Credentials and Education
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CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPY/HUMAN SERVICES/MENTAL HEALTH
Brigitara has been a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist with The American Council of Hypnotist Examiners (ACHE) since 1993. She studied and trained at the Alchemy Institute of Hypnosis in California from 1991-1993, where she received her Master Hypnotist and Certified Hypnotherapist certificates, and completed the additional training to become a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist with ACHE. She continues to earn her required certification renewals with ACHE, while studing/training with a variety of professional organizations and specialists in hypnotherapy, psychology/mental health, etc.
Brigitara began a private practice in Clinical Hypnotherapy in 1993. She has studied, trained and specialized in a variety of areas in the clinical hypnotherapy field, and is currently focusing on relaxation/stress reduction, etc., part-time. She also hold certificates in NLP, Sophrology, EFT and other mental health modalities. 'Goddessence Hypnotherapy,' is the trademark name for her private practice. All Sessions are non-diagnostic, non-medical, and are complimentary to practices licensed by the state.
In 1977, Brigitara graduated from Utah State University with an Associate of Applied Science in Human Services. She completed her internship/field work at the Utah State Hospital (for mental health). As a Human Services Technician/Psychiatric Technician, she worked in a variety of programs with all ages of individuals (infants to elderly) diagnosed with mental, psychological, and physical challenges. Her work in Human Services began at a center for terminally ill infants, and children diagnosed with Down Syndrome. After further training and internships, she was licensed as a Social Service Aide in 1977, and as a Therapeutic Recreation Technician in 1978.
As a Social Service Aide and Therapeutic Recreation Technician, she worked in a variety of nursing and mental health programs (in-patient/out-patient) and also worked as a Counselor and Behavioral Specialist. In her position as a Developmentalist, she worked at an in-patient complex with adult individuals diagnosed with severe mental health and developmental challenges. In 1999, she received certificates for the 'Complete Assisted Living Training' in supervisory, directed, and personal care of elderly residents, and was an Activity Director for mental health, nursing, and assisted living centers. She also created 'inter-generational' programs that included 'the Arts' and social events, to bring children, teens, and Elders together, for the positive health and well-being of all.
CHILD and FAMILY DEVELOPMENT/EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
In 1979 Brigitara began her studies in Child and Family Development/Early Childhood Education, working in a variety of schools/programs. In 1982, she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child and Family Development from The University of Utah (Psychology dept). She became an Early Childhood Specialist at the University in 1983, and provided behavioral plans and support for special needs children in her classrooms throughout her career. The 'Creative Arts' were a major part of her curriculum, as was the fostering of positive mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being of the children, parents and teaching staff. In 1985, she worked and trained at Dresser Montessori School and Training Center in Santa Monica, California. She continued her studies with World Montessori in SLC, Utah.
Brigitara received a variety of certificates in the early childhood/special needs fields, and in 2002, she received a Child Development Site Supervisor Permit from the State of California. She taught in the Early Childhood programs at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and later became a Child Development Specialist at Head Start in Utah. In that position, she trained and supervised up to 12 Teachers and Assistants, while being responsible for the oversite & paperwork for up to 132 children and 3 early childhood centers. She also provided large and small group trainings and workshops for the teaching staff, and enjoyed providing music sessions, & behavioral support for children at the schools.
HERBAL, NUTRITION and PHYSICAL HEALTH/EXERCISE
Brigitara was awarded a Master of Herbology diploma from the School of Natural Healing in 1977. She also earned her Master Herbalist Diploma, and her Herbalist Certificate in that same year. In 1976, she received Family Herbalist and Nutritional Herbologist certificates. She was a Wellness Consultant/Master Herbalist for a chain of Natural Foods/Supplement companies, and continues her Master Herbalist work with clients, offering information/education on herbal/nutritional health and wellness, along with organic herbal/nutritional supplements.
In 1985 Brigitara earned her certificate as an aerobics instructor, and in 1987 she received her diploma in Fitness and Nutrition. She became an aerobics instructor, weight trainer, and sales consultant for several health spas. She was an independant Disributor for health/nutrition companies, and became a Certified Weight Loss coach in 1988. She provided children's aerobics/exercise classes for children in her classrooms, and elder exercise classes for assisted living centers and nursing facilities.
MUSIC
in 2012, Brigitara received her Music Together Teacher Training Certificate from "Music Together LLC." As a child, she began music, dance and gymnastic classes around age three/four. She has taught original music and dance classes for children in her classrooms at a variety of schools since 1979, and also volunteered at the University of Utah Childrens Dance Theatre. She was accepted into the University of Utah Dance Program, while teaching at the university, and also took private voice, flute, and autoharp lessons. Brigitara directed music events for her 'Community Elders-Intergenerational Programs' as well as for nursing and other facilities. She wrote the music for her self-hypnosis CDs, and has written and performed music for spiritual events. She has also used music in hypnotherapy sessions, guided meditation journeys, etc. She continues to enjoy creating, singing and playing children's and spiritual music.
SPIRITUALITY
In the 1970's, Brigitara began studying the practices and philosphy of meditation, while also researching comparative religion. Through the years, she was initiated and mentored by respected Teachers in both Eastern and Western spirituality, and she continues her daily meditation/spiritual practices. She also has education, training, and experience leading individuals and groups in guided meditations, spiritual and shamanic journeys, ceremonies and celebrations. She has created, provided, and performed music for spiritual organizations and events, and has also collaborated with other groups and individuals in creating and hosting large and small events.
ORACLE AND TAROT
Brigitara began learning about oracle and tarot in the 1970's-80's. After gaining some experience, she realized that rather than 'predictive readings,' she preferred to focus on assisting others in gaining more self-awareness, self-esteem, understanding of themselves and their circumstances, etc. She preferred doing her own self-readings, which seemed to provide a deeper personal meaning, and were more in alignment with messages she received in meditation (rather than the general ones she had received from others). She also enjoyed the balanced, non-dualistic view to the readings that the divine feminine (round) tarot decks seemed to provide, especially when used with an educational focus.
During her clinical hypnotherapy study and training, Brigitara was introduced to David Quigley's insightful and empowering 'Alchemical Tarot,' which was in alignment with many of her own ideas, views and purposes. Between 1991-1993, she was inspired to design her own process now called, 'Goddessence Oracle and Tarot,' which provides loving support, and assists others to go deep into the cards and access their own messages/meanings from personal inner resources and their Divine Self. These may be offered in-person by client request.
In 2022, Brigitara completed the courses, 'Transformation Through Tarot' and 'Integrative Tarot Training,' with Steve Hounsome (Tarot Therapy Ltd), and Philip and Stephanie carr-Gomm (The Art Of Living Well). The 'Tarot Chakra Journey' course was completed in 2023, with Steve Hounsome and Philip Carr-Gomm. These trainings and experiences continued to inspire and expand her knowledge and understanding of the Tarot, as well as it's beneficial uses as a tool for transformation.