SOULGARDEN

Sue is Humanistic and Vitalistic in her philosophy on healing & wellness. She is aligned with new paradigms in mind/body connection and teachings in quantum physics. She aligns with the premise that within each of us lives all of the answers we seek as we journey through life's classrooms of personal challenges and spiritual awakening. Sue assists people in accessing these inner healing resources through counselling, expressive arts private sessions and workshops.

By providing a sacred space, Sue enables clients in private session to access their own energy resources giving them greater confidence, self acceptance, clarity of perspective, and above all, the ability to respond to the deepest longings of their Soul. Sue engages the expressive arts, Reiki, the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), MARI, as well as other traditional & transpersonal counselling methods depending on the needs of each client. 

Sessions last 60-80 min.  Rate is $65.00 per session.  It is recommended to committ to a series of 6 visits in which the package rate is  $325.00   (1 session free)  (Effective April 1, 2011)

The music inspired imagery process known as the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music method was developed, researched, and validated by Dr. Helen Bonny in 1960's.  GIM is not relaxation with music, nor is it guided visualization with background music.  Rather it is a method of music therapy which uses selected programs of classical music to elicit imagery and a personal journey for a client who is deeply relaxed yet focused in an alpha (measured slower brain waves) state of awareness.  Imagery is unique to each person and can include visual (pictures in the mind's eye), and/or kinesthetic (body felt) images, memories, and often spiritual epiphanies.  The Bonny Method provides a rich opportunity to heal our body/mind.  GIM is successfully used in healing trauma's, working with addictions, anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationships, and life transitions.  In assists in dealing with grief, loss, and life threatening and/or debilitating illnesses.  The evoked personal journey offers guidance, clarity, and accesses invaluable inner resources to ground into everyday life.  "Side effects" are stress-reduction, pain relief, mood shifts, physical healing, and assessing creativity.  A GIM facilitator requires extensive training and Sue has completed the training program in 2002 and has attained the status of Fellow in good standing with the Association for Music and Imagery.

Artistic media such as paint, pastels, clay, collage & creative writing are used to express images and feelings as they emerge. Movement and sound may also be used to embody and express an image held within the body. Art making, engaging in a creative process or following the body with sound and movement is liberating and refreshing as it reveals true feelings of the self, bypassing verbal and intellectual defensiveness. No artistic talent is necessary; only a willingness to be curious and explore personal and spiritual dimensions of oneself.

                               MARI (Mandala Assessment and Research Instrument)

This amazingly effective, accurate and fun assessment and insight tool includes 39 symbol cards representing 13 developmental (& cyclical) stages in life along with 45 color cards.  A set of symbols and colors are chosen by the client and an interpretation of the combination reflects and provides insights into their current mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual states.  Like a "snapshot into the soul" the reading is dynamic over time depending on a person's presenting life situation and on how he/she percieves and deals with the situation.   Developed, researched and validated by Joan Kellogg and inspired by the work of Carl Jung, the MARI system was developed from creating and studying Mandala circle art. 

Sue acknowledges the creative spirit in everyone. She has facilitated hundreds of workshops and groups using expressive arts to stimulate the imagination and creativity. The sacred circle she creates with her clients invites everyone to grow personally and awaken spiritually. Using guided imagery and music, meditation, breath, & Presence, Sue often guides clients into an alpha state of awareness. This stimulates our vast imagination and allows the creative juices to flow. Clients are encouraged to create visual art using acrylic paint, pastels, collage, and sculpting with clay. Creative writing and exploring imagery through creative movement and sound are also encouraged. The focus is on the process rather than the final product and the approach is intuitive rather than pre-planned. The groups and workshops are a great opportunity for self discovery and spiritual exploration. The expressive arts offer a unique way of unleashing creative potential and facilitating personal transformation.