Find the Right Professional for Healing Emotional Pain

Emotional Pain (usually described in terms of symptoms—Depression, Anger, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Self-Esteem issues, Mood Swings, Compulsive Behavior, Chronic and Acute Fear, Self-Injury, Suicidal Thoughts, Shame, Guilt, Eating Disorders, or Addictions) does not heal itself. Time, marriages, children, success, wealth, buying a bigger house, or faster car, changing jobs or relocating will not CURE it. The damage is sometimes very deep, pervasive and profound. It is a soul injury. The person is robbed of his or her integrity, core identity and trust.

Emotional trauma in childhood is 'violence' that does not require force. The child is thrown into a state of shock.' For some the memories remain conscious, while others drive them beneath the conscious level. The coping mechanisms the child used are carried into adulthood and impact the person's life on every level. While these coping mechanisms were appropriate then, they are a 'problem' in adulthood.

If a professional asks: "What is wrong with you?" or "What happened to you?" find another professional.
Asking, "What is wrong with you?" or "What happened to you?" implies blame, sickness and fault. Asking, "What did you experience growing up?"--allows the person to begin the process of discovering the source of their pain and healing the wounds.

What is your approach to the recovery process? The basic recovery process is: Discovery, Heal, Discovery, Heal. Processing feelings and uncovering the layers of pain. "Going into the Pain to get out of the Pain." "There is no gain without pain." If the professional is unable to give you a process similar to this, thank the professional for their time and call another professional.

Do you allow short phone conversations (10 - 15 min.) between sessions?
If the answer is, "NO." Thank the professional for their time and call another professional. Being able to have short phone conversations between sessions is paramount to your ability to develop the deep level of trust required to go through the healing process. Furthermore, people aren't only in pain on Tuesday at 3 p.m. The recovery process is a 24/7 proposition, the professional's support between sessions is critical to recovery.

What are the critical emotional issues in the recovery process?
The correct answer is: Anger/Rage, Sadness, Guilt and Shame. If the professional is unable to readily list these four emotions, Thank the professional for their time and call another professional.

What tools and techniques do you use to facilitate the recovery process?
If the professional is trained in deep healing and recovery, he or she will name all of the following techniques:

• Guided Imagery
• Journaling
• Dream Analysis
• Using Affirmations
• Hypnosis/Regression
• Cell Memory Releasement (Critical for anyone who has been hit/spanked for discipline).

The following techniques, or some variation, are optional, but highly recommended:

• Meditation
• Exercise
• Dance/Movement
• Music

What is the difference between treating 'symptoms' and treating 'root cause?
Treating symptoms focuses on the symptomatic coping mechanisms the person used to survive the pain, i.e. drug/alcohol abuse, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, co-dependency, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine headaches, arthritis, cancer,
MS, sexual addiction, etc. Treating 'root cause' focuses on the experience the person endured--the emotional or physical abuse--and the ensuing aftereffects. Uncovering the pain and healing the emotions associated with that pain. Note: Question above regarding the emotions indigenous to emotional abuse or physical abuse.

Last, but not least, if the professional fails to answer any one of these questions with similar or exact answers thank him or her for his or her time and call another professional. If you are unable to find a professional through the yellow pages or referral contact www.gen-assist.com and go to Ask the Expert.

Meet Dr. Dorothy >>

For more information, Ask the Expert >>