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Agape Christian Counselling, Toronto, Ontario, Canada		(416) 234-1850
www.HealMyLife.com	George Hartwell M.Sc.	E-mail: e-mail G Hartwell

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How I use 'Journey' in Life Transformation Therapy and Christian inner healing.

1.  Inspired by the 'Journey' of Brandon Bays, one can use a session to move from one pool of deep feeling to another.  The therapist encourages the client to experience the feeling without limiting, judging or controlling it.  This helps the client to accept themselves and their feelings and thus overcoming shame.

a.  Each feeling is experienced briefly and allowed to become as intense as it can.
b.    Optional enquiry as to how intense the feeling is on a scale of one to ten.
c.    Optional question as to how the feeling is experienced in the body.

2.  Encouraged by the theory of emotions that thinking (belief, cognition) drives feeling, discover what thought is associated with this feeling.

a.  For example, one may ask: "What thought is associated with this feeling and makes it feel stronger?"
b.  "What person or event or series of events in early childhood is associated with this feeling?
c.  Work with the client to find statements of belief especially general life principles that underlie this feeling.  An example for distrust might be "No one can be trusted;" for depression it might be "I will never be loved."

3.  Given the focus of Life Transformation Therapy on Core Identity, attempt to begin the Life Transformation Journey with a common understanding of the key identity issues that are the focus of this session.

a.  In the opening counselling session look for the significant personality patters.
b.  A thorough understanding of John and Paula Sandford's teaching on personality patterns is helpful.  Read "the Transformation of the Inner Man."
c.  For example, you may identify patterns such as the People Pleasing, the Super Responsible, and Self Image Idolatry.

4.  The benefits of the Life Transformation Journey:

a.  Expressing the emotions in an environment where it is accepted is a form of desensitization.  The result is less fear of our intense negative emotions.  With less fear they have less control over us.  We are less anxious.
b.  Going through the full array of negative emotions instantly alerts the counsellor and the client of a number of issues that need to be dealt with.
c.  Sometimes one experiences the transition point where "I don't know" is said and one experiences a state of confusion.  This is strong evidence that one is ready to experience and identity transformation.  Experiencing this informs the counsellor and client of that identity transformation ready to process.
 

5.  Life Transformation and the Journey Breakthrough

a.   An awesome transition can occur following the "I don't know / identity confusion" stage.  Like passing through the valley of the shadow of death, there is a significant transition from intense negative emotions.  One emerges into a life giving spiritual state of being.  One experiences a sense of peace or a state of love or being filled with life.
b.  This transition exposes the healthy, life-giving spirit in each of us.  The experience of  this inner state is deeply refreshing and it is worthwhile to rest and relax in this state to restore health, hope and vitality to heart and spirit.
c.  In this state of experiencing the beautiful core inner spirit that God put within each one of us, one also gets in touch with God.  This means that one can tap into the wisdom of God.  It is promised that we will know the truth and the truth will set us free, so the Life Transformation Therapist will ask for the person to listen for the truth revealed by the Holy Spirit. 

6.  Listening Prayer Therapy and the Journey Breakthrough

a.  Use Listening Prayer Therapy - listening to the truth of the Holy Spirit to deal with core negative beliefs.  Call this 'cognitive prayer therapy.'
b.  One at a time review the generally negative core beliefs associated with each of the negative feelings.
c.  Ask the client to hear the truth of God, as it emerges from this positive spiritual state.
 

7.  Consolidation of the New Identity

a.  Let us assume that identity is based on a combination of: Core Beliefs, positive core feelings, positive (healed) memories and positive identity images.
b.  The Life Transformation Therapist needs to very intentional about establishing a positive new identity by making conscious and rehearsing with the client the positive feelings, positive beliefs - (identity or "I am" statements) and images of the new identity.
c.  Ask the client if they would like their whole life to be like the positive feelings they are feeling now?  Then have them imagine the next 24 hours in that lovely positive state.  Imagine further into the future and write down the descriptions of what they client imagines.
d.  Convert the positive feelings into Positive identity affirmations.  Most often I encourage statements beginning with the "I am ----" format.
e.  Assign the client to remember, review and imagine the new identity in all three components before bed and before beginning a new day.

Summary

Although Journey is not taught within a Christian perspective, I believe the overall revelation of working with core feelings to bring healing is valid and true - a God revelation.

I use the method in modified form within a counselling session whenever it seems that my client is overwhelmed by a variety of feelings.  It may be a short part of an overall sessions.  I track through their feelings one at a time. Then I may come back over the material and do such things as:

1. What message is this feeling giving.  This is done by putting the feeling in a sentence.  For example, "I am angry that ___."

2. I may set up a truth encounter where we ask Jesus for his truth in regard to what the feeling is saying. 

3. I may set up a listening prayer time where they prayerfully share their feelings with Jesus and wait to receive his truth and comfort.

4. I may have them imagine releasing their feelings into a lake representing God's love and peace. 

I am interested in identity transformation and will often set 'Journey' within that context.

I would be glad to provide a few sessions by phone for you to go through this process.  Phone appointments are 60 minutes. Payment can be made by credit card using PayPal or be mailing a cheque to me.  Appointments can be booked  by phoning (416) 234-1850 or E-mail .

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