Rewired Intention Lab: A Practical Goal-Setting Process You Can Repeat Anytime

Sometimes the problem isn’t motivation—it’s overload.

Many of us start a new year (or a new season of life) with big plans… and then life happens. Schedules shift, stress rises, priorities change, and the goals that once felt exciting start to feel heavy.

In this CAP workshop, we took a different approach: a lab-style, repeatable process designed to help you slow down, reflect, and choose one small, meaningful behavior that supports the life you’re actually living right now.

This session wasn’t a lecture. It was a guided experience—reflect, write, notice, choose—with practical tools you can return to anytime you need a reset.

Why “Rewired Intention” Works

A common reason goals fall apart is that we try to do too much at once. We set goals in a vacuum—without acknowledging the current reality of our lives.

This process starts differently:

1. Name what’s real

2. Choose how you want to meet it

3. Activate insight through imagination

4. Pick one supportive behavior

5. Make it doable

6. Track, adjust, repeat

The goal is not perfection. The goal is progress with compassion.

Step 1: Name Your Season

Before setting any goals, we begin by identifying your current “season.”

Are you:

• • Starting out (school, new career, new identity)?

  • In the middle stretch (family responsibilities, career demands, feeling pulled in multiple directions)?

  • Shifting into something new (retirement, caregiving, loss, reinvention)?

This step is about orientation, not judgment. 

“This is not about creating rules and expectations. This is just recognizing what Is – without any judgment.: 

Step 2: Set an Intention for How You Want to Meet This Season

An intention isn’t a demand or a fix. It’s a direction.

Examples that came up in the workshop:

• • “I want more peace and calm.”

  • “I want more clarity.”

  • “I want to feel grounded.”

  • “I want more focus.”

  • “I want to reduce overwhelm.”

This is where you decide what you want your inner experience to be—given what life is currently asking of you.

Step 3: Activate Your Imagination

Next, we used a guided visualization to access insight from two directions:

Looking Back (Past Year Reflection)

Participants were invited to reflect on:

• • What happened over the year

  • What changed

  • What they released

  • What they learned

  • What felt unfinished (without self-criticism)

Looking Forward (Future Pacing)

Then we moved one year ahead and imagined:

• • What feels lighter or easier?

  • What shifted?

  • What mattered most?

  • What did you do differently?

  • What beliefs did you release or embrace?

This isn’t “magical thinking.” It’s a way to access clarity and motivation—because our brains often understand direction better through imagery than through pressure.

step 4: Choose One Area to Support

After reflection, we narrowed focus.

Instead of trying to “fix everything,” we asked:

• • What feels most important to support right now?

  • What’s the priority that would make the biggest difference?

Step 5: Brainstorm Supportive Behaviors

Once an intention is clear, the next step is identifying behaviors that could support it.

In the workshop example (a person feeling overstretched with work + family demands), behaviors included:

• • Pause daily with no input

  • End the workday earlier

  • Reduce evening screen stimulation

  • Create a transition ritual between roles

  • Limit news/social media

Step 6: Use Ease + Impact to Pick the Best Starting Point

This is where things get practical.

Each behavior is evaluated on two scales:

• • Ease: How doable is this right now?

  • Impact: How much will this move the lever?

The goal is to choose something that is easy enough to start and meaningful enough to matter.

This single step helps people avoid the trap of choosing goals that are “impressive” but unsustainable.

Step 7: Make It SMART… with Emotion

In the course behind this workshop, I use SMART-E (SMART + Emotion).

Traditional SMART goals are:

• • Specific

  • Measurable

  • Attainable

  • Realistic

  • Time-bound

The added piece is:

• • Emotion: Why does this matter to you?

Emotion is often what makes the difference between “I should” and “I will.”

In the workshop we kept it brief:

• • What I will do

  • When it will happen

  • Why it matters emotionally

Step 8: Track, Reflect, and Course-Correct

Progress isn’t usually a straight line—and that’s normal.

We used a “pilot/boat” analogy:

• • You set a direction

  • Life brings weather and wind

  • You adjust as you go

Course correction is not failure—it’s the process.

A suggested rhythm:

• • Light daily reflection (even a simple “Did I do it today?”)

  • A more intentional check-in every 14–21 days

  • Decide whether to:

    • Continue the habit

    • Adjust the habit

    • Switch to a new focus

    • “Stack” a new habit on top of an existing strong one

Habit Stacking: Make the New Behavior Easier

Habit stacking means attaching a new behavior to something you already do consistently.

Examples:

• After brushing your teeth → do a 60-second reflection

• After making coffee → write a quick intention for the day

• Before your daily walk → do a short breathing reset

This is one of the easiest ways to reduce friction and increase consistency.

A Grounded Reminder

One of the most important themes of this workshop:

Consistency beats intensity.

When people aim too high too fast, they often burn out—or injure themselves emotionally or physically—and then stop altogether. Sustainable change comes from choosing something small enough to repeat.

 

Want to Go Deeper?

This workshop is connected to a free course that walks through the full process in more detail, with multiple examples and expanded steps.

And as always, CAP members and guests are welcome to join our ongoing educational community.

Access to Free online course

 

Closing

Thank you to everyone who attended and participated. If you watched the recording and want support applying the process, you’re not alone—this is meant to be revisited. The goal is to help you build a method you can return to every time life shifts.

Choose your season. Set an intention. Pick one supportive behavior. Begin.

Access to forms and files discussed in the recording

 

ShARI ‘s contact information:

Email: SELFHEAL@MSN.COM

Website: SELFHEALINGHYPNOTHERAPY.COM

Access to Free online course

 

 

 

Elderific: Reframing Aging, Grief, and Superpowers in Later Life

Working with older adults requires skill, patience, and—above all—respect. In a recent Colorado Association of Psychotherapists (CAP) session, long-time member and therapist Carol O’Dowd offered a compassionate, practical, and even playful framework for supporting elders through aging, illness, fear, and the end-of-life journey.

What emerged was a refreshing reframing of aging—not as decline, but as a profound chapter rich with wisdom, humor, resilience, and what Carol calls “superpowers for living well.”

Below is a friendly, professional summary of the ideas she shared, along with stories that bring those ideas to life.

 

The Heart of Elder Work: Respect and Meeting People Where They Are

Carol began with a simple reminder:
Treat older adults with the same personalized respect you offer any client.
Use their preferred name, ask instead of assuming, and resist the urge to rush.

Aging presents its own weather patterns—some days bring calm waves, others bring storms. Our role isn’t to fix the ocean; it’s to help clients learn how to ride the waves with dignity and skill.

 

Acceptance: The First Superpower

The core of Carol’s approach is acceptance—not passive resignation, but a conscious, powerful recognition of reality.

Many elders express beliefs such as “I can’t,” “I’m too old,” or “I’m a burden.” These thoughts often mask deeper emotions: frustration, resentment, and especially fear.

When therapists help clients explore the beliefs beneath the surface, space opens for healthier choices. Carol highlighted how acceptance can transform both mindset and daily life.

One of her favorite examples:
A 90-year-old friend resisted using a cane until he discovered he could walk confidently behind a grocery cart. Rather than stealing the cart—his first idea—he bought a walker modeled after it. Acceptance didn’t remove his limitations; it empowered him to work with them.  This shift allowed him to reclaim movement, independence, and joy.

 

Letting Go of Expectations: Aging Is Not Failure

A powerful message Carol repeated:
We must help elders—and ourselves—release outdated expectations of who we “should” be at 60, 70, 80, or 90.

Clinging to the identities, abilities, and appearances of decades past creates suffering. Instead, therapists can guide clients to:

• Notice what is working
• Embrace tools that support independence
• Discover new rhythms and pleasures
• Let go of perfectionism and comparison

As Carol puts it:
Aging has been happening every day of our lives—it’s not a sudden crisis, it’s a continuous practice.

 

The GREAT Framework: Superpowers for Living Well

Carol is currently writing a book titled Elderific: Accessing Your Superpowers for Living and Dying Well, expected in spring 2026. Her acronym GREAT captures the powers she believes are available to every elder:

G – Generosity

Not gift-giving—presence, smiles, kindness. Simple gestures often matter most.

R – Relationships

Connection strengthens resilience. Conversation, shared memories, and companionship bridge isolation.

E – Empathy

Elders have lived through decades of experiences. “Been there, done that” is not dismissal; it’s insight.

A – Awareness

Pausing, noticing, and choosing the next step consciously. Awareness creates space between emotion and reaction.

T – Thankfulness

Gratitude calms, grounds, and heals. Even small moments—a call, a cup of tea, sunlight—can shift perspective.

Supporting elders in becoming “Elderific” means helping them tap into these powers intentionally and consistently.

 

The Hidden Emotion Beneath Anger: Fear

Therapists often encounter anger in older adults—anger about declining health, dependence on others, or the unfairness of aging. Carol emphasizes that:

Anger is almost always fear in disguise.

Fear of dying.
Fear of losing autonomy.
Fear of burdening others.
Fear of the unknown.

Professionals can help clients by:

• • Naming the fear
  • Exploring the beliefs attached to it
  • Noticing where fear lives in the body
  • Using breath as a calming anchor
  • Redirecting focus toward abilities, not losses

Fear does not disappear by ignoring it; it loosens its grip when acknowledged.

 

Grief: A Normal and Healthy Part of Aging

Grief isn’t just about death—it’s about the constant micro-losses that accompany aging:

• • Mobility changes
  • Shifts in identity
  • Reduced independence
  • Cognitive decline
  • The loss of peers, partners, or routines

Carol encouraged clinicians to normalize grief and invite clients to feel it. Tears, she noted, are not a setback—they’re a healing response.

But the goal is not to stay in grief.
Just as with mourning a loved one, individuals eventually shift toward remembering what still brings meaning, pleasure, humor, or connection.

Listing enjoyable daily activities can help elders rediscover small joys that anchor them during transition.

 

Finding Sacredness in End-of-Life Moments

Professionals in the session shared touching stories—cups of coffee defying doctor’s orders, long-forbidden ice cream enjoyed in final days, bedside storytelling that healed families.

Carol’s takeaway:

End of life can be profoundly sacred, ordinary, and meaningful—all at once.

Therapists can support this stage by:

• • Encouraging presence rather than avoidance
  • Honoring the elder’s choices
  • Validating their legacy
  • Facilitating meaningful conversations
  • Viewing death as a natural continuation, not a failure

Sometimes the most therapeutic act is simply sitting quietly beside someone who is dying, allowing them to share whatever remains.

 

Supporting Both the Elder and the Caregiver

Aging doesn’t just trigger fear in the person experiencing it—adult children, spouses, and caregivers often struggle with their own anxieties.

Professionals can help caregivers by:

• Naming the dual reality: “You’re supporting them and managing your own feelings”
• Encouraging self-compassion
• Recommending breaks, rituals, or nourishing activities
• Helping them reframe death as a transition rather than a catastrophe

Supporting both sides strengthens the entire caregiving ecosystem.

 

Aging Differently: Moving Toward a Culture That Honors Elders

Carol and attendees agreed: American culture struggles with aging.
We resist it, fear it, hide it, and stigmatize it.

Yet a cultural shift is underway. With a rapidly growing elder population, it’s time to rethink aging as:

• A developmental stage
• A period of continued growth
• A time of contribution
• A phase rich with wisdom and possibility

Carol’s work—and the conversations happening within CAP—aims to help practitioners lead that shift.

 

Looking Ahead

Carol’s upcoming book Elderific will explore these themes in depth and offer practical exercises for therapists, caregivers, and older adults themselves. To receive updates, she invited professionals to reach out directly via email.

And for those interested in CAP’s ongoing programming, next month’s presentation will focus on goal and intention setting, complete with worksheets, visualization exercises, and tools for personal and professional growth.

 

Final Thoughts

Working with elders is not merely clinical—it’s relational, spiritual, and deeply human. Carol’s stories remind us that aging is not something to fear or fix, but something to enter fully, with acceptance, humor, gratitude, and connection.

When professionals approach aging with this mindset, they create space for clients to discover the superpowers they’ve had all along.

Carol ‘s contact information:

Email: carol@prajnahealingarts.com

 

Website: 

 

 

Exploring the Power of Microdosing: Insights from Charity Mills’ CAP Presentation

On November 14, the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists (CAP) hosted an illuminating presentation led by Charity Mills, licensed mental health professional and CEO of Colorado Teletherapy Services and Grow Your Own Thoughts. This impromptu 90-minute Zoom session brought together clinicians, students, and mental health professionals eager to deepen their understanding of psilocybin microdosing, emerging neuroscience, and the evolving therapeutic landscape in Colorado.

What followed was a rich, in-depth conversation about brain science, mental health trends, policy changes, and how microdosing can support both clinicians and clients seeking new ways to heal.

 

Rising Mental Health Needs in a Changing World

Charity began by exploring the broader context behind the resurgence of psychedelic interest. The data is clear:

• • Depression has risen sharply over the past decade.
  • Anxiety, trauma, domestic violence, and addiction continue to climb.
  • Colorado consistently ranks among the top 10 states for suicide, divorce, and domestic violence.

Despite access to traditional interventions—SSRIs, SNRIs, talk therapy, CBT/DBT, EMDR—many individuals still feel stuck in old patterns of thinking and emotional looping. Charity emphasized that these struggles are often tied to rigid belief systems, chronic stress, and the brain’s limited neuroplasticity when left unsupported.

This is where psilocybin becomes relevant.

 

Why Psilocybin? A Neuroscience Perspective

Charity walked attendees through a clear and accessible explanation of how psilocybin works in the brain:

1. The Amygdala (Fight, Flight, Fear)

Psilocybin reduces blood flow to the amygdala, helping individuals step out of hypervigilance, emotional reactivity, and fear-driven responses.

2. The Prefrontal Cortex (Focus, Planning, Executive Function)

Microdosing excites the prefrontal cortex, enhancing:

• • Focus
  • Creativity
  • Long-term planning
  • Emotional regulation
  • Presence

This stands in stark contrast to substances such as alcohol and cannabis, which depress frontal-lobe activity.

3. The Default Mode Network (Inner Chatter)

Often overactive in anxiety, depression, and rumination, the DMN is quieted by psilocybin—creating space for new thinking, new insights, and new responses. Charity described it as shifting from rigid “I’ve always been this way” thinking into openness and curiosity.

4. Neuroplasticity & BDNF

Psilocybin increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports:

• • Growth of new neural connections
  • Rewiring of old thought patterns
  • Long-term shifts in mood and perspective

This differs from SSRIs, which often require ongoing use, contribute to blunted emotional affect, and create dependency through serotonin reuptake disruption.

 

Microdosing vs. Macrodosing: Two Paths, One Goal

Charity differentiated clearly between macrodosing (full psychedelic sessions) and microdosing (sub-hallucinogenic but noticeable shifts)

Macrodosing

• • Deep, introspective, often spiritual
  • Significant serotonin disruption
  • Requires supervision, integration, and preparation
  • Particularly helpful for trauma processing and insight

Microdosing

• • Small daily doses (often 0.05–0.5 g)
  • No hallucinations
  • Enhances clarity, mood stability, creativity, and presence
  • Supports long-term healing through repeated, gentle neural change
  • Allows individuals to work, drive, parent, and live life normally

Charity emphasized that microdosing should not be sub-perceptual:
You should notice your thinking slow down, feel softer around the edges, and experience a quieter mind.

Strain, Sourcing, and Safety

One of the most practical sections of Charity’s presentation focused on choosing the right mushroom strain.
For microdosing, the ideal strain is:

Golden Teacher

• • Moderate psilocybin
  • Low psilocin
  • Gentle, predictable, and well-studied

B+ (B-positive) is another acceptable option.

She strongly advised against:

• • “Mystery capsules” with unknown origins
  • Strain-stacking
  • Hybrids with unpredictable effects
  • Buying from retail shops claiming legality (illegal under current Colorado law)

When possible, cultivating at home or obtaining mushrooms through a therapeutic or harm-reduction agreement ensures both legality and quality.

 

Microdosing Every Day? Charity Says Yes.

One of the biggest Myths Charity addressed:
“You need days off to prevent tolerance.”

Not true for microdosing.

Because psilocybin’s half-life is short and it does not affect natural serotonin production, the body does not build tolerance at microdose levels. Many people benefit from daily use—especially during the first 30–90 days of healing.

This was welcome news for attendees who shared that their “off days” often brought irritability and a return of symptoms.

 

Ethics, Colorado Law, and Clinical Considerations

Charity provided an essential overview of Colorado’s legal framework:

Proposition 122 / SB 23-290 Makes Psilocybin:

• • Decriminalized (not legal for retail sales)
  • Legal to possess, grow, share, and gift
  • Accessible through therapeutic, harm-reduction, or spiritual guidance agreements
  • Exempt from probation violations and child-welfare penalties when used for mental health

Licensed Facilitators CAN PROVIDE SERVICES FOR REMUNERATION

Licensed healing centers with licensed facilitators must utilize products from licensed cultivators or licensed manufacturers. This is the only way to legally pay directly for psilocybin which must be consumed on the premises in the presence of the facilitator. This is most common for macro sessions. 

Within Colorado remuneration can be exchanged for harm reduction, spiritual or therapeutic services and therapeutic education, outside of the regulated facilitator model. This is often referred to as the personal use provision of the law. Clinicians can ethically stay within their lane as long as they do not directly sell mushrooms.

 

A Rich Q&A: Training, Medications, and Professional Pathways

The session closed with a deep and thoughtful Q&A covering topics such as:

• • How clinicians can train responsibly in microdosing support
  • How to assist clients on multiple medications (SSRIs, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers)
  • When microdosing requires supervision (e.g., schizophrenia, severe bipolar disorder)
  • The difference between regulated macrodosing vs. unregulated microdosing
  • Ethical referral pathways
  • How microdosing complements integration after larger journeys
  • How clinicians can join group sessions to observe real-world client experiences

Charity reaffirmed her commitment to ethical practice, client safety, and respect for the therapeutic relationships clients already have.

 

A New Frontier for Mental Health

Charity’s presentation offered more than information—it offered hope.

Microdosing is not a magic cure, nor is it a replacement for therapy or medication. But in the right context, with the right education and support, it can open space for healing, neuroplasticity, emotional balance, and renewed connection to oneself and others.

For clinicians, educators, and community members, it marks a powerful emerging tool in the evolving landscape of mental wellness.

 

Charity ‘s contact information:

Email: Charity@cts-gyot.com

Website: https://growyourownthoughts.org/

 

 

Reclaiming Healing Through Body, Soul, and Nature: Insights from Somatic Therapist Katie Asmus

Modern psychotherapy has made significant advances in cognitive understanding, yet many practitioners recognize a gap: profound healing does not occur through insight alone. Somatic therapist and educator Katie Asmus, MA, LPC, BMP, offers a compelling reminder that true transformation requires the integration of body, soul, and nature.

In a recent Colorado Association of Psychotherapists (CAP) educational session, Asmus guided fellow therapists through the foundations of somatic and nature-based therapeutic practice, emphasizing a return to the body as the original language of healing.

Illness as Stagnation — Health as Movement

Asmus shared a powerful premise: illness is not the opposite of health; rather, illness is what happens when movement becomes restricted. Instead of pathologizing symptoms, somatic approaches view physical and emotional pain as blocked energy. When individuals are supported to move — physically, emotionally, vocally, or energetically — flow returns and integration becomes possible.

While traditional talk therapy may inadvertently reinforce cognitive looping, somatic practices invite embodiment through breath, gesture, rhythm, and sensation tracking. These tools allow the nervous system to process what the mind cannot articulate.

The Body as First Language

According to Asmus, the body speaks before the mind does. Sensations arise before thought and often carry more truth than verbal interpretation. Instead of asking, “What are you feeling?” she encourages clinicians to begin with, “Where do you feel it?” This small shift helps clients bypass defensiveness and access deeper self-awareness.

Because trauma is stored physiologically rather than intellectually, therapeutic interventions must be designed to reach the felt sense, not just the narrative.

Nature as Co-Therapist

While somatic work can be done in any setting, Asmus emphasizes that nature significantly enhances therapeutic outcomes. Research shows that even brief exposure to natural environments can lower cortisol, stabilize heart rate, improve respiration, and promote emotional regulation.

Nature-based therapy does not require dramatic landscapes or wilderness immersion. Simple practices such as walking sessions, outdoor check-ins, sitting beneath a tree, or tracking weather patterns can deepen presence and increase resilience. For therapists working indoors or remotely, nature can be invited into session through intentional observation of light, natural objects, or pauses to orient toward sound or movement occurring outside.

Tolerating Sensation as Core Competency

One of the greatest barriers to healing is not emotion itself, but the inability to tolerate the bodily sensations that accompany it. Asmus teaches practical interventions that help clients build tolerance without overwhelm. These include:

• Moving between activation and resource (known as pendulation)

• Orienting the senses to reestablish safety and presence

• Utilizing grounding objects or postural containment

• Encouraging subtle movement to facilitate discharge without destabilization

These tools support autonomic regulation, enabling clients to complete emotional cycles rather than suppress them.

Soul-Based Therapy and Unstoried Trauma

Asmus also invites therapists to explore the layer of healing that exists beyond spoken language. She refers to this as soul work — where movement, sound, ritual, and imagery become valid pathways for integration. Not all trauma is storied, and not all healing requires verbal processing. Some experiences are meant to be sung, cried, shaken, or symbolically laid to rest.

This perspective honors the wisdom of indigenous and ancestral healing traditions, where emotion is not managed but expressed communally through ceremony and movement.

Integrating Somatic and Nature-Based Practices — Even Without Formal Certification

Asmus reassures clinicians that they do not need to be extensively trained in somatics or wilderness therapy to begin incorporating these modalities. Small, accessible invitations can be added to any session:

• “Let’s pause and notice how your body is supported right now.”

• “Before we continue, let’s both look around the space and take in what’s here.”

• “Would it feel grounding to step outside for a moment before moving forward?”

• “If your hands could express what your words cannot, what movement might they make?”

These interventions create openings for embodied awareness without requiring significant restructuring of one’s primary modality.

Call to Action: Engage with the CAP Community

The Colorado Association of Psychotherapists (CAP) remains committed to advancing therapeutic education that honors the full spectrum of healing practices — cognitive, emotional, somatic, and spiritual. Therapists who wish to deepen their professional network, access high-quality trainings, and support psychotherapist advocacy in Colorado are encouraged to explore membership or attend future events at coloradopsychotherapists.org.

Continue Learning with Katie Asmus

Therapists seeking further training in somatic and nature-based modalities can explore Katie Asmus’ extensive offerings. She provides in-person and virtual workshops, professional certification tracks, individual consultations, and seasonal retreats designed to help practitioners embody their own regulation while guiding others.

Her trainings include topics such as:

• The Somatic Road Map Webinar
• Ethical, Logistical and Practical Considerations for Outdoor Therapy Webinar
• A Guide to Creating Personally Meaningful & Culturally Relevant Ceremony
• The 5 Nature Therapy Practices Guide

More information about her programs can be found at Somatic Nature Therapy Institute at www.somaticnaturetherapy.com. 

Hashtags for Professional Sharing

#SomaticTherapy #NatureBasedTherapy #TraumaInformedPractice #MindBodyIntegration #EcoTherapy #TherapistEducation #EmbodiedHealing #NervousSystemRegulation #ClinicalTraining #HolisticPsychotherapy

David’ Hoefer’s Non-Logical Approach to Wellness

Introduction

Hello, my name is Shari Hartz, and I am the treasurer for the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists (CAP). As a hypnotist, my field of study and practice revolves around the power of the mind and how it operates in our world. Today, I want to share with you some significant changes within our organization and how we are adapting to new legal landscapes to continue supporting our community.

The Shift from Advocacy to Education/Join Us in Our Educational Mission

In recent times, the laws surrounding the practice of psychotherapy in Colorado have changed. Previously, individuals from other states could come to Colorado and sign up as licensed psychotherapists. However, due to the new regulations, we can no longer bring in new unlicensed psychotherapists. This shift has led CAP to transition from a licensing-focused organization to one that is primarily educational.

We invite those in our field, whether you are a hypnotist, psychotherapist, or another orientation, to join CAP. By becoming a member or donating to our organization, you can help us continue providing valuable educational resources and talks, such as the recent presentation by David, a seasoned psychotherapist since 2010.

David Hoefer’s Non-Logical Approach to Wellness

David, a member of CAP, discussed in his presentation called a non-logical approach to wellness, focusing on the history of depression. His talk was inspired by personal experiences that suggest embracing depression. David’s journey through depression led to profound awareness and personal growth, which he shared with our community. Below are some key concepts from his theory:

Major Terms and Concepts

1. Embrace Your Depression David encourages embracing depression rather than resisting it. This approach allowed him to gain profound awareness and insights into his condition.
2. Non-Logical Psychology This term refers to David’s approach of moving beyond traditional logical analysis to understand and address mental health issues. Instead of relying on logic and analysis to overcome depression, David suggests embracing feelings and allowing them to naturally alter one’s chemistry and perceptions.
3. Self-Awareness and Reaction David emphasizes the importance of becoming aware of one’s reactions. By noticing and minimizing reactions, individuals can begin to dissolve the conditioning—both conscious and unconscious—that contributes to their mental health challenges.
4. Subjective Reality and Identity David discusses the idea of subjective reality, where individuals often reinforce their own identities through affirmations or visualizations. He argues that true growth comes from stepping outside of this subjective box and embracing feelings that have been evaded, which can lead to changes in chemistry, neurology, and perception.
5. Ruthless Objectivity This concept involves observing oneself without flinching or taking things personally. By doing so, individuals can incorporate qualities that lead to personal growth and transformation.
6. Evolution Beyond Self-Reinforcing Identity David suggests that evolving beyond a self-reinforcing identity requires moving into an evolving self and reality. This process cannot rely on traditional methods like visualization or affirmation but rather involves trusting the unknown and embracing feelings without reaction.
7. Feelings as Condensed Information David views feelings as highly condensed forms of information that affect every protein in our bodies. Rather than being inconvenient nuisances, they are essential elements of consciousness that, when experienced without reaction, can lead to new perceptions and personal growth.

You can I receive a copy of David’s presentation

To receive a copy of David’s PowerPoint presentation, please provide your email address to DiscoverTheSelf@Yahoo.com

Conclusion

CAP is committed to adapting and thriving in the changing landscape of psychotherapy in Colorado. By focusing on education, we aim to support our community and continue fostering growth and understanding in the field of mental health. We welcome you to join us on this journey.

Get access to David’s new Book called The Inner Space Traveler by choosing the link below.

The Inner Space Traveler

For more information or a consultation, please contact David via his email address.

Email: DiscoverTheSelf@Yahoo.com

You Can Rewire Your Brain – Tools for Rewiring the Brain

Introduction: Understanding the Power of Neuroplasticity

During the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists meeting, the participants discussed the value of understanding Neuroplasticity and how the brain can be rewired.  In our journey through life, we often encounter obstacles that challenge our mental and emotional well-being. These challenges can manifest as fears, anxieties, or deeply ingrained belief systems. However, by tapping into the power of neuroplasticity, we can transform our mindset and enhance our mental capacity. This blog post explores the significance of neuroplasticity and how overcoming fear can lead to a more fulfilling life. Shari Hartz discussed these key concepts in our recent session, and through the discussion, we uncovered the insights listed below.

Facing Fear: The First Step to Freedom

Fear is a common motivator that influences our decisions and actions. It often arises from the uncertainty of the unknown and the comfort of staying within our safe zones. However, avoiding fear only leads to mental clutter, as our brains work tirelessly to manage unresolved issues. By confronting our fears, we free up mental space, allowing us to think more clearly and creatively.

The Role of Neuroplasticity in Overcoming Challenges

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This process is crucial for personal growth and healing. By working through personal issues, we can increase our mental capacity and reduce the cognitive load caused by unresolved conflicts. This newfound clarity empowers us to present ideas and concepts more effectively.

Stepping Out of the Box: Real Conversations on Rewiring the Brain

We recently concluded an inspiring group session that delved into the connection between emotional awareness, neuroplasticity, and intentional mindset shifts. Here are some key insights and practices from the discussion that highlight the transformative power of these conversations.

Reflecting on Fear, Mood, and Mental Capacity

One participant shared a profound realization about the mental capacity gained by confronting deep emotional issues. By facing fears rather than avoiding them, they discovered how much cognitive energy was being used to maintain a sense of safety. This insight highlighted how unresolved inner conflicts can impact mental clarity and even contribute to cognitive decline or illness.

Finding Joy in the Simple Things

Another participant discussed how a shift in routine after surgery led to a new mindfulness practice. Simple acts like sitting outside, watching birds, and breathing deeply were found to significantly improve mood and daily outlook. Similarly, reconnecting with movement, such as dancing, brought immense joy and set a positive tone for the day.

The Power of Scheduling and Intention

The group emphasized the importance of intentionally scheduling joyful or mindful activities rather than relying on memory. This approach aligns with the core ideas of the 3-Day Rewiring Challenge, which focuses on building habits through structure, support, and repetition.

Presence, Reactions, and the Path to Conscious Living

The discussion also explored how becoming more present can dissolve unconscious conditioning. By noticing reactions without judgment, individuals can open the door to transformation and change their relationship with life.

Rewiring the Brain: A Guided Challenge

The 3-Day Rewiring Your Brain Challenge offers a structured approach to shifting emotional states and building new neural pathways. It includes:

– Day 1: Reconnecting with your brain

– Day 2: Understanding neuroplasticity

– Day 3: Practicing rewiring techniques

 If you would like to continue this conversation, several options are available.

• Self-Directed (Free): Work at your own pace and have access to a community of like-minded people.
• Group Experience ($49): Work with a group in daily meetings over the three-day challenge, where you receive live support, accountability, and community interaction. If you are unable to attend in person, video recordings of each day’s presentation will be available.

(You can even use the code HALFCAP for 50% off the group version. The code will be available through September of 2025)

Final Reflections

The session reminded us that transformation often begins with small, intentional acts like deep breathing, dancing, or scheduling activities. The journey of rewiring the brain starts with awareness, continues through courageous action, and thrives in community.

 Click here to access the Free 3-Day Challenge

Rewiring the Brain: Insights from Hypnosis, Communication, and Coaching

Introduction to CAP and My Journey

As a hypnotist and college professor teaching communication, I’ve had a unique journey blending psychotherapy, hypnosis, and coaching. I’m also a proud member of the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists (CAP), an organization that has served as a vital resource for unlicensed therapists, coaches, and holistic practitioners in Colorado since the early 1990s.

CAP was initially created for legislative advocacy and education. Over time, its focus shifted, especially after regulatory changes reclassified registered psychotherapists as “unlicensed,” and halted new registrations. Despite these setbacks, our commitment to diversity in mental health care remains strong.

Embracing a Multidisciplinary Approach

CAP represents a wide spectrum of professionals—from licensed psychologists to hypnotists, coaches, and practitioners of alternative modalities like Chinese medicine. This diversity fosters a vibrant community for consultation, networking, and collective support.

Personally, my path into hypnosis began in 1991, inspired by a desire to help a loved one through cancer. While that specific instance wasn’t a success, it sparked a passion that has influenced my work ever since. I became a certified coach in 2019, further expanding my toolbox.

Intrapersonal Communication: What Are You Saying to Yourself?

One of the foundational concepts I teach in both hypnosis and communication is intrapersonal communication—the conversation you have with yourself. I often ask people: “What are the last three things you said to yourself?” This question reveals the tone of our inner dialogue, which significantly impacts mental health and self-image.

Would you say those things to a child? If not, why say them to yourself?

The Power of Repetition and Salience

Neuroscience shows that the brain is shaped by repetition. As Joe Dispenza puts it, “Neurons that fire together, wire together.” This means our thoughts create neural pathways—positive or negative—that become habits.

A classic example is the “Clean Plate Club.” Many of us were taught to finish all the food on our plate, even when full. These early messages override our body’s natural signals, leading to ingrained, sometimes unhealthy behaviors. Recognizing and reframing these early beliefs can break the cycle.

The Brain’s Ability to Change: Neuroplasticity and Mindset

Our brains are not fixed. Through neuroplasticity, we can rewire connections at any age. Carol Dweck’s research on fixed vs. growth mindset reinforces this: most skills aren’t innate—they’re developed through effort. Hypnosis and coaching both leverage this principle to foster personal growth.

As we age, adapting becomes even more important. I’ve personally experienced how lifestyle changes, intuitive awareness, and mental shifts are necessary for physical and emotional health.

Trusting Intuition and the Subconscious Mind

Our subconscious often picks up on things before our conscious mind does. Intuition plays a crucial role in decision-making and personal safety. Ignoring our inner voice can lead us astray, while tuning in can lead to powerful insights.

Reframing: A Tool for Healing

One powerful technique from both hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy is reframing. It involves reinterpreting past experiences to reduce emotional impact. This simple yet powerful mental shift can create immediate transformation when practiced with awareness.

Circle of Control: Managing What Matters

Stephen Covey’s “Circle of Control” concept encourages us to focus on what we can control, which expands our influence over time. It’s a valuable reminder that our energy is best spent on the actionable, not the abstract.

CAP Today: A Platform for Growth and Community

While CAP may no longer have the legislative clout it once did, it continues to be a place for education, professional development, and mutual support. We host regular presentations and discussions to help professionals grow and adapt in this evolving field.

We welcome coaches, therapists, hypnotists, and other healing professionals to join us. Your voice, experience, and energy can help keep this community vibrant and responsive to future needs.

Ready to Rewire Your Brain? Join My Free 3-Day Challenge!

If you’re curious about how to create real, lasting change in your mindset and emotional patterns, I invite you to join my free 3-Day Challenge: Rewire Your Brain for Clarity, Calm, and Change.

Each day includes:

• A short video lesson
• A downloadable tool or worksheet
• A guided audio exercise for deep mental shifts

Whether you’re a coach, therapist, healer—or just someone seeking personal transformation—this challenge will help you understand how to leverage neuroplasticity and hypnosis-informed techniques in your everyday life.

 Click here to access the Free 3-Day Challenge