Applied Shamanism

In November of 2022, it was time for me to re-enter the world after a long time spent in a a cottage in the woods with my dog, Zaak where I weathered the pandemic.  I set the intention to re-emerge into the world and connect with others.  Since then, my life has taken on a colourful vibrancy, coupled with the newness that a whole bunch of healing brings - which is a large part of what I was doing in that cabin in the woods.  Recently, I flew from Denver where psychedelics are decriminalized and landed in Berkeley to finish the certificate program in Advanced Applied Shamanism with the Foundation of the Sacred Stream the school for Consciousness Studies I have been engaged in for the last four and a half years. 

My studies in Applied Shamanism lend themselves well to my work as a transpersonal psychotherapist.  Transpersonal means ‘beyond self.’  Transpersonal psychotherapy is a kind of therapy that has the capacity to include something ‘more' which could be the Higher Self of the client, Source, the Divine, the Universe or the sense of spirituality that the client resonates with.  In the case of Applied Shamanism, this something ‘beyond’ or ‘more’ is the part of the self that is wise, the part of the self that knows.   Sometimes, in our lives, we meet this the part of the self that knows head on by going against it and doing something that is counter to it's wisdom.  I have certainly come into tangible contact with this part of myself by going against it - that little voice inside said “this isn’t a good idea and doesn’t feel right” and I paid the price for not listening.  When we connect with this part of ourselves and we begin to work with it, it is a total game changer.  

In Applied Shamanic Counselling, I guide the client via guided meditation to the part of themselves that knows.  They may meet this part of themselves in the form of a guide or a teacher whether it takes form as a plant, an animal, a light being of some sort. Once clients have contacted this part of themselves, there is often a great sense of peace and comfort experienced which in itself is very healing.  With this connection established, healing looks and feels a lot different, a lot more supported; it takes on a new dimension since this alliance with the Guide helps to inform the client’s healing process, what they need to know about the pattern or wound at hand.  Accessing this part of the self that knows sheds light and insight on whatever ails us.  Not only that, but imagine if you had access to your own inner healer?  Imagine if you had access to a Guide or to a part of yourself that could ultimately answer any questions that you have about your life, your relationships, your healing and more.  

Essentially, Applied Shamanism works to restore power to the client wherever it has been lost, and thus healing and alignment in their lives.  Applied Shamanism can include but is not limited to:

• Soul part exchange
• Soul retrieval 
• Power retrieval 
• Meeting your Guide
• Learning to Shamanically journey 
• Drum healing

If you are interested in exploring Applied Shamanism, please reach out to me by sending me an email to [email protected] 
Thank you, 
Ashley 

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