Bio

When we have problems in life (and we all do), we generally try to solve them by thinking our way through, around, out of, or away from them. Most of us spend our lives in our heads, in what self-relations psychotherapy creator Stephen Gilligan calls the disembodied intellect. And no wonder -- this is precisely what we were educated (domesticated) to do.

The rational or egoic mind is a great servant but a terrible master. It excels at making lists, organizing schedules and carrying out programs. But it is incapable of generating creative new pathways through life, which is precisely what we need most when we are stuck in a problem state.

According to cell biologist Dr. Bruce Lipton (The Biology of Belief), ninety-five to ninety-nine percent of our daily actions are controlled by the subconscious mind. This is why it is a rare individual indeed who can transform his or her life by consciously affirming the will to change. In order to access our transformational power, we need to work at the level of the unconscious, as well as the conscious mind.

The revolutionary French psychologist and pharmacist Emile Coue said, "Whenever the will and the imagination are in conflict, it is the imagination which wins." Imagination is the language of the unconscious mind. While words, under the correct circumstances and correctly applied, can influence the operations of the unconscious, we communicate best with this immensely powerful and creative "Deep Self" when we use its native language: imagination, myth, imagery, symbol, and story. And, as in any other relationship, we achieve the best results when we stop talking and start listening.

D.K. Brainard, M.A., C.H., is a writer, musician, astrologer and certified hypnotherapist who specializes in helping clients identify where they are on their own Hero's Journey and take appropriate steps to reconnect with their soul/Higher Self/creative unconscious. To carry out this work, D.K. uses the tools of astrology, energy work, compassion, and hypnotic shared exploration of limiting identity states and desired goal states.

The result of this work, which at its best feels more like inspired play, is a new level of self-acceptance that is grounded in awareness of your soul mission and of the resources you have within you right now to help you achieve your unique purpose. D.K. often says, "You have all the answers inside you; my job is to help you create an energetic space in which you can safely bring them into your conscious awareness." You'll never get a one-size-fits-all formula for healing and growth with D.K. Brainard. Rather, you'll work together to find the pathways to healing and personal evolution that resonate with your whole self. (Meaning you're much more likely to actually use them!) See what people are saying about working with D.K.