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Here is a little information about my journey.
I have been enjoying getting to know people and helping them, as best I can, for many
years. I am truly satisfied with my calling. I look forward to finding out where you are in your journey of living, growing,
discovering, and… hopefully … healing. As I deal with life's "ups" and "downs" myself every
day, I wonder in what phase of your life you find yourself.
It has been an
honor for me to witness many life-travelers come into my office and share some of the baggage they have accumulated along
the way. They willingly open up regarding current and past issues for us to explore together. Each of us is such a unique
and wondrous human being !
How exciting to realize that no one else is just
like you, or me! Every day is a new adventure! Every day filled with challenges we don't remember choosing, and we definitely
do not appreciate having to resolve. Some of our challenges are packed with anxiety. Others seem filled with hope and/or hopelessness.
Many of the challenges we must face bring fears and uncertainties.
I meet
each client with fresh eyes and ears (and, of course, an open heart) to find out what is going on. What is it that is disturbing
your mind and your heart? What challenges are facing you today? It has been a privilege to sit with men and women who found,
in sitting with me, a safe place to open up and share their deep concerns and problems.
What is up with you at this time? Many have found comfort in being able to share and explore their lives with me. I do not
pretend to have all the answers, but I am always willing to do what I can to soothe and resolve. Some people have had the
courage to share with me a "secret" they have been holding for many years, or some doubts and fears they have been
afraid to share in the past. Such sharing cannot always resolve the issue, but it almost always reduces suffering and brings
comfort. This is especially true when a person is listened to in a non- judgmental way. Do you hold a secret that you feel
you dare not share?
Interestingly, I have found that many of us carry secrets,
or painful memories, that are sub-conscious. That is, they are carried in our bodies in some toxic way that we may be unaware
of in our daily lives. These old memories can be healed when we are brave enough to explore the "darker corners"
of our consciousness.
I bring to my work my personal history. I grew up in
a dysfunctional (physically abusive) family in Europe. My parents were culturally Germanic (Swiss-German) and very strict.
I did not learn how to express myself and have fun in my family of origin. I learned some things that were not true and I
had to do my own work, as an adult, to unlearn many things. What did you learn growing up? Did you learn some things that
are toxic to your success and happiness as an adult?
Are they any "normal"
families out there? If so, I do not think there are many!
In my adult life-journey
I have been single, married, divorced and remarried. I learned many things about life and about myself in each of these life
stages. Sometimes the learning was quite painful. I am still learning and hope I continue for the rest of my life…
I have found that in this life there is always more that can be learned, and I have come to peacefulness with this on-going
process of life-long learning. I no longer need to be perfect, which is a useless and frustrating attempt.
I deeply enjoyed raising two beautiful children (now both successful adults). My loving relationship with
my husband (spanning over twenty years as of this article) has gone through many changes and challenges; yet we stayed committed
to the process and to each other. We are now arriving at a deeply satisfying place, where we both enjoy "connectedness",
without haven given up our own personal and unique development as individuals. Yes, indeed, it CAN be done!! We have learned
to trust "intimacy" (as in-to-me-see) and we have come to respect each other. We now encourage each other to explore
our own sacred space. We give time to each other to nourish the self, and to nourish our relationship. I do not see relationships
working effectively unless each partner can respect the other as an individual. I do not own my partner, and he does not own
me.
Yes, relationships can be very complex and challenging. For me, it is
has been worth the effort required!
In my spare time I rejuvenate by playing
in my beautiful garden. I recharge my batteries by taking long walks in nature, exercising and spending time with my wonderful
family and friends.
Another long-standing interest of mine is/has been extensive
traveling. After growing up in Switzerland and traveling all over Europe, I have made my home in California for the last 27
years. During those years,I have explored many different cultures, learned languages, and looked into many ways of being in
this world. It has changed me. It has opened my eyes in many ways and has enriched my life tremendously. My most recent adventure
was spending six weeks in Thailand and Cambodia last December and January 2006. To get a flavor for my trip, click on the
"mindfulness" link below.
We are sooo fortunate to live in a free
society and to enjoy all the luxuries of it. I count my blessings every day!
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LIZ HANNIGAN
(Chiengmai, Thailand, 2006)
(925) 855-1745 ex 2
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I enjoy working with
individuals as well as couples.
Here is a little information
about what I do at the Center:
With INDIVIDUALS, I feel comfortable doing "in depth
work" over a long time as well as some short term problem-solving type work called "brief therapy". I have
helped people going through life- transitions such as a divorce,
a loss of a loved one, mid- life, loosing or changing jobs, dealing with the "empty nest syndrome" and other issues. And I also have been there while clients deal with anxiety, depression, trauma or
other challenges life presents. In addition to "talking therapy"
I have also mastered other techniques such as EMDR. I am an experienced level two EMDR practitioner. If you are interested
in finding out more about this, click on the hotlink EMDR below. I also offer "inner child work" and hypnoses. After an initial intake session, I determine which approach to choose in order to
best help you reach your personal goals.
With COUPLES, I find it personally rewarding
to teach people new skills, such as: better communication, effective
problem solving, meeting each other's needs, and understanding the differences between men and women. I also like to help couples explore and clarify their unique vision as a couple. I offer couples practical suggestions to improve their particular situation.
I also apply Paul Wylie's collaborative model of communication.
At times, my husband and I work as a
team with a couple.
This allows one to feel supported and
understood by a man
or women. We have seen amazing results
with this particular approach. Click below on RELATIONSHIPS for more information.
Cliff and I teach a free class for couples through Amador Adult
Education called "You Just Don't Understand". The title is taken from the best-selling book by Debora Tannen about the ways men and women communicate. If you are interested in finding
out more about this class, or others we teach, click on the hotlink
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS below.
Come and join us, and bring your questions. We endeavor
to make all of our classes practical and fun!
I have had many "opportunities to
learn", including the following: going through my own struggles,
reading a seemingly unending stream of books, finishing my post graduate
degree in Integrative Psychology, and becoming a Master Hypnotherapist
in "Alchemical Hypnotherapy" taught by David Quiggly.
I enjoy being a life-long learner and continue to take professional
seminars and workshops regularly.
Since I raised my own two children, I
have come to have
a particular interest in helping people
become more effective parents. You can find out more by clicking the hotlink below entitled Help for PARENTING. Cliff
and I have taught many parenting workshops all over the Bay Area. We also offer support groups for single parents, and for
step- families. We teach "Positive Discipline" and "Co-Parenting
after a Divorce" workshops in Pleasanton. We were honored
to receive the CCAE 2009 "Award for Excellence in Teaching"
for our work in the community. Again, you can find out more by
clicking on the CLASSES & WORKSHOPS link below.
As the Co- director of the Center for Creative Living, my partner,
Cliff Crain, and myself offer many workshops and give lectures
in different schools and for various institutions. Call us now (925-855-1745) if you have a specific need or desire more information about our services.
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“When you arise in the
morning, think of
what a precious privilege it is to be alive ...
to breathe, to think, to
enjoy, to love.” -
- Marcus Aurelius
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