With cuts and changes occurring across university departments, many are anxious and stressed. As it is not possible for all to seek counseling at this time, I would like to share with you some high quality CD resources that are inexpensive, easy to use and have been tested by myself and my clients.

At HealthJourneys.com you can find guided imagery CDs for a variety of concerns, including anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, grief, depression and weight management. Many of these can be immediately downloaded from the Web site. Some of the medical condition CDs were developed in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic.

Immrama.org sells “Insight,” which simulates meditation in a 24-minute session of listening to either ocean wave sounds or soft rain sounds. There is a second track that helps people get into delta wave activity, which offers the restorative healing that occurs in deep sleep.

They also have a CD called “FOCUS” that folks can listen to while working or studying if they are highly distractible or hyperactive. “Best of Biolateral II” from www.biolateral.com offers music that goes back and forth between the ears. I personally like the 25-minute sequence of tracks 6 through 11.

“Sound body, Sound mind: Music for Healing” integrates psychoacoustics with themes from Mozart, Brahms and others to induce relaxation and can be purchased from many Web sites.

I am aware that many counselor’s caseloads are full, including mine, and hope that these resources can help at this difficult time.

Suzanne Zilber, Ph.D, works at Catalyst Counseling in Ames.