Manuel Sandoval JR

My career started after college in mortgage banking, conservator and as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER. During these times I experienced people eating cat food in their unkempt homes. I saw families struggle just to buy a pair of shoes for their child. I saw people buying a one bedroom home with a family of five or six people. The stories go on. My mother became disabled with a heart condition in her forties. My father died of cancer in his forties. I have a brother with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and another with severe scar tissue in his abdomen that his organs are immobilized. Why mention this? These stories all involve some type of stress. External and internal. How do people continue to live with physical and mental stress? After some of these experiences I went back to graduate school in clinical psychology and received some certifications.

My last position was in a locked down facility of the hospital doing therapy and teaching classes. My empathy grew the longer I worked with these wonderful patients. After close to five years I decided to leave the hospital and start my own practice. People do not like to be put into a box. Western medicine and complimentary alternative medicine can work together. I do not diagnose, that is left for the medical doctors and psychologists. My main emphasis is preventive and working in the present moment with acceptance.

My evolution has led me to an integrated level of care with an Eastern and Western perspective. Internal and external environments effect our being. Personal journeys of family illnesses, raising children, tragedies, finances, relationships, employment, finding self all shape our perception of the world. Our perception is our reality. This fast moving world rarely gives time for pause. All human beings, especially our middle class need pause to look at ourselves and say “I’m okay.” It would be nice to take that pause in the present moment and breathe! Rediscovering our authenticity and for some finding their authenticity for the first time. This can be a challenge for some because we have been on automatic pilot. How do you stop running? Learning relaxation, building awareness, acceptance of self and the situation, leads to freedom and responsibility of the self. It also gives us more choices in life. We are not broken, we are not mechanical devices, we are all fragile beings constantly learning to adapt on a daily basis moment by moment. We are evolutionary beings not just genetically but socially and learning new experiences can change our gene expression.

Reducing stress and learning to live with stress is the aim of my practice. Learning to know your autonomic nervous system and the Vagus nerve is essential. Learning resilience and the basics of heart rate variability can also assist us in becoming authentic. Above all, learning to be human to one another and adapting in the present situation is vital. My personal process with clients is building a relationship. I view myself as a quarterback, knowing when to start a process or passing the ball to another professional. Looking at the gestalt of the human being with his or her personal experience plays a big part. A biopsychosocial model with a cultural and spiritual perspective is utilized. Prevention and how to utilize your stress is always present. Again, we do not diagnose, that is left for medical doctors and psychologists.

We look at each individual or organization that we work with as a Tabula Rasa “clear slate.” We are looking at new perspectives. All clients and clients of organizations start with a “Stress & Well Being Assessment” which gives the individual a snapshot and categories of their stress level. This is discussed in detail with each individual. A short stress questionnaire is administered to determine if other professionals should be consulted.

We ask organizations to inquire about our (POQA) Personal & Organizational Assessment which measures organizational quality, stress health, resilience and emotional competencies. The Resiliency Advantage Workshop is also good for groups or organizations. Note that the purpose behind heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) training is to improve one’s ability to self-regulate, to enhance the quality of life and personal performance. Biofield tuning is a relaxation technique. This can be stand alone but is often used to relax an individual before speaking about change. I utilize some aspects of motivational interviewing and behavioral economics when needed. Each person is an individual and varies with their situation. No one course of action is set in stone. I welcome you to a personal journey in reducing your stress and living authentically.