In their private sessions, group workshops, CDs and workbooks, Chuck and Laraine Chamberlain bring their own experience, understanding and training to help individuals, couples (www.ForEveryMarriage.com), families and organizations (www.ChamberlainLeadership.com).  In all their work, they use an approach called "CJEA," for which they are certified.  CJEA is described below - 

Creative Journal Expressive Arts (CJEA) sessions are based on techniques developed by Lucia Capacchione, Ph.D., A.T.R., R.E.A.T. - a world-renowned art therapist and best-selling author of 13 books and trainer in Expressive Arts and Visioning®.  Her methods spark creativity in all areas of life.  She originated:

• The Creative Journal Method of self-therapy, blending writing with drawing
• Healing through writing and drawing with the non-dominant hand
• The Visioning® process of life design through collage and journaling
• Inner Child/ Inner Family healing through the expressive arts

After successful careers in both art and education, she discovered the healing power of art and journaling with her non-dominant hand while struggling with a mysterious life threatening illness.  Her full recovery without medication led to a new career as an art therapist.

Her methods and books are used worldwide.  They're used in wellness programs, medical centers, school systems, health programs, mental health and recovery programs, prisons, spiritual retreat centers and the military.  She has consulted for corporations, community groups schools, and conducted workshops throughout the U.S., Canada, Italy, the UK, Australia and Mexico.

BRAIN SCIENCE
Since Roger Sperry won the Nobel Prize for brain research in 1981, there has been general agreement that the brain's hemispheres carry different functions.  The "right and left brains," as we call them, have become prominent in our understanding of the human condition.  

The left brain is responsible for the kind of thinking required by our routine lives.  It helps us deal with the world in a logical, linear way.  An important function of the left brain is speech.  The left brain also controls the right side of the body and the dominant hand.  The writing hand is "hard-wired" to the language centers of the left brain.  This is true even in the case of left-handed people.  

The right brain, on the other hand, provides much of our ability to be creative, intuitive, artistic and spontaneous.  It allows us to express emotions and to connect with our spiritual selves.  Studies show that children primarily experience their world through the functioning of the right brain.  When we start school, however, we learn to rely more on our left brains.  Since our right brains are not verbal, we must interact verbally with the world through the functioning of the left brain.  You might say our conscious thoughts come through the left, verbal brain, while the right brain holds the key to our unconscious world.  

CJEA METHODS
CJEA methods integrate our two brains so that we experience life more fully, making us more aware of both our conscious and unconscious worlds.  By writing with the non-dominant hand, we delve into the emotional content of our right brains while using the left brains' speech centers.  By incorporating even primitive art and music, we integrate the power and energy of the right brain into our consciousness.  The result is increased emotional awareness.

CJEA methods empower participants to use this emotional awareness to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, thus afffecting their physical and emotional health and their relationships.  In addition, participants have an increased ability to discover and work toward a fulfilling vision for their lives.  

CJEA sessions are unique and enjoyable.  Chuck and Laraine are certified practicioners who have completed a rigorous year-long training with Dr. Capacchione to lead participants in meaningful exercises.  

As opposed to "talk oriented" workshops, experiential CJEA sessions are quite relaxing and enlightening.  In addition, they do not require disclosure in front of a counselor or group.  Participants are able to keep their personal issues private while they are guided through exercises they alone might apply to internal dynamics.  Consequently, these tools are not considered therapy.