Therapies Offered

CranioSacral Therapy

What is CranioSacral Therapy?

CranioSacral Therapy works by helping the body's natural healing mechanisms dissipate the negative effects of stress on the central nervous system. This is accomplished through utilizing a physiological body system called the craniosacral system, which maintains the environment in which the central nervous system functions. It consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord, extending from the bones of the skull, face and mouth (which make up the cranium) down to the tailbone area (or sacrum). The role of this system in the development and performance of the brain and spinal cord is so vital that an imbalance or dysfunction in it can cause sensory, motor and/or neurological disabilities.

Like the pulse of the cardiovascular system, the craniosacral system has a rhythm that can be felt throughout the body. Using a touch generally no heavier than the weight of a nickel, skilled practitioners can monitor this rhythm at key body points to pinpoint the source of an obstruction or stress. Once a source has been determined, they can assist the natural movement of the fluid and related soft tissue to help the body self-correct. This simple action is often all it takes to remove a restriction.

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) has been shown to alleviate a wide range of conditions, including traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, migraine headaches, chronic fatigue, motor-coordination impairments, chronic neck and back pain, scoliosis, central nervous system disorders, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), stress and tension-related problems, and orthopedic problems. While the focus of CST is to uncover the source of the problem, symptom relief also is achieved. The length of time and number of sessions needed is extremely variable and depends, among other factors, on the complex layers of injury and trauma that may mask the original cause of the problem as well as the body’s defense mechanisms. Due to its gentleness and effectiveness, many people include CST as a component in their personal wellness programs. They report having more energy, sleeping better and being sick less often.

Craniosacral work focuses on helping the cranial wave flow freely through the head, spine and pelvis, it is not limited to those areas, and may be used to work with painful or restricted conditions anywhere in the body. In fact, many practitioners find that craniosacral work helps the client access their own clarity and insight, and hence it is used not only to relieve pain, but also to help empower the client to deal successfully with many different life situations. Some therapists use it to facilitate sensitive psychic states such as are used in past-life regression therapy.

Craniosacral work can also be highly effective in helping the return of mental clarity and abundant energy after a life-crisis, and sometimes helps alleviate chronic depression. It is also sought out by those who are perfectly healthy, as a meditative and calming experience. Some people find craniosacral touch a deeply spiritual experience. And a few find it creates a fertile ground for the kind of transformative insight that paves the way for important change.

A CranioSacral session is a place where your soul is heard and responded to. It is a gently facilitated inner journey. The session becomes a place where each client is honored, deeply respected and heard. Personalities disappear, Egos step aside and we unite in the great mystery. I have seen what many call miracles and I believe that by becoming present with your deepest heart, your soul remembers itself and fills you with a new vitality. This creates healing. While your central nervous system does its job of "dropping off stress", and your spine is bathed in a healing ocean of craniosacral fluid, you are reconnected to your divinity. Staying "awake" to this part of ourselves in everyday life becomes our goal. This is a journey into the body where we listen to its story, its wisdom, and bring back the messages from our deepest self to integrate and heal on a physical and emotional level.

What conditions can CranioSacral Therapy help?

Because of its influence on the functioning of the central nervous system, CranioSacral Therapy can benefit the body in a number of ways — from bolstering overall health and resistance to disease to alleviating a wide range of specific medical conditions.

Among CST's largest patient groups are those suffering chronic symptoms that haven't been aided by other approaches. In particular, CST is beneficial to those with head, neck or back injuries resulting from an accident — be it from a car, sports or work mishap or from a fall. The extremely light touch involved in the application of CST makes it a safe approach as well for children, infants and newborns with early traumas, including birth trauma. They especially can benefit from the timely identification and release of restrictions in the craniosacral system, thereby preventing future difficulties such as learning disabilities or hyperactivity.

Another area of principal effectiveness is with stress-related dysfunction's. Insomnia, fatigue, headaches, poor digestion, anxiety and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction are just a few examples. CranioSacral Therapy works to reverse the debilitating effects of stress by providing the conditions in which the nervous system can rest and rejuvenate. In fact, it's this capacity to reduce stress that's leading an increasing number of people to include CST as part of their wellness routines. Other conditions for which CranioSacral Therapy has shown to be effective are various sensory disorders. Among these are eye-motor coordination problems, autism, dyslexia, loss of taste or smell, tinnitus, vertigo and neuralgias such as sciatica and tic douloureux.

"I had debilitating migraines for twelve years. Since our work together, I am pleased to say that I have not had ONE migraine in six months, something I never thought possible. Your faith in me and your exquisite skill have changed my life. Thank you." F.R.

Craniosacral work can also be highly effective in helping the return of mental clarity and abundant energy after a life-crisis, and sometimes helps alleviate chronic depression. It is also sought out by those who are perfectly healthy, as a meditative and calming experience. Some people find craniosacral touch a deeply spiritual experience. And a few find it creates a fertile ground for the kind of transformative insight that paves the way for important change.

What is SomatoEmotional Release?

Have you ever had a physical injury that seemed to plague you long after the site had healed? That's not as unusual as you might think. Even when CranioSacral Therapy releases restrictions in body tissues, sometimes a release of emotional energy is necessary to fully discharge a trauma. In those cases, the CranioSacral Therapist may gently encourage a SomatoEmotional Release.

Research conducted in the late '70s by Dr. John Upledger and biophysicist Zvi Karni led to the discovery that the body often retains the emotional imprint of physical trauma. These imprints, especially, of intense feelings that may have occurred at the time of injury - anger, fear, resentment - leave residues in the body in areas called "energy cysts."

Although you can adapt to energy cysts over time, your body needs extra energy to continue performing its day-to-day functions. Then as years pass and the body becomes more stressed, it can lose its ability to adapt. That's when symptoms and dysfunctions begin to appear and become difficult to suppress or ignore.

Through SomatoEmotional Release, the therapist engages in imaging and dialoguing techniques that can guide the patient through an otherwise challenging encounter with long-held emotions. The patient does not need to analyze the problem to release it. Often the body will spontaneously return to the same position it was in when the injury was first sustained. As this occurs, the therapist can feel the tissues of the body relax as the energy cyst is expelled. Then the body is free to return to its optimal levels of functioning.

"I cannot sum up the totality of my experience with Stephanie by merely listing our successes. Recently a friend asked me why I felt so strongly about our work together. I found myself searching for the words to describe the range of emotions I've felt in her care; from the joy of touching my true being to the tears of relief as the tension leaves my body. I felt the word I wanted: love. Stephanie embodies unconditional and compassionate love for her work, her gifts, her vision, and thus for our path. No other healer has ever offered me more. And with Stephanie's help, I am learning to offer it to myself. Thank you Stephanie!" Clay, 2006

Visionary CranioSacral Therapy

A non-traditional CranioSacral Therapy treatment in which we journey to your deepest self with an intention to listen to its wisdom and bring back its messages. By bringing your visions and dreams into the conscious mind through dialogue, we can often clarify beliefs that no longer serve you. By changing these long held beliefs, you release destructive patterns and move forward with a new energy and vitality.

How do I schedule a session?

Stephanie is currently seeing clients in Bennington and Brattleboro. Please email stephaniefoy@aol.com or call (802) 380-3306 to schedule a session.

Theta Healing

We are all innately whole, healthy and vital beings. So, what happens when we are not feeling this way? And how can we remember our health? The conscious mind is estimated to be only 12% of the mind. What your conscious mind perceives as a belief isn't necessarily congruent with what your subconscious mind perceives. Our subconscious beliefs and thoughts dictate our lives. Beliefs that do not serve us can lead to ill health, emotional pain, relationship difficulty, spiritual strife, and lack of prosperity. We hold beliefs on core, genetic, history and soul levels.

ThetaHealing is best known for the Belief and Feeling Work on all four levels; Core, Gene, History, and Soul. With growing scientific evidence that toxic emotion can contribute to disease and the awareness that emotions, feelings and the power of thought have a direct bearing upon our physical health, there is increasing interest in changing how the mind influences the body to create optimum health. Belief and Feeling Work empower people with the ability to remove and replace negative emotions, feelings and thoughts with positive, beneficial ones. ThetaHealing can be most easily described as an attainable miracle for your life.

"Ok, now you have done it. I’m a new woman. And it is GREAT! I don’t fully understand this stuff, and I don’t care. All I know is that I now feel my life is worth living again. Thank you for helping me find joy." Sandy 2009

In order to access or remember our original selves, Theta Healing works to clear blocks to restore original health. By using kinesthesiology (muscle testing) to test for subconscious beliefs, and then accessing the theta brain waves, deep change is inevitable. Slowing the brain waves allows access to creation and bypasses the lower conscious mind and ego, where our resistance to healing resides. In effect we are utilizing the laws of quantum physics and the same brain wave pattern used in hypnosis. Brain waves are categorized by their frequency. There are four kinds brain waves generally known to science and measured by EEGs - alpha, beta, theta, and delta - and one more that has been recently discovered now that EEGs are becoming sensitive enough - gamma.

Beta brain waves, measured at 13-40 Hz, are the brain state of our normal waking consciousness. Nearly all forms of action, thinking, and problem solving are done with a beta brain wave. Most people spend most of their waking lives in a beta state.
Alpha brain waves, measured at 7-13 Hz, are the brain state of relaxation and meditation. The alpha state is associated with creativity and super learning, where the brain learns at a faster and deeper level than it does in beta. Most meditation and energy healing techniques cultivate and utilize an alpha brain wave for relaxation and healing.
Theta brain waves, measured at 4-7 Hz, are the brain state of REM sleep (dreams), hypnosis, lucid dreaming, and the barely conscious state just before sleeping and just after waking. This is the frequency of growth and change. Theta is the border between the conscious and the subconscious world, and by learning to use a conscious, waking Theta brain wave we can access and influence the powerful subconscious part of ourselves that is normally inaccessible to our waking minds. While in the Theta state, the mind is capable of deep and profound learning, healing, and growth - it is the brain wave where our minds can connect to the Divine and manifest changes in the material world.
Delta brain waves, measured at less than 4 Hz, are the brain state of deep sleep and unconsciousness.
Gamma brain waves, measured at 40+ Hz, are the brain state of hyperalertness, perception, and integration of sensory input. When time seems to slow down during a car accident, the brain is entering a high gamma state. Theta Healing is actually moving back and forth between the theta and gamma state.

During a session the practitioner accesses a meditative state by connecting to the Creator of All That Is, and provides an intuitive reading. We then work together to change the subconscious patterns and beliefs that are no longer serving you.

For example, we may muscle test for the following (or similar) beliefs: I am healthy * I love and accept my body * I am safe * I am respected * I am worthy of love * I know what joy feels like * I know how to utilize my talents If you test that you do not hold these (or similar), Theta can clear whatever is in the way and “install” them in your subconscious.

Often we hold in our subconscious and conscious mind a dual belief system. We may believe we want financial success, while we also believe that money is the root of all evil. In other words, your subconscious beliefs may be in conflict with your conscious beliefs.

I don't want to be alone ..... I'm afraid to open my heart
I want a partner who will be good to me ...... I'm unworthy of love
I want to be passionate about my work..... I must suffer and toil
I enjoy my life ...... life is a struggle
I want to heal quickly .......healing is a long process

Your subconscious mind is directing your life without you knowing it. It thinks it's protecting you, but is really preventing you from having exactly what you want. This work allows you to bring your subconscious beliefs forward into your conscious mind, where you can then choose to permanently change and replace them, for those which will allow and support your desires. This process is fast, easy and gentle. You’ll be amazed to witness your long held limiting beliefs leave in moments, never to return. The changes you’ll make are permanent changes.

By quickly and accurately pinpointing and removing a block or issue, one theta session can provide what years of traditional therapies strive to achieve.

Read more about Vianna Stibal, the founder of Theta Healing and more about Theta Healing at www.thetahealing.com.

Theta healing is easily and effectively performed over the phone. Call Stephanie at (802) 380-3306 or email stephaniefoy@aol.com to schedule a session.

"I value the spiritual guidance Stephanie has given me, it is beyond compare. I am blown away that by getting to the root of my limiting beliefs my life could change so quickly. Her work can move mountains. I am the proof!" J.P.

Shamanic Medicine

Shamanic Medicine is open to all people who seek guidance, healing, and relief from spiritual unrest manifested in mental, emotional or physical.

Through shamanic journeying and experience, I have acquired many sacred healing rituals to facilitate the elimination of dis-ease and restore harmony. A typical session includes an assessment of your concern. By determining the source of dissonance, we then work to disengage the energy form that is no longer useful. A healing ritual is performed to alleviate the discomfort, pain or symptoms. Sessions conclude with further suggestions, often in the form of "homework" and a blessing to complete the healing.

Divination

Divination is a reading of your essence - energy body by using the tools around us to determine the source of your unease. Often I am tuning into the clues from nature (perhaps the weather of the day, or the placement of the planets). Often I may use cards or stones or items you bring to provide insight into your essence.

Journeywork

Often when you have a specific question, or problem much resource can be gained through a shamanic journey. After a consultation we may arrive together at a decision to journey (either I will journey for you and ask your questions of my guides and teachers, or I will teach you how to journey). Through this process you will meet your teachers, or guides or we may journey to find your power animal or totem for you to call upon for support.

A Sound Journey

We are divine creatures designed for health and wellness. Our own tones can heal virtually ANYTHING in our physical and emotional body. This is a very powerful process in which you use your own body's healing tool, your voice, to awaken, shift and transform the vibrations of illness, emotional discomfort and dis-ease. You will be guided and held in sacred space, and given what you need to release these long held vibrations. Often past life, ancestral and family patterns are released through this very effective practice. I encourage you to try this method and see where it takes you!

"This "making sounds" from the body opened me to incredible things that were inside me. This opens those doors very quickly. Your present life experience mixes with other things, some of which seemed to be previous lives; you can call them what you will. The emotions flood out, if you allow them. I can recall that relief. This therapy is simple, profound. Things happen, right away." Michael Shuval

"This opening, this release, this expression, this method - THIS is what I have been waiting for. Thank you is not enough" Colleen

Soul Retrieval

Soul retrieval is the shamanic practice of retrieving lost soul pieces and bringing them back “home”—restoring a person’s soul. It is for everyone who wants to deepen their connection to self, loved ones, and to the earth. Soul loss is a spiritual illness that causes emotional and physical disease. Signs of soul loss may include: Difficulty staying “present” in your body; feeling numb or apathetic; problems with your immune system and resisting illness; chronic illness as a child; memory gaps after age five; sense of blocking out trauma; addictions; looking to external fulfillment to fill up an internal void; difficulty moving on with your life after a divorce or the death of a loved one.

* A note about soul retreival work - soul retreival is deeply personal, and requires your commitment and continued connection. Please do not ask for me to perform a soul retreival if we have never worked together. While very profound work, soul retreival is not a spiritual pill, nor a quick fix. I liken it to bringing a new baby home, you should be as prepared. Make room in your life for many new changes, and be truly committed to the integration process of welcoming these new aspects into your daily life.

Extraction

Extraction is a cleansing of your energy field from attachments to unhealthy energy, emotion or thought forms. This process can also be done on your home or workspace to clear it from stuck or unwanted energy. Often souls that have left this world attach to us in fear or hope of staying connected. With gentle facilitation we can help move the spirit on to where it will ultimately flourish and return.

Stephanie is currently seeing clients in Bennington and Brattleboro, Vermont. Email stephaniefoy@aol.com or call (802) 380-3306 to schedule a session.

wave picture by Clark Little