Belleruth Naparstek

Belleruth Naparstek was born on December 25, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her academic journey led her to the University of Chicago, where she completed her undergraduate and graduate studies in social work. Following her education, Naparstek dedicated her early career to working in hospitals and clinics, gaining practical experience in direct patient care. She also contributed to academia by teaching at Case Western Reserve University, where she further developed her expertise in the field of social work and therapeutic interventions. This foundational period established her understanding of patient needs and the broader healthcare landscape.

Naparstek became a significant figure in the development and promotion of guided imagery as a therapeutic tool. She created a guided imagery library of self-administered audio programs, which have been adopted by various hospitals and clinics seeking to integrate alternative medicine practices. Her work provides adjunctive therapies focused on mind-body connection. In 1991, she co-founded Health Journeys Inc., a multimedia publishing company dedicated to producing clinically proven guided meditation and imagery audios. This initiative has made user-friendly, holistic, and evidence-based products accessible to a wider audience, including the launch of a Spanish guided meditation series.

Throughout her career, Naparstek has authored several books, including “Staying Well with Guided Imagery” (1994), “Your Sixth Sense: Activating Your Psychic Potential” (1997), and “Invisible Heroes: Survivors of Trauma and How They Heal” (2004). These publications have further disseminated her knowledge and methods to a global readership. She also serves on the faculty of the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine’s post-doctoral Fellowship Program, where she teaches Guided Imagery. Her work has positioned her as a key force in integrating guided imagery into major U.S. healthcare institutions, helping to improve patient outcomes through gentle and inexpensive mind-body techniques, particularly for those dealing with trauma like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).