A Letter From Lisa
Hello from my home to yours! These are challenging and uncertain times and I want to reach out because connection and support are so important right now. Uncertainty makes us nervous. As human beings we like to be in control and we want to fix things. We are all looking for a version of, “It is going to be okay!” As a spiritual psychotherapist in training, a big part of my job is to help instil hope. Hope is spiritual.
Hope is important because it can make
The present moment less difficult to bear.
If we believe that tomorrow will be better,
We can bear a hardship today.
– Thich Nhat Hanh
Important Announcements
To practice physical distancing and promote community health, I have elected to temporarily shift my relational healing practice online. The well-being of my clients is extremely important to me as is the health of our city. I will be monitoring public health’s recommendations as the situation unfolds over the next weeks.
Two safe ways to connect with me:
I am happy to "meet with you" online using the secure video conferencing platform, Doxy.me.
I can speak to you directly over the phone for a one-on-one session.
Please e-mail me if you would like to receive support though either video conferencing or phone. Please note that during this time I am reducing my rate to $100 per session. If you are under financial strain, please know that we can discuss this rate.
As things evolve, I look forward to the possibility of resuming in-person sessions as soon as it is safe. We all have a role in helping each other stay safe and healthy.
Cancellation:
My Mindful Relationships talk for Pink Hat Life Long Learning on March 26th, 2020 is postponed. Please watch for a new date announcement.
Support
One of the most important questions we can ask ourselves right now is, "What kind of support do we have in place at the moment?"
Here are some things that can help during this difficult period:
Recognize and affirm difficult feelings. For example, "In this moment I am feeling anxious, I am feeling vulnerable, I am feeling frustrated, I am feeling lonely." Name to tame feelings and summon self-compassion.
Acknowledge discomfort by talking about it with a friend, family member, partner or helping professional. You can also journal about your feelings. Dump them into a notebook.
Ask yourself the following questions:
What am I consciously choosing in this situation? Love, tenacity, hope?
Who do I want to be in this situation? A leader, compassionate, a team player?
What do I want to bring to this situation? Energy, faith, steadfastness?
Gather Your Self-Care Tools
It's time to gather implement your trusted tools that prop you up. For inspiration, I am sharing mine below. Let me know your tools; I would love to hear from you!
Meditation cushion or pillow: Each day I sit and meditate and practice pranayama (breathing). It doesn’t have to be for a long time. Try 5-10 minutes. Right now I am finding alternate nostril breathing particularly calming, relaxing and balancing.
Essential Oil from Doterra: My go to is “Balance.” I apply to the soles of my feet (grounding) and back of neck. Its woodsy aroma facilitates relaxation.
Chrysanthemum stone: I meditate and sleep with it. Its properties help one to overcome fear, forge through obstacles, bring unexpected opportunites, and awaken life purpose.
Gratitude Journal: I have been doing this practice consistently for two years and I can say unequivocally that it helps to shift my perspective in a positive way. Gratitude is a high frequency emotion, up there with peace, unconditional love and forgiveness.
Running Shoes: I get outside and walk and move each day. I head for green space to connect to nature and empty my thoughts.
Online Recommendations
A common barrier that I hear about with respect to practicing self care and learning is time. Covid-19 has afforded us the opportunity to pause and slow down. May you use this time wisely. Here is a list of online resources that I find helpful. Please explore.
Mindful – Mindfulness meditation practices, articles and research.
Self-Compassion – Dr. Kristen Neff’s website full of practices, resources and research.
The Happy Broadcast – an uplifting Instagram account that features positive thoughts and news from around the world.
Lisa Mitchell Healing – look for my for audio yoga nidra (relaxation) practice under resources. Lie down on the floor or a bed, make yourself comfortable, and allow yourself to rest. Yoga nidra helps to calm my nervous system.
messinamovement – follow on Instagram. Lisa is a gifted yoga, pilates and movement teacher sharing online health practices. Like me, she is specializes in relational somatic healing.
traceysoghrati - follow on Instagram. She is a seasoned yoga therapist, mindfulness expert and spiritual leader. She is a trusted Toronto colleague sharing online practices
What Am I Reading?
The Boy Who was Raised as a Dog, by Bruce Perry, MD, PhD, with Maia Szalavitz, is a fascinating book of stories revealing what traumatized children can teach us. In this humane book Dr. Perry shares the stories of several children he encountered as a child psychiatrist and expert on childhood trauma. Dr. Perry explains what happens inside the brains of children exposed to extreme stress and shares their lessons of courage, coping and hope. This book is an accessible read for anyone interested in or affected by childhood trauma.
As always, reach out if I may be of service. As a client just wrote to me, "While this is a time of physical distancing, this does not mean emotional distancing." I am here.
With compassion and care,
