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(Hemi-Sync® Journal, Vol. X, No. 4, Fall 1992)
RECAPTURING THE INTUITIVE IN THERAPY AND EDUCATION:
HEMI-SYNC® IN ADULT EDUCATION
by Suzanne Evans Morris, Ph.D.
Internationally known for her work with children with developmental disabilities, speech-
language pathologist Suzanne Evans Morris maintains a private practice near Charlottesville,
Virginia. As director of New Visions, she also provides innovative professional workshops and
family-oriented clinical services. Dr. Morris is a member of the TMI Board of Advisors.
In 1985 adult continuing education workshops were developed for professionals working in
rehabilitation and special education. Between 1985 and 1988, 320 individuals attended twelve
small, five-day workshops that incorporated Hemi-Sync signals in background music to
enhance participant learning. Following the workshop 96% stated that they were both more
relaxed and more attentive than usual during the workshop. In a follow-up questionnaire four
months later, 50% of those responding stated that they were using Hemi-Sync tapes in therapy
with children and adults. Many participants stated they felt more intuitive and connected with
their clients since the workshop. However, this experience was frequently uncomfortable since
they lacked the trust and ability to integrate these intuitive “hunches” with the rational approach
others expected. From this feedback a new workshop, “Recapturing the Intuitive in Therapy
and Education,” was born.
Workshop Rationale
Current systems of professional education were examined to identify existing models of
thinking that would validate an intuitive-rational model.
Therapy and education have been described as both arts and sciences. However, most
educational programs have supported only the scientific component. The “art of therapy” has
been superficially acknowledged, but little has been provided to assist the development of skill
and accuracy in this area. Professionals are usually educated and trained in a fact-based
approach. The assumption is made that clinical and educational decisions are made at a
rational level, and specific approaches and techniques should be supported by scientific theory
and research. The therapist or educator is expected to observe each aspect of the client’s
abilities and disabilities, and move step by step toward the logical conclusion. Only information
that “makes sense” and can be verified objectively is included in the planning of a therapy or
educational program.
In accessing intuitive information, professionals open both physical and nonphysical senses to
obtain a global impression of the child and family. Questions are asked of the intuitive self, and
answers are incorporated in the assessment, treatment, or education program. The intuitive
data is generally refined, with specific points checked out by additional questions and
observations. Responses to subtle nonverbal messages and intuitive knowledge promote
further investigation or lead directly to a conclusion. Changes in space and time occur so
easily and appropriately that therapy/education exhibits an aliveness and a flow from one
event to the next. Information does not initially have to make sense. It usually cannot be
validated objectively at the time it is perceived to be accurate. An intuitive approach leads to
quantum leaps in understanding, and is an essential component of creativity. It allows
therapists and educators to become more sensitive to their own needs and to the needs of
their students and clients. It improves the effectiveness of clinical problem solving.
Research on right-left hemisphere processing supports multiple ways of dealing with
information. The styles represented by the right hemisphere (i.e., intuitive, spontaneous,
holistic, visual, artistic, spatial, nonverbal, symbolic, diffuse, playful) are equal to the
processing styles of the left hemisphere (analytical, linear, sequential, verbal, concrete,
rational, goal-oriented). Integration of the two hemispheres and subcortical processing provide
full access to human capability. With skill and efficiency in all ways of understanding a situation
or concept, the individual may be described as using the whole brain. The whole-brain concept
becomes a metaphor for rehabilitation and education. Use of a single processing style reduces
the information-processing capability of the individual. For complete function, the total capacity
of the individual must be recognized and nourished.
Work with individuals with special needs is enhanced when therapists and educators integrate
rational and intuitive styles of thinking—a skill that honors both the science and art of therapy.
To do this, educational programs must support the development of skill and confidence in both
ways of processing information. Yet, professional education, with its rational-linear mode of
teaching, implies that intuitive thinking is inappropriate in therapy and education. Most
professionals engage in intuitive thinking as they deal with the daily issues that confront them.
Although they automatically bring intuition into therapy or the classroom, few have developed
their intuitive skills to as great a degree as their rational skills.
The creation of binaural beats in the brain through the Hemi-Sync process creates the natural
environment for developing this blending of intuitive and rational processing skills. Through the
noninvasive use of Hemi-Sync sounds, a more equal balance of activity is created in the right
and left hemispheres of the brain. Subjectively reported emotional balance would also imply
the activation of the subcortical limbic system.
Workshop Design
The teaching design includes a careful blend of theoretical and experiential components. Each
program begins with an examination of the process of intuition and a review of situations that
enhance ease and accuracy of intuitive thinking. Laboratory research and experiential
information is discussed, linking Hemi-Sync with situations that support intuition. Participants
are introduced to a series of tools for accessing and using intuition. Hemi-Sync audiotapes
from the GATEWAY EXPERIENCE® home course, METAMUSIC® Artist Series, and MIND
FOOD category are presented via stereo headphones. These provide a set of group exercises
that enable each individual to put away distracting thoughts, enhance personal energy, affirm
the intent to access information, enhance mental awareness, and tap into levels of human
consciousness that create a more efficient access to intuitive information. A series of practical
discussions and group exercises is blended with the taped experiences. These enable
participants to practice and affirm the use of intuition with others, to integrate rational and
intuitive information in practical situations, and to create applications for therapy and
educational settings.
During the past year, guidelines for using Hemi-Sync with children and adolescents were
included. Videotapes documenting the use of Hemi-Sync tapes to enhance sensory
integration, develop focus of attention, increase learning skills, and develop self-esteem were
presented. In addition to enhancing these abilities, Hemi-Sync may indirectly assist children to
develop stronger intuitive knowledge of their own needs and learning processes. When both
therapist-educator and child are sensitive to intuition, the resulting shared knowledge can
increase the accuracy and effectiveness of the educational or therapy session.
Workshop Follow-Up and Feedback
Since 1989, four workshops, with a total of fifty-eight participants, have been presented.
Participants have included professionals in special education, speech-language pathology,
occupational therapy, therapeutic horseback riding, and music education, and parents of
children with disabilities.
The questionnaire contained open-ended questions on the current use and accuracy of
intuition, use of specific intuitive tools, and ongoing use of specific Hemi-Sync tapes.
Participants were also asked to rate themselves on a 10-point scale before the workshop and
currently in their accuracy of intuition and ability to blend rational and intuitive information in
educational and clinical areas.
Use of Personal Intuition and Accuracy
Participants described many changes in their use and accuracy of intuition in their personal
lives. These included greater willingness to acknowledge, explore, and accept intuitive
information; greater ease in “reading” people and understanding their intentions; greater ease
in moving with the flow in life without having to plan and control everything. As a group they
acknowledged increases in personal accuracy which resulted in increased confidence in using
intuition.
Use of Professional Intuition and Accuracy
Intuition was used more easily in therapy and classroom settings. A majority of respondents
were more aware of the needs and messages of children and their parents, and felt greater
empathy in working with others. Most were incorporating intuitive information in the
development of individual education plans and therapy sessions with feedback of improved
accuracy in program development and implementation. With greater accuracy, confidence
increased, leading to further increases in skill and accuracy. Many therapists stated that they
had become more skillful in blending intuitive and rational aspects of therapy.
Rating of Skill and Accuracy of Intuition and Ability to Blend the Intuitive and Rational
On a 10-point scale, participants accumulated a mean score of 4.93 (SD 1.82) for accuracy
before the workshop and 7.81 (SD 1.12) at the present time. This was a gain of 2.89 (SD 1.40)
points, or approximately 29%; 85% rated themselves at 7 or higher. A mean score of 4.56 (SD
1.64) represented blending of the intuitive and rational before the workshop and 8.04 (SD 1.10)
at the present time. This was a gain of 3.48 (SD 1.45) points, or approximately 35%; 85% rated
themselves at 7 or higher.
Tools and Tapes Supporting Intuition
Most Valuable Aspect of the Workshop
Summary
Hemi-Sync® is a registered trademark of Interstate Industries, Inc.
© 1992 The Monroe Institute