The primary purpose of One Health Institute (OHI) is to teach the latest high-impacting information on the healing power of integrating body and mind, through the 'bodymind connection,' to as many individuals as possible to maximize psychological and physical health.
So through its "Healing Images across America Project," OHI is providing a train-the-trainer model that offers training on the various research-documented integrative techniques like guided imagery, music therapy, and journaling, to health care professionals who treat patients with cancer, with the goal of reaching those smaller cancer clinics that cannot afford training fees, as well as the facility of the larger hospitals whose cancer patients are primarily of low/moderate income and are often underinsured or uninsured. OHI has been offering guided imagery training and certifications since 2002 to medical professionals across the United States.
Guided imagery, which can feel a bit more complex to a medical profesional than journaling or music therapy, is one of the most empowering forms of treatment of illnesses that exists, which is why these professionals are seeking a greater understanding for its use. It is a tool that can help patients tap deeply into the communication system of their bodymind so that they can speed healing and improve overall effectiveness of medical treatments when used consistently and in conjunction with modern conventional medicine.
Studies have shown that guided imagery reduces fear, depression, tension and stress; helps to manage pain and nausea; enhances the immune response to assist the body's natural healing abilities; deepens intuitive skills, thereby enabling a person to make better choices; deepens one's "will to live;" and helps individuals evaluate and change unhealthy beliefs in order to more effectively journey back to health.
OHI aims to simultaneously make available The Cancer Involvement Program: An Integrative & Holistic Approach to Conventional Medical Treatment, a complete packaged guided imagery program for those underserved cancer patients to keep and take home with them in order to receive more complete care in a more cost-effective manner.
This program includes an easy-to-understand manual of basic bodymind science, a journaling program designed to be interactive with the imagery, and nine different recorded guided imagery sessions (in CDs or cassettes) that speak to the various stages of cancer treatment - all designed to teach a person with cancer how to communicate more intentionally with his or her own body and mind.
In the first project year, Dr. Sandy Jost, OHI Founder and an expert in alternative healing and the bodymind connection, hopes to deliver pre-funded trainings to 150 professionals recruited from these identified hospitals and clinics. Dr. Sandy Jost has invested her time, energy and spirit to develop a broad base of relationships with leaders at large hospitals systems. But if you think your hospital should qualify for this specialized training, please give Sandy a call at 636-273-9032.
Staff members, such as oncology specialty nurses, staff nurses, social workers and others, can choose either a 4-hour or 14-hour training, either of which satisfies Missouri Nurses Association Accreditation for continuing education units. Upon completion of the 4-hour training, each professional has a basic understanding of the tool of guided imagery and the science behind it. The 14-hour training will certify practitioners in the ability to use guided imagery as a tool so that individual guided imagery sessions can be offered directly to patients. OHI will provide its Cancer Involvement Program to each of these 150 trained professionals, with a goal to deliver a total of 1,000 of these programs free of charge, to the cancer patients they serve.
OHI's "Healing Images across Missouri Project" is the first stage for building the capacity of medical professionals, clinics and patients across America in a very cost-effective manner. Scholarships are being given to professionals who are getting certified to use integrative techniques. Click here to go to one of the first certification symposiums using these scholarships. http://www.healingimages.com/classes.
"Healing begins with an embodied vision of that very possibility. In her Cancer Involvement Series, Dr. Jost has created a set of powerful images to help people who are facing the challenges of illness and treatment. Her empowering approach takes seriously the holistic premise that healing is an integrative process that best happens when a person's own creative power engages with his or her medical therapies."
Valerie Yancey RN PhD, HNC, CCRN, CHPCN; Professor
"Integrative medicine is a blend of allopathic and complementary medicine for the best of both worlds and optimal medical wisdom. Dr. Jost created an educationally interactive program that allows access to imagery treatment for all, assisting patients in awakening self-faith and giving them powerful tools to create healthy bodymind reflections and healing."
Bruce Schmidt, MA, LPC, ABMP, FAAIM; Director of Integrative Medicine
"I would encourage any colleague to take this Healing Images course, for I consider guided imagery to be one of the most useful tools with my patients. We in nursing realize that there has to be a 'better way' for much of what we do. Healing can begin with this: 'if not now when, if not me who' to assist them."
Nancy Taxman, RN, MSN, CWOCN; Patient Education Specialist
"I have seen guided imagery work in my everyday practice and it is a wonderful adjunct to the many therapies a patient often needs to undertake. The sound of Dr. Jost's voice alone in this comprehensive cancer program is very calming for all who listen!"
Jane Kraus, RN, BSN, OCN; Director of Oncology & Women's Services
Dr. Jost, Thank you for opening a whole new world for me. After 25 years in Radiology, I have lost focus on why I became involved in health care in the beginning, and I think this is the first step in regaining my focus. I'm very excited about getting started with imagery.
Brad Chadwick, Associate Director of Radiology
"From diagnosis to completion of treatment, many people with cancer feel they've lost control over their lives. Facing an invisible enemy and being led through a maze of treatments and surgeries, many people look for ways to join in, and guided imagery is a wonderfully easy way to involve people in their own battle against cancer."
Tracy McLane, RN, MSN, AOCN; Oncology Nurse
"I would find myself wanting to listen to Sandy's guided imagery recordings several times a day when I was going through the worst of my cancer treatments. It was as if this was the only way I was able to get back in touch with that place deep inside of me that still knew I was healthy."
Lorraine
"I can 'think' and 'worry' about things all day long, but through the process of doing this imagery, Sandy's voice seems to support me and nudge me gently to go deeper within, where my thoughts and my heart seem to be able to find balance.
Jim
"Sandy helped me to feel in charge of my body and recovery when my life had seemed very much out of control."
Kathie
"The cancer program gave me a sense of peace and safety at a time when all around me seemed to be in chaos. It helped me to see the role I could play in my healing process by engaging my natural healing powers."
Susan
"My wife was facing breast cancer for a second time! And from the first moment she listened to these recordings, I saw that finally … finally … something was reaching her in a way that no one else seemed able to … not the nurses, not the doctor, and not even me.
Sam