What is the cost? Do I get a discount if I go to more sessions or bring family and/or friends? Each session is $100 per person. The Amen Clinic offers a discount if purchasing a 6 session [$499] package if bought before the designated deadline.  In addition, family members/spouses who accompany a participant will receive a 10% discount.

Is the group covered by my insurance? Because this is not ‘group therapy,’ The Path of Wellness will not be covered by your insurance.

Are there additional costs in each session? No

What's the cancellation policy? If you cancel or miss a specific session which you signed up for, you may use that credit to attend another session - pending availability. However, your money will not be refunded. Also, if you have accumulated credits by the end of the 6 weeks, these will not be refunded and you will not be able to use them for future 6 week sessions.

If I decide not to attend do I get a refund? If you have prepaid and you decide not to attend a specific session, you may attend a different session but you will not get a refund as mentioned above. Also, if you attend a session, and leave after five minutes, your money will not be refunded, and you will not get credit for future sessions.  

How long are the sessions? Sessions are a total of 90 minutes which includes time for education, experiencing the technique/method being discussed along with a short break in the middle and an opportunity for questions at the end.

What do I need to bring to a session? An open mind is probably the most important. After that, perhaps a lightweight sweater and comfortable clothing and your own water bottle if you so choose. You can also bring your own personal notebook which you can use to take notes. No recording equipment may be used. No food is permitted in the sessions. Cell phones must be put on vibrate/silent mode or turned off.

What time should I arrive before each session? Sessions will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Allow yourself the freedom and peacefulness of an early arrival. You can use this time to briefly meditate outside the conference room, communicate with fellow group members or to simply sit in the room silently and listen to gentle music being played. It is strongly recommended that you arrive at 6:45 p.m. and are seated by 6:55 p.m. in silence. Please be respectful to other members who are in silence and who have made it a point to arrive early. If you are signing up as a “walk-in” for that evening, you must arrive by 6:45 p.m. to register with Michelle Torres.

What can I expect from each session? Part of the magic of each session is not knowing exactly what to expect. Nevertheless, you can expect a greater understanding of your own mind, thoughts and feelings/emotions. You can expect to challenge your current way of thinking and living. You can expect to learn new methods which can bring you great peace in your life only if you are open to them.

Is this psychotherapy? The Path of Wellness is not a psychotherapy group. It is not a process group and individualized therapy is not being provided.

Is this a spiritual group? The Path of Wellness has elements of spirituality in it but it is not affiliated with any specific spiritual or religious group. There is always a respect and reverence towards The Sacred.

Do I have to speak in front of the group? By attending this group, you are considered an important member. Your participation is encouraged. Something you say may be very healing for another member. However, you will never have to speak or do any other activity such as exercise, meditation and/or hypnosis if you do not wish too.  Your participation in this group is completely voluntary.

Will any food or drink be provided? Food will not be provided so it is recommended that you eat prior to coming. Water may be provided.

Can I bring my child? This group is for ages 18 and older; adults only. If your child is over 18, he or she may come with you and be eligible to receive a 10% discount.

Do I need to have experience with meditation or hypnosis prior to the session? No prior experience is needed but an open mind is certainly needed. If you have ever had a negative reaction or experience with meditation, hypnosis or other altered states of consciousness; it is recommended that you do not participate in any of the sessions in this group. Your participation is voluntary and becomes your full and sole responsibility.

What if it “doesn't work” for me? Sometimes some people are not able to be hypnotized and other people may not feel inner peace when trying to meditate. We are all different. If a particular technique/method “doesn't work” for you, be grateful for getting a chance to experience something new. Always remember - It’s nothing personal. Also know that often times, fear/anxiety may come in the way, and after a few times it can become a 'knack.'

Will you be my doctor? Are you open to accepting new patients? The format of The Path of Wellness is not designed to be that of a 1:1 doctor-patient treatment relationship. If Dr. Momaya is not already your personal psychiatrist, then by attending this group, you will not become a private patient of his nor will your case be transferred to him for medical treatments and/or psychotherapy. If you do not have a current doctor, you may contact the clinic to schedule a one-hour consultation appointment to further discuss your specific treatment needs.  

Who is an appropriate candidate for this group? Anyone who is psychiatrically stable and who has a sincere desire towards inner peace and to learning new techniques towards this goal.

Who would not be an appropriate candidate for this group? Someone who is currently psychotic, experiencing a manic episode, is currently not psychiatrically stable, has a history of poor reactions to meditation, hypnosis or other altered states and is unable to sit silently in a group setting for at least one hour straight. If you have any questions about this please direct them to Michelle Torres at wellness@amenclinics.com

I live out of the Orange County area but am very interested in what this group is about. How can I participate? At the present time, we do not have an online program, which will be considered in the future. We may even consider a live online video broadcast of the sessions in the future.

Are there handouts which I can download or buy? Not at the present time.

Is there a book on The Path of Wellness? At the present time, no book has been written yet based on this group. However, Dr. Momaya plans to write his book this year which covers the topics in these sessions plus a lot more.

Where can I buy the books you mentioned in the group? Specific books, when referred to, will be mentioned. Some of them are available from The Amen Clinics Mindworks Press Store and others can be purchased from Amazon.com or any local bookstore.

Where can I buy the music you played in the group? Some of the music can be easily purchased or downloaded off of the Internet or bought in stores. Other music, specifically  those tracks used during meditation sessions, are unable to be purchased or copied.

What if I don't want someone to know who I am in the group? Name tags are optional. If you would like to be addressed by a different name, you should indicate this other name on your name tag. Please be very aware that because this group is open to Amen Clinic patients – that by participating in this group, you are voluntarily acknowledging that you may be a current or past patient in this clinic. Because this is a psychiatric clinic, you are, by your sole participation, inherently acknowledging that you may be a psychiatric patient. Your personal identity or psychiatric diagnosis will not be disclosed on our part. If you disclose information by yourself, you take full and complete responsibility for this breach of confidentiality and privacy. It is also a requirement that everyone respect fellow group members private personal issues and diagnoses and that this information is to never leave the group setting. Our experience is that as the group progresses, everyone is friendly with everyone else, and people also “stay in their own business.”

Do you have a web site? Yes. You are looking right at it :) http://thepathofwellness.net/  graciously created, designed, and updated by Will Wismer.

Do you have a mailing list? Yes. It is being managed Michelle Torres. You may contact her by e-mail at wellness@amenclinics.com or call her directly at (949) 266-3709.