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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the world's oldest medical systems. Reading Decolonizing Therapy at the end of post-graduate clinical internship confirmed my aspiration of integrating Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine for emotional well-being and mental health conditions. Learning about holistic theories like Yin-Yang and the 5 Elements not only felt familiar but ignited the need to reclaim what is true to my heart as a clinician: helping people realize their capability to heal from trauma and grow grounded in their inherent value. It has been a year since starting the program at Wongu University. Learning TCM concepts such as 'Calming the Shen' enriches the way mindfulness-based counseling are provided. In additional to mental health therapy, energy flow through the meridians for vitality and the value of preserving one's essence with a healthy lifestyle reflect the heart of services. As I continue this journey as an integrative mental health provider, I reflect on why prioritizing people's health over profits is important in the way I support the souls I get to hold space for. Learning TCM highlights the personal and ancestral value in connecting with the cultural traditions that shaped the way we deepen healing capacities within the self, in relationship, and with our communities. What are the healing practices from your lineage worth (re)connecting to?  If you're interested in receiving integrative mental health care, schedule a free consultation.
Stay connected with Shannon — Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • LinkedIn There are a pair of muscles around the hips that hug the sides of your lumbar spine. It’s the main muscle that’s activated in fight-or-flight, during mental and emotional stress. In yoga theory, emotional trauma is stored at the hips ~ with a mindful movement practice, practitioners learn how to release energy that have already served its purpose by letting go of tension being held in the body. If you experience emotional sensitivity, reactivity, or an autonomic trauma response, it's a suggestion to ease the mind by lengthening and strengthening the psoas while using the breath as a guide for self-regulation. Engage in deep hip openers and active practices that ground the body and center the mind. The words, 'seated' and 'grounded,' can have unique meanings for each individual. When you settle into the psoas muscle with yoga postures (such as child’s pose or frog) and mindful breathing, you get to explore the concept of what it means to be truly grounded in the sanctuary of your body. The soul muscle, your psoas, is a connection to your roots, where you've been, your emotional history and ancestral energy (the strengths and shortcomings of one's ancestors). You’re not defined by your ancestors though and you get to reauthor the story of your life because you have the gift of being alive. You are unconditionally supported when you learn how to make peace with the energy you were born from, the family you were born into, and the body you have. With cultivated capacity, you have options on how to move and approach circumstances. Are you moving with self-trust and feeling secure or are you drifting by, not sure of your place in the world? Spend quality time stretching and strengthening your soul muscle, the psoas, breathe into the hips, get in touch with your emotions, and notice if any insights or reflections surface. Awareness is key. If you're interested in receiving integrative mental health care, schedule a free consultation.
Stay connected with Shannon — Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • LinkedIn Depression is a feeling of heaviness in the heart. Many times, it's a sadness; maybe it's a sadness that relates to what you don't have, a fixation on opportunities that passed you by, or conditioning that worth is derived from external reward (i.e. a relationship, job or career, money, socioeconomic and perceived social status, your accomplishments). It's okay to want certain external rewards and sometimes, they can serve as a a motivating force to build and maintain momentum for a season. Other seasons, there may be a standstill: a humbling reminder to slow down, pause, and acknowledge what's truly important - especially if what you' re putting your energy into isn't working or fulfilling for your unique life path. An external drive without internal recharge can be exhausting. In Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a creature described by the Anishinaabe people, the Windigo monster, was a metaphor for an insatiable hunger that fuels destructive consumption, a void that cannot be filled. In human behavior, it can be seen as substance abuse and other addictions such as constant one night stands, online shopping leading to overwhelming debt, or problematic gambling. In a more socially acceptable context, it might be the constant need to achieve and then there's a burnout for what's meaningful (i.e. your needs; quality time with yourself, loved ones, and joyful hobbies). If you experience depression, learn how to be a diver so you can safely navigate the depths of your emotions and understand why your worth stems from within. While you're on the deep end, establish and strengthen your roots: what helps you to anchor in the safety of present moment so you can experience gratitude with where you're at and what you have right now. Gratitude can coexist throughout the healing journey.  If you're interested in receiving integrative mental health care, schedule a free consultation.
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Shannon Dompor Guese is a Yoga Teacher (RYT 500), Holistic Psychotherapist (LCPC), and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine - Acupuncture & Herbology) student who focuses on the mind-body connection, self-love, and mental well-being. She is a lifelong learner of integrative mental health and holistic practices to develop her expertise in providing comprehensive care for the Las Vegas community.
Inspired by nature, Shannon believes in connecting to one's ancestral roots. 
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