An APPROACH
Hummingbirds symbolize and embody so much of the intentionality of Healing with Heart Counseling & Consulting Services, LLC.
EMBODIMENT and INTENTIONALITY
Hummingbirds remind us to find the sweetness of life. They are messengers of joy, love & peace.
Embodiment, regulation and self-acceptance are keepers of such. These are the pillars of Dr. Zamel’s approach.
SEPARATION and CONNECTION
Dr. Zamel sees individuals holistically -connected in mind, body and spirit. Her approach views disorders and distress as separations. Separations such as mind from body, thoughts from emotions, or self from others. Separations can also happen within one’s own Self concept, with rejected parts of ourselves relegated to the shadows or margins while wreaking havoc in the form of unhealthy habits or behaviors.
Some individuals suffer a more severe alienation from their own life force and vitality or from their life purpose and goals. Dr. Gabor Maté, a renowned expert on trauma, addiction and stress asserts that the very nature of trauma itself, is separation. According to Maté, “ the essence of trauma is disconnection..so the real question is: How did we get separated and how do we connect?”
ADDRESSING such SEPARATIONS
To address such separations and bring about greater wholeness, security and connection, Dr. Zamel encourages clients to access the wisdom of their bodies, especially their hearts and brains. Body and energy awareness are integral parts of her approach. Feelings are welcomed and encouraged to be fully felt.
Emotions are honored as invaluable messengers and emotional containment (not suppression) is practiced. Ways to use the mind to shape the brain for greater peace and efficiency are also incorporated. Clients clarifying their desires, needs, values and expectations are important parts of this approach, as is the exploration of biographies, boundaries and attachments.
SELF-TRUST and WORTHINESS
Dr. Zamel believes strongly in the power of regulated nervous systems in the healing process. Her office is adjacent to a park, and she encourages clients to utilize the gifts of nature to stay present and grounded in any given moment. This might entail looking outside the window of the therapy room during a guided mindfulness activity, or possibly going outside together to sit by the pond and soak in all the notable sounds of nature. Present moment regulation, particularly during challenging moments reinforces self-trust and worthiness.
TENDING to GRIEF
Routine grief tending is also an important part of nervous system regulation. Dr. Zamel has found that chronic dysregulation and frequent feelings of overwhelm often come from overflowing wells of unprocessed grief. Society has many rules about the when, where, how, how long and even the appropriate proportionality of one’s grief processing.
Unfortunately, it does not recognize or uphold that grief is a very personal process and all our losses and disappointments – big and small, deserve personal attention and care. While some events might need a large, public observance, others just a simple internal nod or moment of silence, with so many possibilities in between varying by person and circumstance. Without a doubt, all are invitations to strengthen one’s self-acceptance and connection to humanity. Ren Hurst and Desiree Coutinho of Feral Becoming centralize grief in their model of healing and assert that grief tending should be as routine and normalized as any other hygiene practice, like teeth brushing or showering. Dr. Zamel invites clients to make space for grief acknowledgements in their therapy and their lives, and holds regular workshops on the topic of Grief.
HEARTMATH®
HeartMath® is an important tool for regulation and a keystone in Dr. Zamel’s approach. It is a powerful and accessible form of biofeedback, and ideal for those impacted by trauma, anxiety, depression, and performance anxiety, as well as those striving for post-traumatic growth and greater spiritual fulfillment.
With state of the art technology, HeartMath® teaches individuals to get their heart and brains in sync, which prevents and reduces stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. It improves health and performance, and clears thinking for more effective choices.
With just a few minutes of daily practice, heart coherence becomes easily accessible for more balanced living. Dr. Zamel offers specialized packages in HeartMath® to clients interested in learning how to use the technology and phone app, and some common techniques for invoking heart coherence (see Upcoming events for these offerings).