A diagram of 'the attraction model' depicting various decision paths and emotional states with illustrative figures and question prompts.

What roads have you been traveling on?

Posted on: January 11, 2012by Dr Kim Dr Hil

Here are five solutions to support you in rewiring your brain to achieve your goals and intentions.

Solution 1

Change your belief context regarding what it takes to achieve success with your goals. Understand the inherent power in the biology of your habits and how to rewire them. Successful change requires aligning your thoughts, perceptions, emotions, images and actions. Don’t play small or settle by focusing on action alone.

Solution 2

Awareness is key. If you want to make changes that last, tap into your existing habit-brain maps that keep you stuck in a cycle of sabotage. For example, when you focus on your desired goal:

What are your predominate thoughts, emotions, perceptions, images and actions?
Where is your focus or your attention throughout your day?
Are you focused on what you want to create or what you wish wasn’t there?

Solution 3

Identify and rewire all levels of your brain maps. Consciously focus on forming new networks that are emotionally meaningful and mentally engaging. This will allow you to make desired changes.

What thoughts align with accomplishing your goal?
What emotions align with accomplishing your goal?
What perceptions align with accomplishing your goal?
What actions align with accomplishing your goal?
What images align with accomplishing your goal?

Solution 4

Practice, practice, practice. Travel down your new roadmaps (brain maps) as often as possible.

Solution 5

Enjoy the ride!

Coaching and Counseling

empower Hilary Stokes Ph.D. and Kim Ward Ph.D. have been a team for 20 years, specializing in mind, body, spirit psychology. They are the authors of the bestselling books The Happy Map: Your roadmap to the habit of happiness and Manifesting Mindset: The 6-step formula for attracting your goals and dreams and founders of Authenticity Associates Coaching and Counseling. They are passionate about combining the best of holistic and traditional approaches to health and happiness. If you are interested in learning the answers to the most frequently asked questions on how to decrease stress and increase happiness sign up for their free video series.

About the Authors

Hilary Stokes Phd

HIlary Stokes, Ph.D., LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist in California with more than 25 years of clinical experience, specializing in trauma therapy, PTSD treatment, anxiety, depression, and nervous system healing. She holds Master's degrees in Clinical Social Work and Kinesiology and Sports Psychology and a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology with a specialization in Tibetan Buddhist Psychology. Dr. Stokes is extensively trained and certified in brainspotting, EMDR, somatic therapy and other mind body approaches. Her integrative work bridges neuroscience, mindfulness, and holistic psychology to help clients process unresolved trauma, rewire stress patterns, and build emotional resilience.

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Dr. Stokes’ clinical approach is informed by advanced professional training and her own healing journey from complex trauma, which shaped her commitment to therapies that go beyond traditional talk therapy. She has worked in psychiatric hospitals, addiction and PTSD treatment centers, universities, integrative medical facilities, and private practice. As co-developer of the psychology and wellness programming at Sanoviv Medical Institute, she witnessed firsthand the power of integrating mind and body for lasting transformation. Today she helps individuals heal trauma, strengthen emotional regulation and reclaim purpose through brainspotting, EMDR, somatic therapy and mindfulness interventions.

Kim Ward Phd

Kim Ward, Ph.D. holds both a masters and a doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology with a specialization in Tibetan Buddhist Psychology. She brings more than 25 years of experience in trauma recovery, Brainspotting and mind-body transformation. She is extensively trained and certified in Brainspotting, somatic therapy, and trauma-informed approaches. Dr. Ward integrates neuroscience, nervous system regulation and consciousness-based psychology to help individuals process unresolved trauma, shift limiting beliefs, and access greater emotional resilience. Her work focuses on healing at the root, beyond symptom management, through brain-body therapies that create lasting change.

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As co-developer of the psychology and wellness programs at Sanoviv Medical Institute, Dr. Ward brings a uniquely holistic perspective to trauma therapy and personal growth. Her path from corporate leadership into psychology shaped her commitment to helping clients move beyond external success toward embodied fulfillment and emotional freedom. Dr. Ward's expertise combines Brainspotting, emotional intelligence, contemplative psychology and purpose-driven coaching. Drawing from both advanced academic training and lived experience navigating complex family mental health dynamics, she supports clients in transforming stress patterns, reclaiming vitality, and aligning with authentic purpose.