Mental Health Counseling and Yoga Therapy

Yoga therapy and mental health — Heather respects your confidentiality, and will work with your mental health counselor at your request.

Heather works with therapy, health care and medical professionals to incorporate Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy into individual and group therapy plans. Many clients have combined counseling and yoga therapy to tap into their inner wisdom and reduce suffering related to depression, grief, anxiety, stress and more.

Operating under the assumption that your body is a repository for all life’s experiences, both positive and negative, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy gently opens tensely held parts of the body so pent-up feelings, fears and resistances are revealed and transformed. When combined with traditional psychotherapy or counseling, yoga can be highly successful in reducing the symptoms of:

Grief/loss
Eating disorders
Addictions
Parenting/family issues
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Sexual abuse
Job stress
Fears and phobias
Caregiver issues

How PRYT compliments the work of your therapy professional.

Unlike counseling, yoga therapy does not direct, offer treatment plans or interpretation. What it does offer is the opportunity to witness your experience, and determine what action you need to take to move forward.

Sessions typically begin by getting out of the head and into your body. As opposed to talking about a problem, Heather guides a meditation intended to slow the mind and encourage you to focus upon your body. The dialoguing techniques are reflective listening, non-directive and client-centered. The body-mind experience usually culminates in a new awareness of what changes are needed in your current situation to support your physical and emotional well-being. You learn to rely on your own resources and inner wisdom.

Heather respects all professional relationships and is happy to team with you and your therapy professional to combine therapies for the best possible results. Please call or email with questions, or to schedule your private, confidential appointment.

Therapy on the Mat

As a longtime devotee of both the therapy couch and the yoga mat, I was curious how the two blended together in phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy.[Yoga Journal Article – read more…]

Counseling Referrals

If you are looking for a therapist, there are many skilled practitioners at The Center for Mind-Body Therapies. Visit the web site for more details.