MysticMag chats with Bette Jonas Freedson, LICSW, LCSW, CGP, a distinguished clinical social worker, author, and speaker renowned for her expertise in stress management, trauma recovery, and the transformative use of intuition. Bette is the author of two books: Soul Mothers’ Wisdom: Seven Insights for the Single Mother and Other Realms, Other Ways: A Clinician’s Guide to the Magick of Intuition. She is also a contributing author for ERICKSONIAN THERAPY NOW: The Master Class with Jeffrey K. Zeig, PhD. A practitioner of clinical hypnosis, Bette provides resiliency tools for fostering empowerment and resilience. Her clearly presented concepts and practical tools for successful living have made Bette a sought-after presenter for conferences and organizations, She is a member of NSGP, ASCH, and NASW, and her insightful articles have been featured in various publications.
Bette, what inspired you to explore the integration of intuition in clinical practice, and how has it impacted your approach to therapy over the years?
In my book, Other Realms, Other Ways: A Clinician’s Guide to the Magick of Intuition, I explore the intersection of my journey as a therapist and my early experiences as a psychic. Before entering the field of therapy, I had a strong inclination toward psychic abilities, even in childhood. A pivotal moment came in early adulthood when a close family member, a scientist, described a course he had taken, then known as Silva Mind Control (now the Silva Method), taught by renowned psychic, Ramona Garcia. Intrigued by a demonstration of the psychic abilities he’d discovered, I was inspired to take Ramona’s course, and to develop my own intuitive skills. Eventually Ramona became my first psychic mentor, imparting valuable teachings about how to use more of my mind’s potential.
Through Ramona, I met Herb Dewey, a mentalist, and a remarkable psychic. Under the guidance of my two teachers, I began to practice my psychic skills by doing what Ramona called “cases.” These involved intuiting information about a person, a problem, or a situation under the guidance of a mentor. The practice of “doing cases” eventually evolved into doing “cases” for a person, in-person. These meetings evolved into the practice of doing psychic readings, which I now call intuitive consultations. At this time, I was also enrolled in the Boston University School of Social Work, where I was discovering a profound overlap between psychological and behavioral coping methods and the wisdom that intuition can provide.
One important synchronicity between social work practice and practicing as a psychic was value placed on ethical intention. Both Ramona and Herb always emphasized the ethical nature of our practice as psychics, emphasizing the best interest of our clients as primary. They taught me to employ intuitive consultations as a form of counseling that would provide something meaningful to the client. Compatible with the ethical code of my profession, this value has remained primary in my personal code of ethics.
After graduation, my goal became the integration of social work practice with my intuitive abilities. At my first social work job I encountered Dr. John Garrison, who introduced research that showed that the way we think affects how we cope. This revelation provided a significant clue about the way to integrate intuitive insights into the management of stress and coping with problems. Because intuition is essentially another way of thinking and accessing information, I realized that people could learn to use their gifts to manage life. This led to my first course, called “Stress Management via Psychic Development.” At the time, intuition was widely considered to be the same as precognition, aka predicting the future. While occasionally psychics can and do predict, more importantly for me is the way intuition brings us into a deeper, non-conscious level of mind where we can access dormant resources for guidance and wisdom. As I have progressed in my career the integration of practical and intuitive tools has remained my goal, for myself and for my clients.
Another key moment in the integration occurred in 2010, when I met my current mentor, Dr. Jeffrey Zeig, founder, and director of the Milton Erickson Foundation. With Jeff as a master teacher, I began to study the methods of hypnosis, both as a methodology and as a way of deepening knowing that can lead to the accessing of intuitive knowing. I now identify as an eclectic, expressive therapist who incorporates the methods of hypnosis and the insights of intuition into my practice as a therapist and as a psychic.
Your practice offers a range of services, from clinical appointments to intuitive guidance consultations and stress management teaching. How do these different modalities complement each other in fostering growth and empowerment for your clients, and how might individuals benefit from integrating these various approaches into their personal growth journey?
Clinical practice and intuitive practice can complement each other by providing two significant methodologies that can enhance access to deeper levels of the mind. Intuitive knowing can be a facilitating factor in the clinical setting by helping clients to go deeper inside to find new patterns and resources of which they may be unaware, resources that can help them manage stress and solve their problems more effectively.
In the various groups I lead, the overarching goal is always to help participants to access their deeper intuitive mind for personal growth.
The groups take different forms, including discussion groups and The Psychic Studio, where I guide people in developing their own intuitive abilities, including understanding that accessing the deeper knowing mind is not confined to elaborate practices, but can occur through everyday experiences, such as listening to music or engaging in activities like rocking a baby or petting a pet. In whatever context, group or private therapy, individuals can benefit from entering that relaxed mental state, that both hypnotherapists and psychics referred to as a trance.
Being in trance offers a respite from daily concerns, allowing individuals to go within, and use the multisensory tools of imagination, which is a delightful aspect of accessing intuition. In the group The Psychic Studio, participants learn how to experience the way the senses can be experienced internally. For example, imagine how you can taste your favorite pizza without physically eating it. Meditative or relaxation experiences are a common thread in all my groups. These modalities share the common intention of helping the client reach the inner knowing to unlock the potential for personal growth.
Your book “Other Realms, Other Ways: A Clinician’s Guide to the Magick of Intuition” delves into the role of intuition in therapeutic settings. Could you share how you’ve seen intuition contribute to clients’ healing and growth?
When individuals access their intuition, a unique process unfolds. It involves personal realizations that individuals come to on their own, distinguishing this experience from more traditional therapy where the therapist interprets information for the client. In my training at Boston University’s social work school, the emphasis was often on an interpretive approach, which is valuable and effective.
The intuitive approach I employ can integrate the interpretive tools, but differs a bit in that an intuitive or hypnotic focus guides people to go within, to enter the state of “trance.” In this comfortable and relaxed mental space, individuals can explore their thoughts and arrive at their own profound realizations. This method complements the interpretive approach, allowing individuals to not only understand the therapist’s insights but also connect with their own intuitive understanding of their lives, behaviors, and challenges.
Could you elaborate on the connection between hypnosis, intuition, and your approach to group therapy? How do these tools enhance the therapeutic experience for participants?
The power for personal growth in the group setting or in the individual setting lies in the synergy of approaches. The connections between hypnosis and intuition open doors through which in any setting individuals can gain insights from a combination of external guidance and internal wisdom. This integrative approach is used for all my groups. Within my diverse range of groups, each serving the purpose of emotional growth and each with its own thematic goal, I consistently incorporate moments of going inside into a trance state and applying the insights to the current problem or situation. Whether it’s a support group where individuals discuss their challenges, a woman’s life issues group focusing on effective relationship strategies, or The Psychic Studio group aimed at developing intuitive abilities, the goal is always; how can you use these new resources to make your life better and your mind more at peace.
In each group setting, these moments of going within serve as powerful catalysts for personal realizations. Participants often experience “aha” moments, gaining insights into their lives through intuition—be it visual images, metaphors, or intuitive sensations. This process of sharing these insights with others in the group can contribute to profound shifts in how individuals perceive the world and themselves. It often empowers them to feel better and navigate their lives with increased effectiveness. This integrative approach enhances the overall group experience, fostering positive transformation and self-discovery.
Your work spans diverse areas, from stress management to single motherhood support. How do you tailor your seminars and workshops to resonate with different audiences, and what impact do you aim to achieve through these presentations?
I have provided presentations to a variety of audiences both lay, clinical, medical, and business oriented, Currently, my presentations are focused on teaching people how to develop their intuitive abilities and/or help others to do the same. I love instructing other therapists about how to incorporate intuition into their practices. The concept of tailoring seminars and workshops to the needs and goals of the audience is an extension of my aim in all my work—to provide the tools that the audience of one- or two hundred- can use to enhance their own life management and help others to do the same.
In my toolkit, I’ve developed schematic approaches, such as the SOLVE Method, which I often use in small or large presentations. This method involves Stilling the mind, opening to intuition, Letting go of mental chatter, and Envisioning and Exploring solutions. Within these frameworks, customization is key tailoring the group or presentation to the needs of the person or audience seeking guidance. This adaptive and integrative approach underscores my commitment to helping individuals discover their best coping mechanisms and find solutions that align with their unique perspectives and needs. Exploring opportunities to present intuitively geared content to the medical and business communities, showcasing how intuition can positively impact both work and life, is a direction I am keen to pursue. The multifaceted applications of intuition make it a transformative and essential element in various aspects of our lives.
If you would like to find out more about Bette Freedson, please visit https://bettefreedson.com/.
