Sacred drum and sage for core shamanic practice — inviting rhythm, clearing, and deep inner travel

Amara offers one-on-one instruction in the Harner Shamanic Counseling™ (HSC) method — a powerful, spiritually grounded system of shamanic journeying developed by Michael Harner, founder of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. This method follows the ancient principles of classic shamanism — not psychology — and is rooted in the belief that direct revelation from your own helping spirits is the most trustworthy and sacred source of guidance.

Shamanic Journeying: A Shared Human Heritage

Before we had institutions and organized religion, we had rhythm, fire, and Spirit. Shamanic journeying — the act of entering non-ordinary reality for wisdom, healing, and connection — is one of the oldest spiritual practices known to humanity. It transcends culture, geography, and lineage. Every one of us descends from people who journeyed in sacred space — seeking insight, healing, and connection with the unseen.

To understand the rich cultural legacy of this practice and why it belongs to all of us, learn more about Shamans and the Shamanic Journey.

What You’ll Learn

Through this process, you’ll learn how to:

Enter non-ordinary reality through a specific, rhythmic drumbeat.
Ask questions that matter to you.
Connect directly with your own helping spirits.
Retrieve practical, meaningful wisdom for healing, clarity, and growth.

The real counselors in this method are the non-ordinary reality teachers you encounter — sacred beings who meet you in your journeys. Amara’s role is not to interpret for you, but to provide structure, encouragement, and shamanic support as you build the skill and confidence to journey on your own.

What Makes HSC Unique

The Harner Shamanic Counseling method is built around key principles that make it both spiritually profound and methodologically sound:

The use of sonic driving (a specific rhythmic drumming tempo) to enter the shamanic state of consciousness.
The recording and simultaneous narration of your journeys — a Harner innovation — so that your insights are preserved and can be deeply reflected upon.
Personal empowerment — you are trained to be your own shaman, retrieving answers directly from your spirit helpers.
Non-ordinary reality as the source of wisdom — not the facilitator.

As you journey, you may find yourself gaining confidence, overcoming fear, feeling a renewed connection to life, and receiving heartfelt guidance that speaks directly to your path.

How the Sessions Work

Shamanic journey training takes place over three to five private sessions, each about 60 minutes long, spaced roughly a week apart. The series builds on itself as you strengthen your relationship with your helping spirits and your ability to navigate non-ordinary reality. During these sessions, Amara will:

Teach you how to enter and deepen the shamanic state using sonic driving.
Help you craft open-ended questions that invite clear, spiritual guidance.

Schedule Appointment

Schedule Shamanic Journeying Lesson

Amara is a certified Spiritual Director through the Haden Institute. Her path has included teaching core shamanism with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies and consciousness exploration with the Monroe Institute. Learn more about her: bio, training, and certifications.

Guide you through the Harner recording method so you can narrate and review your journeys.
Take notes during your journey to help track and reflect on the experience.
Offer gentle feedback and encouragement on refining your journeying technique.
Support your understanding of classic shamanic experiences.
Hold sacred, grounded space as you develop your spiritual fluency.

At the end of this series, you’ll feel confident in your ability to journey independently — returning again and again to the well of Spirit for guidance, wisdom, and healing.

What You Will Need

Computer or phone with camera, microphone, headphone jack, recording device.
Stable internet connection.
Good-quality headphones or ear buds.
Notebook and pen.
A quiet space to journey uninterrupted

Important: Please be sure your device has a camera, microphone, and internet connection as these are required to enable viewing, dialogue, and communication between you and Amara. Amara uses the Zoom platform (free for you to use) for all online sessions.

Session Rates

Sliding scale rates are available to ensure spiritual services are accessible to everyone. Please choose the rate that aligns with your financial situation. View rates and services.

Please Note

These services are spiritual in nature and are intended to support — not replace — any medical or mental health care you may be receiving. They are best seen as a complementary approach to holistic well-being. Amara is not a physician and does not diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any medical conditions.

Online: Shamanic Journeying Lessons