RSA Shorts -The Power of Empathy

This is a wonderful short clip explaining empathy.  Empathy and sympathy are very different as you can see by watching this video.  Often times friends provide sympathy because they are unsure as to how to be empathetic to particular life experiences.  Counselors are trained to provide empathy and are willing to go to the deep and dark places with their clients.  Enjoy the RSA Shorts- The Power of Empathy.  Brought to you by www.thrivecounselingcenterllc.com.

Styles of Parenting

There are many approaches to parenting, yet effective leadership in a family is similar to effective leadership at work...the right attitudes and skills are necessary for forward progress!  Unlike careers that we have studied and trained for, parenting can just happen. No training involved, no how-to manual, no mandatory training class, etc. which can make it a difficult and unique challenge at times.  Due to this factor and other factors such as culture, personality, socioeconomic status, education level, family background, and religion, various parenting styles exist.  It is common for parents to struggle with the purpose and style of parenting, however it is important for parents to develop an awareness of their parenting style to assess whether or not it is effective for their family. 

The goal for any parent is typically to help protect their child and to help their child develop into an independent, successful adult by instilling values and character in the child.  Parents have good intentions and want the best for their children, yet in order to be effective in parenting, cooperation is necessary from the children which can be difficult at times.  It is at these times where parenting styles are truly tested.  

Here are the 4 main styles of parenting based on the popular developmental research by Baumrind (1967) and Maccoby and Martin (1983):

1. Authoritarian Parent:  This is the "all-knowing" parent that is directive and firm to the child who uses a system of rewards and punishments as a way to keep order in the household.  Authoritarian parents leave little room for children to question or challenge their orders or demands.  This style of parenting recognizes the need for rules, yet it pushed the envelope too far.  In other words, authoritarian parents are "strict" parents that think their motto is "My way or the highway!"  Typically with this type of parenting style, children cannot succeed and typically will rebel or be defiant.
   
2. Permissive Parent:  This is the "do what you like" parent that is passive and does not believe in order, rules, or responsibilities for the child.  Permissive parents give into their children and let their children make their own decisions.  This style of parenting recognizes the need for children to experience freedom and independence, yet because the child has not learned to understand rules and others' viewpoints, the child becomes insecure.  In other words, permissive parents are "easy-going and lenient" parents that think their motto is "Sure dear, what ever!"  Typically with this type of parenting style, children cannot succeed because they struggle with limits or refuse to comply.
   
3. Authoritative Parent:  This is the "well-balanced" parent that encourages order but also helps the child develop responsibility and freedom in the household.  Authoritative parents treat the child with dignity and respect, and allows the child to express his or her thoughts and feelings.  This style of parenting recognizes the need for children to be well-rounded and need a blend of structure and freedom.  In other words, authoritative parents are "reasonable and fair" parents that think their motto is "Watch first, now you try."  Typically with this type of parenting style, children succeed because it first teaches children necessary rules and then allows for children to take on more responsibilities as they grow.
   
4. Uninvolved Parent:  This is the "not there" parent that provides basic needs to the child but does not provide support or guidance.  This is the worst parenting style and can severely damage a child. Uninvolved parents are unresponsive to the needs of the child and are often too busy with their own life to recognize the needs of the child.  In other words, uninvolved parents are "dismissive" parents that think their motto is "Who cares?"  Typically with this type of parenting style, children do not succeed and struggle with self-esteem and behavioral issues.

Although it is clear that the authoritative style provides the best outcome for children, most parents choose a parenting style because they think it is what is best for their family based on their own personal experiences with being in a family.  It is important to remember that each style does have positive aspects and sometimes parents may bounce back and forth between the styles based on the event that arises.  

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Works Cited

Baumrind, D. (1967). Child-care practices anteceding three patterns of preschool behavior. Genetic Psychology Monographs, 75, 43-88.

Baumrind, D. (1991). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. Journal of Early Adolescence, 11(1), 56-95

Maccoby, E. E., & Martin, J. A. (1983). Socialization in the context of the family: Parent–child interaction. In P. H. Mussen & E. M. Hetherington, Handbook of child psychology: Vol. 4. Socialization, personality, and social development (4th ed.). New York: Wiley.

Available Group Counseling

Group Counseling is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of a unique counseling experience. Group Counseling is usually compromised of 6-8 clients who meet face to face with a counselor to talk about their concerns. Group members can share their own experiences and learn from peers at the same time. The content of group counseling is confidential and members must agree to not discuss the group outside the counseling office. Group therapy works because it gives us a safe environment to discuss our struggles and try out new experiences.

Available Groups at Thrive Counseling Center LLC:

• Infertility Support Group: This group is associated with infertility and the exploration of infertility treatment.  The purpose of the group is to provide a supportive environment where experiences can be shared. Topics may include self-esteem, sexuality, intimacy, and self-identity as related to the impact of infertility.
• Active Parenting: This is a 6 week course based on the Active Parenting Series by Dr. Popkin. The series will cover ways to discipline your child without violence, how to build courage and character, how to deal with problems and risks, and much more. The course is a blend of videos, activities, and discussion.
• Weight Loss Group for Adults: This group combines behavioral techniques for weight loss along with support from a caring counselor. Come learn techniques about how your thoughts and behaviors can affect your eating habits and gain support from others with similar challenges and goals.
• Overweight Adolescents Support Group: This group is for adolescents struggling with issues related to weight. The group will focus on self-esteem, self-acceptance, connectedness, and overall emotional well-being. The group is not intended for weight loss or management, but to assist in coping strategies.
• Self-Esteem Group for Adolescent Girls: This group is for girls between the ages of 13-16. The focus of the group is on defining and building self-esteem through activities and group discussion. Self-awareness, resiliency, stress management, problem-solving, and self-acceptance will be the areas explored within the group. 

To learn more about group counseling and to check the availability for upcoming groups, please give me a call at 504-390-9538 or email me at kcamelford@thrivecounselingcenterllc.com for more information. Once I have at least 3 clients interested in a particular group, we can run the group and set the schedule around the clients. Brought to you by www.thrivecounselingcenterllc.com.

LifeHack: 4Things to Learn for your Therapist

Great article about what you can learn from your therapist

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/4-things-you-can-learn-from-therapists.html

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Coping with Anxiety

Anxiety, unfortunately, is a normal reality in everyone's life that may peak during certain situations for most. Some typical settings for anxiety include new situations, testing/assessments, performance/evaluation, competition, and even asking something of another can provoke anxiety.  Most of the time, anxiety decreases once the nerve-wrecking activity has started or even ended, yet some people may continue to feel anxious.  Anxiety can be a "gut feeling" or can showcase physical symptoms, such as sweating and fast heart beat.  

Since anxiety is something that everyone has to deal with, it is important to have techniques available which will allow a person to cope with their anxiety.  Coping techniques can help sooth anxiety mentally and physically by training your mind and relaxing your body.  A few techniques one may want to try in order to cope with anxiety include:

1. Deep Breathing:  When feeling anxious, sit up straight for a few minutes (if possible) and close your eyes.  This will help you center yourself and by sitting tall you can feel your breath working through your upper body. Take deep, long breathes in through your nose, hold the breath for a moment, and then slowly exhale through your nose.  You may even want to count as you breath in to 4 and out. Repeat several times to reduce your anxiety.
   
2. Relaxation Techniques:  Various techniques are available for mind and muscle relaxation, check out a previous post where I discussed guided meditation.  The basics for any mind relaxation technique is to sit or lay quietly in a comfortable position and to close your eyes.  For muscle relaxation, you may want to release tension from your body by focusing on individual areas of your body and creating tension in those areas and then releasing it after a few seconds (toes, feet, calves, thighs, legs, gluts, stomach, hands, arms, upper body, mouth, eyes, head).  Once your muscles are relaxed, you may want to continue into a guided imagery where you can imagine yourself in a peaceful place.
   
3. Practice Positive Thinking:  When ever you catch yourself full of worry or having ruminating thoughts, you need to stop yourself by telling yourself "Stop!"  You then need to find ways to re-frame your thoughts into positive or less negative thoughts.  For example, Negative Thought: "I hate meeting new people, I can't believe I have to go to this stupid work event..." can be re-framed to "Meeting new people is difficult but the event is only an hour long, I know I'll make it through."
   
4. Counting / Adding:  Similar to practicing positive thinking,  counting can be a useful activity to combat anxious thoughts because it changes your mind set in the moment.  When you feel overwhelmed in your thoughts, try to count backwards from 1000 or start at 1 and add 7 to each new number.  Counting and adding pulls our mind out of an emotional state and into a logical state where we are solving for a problem and must focus on the logistics.

These techniques can work individually, but they can also work together to create better outcomes.  These activities should be practiced so that anxious individuals are comfortable with these techniques and can use them at any time when anxiety is present.  If you feel that you are still combating anxiety, don't just suffer on your own, seek out  first your physician to rule out any physical complications, and then seek out individual counseling or a counseling support group for anxiety so that you can gain support, learn more coping techniques, and work on the underlying causes of your anxiety.  

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Psychology Today Article on Purpose

I think as humans we all struggle with "purpose."  What is our purpose? How do we fulfill our purpose?  Can our purpose change or evolve as we grow and age?  Many people struggle with finding purpose in their lives since it seems to be something that is ever-changing.

Read this article on making your life's purpose: http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201404/your-purpose-in-life/purposeful-and-fulfilling?tr=HomeColItem

I hope this article helps you to think about your purpose and to motivate you to take steps towards it!

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Alcohol Awareness Month

April is a month with many important awareness campaigns. One that I would like to highlight today is "Alcohol Awareness Month."

This segment regarding youth statistics is copied from http://www.ncadd.org/index.php/programs-a-services/alcohol-awareness-month:

"Alcohol use by young people is extremely dangerous—both to themselves and to society, and is directly associated with traffic fatalities, violence, suicide, educational failure, alcohol overdose, unsafe sex and other problem behaviors. Annually, over 6,500 people under the age of 21 die from alcohol-related accidents and thousands more are injured. Additionally:

• Alcohol is the number one drug of choice for America's young people, and is more likely to kill young people than all illegal drugs combined. 
• Each day, 7,000 kids in the United States under the age of 16 take their first drink. 
• Those who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcoholism than those who begin at age 21. 
• More than 1,700 college students in the U.S. are killed each year—about 4.65 a day—as a result of alcohol-related injuries. 
• 25% of U.S. children are exposed to alcohol-use disorders in their family. 
• Underage alcohol use costs the nation an estimated $62 billion annually."

  

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The Counseling Relationship Between Client & Counselor

Counseling is a unique relationship unlike any previous relationship a client has encountered.  As a counselor, I value each of my clients and hope that I will be able to provide the empathetic, warm, and inviting environment needed for the counseling relationship.  Since counselors value unconditional positive regard and openness, the counseling relationship is set up for success in a non-judgemental environment.  Counseling works because it can help bring out the positives of a person and connect a person to the innate social interactions among people.  The key for the counseling relationship is that the client has to "want" to engage within the relationship.

The goal of counseling is to create a new, safe relationship where the counselor works with the client on his or her goals for treatment.  Since the counselor is trained in theories, techniques, and inter-personal relationship styles, counseling offers the ability to create a different type of relationship where one can realize they are not broken, but merely stuck in a difficult place.  In counseling, the main focus of the relationship is on the client and the client's needs.  The counselor is a facilitator of the client's thoughts, emotions, and experiences; and helps to provide valuable insight to the client.  A counselor does not bring in his or her own personal issues, judgements regarding the client, or even advice for the client into the counseling session.  (If you wanted advice, you would have called a friend!). Counselors are trained to do more than merely be a friend one can turn too, counselors have a deeper understanding of life's troubles.  As the client works through challenges, the counselor journeys with the client to feel the client's troubles and seek coping strategies to assist.  The joy of counseling is that your counselor is trained to go to the "dark and scary" places with you and help guide you through the "muck of your mind."  Counseling allows clients the freedom to experiment with different outcomes or possibilities for whatever the scenario or frustration may be.  A counselor is also trained to help a client gain insight or meaning.  A counselor believes in the client and can see positives in the client when sometimes the client cannot see within oneself.  Through the relationship, the counselor works to help the client find his or her voice, as well as challenging the client to see problems from various viewpoints.  Therefore the counseling relationship can be a powerful and unique relationship.

WARNING: The counseling relationship does take time to build so that trust and rapport can be developed.  In addition, sometimes in counseling, a client may feel worse before they feel better because they are coping with tough concerns that have been suppressed for a long time.  It is at this difficult time when a client should stick with counseling, so that his or her counselor can help the client cope with the difficulties and realign the client's thoughts to maintain a healthier perspective.

If you would like to learn more about the counseling relationship or how I may be able to help you, feel free to email kcamelford@thrivecounselingcenterllc.com.

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Myths about Young People and Social Media

Here is a link to an interesting read regarding myths and social media for adolescents and young adults:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201402/five-myths-about-young-people-and-social-media

I hope you enjoy this information.  Brought to you by www.thrivecounselingcenterllc.com.

National Institute of Mental Health: Anxiety & Depression Resources

The National Institute of Mental Health has great resources on their website regarding mental health issues. Here are a few links to resources regarding Anxiety and Depression:

Anxiety Disorders Booklet:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/nimhanxiety.pdf

Depression Booklet:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/depression-booklet.pdf

Women and Depression Booklet:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/women-and-depression-discovering-hope/depression-what-every-woman-should-know.pdf

Depression and High School Students Fact Sheet:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-and-high-school-students/depression-high-school-students.pdf

Depression in Children and Adolescents Fact Sheet:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-children-and-adolescents/depression-in-children-and-adolescents.pdf

Postpartum Depression Brochure:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/postpartum-depression-facts/postpartum-depression-brochure.pdf

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The Mind+Body Connection

If you are feeling down in the dumps, it may be time to assess yourself both mentally and physically. Typically, people who take care of themselves physically tend to have better general mental health.  So often when we are stressed, we are also not at our best physically because we are not eating right, working out, or getting enough sleep.  We cannot ignore these physical systems if we think we are going to get better mentally!  There is a definite connection between the mind and the body.  It is important to invest time in yourself and to take care of yourself physically.  Three areas to focus on regarding the Mind+Body Connection include:

• Exercise:  Exercise improves general mental health and well-being.  It can also help with weight management and sleep patterns.  Most doctors recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and it can be as simple as going for a walk.  If you are not use to exercise, start a program slowly so that you can gradually build up your endurance and strength.  
• Sleep:  Poor sleep reduces our ability to function appropriately throughout the day.  Adults should target to get around 8 hours of sleep a night and should attempt the same sleep schedule daily.  Your body likes a "regular" sleep and rise time so that your sleep cycle can remain consistent.
• Healthy Eating:  Healthy eating can be tough to accomplish with so many available and quick unhealthy choices.  Healthy foods can improve your health, manage weight, and help elevate your mood. 

If you are struggling with exercise, sleep, and eating habits you may want to consider keeping a daily journal. In order to become more mindful of your habits, it is important to write them down so that you can analyze where you can make some improvements.  Keep a daily record for one week of your meals, exercise, and sleep patterns.  After the initial week, review your record to see where you can make tweaks to create an improvement in your habits.  Then make a plan and commit to that plan, start with a few changes that you know you can make!  Keep recording your habits so that you can see whether or not you are accomplishing your goals.  Small successes can lead to larger gains both physically and mentally.

*As always, before you start any new program (whether it is for exercise or eating plans) it is best to consult with your physician first.  

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Because I'm Happy

If you listen to the radio like I do, then I'm sure you've heard the Pharrell song "Happy" at least 10 times in the past week.  It's a catchy tune that has a good message in my opinion.  And if for some reason you have not heard the song, click the following link to watch the music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM. The reason I am blogging about this particular song today is because I think it has a great message about choosing happiness.  Plus it is Friday and we are close to the weekend!

In general, music can help us to explore our various moods.  This particular song puts a smile on my face and brings joy.  Music can help us express ourselves and help validate our feelings letting us know that we are not alone in the world.  I like to incorporate music throughout my day and feel that it can be a great outlet in the counseling relationship.

So often we don't really listen to the lyrics of a song, but I think these lyrics have Choice Theory written all over them!  Choice Theory comes from William Glasser, MD and the main point of the theory is that we choose how to behave at anytime.  Glasser believed that behavior is central to our existence and that our behavior is driven by 5 human needs: survival, love, power, freedom, and fun/learning.  Choice Theory believes that we can only control ourselves and that much of human unhappiness is due to failed relationships within our lives.  I personally like Choice Theory because it has many parallels to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  I truly believe that we have the ability to change our mood based on our awareness and thoughts. With both Choice Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness is key.

Getting back to the song, Pharrell conveys in his lyrics that happiness is a choice and sometimes we truly have to "fake it till we make it," but that is a choice we have to consciously make.  I particularly like the verse that says:

"Here come bad news talking this and that, yeah,

Well, give me all you got, and don't hold it back, yeah,

Well, I should probably warn you I'll be just fine, yeah,

No offense to you, don't waster your time

Here's why...Because I'm Happy..."

So the next time you start to feel blue because of bad news, a failed relationship, the start of the week, etc., listen to Pharrell's song "Happy" and remember that you have the power within yourself to turn that frown upside down.  And if that's not enough, then reach out to the supports in your life who can help or seek a qualified counselor who can help you get to where you want to be in life.

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Signs Your Teen Needs Counseling

Adolescence is a difficult time in any one's life and with the added social pressures of today's society, teens are facing new and different dilemmas daily.  Teenagers are trying to figure out who they are and what they are about while trying to fit into the crowd at the same time.  The high school years can be a trying time for identity development.  Counseling can benefit any adolescent by providing support and structure to aid in the identity development process yet there are some red flags in teenagers that may indicate the need for counseling.  Some of these red flags include the following:

• Changes in Peer Groups:  If you learn that your teen is switching friends or having different weekend plans than before, this can be a red flag.  One reason for a switch could be that your son or daughter experienced relational aggression or bullying.  Another reason for a switch in friends could be that your son or daughter has decided that he or she needs to be different and wants to explore other "roles" through different group types.  Sometimes your teen will switch friend groups because they are uncomfortable with the activities of the group.  A change in a peer group can be either positive or negative; and when it is a negative experience, your teen may need guidance.
• Academic Changes:  Has your teen's grades dropped suddenly?  Does your teen just not care anymore about school?  Is the teacher contacting you with concerns?  If the answer is yes to any of these questions, something bigger could be happening with your teen mentally.
• Mood Swings:  Yes, all teens can be dramatic and hormonal at times, but that's the key, at times.  If you notice your son or daughter has a shift in his or her mood that is out of character, trust your instincts and seek out counseling.
• Acting Out / Behavioral Issues:  Is your child acting differently or testing the waters at home?  Has your teen been in trouble either at school or in the community?  
• Physical Changes:  Is your teen sleeping too much or not at all?  Is your teen complaining of headaches or stomachaches?  Eating too much or not at all?  Is your teen neglecting his or her hygiene?  
• Alcohol / Drug Use:  If you find any indicators that your teen may be using alcohol or drugs to escape or make themselves feel better this shows a great need for help.

Sometimes it can be difficult to assess whether or not your teen is being normal or in need of help.  I always tell parents to air on the side of caution.  If you see any of the above symptoms, it is important to have your teen assessed by his or her pediatrician and by a counselor.  Your teen's school counselor can be a good resource as the school counselor can assess students and refer teens to local counselors.

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What is the DSM-5?

I hear too often someone self-diagnosing themselves or diagnosing others inappropriately regarding mental illness.  "I'm depressed...," "She's bi-polar...,"  "He's borderline...,"  and on and on and on.  Most of the time,  the average person uses these terms loosely, not knowing the true criteria for an actual diagnosis of depression, bi-polar, or borderline.  Based on this pet-peeve of mine, I thought it might be helpful to discuss what the DSM-5 is and how the helping profession uses this manual to diagnosis clients. This information can be helpful to a client if they want to learn more specifically about a diagnosis either for themselves or a loved one.  It is also important for people to become informed on what the true definitions of some disorders are called so that terms are not inappropriately used in our common language.

The DSM-5 is the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).  This is the manual that counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists use to diagnosis clients regarding mental illness.  There have been several revisions of the manual as we've evolved in science and in the field of mental health.  For the history of the manual, click on the following link: http://www.psychiatry.org/practice/dsm/dsm-history-of-the-manual.  The manual is divided into categories based on disorders and for each disorder there is a summary of criteria for the diagnosis.  The manual also contains assessment measures to be utilized for diagnosis.  It is not a treatment manual of any kind, but a diagnostic and assessment tool.  To see more information, click the following link: http://www.psychiatry.org/dsm5

The DSM-5 is making waves in the counseling field due to some major changes from the previous version regarding classification.  To highlight a couple major changes: 1) There is no longer a classification for "Asperger Syndrome" under the Autism Spectrum Disorders. 2) The term mental retardation is no longer used, instead the new term is Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder).  and 3) The DSM-IV sub-types of schizophrenia  (i.e., paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated, and residual types) are eliminated.  To read about more of the changes click on the following link: http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/changes%20from%20dsm-iv-tr%20to%20dsm-5.pdf.

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Cognitive Behavioral Techniques for Weight Loss

Obesity is a growing epidemic in America for both adults and adolescents that is caused by consuming more energy than what is being used through daily activity or exercise.  Genetics also can play a part in the role of obesity.  Obesity can create substantial health risks that include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, joint discomfort, and even sleep apnea.  There are many management options available to try to reduce weight that include lifestyle changes, medication, diets, and even surgical procedures.

Through the field of counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has evolved as a technique for weight reduction and management to help obese individuals.  Ever wonder how counseling and weight loss can go hand-in-hand?  Well, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been linked to weight loss not because it's a "fad" diet plan, but because if one can successfully incorporate lifestyle changes by changing one's thoughts and behavior patterns, weight loss can be achieved.

The important key for using CBT in weight loss is that you are ready to make changes in your lifestyle, not just for a short period of time, but for the rest of your life!  Moving forward with change can be scary because there are both short-term and long-term costs and benefits.  Therefore, it's important to make sure your mind is set for change and can counteract negative thoughts that have already been programmed into your mind from an early age.  The goal of CBT is to identify your sabotaging thoughts so that you can replace them with appropriate thoughts.  CBT can help with weight loss by providing motivation, coping skills, and support while helping one to take control of her body, improve self-esteem, and help with stress management that typically surround the process of attempting to lose weight.

To begin using CBT in weight loss, one first needs to think about how many calories the body truly needs vs. how many calories a day you are consuming.  My first assignment I often give clients is to keep a food journal.  Food journaling is an important technique in CBT for weight loss because it makes one extremely mindful of everything one eats.  A food journal should consist of what you eat, how much you eat, when you eat, where you eat, how you feel when you eat, and a calorie count.  I know this seems like a lot of information and it is, but all of these questions lead to awareness of your eating habits.  Once there is a picture of your pattern of eating habits, then CBT can be used to train the brain differently with various techniques.


If you want to learn more about CBT in Weight Loss, you may want to consider reading more about CBT for Weight Loss.  There are many wonderful self-help books out there regarding CBT and weight loss, here are a few I personally recommend:

• The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think like a Thin Person by Judith S. Beck, PhD
• The Diet Trap: Feed Your Psychological Needs & End the Weight Loss Struggle Using Acceptance & Commitment Therapy by Jason Lillis PhD, Joanne Dahl, PhD, and Sandra M Weineland, PhD
• The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Weight Management: A step-by-step program by Michele Laliberte, PhD, Randi E McCabe, PhD, and Valerie Taylor, MD, PhD

These books are wonderful resources and can give you a foundation for CBT and weight loss. However, I would encourage you to take one step further and consider counseling for weight loss if you are truly looking to make a change in your life.  The counseling process provides support, motivation, encouragement, and accountability which at times can be difficult to obtain from a self-help book.

If you would like a CBT Weight Loss consultation and you are located in the New Orleans Metro Area, please contact Thrive Counseling Center LLC at 504-390-9538 or kcamelford@thrivecounselingcenterllc.com.  Brought to you by www.thrivecounselingcenterllc.com

Guided Meditation

Feeling stressed, anxious, or just that you have no time to get anything done?  Then it may be time to give yourself 10 minutes of your day to follow a guided meditation activity to center yourself and reset your focus.  I know most of you are thinking I can't make time for this, but I truly believe it is very important that you do find time in your busy day to take care of yourself!

Guided meditation can be a powerful counseling tool where an individual is guided by either his or her counselor in session or by a recording outside the counseling session.  Guided meditations range in length of time and purpose.  Some specifically focus on breathing and being aware of your body, while other guided meditations can take you on a journey to a safe place and provide comforting imagery.  The purpose of guided meditation is to help one relax one's body and clear the mind of any ruminating thoughts.

Guided meditation does take some time to master since we typically let our minds wander 24/7!  I would encourage you to start with a short meditation that focuses on breathing and once you feel comfortable with that, you can move on to longer meditations.  After a meditation, you should feel renewed and refreshed.

Thanks to the internet, one can find guided meditations online easily...they also have apps on smart phones as well.  If you would like to try guided meditation, one great website is UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center at http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22

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Facial Expressions & Emotions

While doing some reading over the weekend, I came across this interesting article that I thought I would share: http://m.wdsu.com/health/Happily-disgusted-15-new-emotions-ID-d/25322962

Enjoy what's left of your weekend so you can recharge for the week!

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What is the First Counseling Session Like?

Often times people are fearful to come to counseling because it is an unfamiliar process that they have never been exposed to before.  I thought it might help to talk about what usually happens in the first counseling session to dispel myths or fears.

Typically the client first makes contact to the counselor via a phone call, email, or now one can even schedule an appointment online for some counselors.  If one makes a phone call, they typically have the opportunity to discuss concerns with the counselor on the call which can be comforting, however if one makes the appointment via email or online, they may have higher anxiety about what to expect from the counseling for the first meeting.

The first counseling session will start with introductions of both the counselor and the client.  The counselor will ask the client about any presenting problems as to why she is seeking counseling.  The counselor may use an intake form to ask for background and demographic information or they may have you fill that out beforehand so they can review your information.  Counselors know that clients are nervous about the intake session and one of our main goals in this session is to make the client comfortable in the counseling environment.  The first session will orient the client to the process of counseling and your counselor should share with you her theoretical orientation and practice information through a document called Declaration of Practice.  Clients should feel free to ask questions about the qualifications of the counselor or counseling in general.  The intake session gives each side an opportunity to see if the counseling relationship between the counselor-client will further develop into a positive working relationship.  One could consider the first session as a "getting to know you" and informative meeting about the logistics of the counseling relationship.  There will be paperwork to sign such as Declaration of Practice, Credit Card Forms, Informed Consent, and Health Insurance Billing if applicable.  Together the counselor and client may set goals for treatment and discuss the length of treatment.  Finally, the session will wrap-up with the counselor summarizing the session, scheduling a future session, and thanking the client for their honesty and for coming into counseling.

The goal of the first session (and even the first few sessions) is to make sure the client feels comfortable in the counseling setting and free to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.  Counselors will use empathy, unconditional positive regard, open-ended questions, and active listening skills to help engage the client and make them feel welcomed into the counseling process.

To see what an intake form looks like, you can review the one I currently use for my adult clients: http://www.thrivecounselingcenterllc.com/userfiles/4308645/file/ThriveCounselingCenterLLCAdultIntakeForm.pdf

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What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular theory to use in counseling with clients of all ages and diversities (Vernon, 2004). The theory originated with Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s as a short-term, here-and-now focused, problem-solving form of psychotherapy for depression (Beck, 1995). The main concept is that individuals are in control of their thoughts and, therefore, in control of how they feel (Beck, 1995). The goal of therapy is to produce cognitive change in a client's thinking and belief system to help create emotional and behavioral changes in the client's environment (Beck, 1995). CBT is goal oriented, structured, and problem focused for every client (Beck, 1995). The client's treatment plan will vary considering the presenting problem, any diagnosis issued, past exposure to therapy, client goals, and willingness to participate in treatment (Beck, 1995).

A CBT counselor creates a cognitive conceptualization to create an individualized framework to work with each client. Through this technique, counseling can be customized to each client utilizing several overarching principles in CBT (Beck, 1995). CBT consists of specific learning experiences designed to teach clients how to track their automatic thoughts, acknowledge the connection between thoughts and personal behaviors, and substitute more rational oriented interpretations in place of irrational thoughts (Beck, 1995). Because CBT is pragmatic, psycho-educational, and relatively brief, it has become a popular therapy utilized in private practices by counselors.  

Sources: 

Beck, J.S. (1995). Cognitive therapy: Basic and beyond. New York: The Guilford Press. 

Vernon, A. (2004). Using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques. In B. T. Erford (Ed.), Professional

school counseling: A handbook of theories, programs, & practices (91-100). Austin, TX:
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Confidentiality in Counseling

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent."

Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Psychiatrist, etc.), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission. Therapists should have consent forms available at their offices and can fax or mail copies to the other provider.

As stated above the law protects the relationship between a client and a therapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission by the client. However, there are 3 exceptions when a therapist can break confidentiality if it is to protect the client or someone in the client's life. The exceptions to confidentiality are as follows:

1. Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, for which therapists are "mandated reporters" and are required by law to report abuse to the appropriate authorities immediately. 
2. If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s. Therapists must notify the police and inform the intended victim. 
3. If a client intends to harm himself or herself, therapists will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, therapists will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety. Calling 911 or an ambulance may be a possibility if the therapist has a high risk assessment. 

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So, What is the Difference Between Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Psychologists, and Psychiatrists?

The field of mental health has various professions under it's umbrella, yet most people do not understand or recognize the differences between the closely linked professions.  I thought it would be important to share with you job descriptions of social workers, licensed professional counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists so that you can decide for yourself where your needs may be best suited.  The beauty of the mental health field is that although each of these professions do different things, by these professions joining forces and working together seamless patient care can be provided on the mental health care front.

Social Workers: "Social work practice consists of the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to one or more of the following ends: helping people obtain tangible services; counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; helping communities or groups provide or improve social and health services; and participating in legislative processes. The practice of social work requires knowledge of human development and behavior; of social and economic, and cultural institutions; and of the interaction of all these factors (Source: http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/default.asp)." I view social workers as colleagues of licensed professional counselors with similar training. One main difference between the two is that social workers are often case managers and can connect individuals to various resources throughout a network.

Licensed Professional Counselors: "Provide mental health and substance abuse care to millions of Americans. LPCs are master's-degreed mental health service providers, trained to work with individuals, families, and groups in treating mental, behavioral, and emotional problems and disorders. LPCs make up a large percentage of the workforce employed in community mental health centers, agencies, and organizations, and are employed within and covered by managed care organizations and health plans. LPCs also work with active duty military personnel and their families, as well as veterans (Source: http://www.counseling.org/publicpolicy/whoarelpcs.pdf)." When one thinks of traditional counseling or talk therapy, they are typically thinking of an LPC.

Psychologists: Psychologists work in a wide-range of settings that include: Universities, Medical Schools, Government Agencies, Educational / Schools, Independent Practice, Hospital / Health Services, and Business / Non-for-Profit. Psychologists may have varied interests in research, the study of social development, teaching and providing services to students, promotion of physical and mental health, support community and individual well-being, and study work and performance issues (Source: http://www.apa.org/careers/resources/guides/careers.aspx?item=4). Psychologists are important as well because they can perform psychological testing and evaluations.

Psychiatrists: "A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental health, including substance use disorders. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological disturbance. A psychiatrist has completed medical school (is an M.D. or D.O.) and an additional four or more years of residency training in psychiatry. Psychiatrists use a variety of treatments, including psychotherapy, medication, and other treatments (Source: http://www.psychiatry.org/about-apa--psychiatry/more-about-psychiatry)."

Overall, all 4 professions are qualified for talk therapy, yet sometimes there is difficulty to schedule appointments with psychologists and psychiatrists do to the shortage of these professions in our areas. Sometimes clients want to just see a Psychiatrist to get prescribed medication as a quick fix for their emotional issues.  There are many wonderful medications out there, but research shows that the combination of medication and talk therapy creates the best patient outcomes.  Social Workers and LPCs can offer talk therapy usually at a reduced rate compared to psychiatrists. My best recommendation for those seeking help it to see a combination of these services for the best possible outcome.  These professions are supposed to compliment one another, not compete for clients!

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