Juanita Ratner, MA, LPC

Holistic Psychotherapy and Trauma Work

NEW LOCATION!

Schleier Mansion
1665 Grant Street
Denver, CO 80203
720-443-8866

jr.counseling@hotmail.com

Philosophy of Practice
Juanita Ratner is a Licensed Professional Counselor, specializing in holistic, spiritually based therapies. She has been in clinical practice for eleven years. In addition to her practice, she has taught meditation, awareness techniques and centering prayer. She has led personal growth groups for several years. Juanita is an affiliate faculty member at Regis University and has presented workshops for the Colorado Counseling Association and the New Mexico Counseling Association.

Areas of Emphasis
She works with clients concerning:
- Trauma Dynamics Work
- Specialized training in trauma release methods
- Relationships
- Depression
- Anxiety and Panic Attacks
- Stress Management
- Life Passages
- Childhood Issues
- Women's Issues
- Sexual Orientation Issues
- Communication skills
- Getting more enjoyment and meaning from life
- Meditation and self-awareness
- Personal growth and integration

Experience
In her counseling, Juanita draws upon wisdom and techniques learned in over 25 years of study in the spiritual traditions of both the East and the West. This insight gives Juanita a unique ability to understand and communicate with her clients within their frame of reference. Using shared experiences, music, journaling and poetry as tools for integration and growth, she also leads "Searching for My Real Self Workshops," which are based on her book with the same name.

Philosophy
Holisic psychotherapy acknowledges the interrelationship between body, emotions, mind and spirit. Juanita's approach is an eclectic one, drawing from many theoretical approaches and techniques, including her own intuition and spontaneous creativity. She uses those methods that best meet the clients' needs, working with what the client presents.

With a supportive counseling relationship, many realize a deeper, more knowing aspect of themselves. This inner wisdom can guide you in meeting life's challenges and can open you to healing and growth.

Methods
"The core of my counseling approach is to provide an environment of complete openness and caring that is non-judgmental. We explore your concerns or issues in an atmosphere where anything can be discussed. We may use your dreams, journaling, drawing, dance, music and nature as healing tools. Together, we will examine significant childhood experiences; beliefs or old thought patterns and evaluate options for growth."

The role of the unconscious mind
The unconscious mind is like an iceberg: we only see a small portion of it; most of it is below the surface. The mind holds forgotten memories, sources of creative energies, and a deep capacity for understanding. By exploring the connections between current difficulties we are experiencing and old hurts of the past, we may recover important keys to healing ourselves. Habits, strategies for coping, even illnesses may have their roots in unconscious causes. What feels like a problem may also be an invitation from our deepest self.

The body /mind /spirit has innate wisdom for the healing process
The body knows how to heal a cut or an illness without having to be taught. There's a similar principle within the emotions and phsysiology of the body. Old hurts and the traces they have left in the nervous system can be healed by seeing, reliving, and feeling connections between now and the past, within a spiritual atmosphere of presence integrated with a deeper understanding. This is healing in itself and doesn't require us "fixing" ourselves, although we can also experiment with new behaviors and ways of thinking. You may find it a call to awakening to a deeper dimension of life and yourself.

The question of medication
A variety of chemical interventions, including herbs, flower essences, and traditional Western medications can supplement talk therapies. Our preference is always for the least invasive approach that will be effective.

Trauma and Holistic Therapy
Unfortunately, many people have experienced trauma. Trauma can result from:

- Accidents
- Medical or Dental procedures
- Major diseases and painful physical conditions
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Abusive relationships
- Violent crime
- Political violence or oppression
- Rape or sexual abuse
- Military and war experiences
- Witnessing, attending, or otherwise being involved in one of the situations above can cause trauma. Symptoms of trauma include recurring imagery of the event, disturbed sleep patterns, nightmares, hyper-vigilance, anxiety or depression, difficulty with intimacy, feelings of guilt or unreasonable fears, loss of interest in normal life activities, recurring headaches and other bodily complaints. Some theorists suspect that many conditions identified as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder may actually stem from past trauma.

Dr. Peter Levine has pioneered work in releasing the unresolved attempts within the nervous system to successfully navigate the traumatic situation. I have been trained in trauma release work and can provide cutting edge interventions that can lessen or alleviate the aftereffects of trauma. After some preparatory skill development, I work with you to safely and mindfully integrate the traumatic experience. Active care is taken to prevent re-traumatizing you; rather, we focus on releasing energies which are needing to work themselves out of the nervous system. This approach also includes exercises to strengthen positive life activities and coping skills that trauma often undermines. Body, emotions, and mind are all benefited through this integrated approach, which works with beliefs, habits, nervous system functioning, as well as various types of memory. Clients often report feeling peaceful and reenergized after a trauma release session.