with self doubt, self worth, overwhelmed by stress, and fatigued from over giving. She also works with individuals who struggle with boundary issues, have strong inner critics or blocked creativity and expression and helps them to ground, come into their bodies and build more confidence and self trust.

Deborah defines Radical Self Nourishment as a process whereby one “goes deep into the roots of the Self and discovers nourishment for all dimensions of the being - true soul nourishment”. She explains that creativity and freedom are at the core of soul nourishment and states that “such an important part of our self care is our creativity”.

Find Your Voice

During our one on one session, Deborah began by creating a sacred space for us. She refers to this space as a “sacred container” which is uniquely co created based on the context of the situation at hand. As I sat upright with my back supported and my feet on the ground, we began our session with a few deep conscious breaths to help me connect with the present moment.

Within this sacred container, Deborah began to call in and invite the qualities from each of the directions to be present with us. She began by calling in the East, the direction associated with a new beginning, a clean state, purpose, passion, clarity, and illumination. Together, we began sounding a sustained “Eeee” to bring forth these qualities.

Then we called in the South. We called in the element of water and flow and asked for loving support from our helpers and guides. Deborah explained that any other qualities I wanted to invite in from the South I could also welcome to this sacred space. Again, we began to sound “Ohhh” to receive the energies of the South.

Afterwards, we called to the West, welcoming the element of the earth. We called in radical trust and asked for support to assist with navigating the unknown. We then welcomed these qualities with a sustained “Oooo” sound.

Lastly, we called in the North, the element of air. We called in “the sacred breath that connects the mind, body, spirit and heart”. We called for the guidance of wisdom keepers to hold space for us in this direction. Then we welcomed the qualities of the North with the repetition and voicing of “Ahhh”.

At the very end, we honoured the earth below us, the land, and the ancient ancestors of this land who knew how to take care of it. We honoured the sky, the sun, the moon, the planets and stars and we called in the centre that is within us that connects us to the universe. Deborah encouraged me to call this presence in using any sound that wanted to come through me. We voiced this sound together three times centering the container.

“What was it like before the container and what was it like after the container?”, Deborah asked.

I paused for a second to reflect on the experience and responded.

“Prior to our session, I was experiencing some anxiety but after the session I feel truly enveloped and supported, especially in my heart and chest area. Almost like a white light that made it feel ok to be in the here and now”. “It’s like a hug”, I explained, “Something that came from around me”.

Deborah then began to ask me if we could work with the anxiety that was coming up for me. Immediately I became quite emotional but felt that there was something important that needed to come through. She asked me to try and identify where the anxiety might be coming from. I explained that I had been trying to let go of a situation that has been present for me for the last 6 years that I felt was no longer serving me but that I was struggling to let go of. I explained that I wanted to make space for newness, that I had been working to purge the things in my life that no longer served me. My heart was telling me to let go of this particular situation and yet my body was telling me otherwise. Deborah replied, “Your heart knows. The heart is always connected to your highest self”.

Deborah replied, “Your heart knows. The heart is always connected to your highest self”.

We then discussed the process of letting go and the importance of setting boundaries to help assist with this process. During the entire session, I felt so held and supported. Deborah’s compassionate warmth and loving guidance shines through her work. It shines through in her beautiful voice, her wise words and her encouraging open minded approach.

Deborah incorporates sound, imagery, movement & meditations into her work, all while creating a safe space where individuals can explore ways to re claim their energy, ground themselves, define their own boundaries, and learn to become more powerful receivers. She will be offering more guidance in her 3rd Free 5 Day Radical Self Nourishment Challenge beginning on October 13th - October 17th, 2020 at 2 pm Eastern.

This challenge is excellent for sensitive individuals, empaths and change makers who are interested in nourishing themselves. Her challenge will also explore the Niyamas or five attitudes that come from yogic philosophy, which are the pillars of the Radical Self Nourishment process. These include: cleansing, contentment, practice/discipline, self reflection and surrender. If this resonates, I encourage you to visit the link below to sign up for this upcoming challenge: http://rsn.deborahbrodey.com/5-day-challenge/

For a free 30 minute consultation to see if Deborah is the right fit for you, please visit the following links:
https://www.innerartscollective.com/deborah-brodey.html
www.deborahbrodey.com
[email protected]

About the author, Isabel Fiorino-Habib

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10/6/2020 0 Comments

Member Spotlight: Deborah Brodey

This week's spotlight is Deborah Brodey - Transformation Guide, Yoga Teacher, Vocal Sound Healer and Ceremonial Artist. We invite you to learn more about Deborah as she shares her take on her work, as well as some tips and advice for a healthy, fulfilling, and happy life.

Stay tuned for a follow-up article this Thursday, showcasing our Community Engagement Coordinator's personal experience receiving Deborah's services!

Deborah Brodey
Transformation Guide Yoga Teacher
Vocal Sound Healer

deborahbrodey.com

Contact Deborah

1. How would you describe your work, to somebody that doesn't know anything about what you do?

I am a Transformation Guide, Yoga Teacher, Vocal Sound Healer & Ceremonial Artist and I guide healers & Changemakers who are out of alignment with their self care to come into Radical Self Nourishment so they can unleash their full power, potential & creativity.

My passion is to create transformative learning/healing spaces and experiences that are co-creative and facilitate:

Radical Self Nourishment
Access to your own wisdom & knowing
Your healing
Your truth
Your presence
Your unique Voice

I am the founder of the Radical Self Nourishment Program which I am currently teaching online through my Free 5 Day Challenges and my 7 Week online course.

I also support people in helping them to find their voices through individual Find Your Voice sessions or in workshop series called Embody Your Voice which I co-facilitate with Sound Healer/Composer Wendalyn Bartley.

2. What kinds of issues do you have a particular gift with supporting people through?

Healers & Changemakers struggling with their Self Care.
Self betrayal
Overwhelm and stress
Exhausted, fatigued from over-giving
Grounding
Breaking through core Limiting beliefs
Blocked creativity and self expression

Self doubt and building confidence and self trust
Strong inner critic
Boundary issues
Self worth
Embodiment - Helping people come into their bodies.
Hiding and fear of shining their light in the world.
Fear of their own power

3. What is the most fulfilling part about working with this specific healing modality?

I love creating powerful co-creative containers of love and magic that can hold my clients in deep honour, love, acceptance, so that they have full permission to be themselves and to uncover those parts that may have never been voiced. I love empowering others to uncover who they are, to find their voices and stand in their power and to Love, accept and trust themselves fully.

4. What are some of your go to pieces of advice to help someone cultivate more self love.

Dialoguing with your heart through journaling.
Moving your body. mindful movement- yoga, tai chi, dance.
Meditation
Chanting
Sounding
Ceremonies with the cycles and with the earth and elements.
Creative expression - drawing/painting etc...

Some of my greatest healing experiences have happened when I spend time in Nature, walking, sitting with a tree and just observing Nature. Since we are a part of Nature we can learn much about ourselves by simply being with Nature. A Tree does not have an issue with whether it is worthy of love. It is love. There is no worthiness to get.

5. How does somebody find out if you are a good fit for your services or not?

I offer a free 30 minute consultations. I also run an online Free 5 Day Radical Self Nourishment Challenge a few times a year now so people can have a deep experience with me. The next one is Tuesday October 13 - October 17, 2020 at 2 pm Eastern.

5 Day RSN Challenge

6. If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be, and why?

I am writing a book all about 7 Principles of Living Reciprocity. Reciprocity is about living in right relationship with ourselves, the Earth and our communities. As humans we are very out of balance with our true nature. Reciprocity is an ancient teaching that is Universal to all Indigenous, original and earth loving peoples around the world and is key to preserving life and living in alignment and right relationship with the Earth, and all of our relatives. It is the key to our survival and our thrival on planet.

7. Do you have a daily self-care practice or ritual that is helpful for you?

Yes I have a number of practices I do every day. The first thing is having gratitude every morning and giving thanks for being here another day. I especially like to honour Mother earth and all of life and the elements and the directions everyday. I align with the earth and its cycles. I find it very powerful to align with the bigger forces. I then will do a movement practice to get in my body usually yoga or dance. I often incorporate chanting and sound into my movement practices and breathing practice.

8. What do you think are the key ingredients to living a happy life?

The key ingredients for me are cultivating a loving relationship with your self through the cultivation of friendliness, compassion, goodwill to others and equanimity. These are yogic qualities when in balance support our relationships with ourselves and with others and that support us to develop Peace of mind. Other ingredients are good health and energy hygiene, Loving relationships, reciprocity, creative expression, finding meaning and living our purpose, abundance in all of its forms, laughter, fun, playfulness and joy and community.

9. What is a quote that you resonate with, which reflects what you believe in & what you practice?

Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things. Lao Tzu

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YOUR CART

Member Spotlight: Nick Veit

Healers on Healing: In the Spotlight with Andrea Tirone

Guided Imagery & Dialoguing

Emotional Jars Exercise

Connecting With Andrea

About the author, Isabel Fiorino-Habib

Member Spotlight: Andrea Tirone

Healers on Healing: In the Spotlight with Niles Patel

Working with Youth, Young Adults, and Families

Dynamic Approach

Connecting with Niles

About the author, Isabel Fiorino-Habib

Member Spotlight: Niles Patel

Healers on Healing: In the Spotlight with Deborah Brodey

Find Your Voice

About the author, Isabel Fiorino-Habib

Member Spotlight: Deborah Brodey

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257 Danforth Ave Toronto

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T | 416-569-7241
Hive | https://inner-arts-hive.mn.co

YOUR CART

Member Spotlight: Nick Veit

Healers on Healing: In the Spotlight with Andrea Tirone

Guided Imagery & Dialoguing

Emotional Jars Exercise

Connecting With Andrea

​​About the author, Isabel Fiorino-Habib

Member Spotlight: Andrea Tirone

Healers on Healing: In the Spotlight with Niles Patel

Working with Youth, Young Adults, and Families

Dynamic Approach

Connecting with Niles

​About the author, Isabel Fiorino-Habib

Member Spotlight: Niles Patel

Healers on Healing: In the Spotlight with Deborah Brodey

Find Your Voice

About the author, Isabel Fiorino-Habib

Member Spotlight: Deborah Brodey

Archives

Categories

257 Danforth Ave Toronto

ConnectE | [email protected]​T | 416-569-7241Hive | https://inner-arts-hive.mn.co

About the author, Isabel Fiorino-Habib

About the author, Isabel Fiorino-Habib

Connect

E | [email protected]
T | 416-569-7241
Hive | https://inner-arts-hive.mn.co