Art, Dance, Poetry & Writing


You Look Weird Dancing Like That

I'm this guy. I am the weird guy on the dance floor, at Yoga class, and on the beach. I swim and play in the waves like a twelve-year-old. I am (mostly) comfortable in my skin and with people thinking I am weird.  I am aware that most people do not have that experience when people think or say they are weird. Many people feel like being "weird" is a criticism, insult, or put down, and it is certainly not a compliment. I understand that when someone tells you they think you are weird, it may create doubt or a sense of not belonging or being "normal". It was not always ...

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First Degree Reiki Training May 14 & 15!

First Degree Reiki Training at Providence Zen Center - Providence Life Coaching Reiki Counseling - Woman receiving reiki treatment.
A Special First Degree Reiki Training Saturday & Sunday May 14 & 15 from 1:00-6:00. First Degree Traditional Usui Reiki Training is where all new Reiki students begin their Reiki Training. In this class, students receive all four First Degree Reiki Attunements, practice sharing and receiving Reiki and be ready to share Reiki with friends, family and emergency situations. First Degree Traditional Usui Reiki Training is offered as a two-day Training. The fee for the two-day training is $175. Location in Warren, RI. Providence Reiki Training - The Usui System of ...

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18 Invaluable Pieces of Advice From Therapists & Counselors

There are not many common pieces of advice from therapists and counselors since we have diverse training, backgrounds, and experiences, but this list seems accurate. The themes around boundaries/saying "no," protecting yourself, and letting go of relationships that are not supporting your growth and peace are essential and agreed upon generally across the field. Of course, your specific situation and circumstances are important to consider as well. My favorite piece of advice from therapists and counselors is first on their list: "Feelings are not facts." I wish we could all integrate this nugget of wisdom into our lives!
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The Future Of Mental Health Treatment

I think most people would agree that the mental health system is not effectively serving our communities. Individuals can be treated as a "problem" or "defective/broken". Couples are often seen as failures. Families, especially parents, get judged and belittled. Where is the compassion or understanding? Why are most therapists, clinicians, and counselors more concerned about charging a rate that "respects their self-value" than considering their client's ability to receive services without adding undo stress due to prohibitive costs or not even being able to afford the fees at all? Then there is the whole insurance industry!!!
Holistic counselors, therapists, social workers, and psychologists offer respite from the mainstream mental health system, and we still often do not meet the needs of our clients. There are so many variables that contribute to mental and emotional challenges, including diet, sleep/rest, exercise, "the gut", the nervous system, trauma(s), finances, work, school, relationships, environment, sensory issues, childhood attachments or lack of attachments, etc. We share so many common characteristic and experiences as humans but our specific journeys are incredibly complex and unique, therefore, treatments needs to be unique to the individual, couple or family....

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First Degree Reiki Training January 8 & 9!

First Degree Reiki Training at Providence Zen Center - Providence Life Coaching Reiki Counseling - Woman receiving reiki treatment.
A Special First Degree Reiki Training Saturday & Sunday January 8 & 9 from 1:00-6:00. First Degree Traditional Usui Reiki Training is where all new Reiki students begin their Reiki Training. In this class, students receive all four First Degree Reiki Attunements, practice sharing and receiving Reiki and be ready to share Reiki with friends, family and emergency situations. First Degree Traditional Usui Reiki Training is offered as a two-day Training. The fee for the two-day training is $175. Location in Warren, RI. Providence Reiki Training - The Usui System of ...

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How Iceland Got Teens to Say No to Drugs – The Icelandic Model

I become excited and inspired when I see concepts, ideas, and methods that I use in my work validated by international scientists and authors. The two articles that I have included excerpts from offer alternative ideas about the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. From my experience, combining these two perspectives is the core of my work, supporting and facilitating shifting patterns, behaviors, obsessions, and addictions. I typically integrate these three principles/methods for shifting unwanted patterns and behaviors.
  1.  Exercises supporting the discovery and understanding of our patterns and thinking.
  2.  Explore what we feel connected to, or the lack of connection, to people, animals, friends, family, and our environment. Create a plan to improve and expand our connections. (Read Johann Hari's views on addiction and connection at the bottom of this post.).
  3. Brainstorm interests, passions, and activities that we have either enjoyed in our past or present or would like to explore, including creative expressions,  physical activity, opportunities to connect with the natural world, or anything that inspires or stimulates us. We follow the brainstorming process by implementing some of these interests and activities into our lives before or during launching into facilitating the shift in the unwanted behaviors. In short, let's find out what will inspire and stimulate you to replace the patterns, behaviors, and addictions that are problematic. (This parallels the process Harvey Milkman researched in the U.S. and implemented in Iceland, discussed in the main article focusing on teens and addiction.)
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Second Degree Reiki Training December 11 & 12!

I am excited to offer a Second Degree Reiki Training on December 11 & 12 from 1:00 - 6:00!  Anyone who has completed First Degree Reiki Training (Reiki Level One) is invited to participate and move to the next level in your practice. This Reiki Training will be located in Warren, RI. Second Degree Reiki Training - Providence Holistic Counseling, Coaching and Reiki - Reiki Precepts ...

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