* SPECIAL NOTE *

This acupuncturist does not incorporate psychotherapy techniques in treatment.

Acupuncture alone is effective in its own way in treatment for the psyche.

TWO MODELS OF THE PSYCHE

* Medical Psychiatry, based on a machine model of human nature. Uses isolation, oversight, pharmaceutical drugs, to attempt to engineer behavioral changes.

* Therapies derived from Swiss healer Jung and the women with whom he collaborated, based on a communication and relationship understanding of human nature.

Acupuncture healing arts has much in common with the second of these two basic concepts of human nature and human behavior. Jung's group studied and learned from Asian medicine and alchemy, which are the same source materials for the acupuncture healing arts we have in America today.

Acupuncture is at its best treating the psyche, particularly where there is a psychosomatic condition. This is because the Life Force of the Qi, which flows along the Channels, is equivalent to mind, emotions, to the subconscious feelings in a body. Therefore, acupuncture treatment influences mind, emotions and the subconscious directly.

AN EXAMPLE FROM FAMILY SYSTEMS RESEARCH

Research in family communication has identified characteristic communication patterns in groups that are associated with development of asthma in one member of the group (for example in one child in a family). We can see how the asthma is not just a disease originating from inside one isolated person - but surrounding social interactions can collaborate in the evolution of the condition, and also in triggering episodes. The pattern of how a group surrounding a person communicates, can act as one of these pathogenic factors.

The psyche may not be so easily visible to the eyes. Even a parent, though well educated, well acquainted with their child as a physical person - may not be so aware of the inside of their own offspring, what we call soul or psyche. Missing this - parents or others in the child's environment can unintentionally communicate in ways which may unwittingly become oppressive to the inner person of that child. One result can be the symptom of not being able to breathe or get air, or kinds of grieving associated with a spectrum of respiratory syndromes. This not being able to breathe freely is a natural response of a soul who is not perceived as she knows herself to be, by her own people.

In this way social factors -- how people perceive each other, how they treat each other, how they communicate or are silent -- become potent forces in either creating illness, or in nurturing wellbeing.

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** UNDERSTANDING PSYCHE **

* The objective psyche. Much of the soul or psyche is objective - it has independent reality, independent from our analytical thoughts and self-will.
For this reason, attention to more consciously relating to our psyche within us, and as it is active in the world around us, can bring many benefits, and strengthen character.

* Continuity - Through the physical changes of time and space something continues to be distinctly 'you' - this is the psyche or spirit-self.
The physical body is an ever changing expression of this psyche.
Our psyche is what we bring with us when we are born into life, and what goes with us when our life here ends.

* Synchronicity. Instead of cause-effect, the psyche acts through a sense of cooperative timing and through spontaneity-- where desired outcomes appear voluntarily instead of by forced effort of self-will.
A characteristic of synchronicity is meaningful coincidence-- a sense of meaning being a sign of the psyche's presence. One may follow these small events as one would follow a trail of breadcrumbs or a golden thread.

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* MANDALA ART JOURNALS

This acupuncturist received training and instruction in the Joan A. Kellogg Mandala Art Therapy Instrument. Using newsprint pads and oil craypas, circular diagrams can be visualized based on dreams or other significant images from life, and sketched out. Each one is dated and kept in a private book like a visual journal. Meditation on the sequence of diagrams produced strengthens the relationship between Shen-(Mind) and Hun-(Subconscious), stabilizes and calms the spirit. It may also promote better communication between Heart and Kidney and serve to conserve Essence.

Children from age 7 to 12, students and others can opt for a 30 minute coaching session describing the process of making a mandala, and keeping a book.

Though not a part of licensed scope of practice in acupuncture - this coaching is consistent with the practice of some ancient masters of acupuncture - who both studied and taught forms of art as additional ways of nourishing Qi and Essence.