Sue is Humanistic and Vitalistic in her philosophy on healing. 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/healing sessions, expressive arts groups, 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), as well as other traditional & transpersonal counselling methods. Much of the benefit emerges from being safely and gently guided by Sue into an alpha state of awareness which brings fresh perspectives to our life situation.

The process known as Guided Imagery & Music was developed in Dr. Helen Bonny in 1960's. GIM is a safe and effective healing process where the client travels on an inner journey while interacting with their own personal imagery induced by selected classical music programs. Following selection of a theme for the journey (by the client), Sue guides the client into a state of alpha consciousness which both focuses the client inwardly while gently expanding their consciousness. An image or scenario is suggested by Sue to "seed" the forthcoming imagery which emerges from client as they respond to the music allowing it deepen and influence their experience and feelings. The client shares aspects of the experience as it occurs and Sue facilitates the process by reflecting, suggesting, encouraging, and providing interventions if necessary. Imaging lasts 30-45 minutes; followed by discussing and integrating what came forth. "Imagery" includes feelings, visual images, sensory experiences, memories, and often spiritual or transpersonal experiences. Gim is helpful for accessing buried feelings and memories, dialoguing with aspects of oneself (such as a symptom), resolving inner conflicts, accessing inner support, finding clarity on one's path, creating a healing ritual, and working with dreams. Music is very healing in itself; it holds and supports the client as they journey, leading them to spontaneous images, healing resources, new perspectives, and often release.

Sue provides GIM sessions in her private practice; they typically last 1.5 hrs. Short group GIM experiences are occasionally used in workshops. See links for more information on expressive arts, GIM, or Psychosynthesis (Transpersonal Psychology).

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.

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.

The intention of Sues expressive arts workshops and group series are to provide a sacred space for you to take time out of your busy life to honour the beauty of your Essence and tend the Garden of your Soul.

Expressive Arts workshops are varied by theme and duration. They can run from 1.5-3 hours. In a small group (4-6 people), time is given for introductions and connection to one another. In larger workshops and open studio time, there is less group sharing and more personal exploration opportunities. Naturally, when necessary, confidentiality is recognized & honoured. In addition, Sue offers full day & weekend workshops for deeper creative experiences & healing opportunities. Expressive dance/art evenings (drop-in) are offered regularly.

In the group series Tend the Garden of Your Soul (4-6 weeks), it is important to commit to attend all of the sessions, which run for 3 hours. Pre-registration is required. This program is not offered during summer.

Sue offers a focusing theme (see below) which is simply a springboard from which we delve into the Imaginative and Creative Realms. Refocusing into our inner Being is essential in this process so we spend time with the breath, presence and connecting with our inner energy field. Here we can notice what is happening in our physical, mental, and emotional bodies. Tending the Garden of your Soul is enhanced by being in the Now. Being in the now enables us to honestly observe and accept ALL parts of ourselves. This, in truth is the natural healing process. Healing is the unravelling of our misperceptions or ego-based identification. Once the interference is removed, we awaken to our True Essence.

Commonly, the group engages in creative/intuitive expression using the vibrant colours of acrylic paint, pastels, water- colours, coloured pencils, & markers; although, clay, collage, multimedia and 3-D projects (such as masks and doll making), creative writing, toning, and creative movement are also explored.

Next, we gather again to process our work. There is a sharing of personal experiences, insights, and associations during the art-making period which are metaphorical for what is happening in the persons life at the time. If requested, feedback from members of the group is shared. Analysis and interpretation are kept at a minimum to honour the mystery and the free flow of imagery.

Themes provide a focus for intention yet they are simply springboards and guidelines to get the creative juices flowing, let go, and then trusting in the process. Some themes focus on self-discovery and other themes are aimed at stimulating new creative expression. Trained artists often step outside their comfort zone & discover new styles and deepen their creative connection.

Some examples are: exploration of chakras, dreams, body wisdom, body image, unravelling to our essence, expressive dance, soul painting, intuitive painting, mask making, deepening the creative well, shadow work, transforming anger, healing grief, discovering the inner healer, mind/body awareness, practicing presence, discover healing resources. Other themes may include life passages such as menopause, or finding creative outlets and healing resources when facing a serious or chronic health issue. Additionally, exploring the seasons, elements of the earth & phases of the moon often stimulate creative expression. New themes emerge over time and according to the needs of the community.

Adults and teens: Open studio format is 2 hours in the evening (7:00-9:00). Space & all materials are provided for creative expression which include: vibrant colours of acrylic paint, pastels, water colours, coloured & charcoal pencils, paper & other interesting surfaces, collage & multimedia materials such as shells, nature objects, wooden pieces, wool, ribbon, felt, tissue paper, adhesives, sculpting clay, & paper mache. People are invited to drop in and create whatever they desire; there is no formal structure or group sharing; however, Sue is available for creative prompts if requested. Offered in Summer but see schedule for other times.

Kids: (2-13 yrs) Open Studio format is 1.5 hrs in morning (10:30-12) and runs for 4 weeks at a time. An older sibling or adult must accompany kids under 5. Creative materials as described above are provided and there is structure & direction with creative projects. Drop-in. Summer offering.

Sue also offers lectures on mind/body connection, presence (accessing witness or inner observer), making friends with symptoms, topics in transpersonal psychology, spiritual psychology, expressive arts and the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery & Music.