I see myself as being like you. I don’t see myself as a “blank screen” onto which you project all your “issues”. Of course you have issues and of course you will project some of them onto me. That is not the point. I think it can be used by psychologists to not make a deeper connection with people. Psychologists like everyone are people with feelings and thoughts. To the extent that those feelings and thoughts could be helpful to you I will share them. Of course that means that thought goes into such issues. I will not be aloof and superior to you as some feel that psychologists seem to be. I want to be ‘in there with you’ helping you see in a way you have not seen, helping you to think in a way you have not thought and helping you to ‘be’ a way you have wanted to ‘be’. Part of the issue is that I believe that you have a sense in your heart and soul of how you want to be and my job is to help you or your child to find that part of yourself and nurture, support and challenge it to grow.

This is why my values of compassion, candor and connection are critical. Unless you and I can relate and connect I will not truly know what your ‘deal’ is. If I don’t know then how can I help? This is partly where my transparency comes into play. I am not perfect just like you are not perfect. We both want to ‘close the gap’. I am working to ‘close my gap’ and I am making progress. I want to help you do the same.

No, this is not the same as talking to a friend. It is deeper. In fact, one of my friends in college coined the phrase “depth without form” to characterize me. I will comfort you and support you, but also challenge you to think and do things that you have been unable to get yourself to do. I want to encourage and ‘embolden’ you. It is a warm and supportive relationship, but it is different. It is professional, but it should have energy, intensity and passion to help you.

Biofeedback is not a magic bullet. Contrary to the impression you might get from some people it will not cure everything known to man. Besides is it really sensible to say biofeedback is curing someone? Truly the person is learning to heal herself. The feedback is simply making her aware of what is going on. The patient has to figure it out on some unconscious or preconscious level. Biofeedback is only part of the process.

In the last year I have learned that more than anything I offer a vital, exciting, empathic, understanding and challenging relationship to people. Biofeedback is only one tool which I use. It is not the only thing and cannot be the primary thing I offer. The relationship I will have with you must be primary.

However, biofeedback is a very interesting tool indeed. This is partly because ‘biofeedback’ means to give biological signals back to you. That is a thoughtful definition of biofeedback. So, it is you learning about you. You learn about how to change your own brain, or your heart rate or you allow yourself to be ‘entrained’ or taken to states you seek, but have difficulty getting to on your own. So, biofeedback is just a sophisticated way of looking into a mirror of your physical self and how changes you make in it change your self and your life.

Making sense of all this, that is my forte. Indeed, philosophically, spiritually, socially, psychologically, existentially, developmentally, organizationally and professionally, I can help you put yourself in a context that is meaningful, compassionate, and astute. I can help you to get perspectives that you had not considered or got lost in the chaos of your life. I can help you think more clearly and see yourself with greater clarity. This is what makes me different. It is not just the machines or the technology. They are just tools. THIS is why you should choose us.

Charles Shinaver Ph.D. Dr. Charles Shinaver III, Ph.D is located in Carmel, IN. Dr. Charles Shinaver III, Ph.D Specializes in Indiana Anxiety and Stress Treatments, Indianapolis Depression Treatments, and Indiana Parenting Coach.