A New Perspective on Emotional Growth: My Conversation with Therapist Michelle Chalfant
Katie Deming, MD
Conscious Oncologist l Virtual Practice Specializing in Healing Root Causes of Cancer & Disease l Born to Heal Podcast l TedX Speaker
This article is inspired by the insights and discussions presented in Episode 62 of The Born to Heal Podcast by Dr. Katie Deming, The Conscious Oncologist.
Have you ever wondered why you keep repeating the same emotional patterns, despite your best efforts to change?
As an integrative oncologist and holistic health practitioner, I've seen firsthand how our emotional well-being impacts our physical health.
That's why I was thrilled to sit down with Michelle Chalfant, a holistic life coach and therapist, on a recent episode of my Born to Heal podcast.
I'm excited to share some key insights with you.
The Adult Chair Model
Michelle introduced us to her innovative Adult Chair model, which provides a fresh perspective on our emotional development.
This model breaks down our emotional journey into three stages: the Child Phase (0-6 years), the Adolescent Phase (6-25 years), and the Adult Phase (25+ years).
Understanding these phases can help us identify patterns in our behavior and emotions, giving us the power to make lasting changes.
The 5 Pillars of Emotional Health
During our conversation, Michelle shared the 5 pillars of emotional health that form the foundation of becoming a healthy adult:
Embracing Our Emotions
"Feeling our emotions is something we absolutely know how to do when we're children and we just do it. We come in ready to feel."
- Michelle Chalfant, Born to Heal podcast
As a doctor, I've seen how suppressed emotions can manifest as physical ailments.
Michelle's approach encourages us to tune into our bodies, identify physical sensations, and allow ourselves to feel without judgment.
This practice can be transformative for both mental and physical health.
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The Power of Setting Boundaries
"Boundaries do not have to be confrontational. Boundaries do not have to be screamed out."
- Michelle Chalfant, Born to Heal podcast
I often use the metaphor of a garden fence with my patients - boundaries protect your personal space and allow you to decide who and what enters your life.
It's a crucial skill for emotional well-being and overall health.
Taking Responsibility
"We've gotta learn (to take responsibility) and we're not great at it. You know, my parents weren't great at it."
- Michelle Chalfant, Born to Heal podcast
This resonated with me deeply. In my practice, I've seen how taking responsibility - without blame - can be the first step towards meaningful change and personal empowerment.
Resources for Your Emotional Wellness Journey
Michelle shared some practical tools during our conversation:
These practices can be powerful complements to traditional medical care, supporting both your emotional and physical health.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
Our conversation covered so much more than I can share in this post.
If you're intrigued by these concepts and want to learn more about how you can apply them to your life, I encourage you to listen to the full episode of the Born to Heal podcast.
You'll hear more in-depth discussions, practical examples, and additional tools to support your emotional wellness journey.
As a special offer for my listeners, you can access The Academy of Awakening membership for just $1 using the coupon code HEAL at https://theacademyofawakening.com/.
By implementing these insights and tools from my conversation with Michelle, you can start taking steps towards a healthier, more balanced life.