A new year’s checkin with Deb Langhans….

Deb Langhans

I last referred you to Deb Langhans as that crazy & fun medium Madam Arcati in Stage Left’s recent production of Blithe Spirit.

Now Deb’s switched hats again & will be offering a special workshop on Saturday, January 14th through her business, Wholistic Health Options (you can contact her at bethechange5 (at) rockisland.com or 378-8907). Since the workshop title intrigued me, I decided to corner Deb with some questions… here’s an excerpt from our interview:

Q.  Inner Journey Collage–that’s an intriguing title for a workshop.  Say more.

A. Carl Jung taught that we all have multiple selves within & that completion–wholeness–is achieved only as we can acknowledge & honor each of those different parts of ourselves. Inner Journey Collage (IJC) helps you do that in a fun & therapeutic way.

This upcoming workshop represents some of the work I do one-on-one with my wholistic health coaching clients… In that setting, they typically start with an “Identity” card–one of those various personalities within, for instance, “Dutiful Daughter,” or “Nurturer,” or “Perfectionist”–some part of themselves they’d like to explore & better understand.  With that intention, they choose from a wide variety of images I supply to create their card on 6″ x 9″ mat board.

Once completed, they learn how to “dialogue” with those images–that process taps their intuition & inner wisdom & provides insight into aspects of their past, present &/or future perhaps never before realized.  When I first dialogued with images from my “Wounded Child” card, I learned things about my mother that I never accessed through counseling.

The IJC process allows us to better understand & accept ourselves–all parts of ourselves.  That’s tremendously empowering.  I’ll be facilitating the same process during the workshop on January 14th, plus I’ll do numerous exercises to help prime everyone’s unconscious pumps, so to speak.

Q.  You mentioned “wholistic health coaching” clients.  Could you clarify that type of coaching a little?  

A.  I call my coaching “wholistic” because it addresses the whole person–mind, body, heart & spirit.  I’ve been a wellness educator for about 20 years, which means I’ve been approaching health or well-being in a “wholistic” way for quite a while.  My B.A. is in Psychology & I’m a former Registered Counselor with the State of Washington.  No matter what clients come in for, I address their health on all levels–mental, physical, emotional, spiritual.

Q.  And you do bodywork also. I’m sure glad you’ve done reflexology on me.

A.  Yes, I offer reflexology of the feet, ears, face & hands, plus some massage therapy, which incorporates a variety of modalities I’ve adapted over the years as a licensed massage therapist.

Q.  Okay, now a ticklish question: It’s no secret that most businesses have slowed down during this economic downturn.  I understand that you’re still booking weeks ahead. What’s your theory on that?

A. You’re right, Ian, that is a ticklish question!  Let me try to answer it this way.

My vision for Wholistic Health Options remains the same today as when I opened 2+ years ago: I’m committed to offering effective, client-specific services & keeping them as affordable & accessible as possible.  I’ve always focused on educating clients about the importance of adequate self-care & stress management.

Women especially can struggle with self-neglect, overcommitment, perfectionism, setting appropriate boundaries…  Stress triggers or at least exacerbates most physical problems & visits to the doctor.  So targeting both those areas through coaching & touch therapy really influences the quality of our health on all levels.

My wellness educator background, as I said before, enables me to provide much more than touch therapy to clients, whether they initially come in for reflexology, massage or coaching. That includes offering resources, customizing guided imagery & light trance work, & facilitating a wide variety of studio & home activities for deepening their personal development work.

I once read a quote by author Jo Courdert that’s remained a guidepost in both my professional & personal life:
“Of all the people you will know in a lifetime, you are the only one you will never leave nor lose.  To the question of your life, you are the only answer.  To the problems of your life, you are the only solution.”  I believe helping clients discover the power within is my greatest responsibility… & my greatest privilege.

I’m very grateful that islanders continue to resonate with the services & perspectives I offer.

Q.  One final question:  What do you say to islanders who say they can’t afford such extras?

A.  Adequate self-care (including stress management) is not a luxury.  Especially in these unstable times, it’s a necessity.  My clients, most of them with limited funds, have chosen to prioritize their health & personal development.  Those without discretionary income can still choose to challenge the quality of their thoughts, exercise & rest regularly, eat responsibly, pursue meaningful relationships & work… Regardless of our budget, we always have a choice to live this one precious life as healthily as possible.

I’ve known Deb for a few years now, and she’s a great reflexologist who has a natural way with figuring out what a person needs to grow, as well. Give her a call and check in – you’ll be glad you did!

You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.