Cyndi Turner's Blog, page 25

December 13, 2016

Psychological Testing Explained

Perhaps your child has recently been having behavioral problems and their pediatrician suggested that a psychological assessment may be helpful. Or maybe you have been feeling overwhelmed and your therapist recommended that you have a psychological evaluation. You may have even seen psychological tests being administered in movies or television shows. But what exactly is psychological testing?


What is Psychological Testing?


Imagine that for the past few weeks you’ve had frequent headaches that you have never had before. Wondering what might be causing them, you find that an internet search brings up many possible medical conditions but no good way to tell which could be correct. Although each diagnosis has the symptom “headache” in common, the treatments are very different. For example, we don’t treat caffeine withdrawal the same way as we treat, say, the flu, even though headaches are common in both. That is why your physician runs a series of tests before prescribing you medicine or performing an operation: to rule out what the problem is not and provide the best treatment for what the problem actually is.


Psychological testing (or “assessment” or “evaluation”) works the same way, but uses surveys, puzzles, and verbal questions instead of blood samples and MRIs. If you’ve been having difficulty concentrating, you could be having problems resulting from ADHD, but they could also be caused by depression. If your child is not performing well academically, they may have a learning disorder, or their problems could be the result of anxiety. Psychological testing can identify the real cause of your problems (and rule out the wrong ones) so that you can receive the most efficient treatment possible. There may also be things that you can do on your own, and there will be clear and specific recommendations for you if this is the case.


What Types of Issues Can Psychological Testing Help Me With?


Psychological testing can be beneficial in many situations, including the following:



School, Work, & Developmental Issues : Learning disorders, intellectual giftedness, developmental delays, school readiness, intellectual disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and career satisfaction
Behavioral Problems : Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), and other problems of defiance and maladaptive behaviors
Social & Attachment Problems : Social skills deficits, insight into personality functioning, difficulties in interpersonal and romantic relationships, Reactive Attachment Disorder, & other problems with parent-child/family relationships
Depression, Anxieties, Fears, & Traumatic Exposure: Depressive disorders, other mood disorders, anxiety disorders, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), adjustment problems, and histories of abuse and other traumas
Cognitive & Executive Functioning: Memory problems, difficulties with attention, planning, and self-regulation, and problems with time-management and multitasking
Severe Mental Illness: Identifying thought disorders and other severe mental health problems
Clearances for Bariatric Surgeries

The following are some scenarios where testing was helpful:



An 8-year-old boy with a history of academic success began performing below expected levels at school. The assessment revealed that his performance was impaired by a learning disorder in math combined with an emotional reaction to his parents’ recent divorce. Recommendations tackled his math deficits as well as his ability to adjust to the changes in his family’s structure.
A young woman on a leave of absence from college due to problems making friends and fitting in was worried that she may have an Autism Spectrum Disorder that had not been identified in childhood. Testing ruled out autism and illuminated how her history of trauma made it difficult for her to form close relationships. She was given steps to take to become more comfortable in social situations and suggestions for treatment to help her cope with the difficult experiences from her past.
Following a head injury sustained during a serious car accident, a man experienced significant memory problems. Psychological testing was able to distinguish between which aspects of his memory difficulties were a direct result of his head injury, and which were better explained by his emotional reaction to the accident. He was provided recommendations to overcome both of these issues.

What will happen during the testing process?



The psychologist (always a Psy.D. or Ph.D.) will meet with you to understand the issues you are having and your goals for the assessment. This is an opportunity to let the psychologist know exactly what questions you are hoping to have answered. The psychologist will also conduct an interview with you to a gain a full understanding of your or your child’s history.
The psychologist will then select tests based on your specific needs. Several different types of tests can be included, such as survey forms, verbal questions-and-answers, storytelling, drawing, and puzzles. Testing is tailored to you, so your experience may be different than someone else’s.
You will then meet on one or more occasions to complete the tests. As the testing process can be tiring, particularly for children, it may be better to have several shorter sessions rather than fewer, longer sessions. Even knowing as much as you now do about psychological testing, you may still feel anxious as you are testing – this is very normal! However, be assured that you can’t “fail” a psychological evaluation: these are not tests for which you should try to prepare yourself or your child. The tests will be most accurate – and therefore most helpful to you – if you simply respond as honestly as possible.
The psychologist will use the resulting information to develop a clear picture of the problem and provide an accurate diagnosis. The psychologist will also compile the information into a written report that includes the results and recommendations. Unfortunately, this process is not as simple as printing out a blood test and it generally takes two or three weeks for the psychologist to complete a full report.
After the report is complete, the psychologist will schedule a feedback session with you to review the report and answer any questions you may have. The psychologist will provide you with a copy of the report, and you can let the psychologist know if you would like a copy of the report sent to anyone else (e.g., a school or doctor).

While this may seem like a complicated process, psychological testing is the most effective way to obtain an accurate understanding of the problems you or your child are experiencing, as well as effective means to overcome them. This information can be invaluable in obtaining the help you need for yourself or your loved ones.


Danielle Rothman, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist at Insight Into Action Therapy. If you are interested in psychological testing, contact her at (703) 646-7664 ext. 11.

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Published on December 13, 2016 04:43

December 5, 2016

Insist on a Healthy Work/Life Balance

By Kerry Wekelo (kerry@zendoway.com)


Work and home used to have much clearer boundaries than we now have in this information age of 24/7 connectivity. We tend to blend work with just about everything else, but then compartmentalize how we view work versus our personal life and outside activities. We forget to compare the amount of time and energy we spend on each, which then quickly creates an imbalance between work and “other.” Being pulled in two directions can cause anxiety in which we are fearful or uneasy about how we will manage our life.


In order to be the best you can be in all areas, all aspects of your life need to be in near balance. If you are working too much, then you will not have the energy to do things when you are not at work. If you play too hard outside of work, then you will not have the capacity for your job.


A Word on Balance


Balance is a tricky thing. In fact, I’m not even sure absolute balance is possible at any given time. What is possible, however, is a balance on average, over time. Our lives are not steady, and work is constantly changing, so the reality is that some days will require you to focus more on work, and other days more on personal life – tipping you off balance. The key is to counter-balance your activities in order to bring your energy and focus closer to center.


Through much trial and error, I have landed on six guiding principles that I personally practice and advocate for all my friends and family, and through my corporate work at Actualize Consulting. We give each new hire a soft squeezable “Zendoway Cube” that I created, with different prompts printed on each side as a reminder of these daily principles.



Breathe

The truth is that many of us forget to breathe during the day. Yes, we breathe enough to stay alive, but we don’t breathe in ways that take full advantage of the powerful ally our breath can be. In times of stress, we can turn to our breath. It is free, accessible to us at any time, and an effective antidote to the anxiety and physical symptoms of stress.


The next time you find yourself stressed, upset at a co-worker, about to scream, wanting to hide under your desk, or just go home sick – take a moment to breathe. Another cube I developed is Breathing: fun, simple prompts for intentional breathing:



Belly Breathing: Inhale slowly through the nose, pretending to blow up a balloon in the belly. Wait 2 seconds, and then slowly exhale through the mouth, emptying the balloon of air so the tummy deflates.
Balloon Breathing: Raise your arms high from your sides up over your head as you take a deep breath. As you exhale, let all the air come out like a balloon as you drop your arms.
Ahhhh: Take a long breath in and say ahhhh.
Hummm: Start to hum, place your hands over your ears. Notice how the sound changes. Continue to place your hands on and off your ears.
Smile: Try to smile for one minute.


Challenge

Another important way to keep your work/life balance healthy is to handle issues as they come up, instead of letting them simmer and take up important energy and space in your head. If, for example, I have a disagreement with a co-worker and don’t address it directly with them, chances are that I will take that frustration home and keep thinking about it. This simple exercise listed on the Challenge side of the cube can be helpful:



Notice your current emotions.
Pause to allow what you are feeling.
Pivot to a positive possibility.

Moving forward in this way truly saves so much time. Handle issues now to keep them from spilling over much more than they need to.



Communicate

One of the most vital aspects of success in our personal and professional relationships is communication, the thread that connects us to each other. Without effective communication, ideas don’t get shared or transferred, collaborations suffer, relationships break, and leaders become dictators. There are countless communication techniques to explore. I have found one in particular that is easy to remember in the heat of the moment with my kids and adults. It comes from an old saying that suggests we ask ourselves three questions before speaking our words:



Is it true?
Is it kind?
Is it necessary

If the answer to any of these is no, then what you are about to say should be left unsaid. If the answer to all of these questions is yes, then what you are about to say is most likely respectful and important.



Move

Movement is another way of taking care of your wellbeing. If you’re picturing me sending you to the gym or a track to do a hard exercise workout, that’s not what I’m talking about here. I learned in my yoga training that opposites heal. Many of the aches and pains we experience are due to us not moving our bodies. We are not made to sit all day every day; we need to do the opposite of sitting, and move. Be creative in how you choose to move, using simple exercises at your desk, walking a few minutes every hour, dancing, or taking time to play your favorite game.



Nourish

The nourish principle is about much more than just putting food into our bodies. It’s about taking the time to get to know our own nutrition needs, and to lovingly provide for those needs in a way that is life-giving and positive, fueling us to be our best in all our daily interactions. If we are not eating a well-balanced diet, our personal performance, whether at home or at work, can be negatively impacted. Think about the days you might have had a chocolate bar or treat and coffee to get you over that afternoon slump. It may have done the trick for 15 minutes, and then your energy faded right out, likely even to lower than before. That’s not a healthy way to nourish yourself. Each day, ask yourself how your food and drink choices are impacting you. Are they fueling and energetic choices or quick fixes to get you by emotionally?



Routine

Our daily routine has to allow space for us to flourish. I highly advocate taking time for yourself each day. As a simple start, consider “What inspires you?” Make a list, then complete an activity that inspires you or that you love. In the book, Essentialism, by Greg McKeown, he describes how LinkedIn’s CEO Jeff Weiner schedules up to two hours of blank space on his calendar every day. McKeown also points out that Bill Gates takes up to one week each year just to read and think. We also must make time for ourselves to just be in the moment.


Conclusion


I know it’s easy to get caught up in all the things we have to get done each day. It might seem like having to pay attention to your work/life balance is just one more thing to add to the list, but I can promise you it is worth adding. When your life is well-balanced, on average, between work and other activities, you will be more satisfied, more motivated, happier, and healthier.


As McKeown says, we have the option of “living by design, not default.” We have the power to choose what we engage in each day. We can take the initiative to design our life instead of having our life design us. We can choose balance.


 

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Published on December 05, 2016 20:17

November 29, 2016

What is the MAC, NAADAC, and NCC AP?

The mental health field is a profession with many acronyms. Why are MAC, NAADAC, and NCC AP important to you? If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol, drugs, or other process addictions like gambling, gaming, overeating, or sex, you want your therapist to know what they are and to hold the MAC which stands for Master Addiction Counselor Certification.


NAADAC The Association for Addiction Professionals, formerly named the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, represents more than 85,000 addiction counselors, educators and other addiction-focused health care professionals in the United States, Canada, and abroad. NAADAC professionals specialize in addiction prevention, treatment, recovery support, and education. Their goal is to create healthier individuals, families, and communities through prevention, intervention, quality treatment, and recovery support. They understand that addiction is the number one public health issue in the United States today with 22 million people—10% of the United States’ population—needing treatment for a substance use disorder.


NCC AP is the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals. They function under the umbrella of NAADAC and are an independent body that issues NAADAC’s national credentials. The NCC AP develops the national standards of knowledge in substance use disorder counseling, provides formal recognition to individuals who meet the national standards, and establishes policies for earning and maintaining credentials.


The MAC is a national certification for professionals who provide substance use disorder and addiction-related treatment. In order to earn the Master Addiction Counselor certification, a clinician must:



Hold a Master’s Degree in the field of Substance Use Disorders/Addiction and/or related counseling subjects (social work, mental health counseling, psychology) from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.
Maintain a current credential or license as a Substance Use Disorder/Addiction counselor or Professional Counselor (social worker, mental health, marriage & family, professional counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, medical doctor) issued by a state or credentialing authority.
Have at least three years full-time or 6,000 hours of supervised experience as a Substance Use Disorder/Addiction counselor and at least 500 contact hours of education and training in Substance Use Disorder/Addiction
Adhere to the NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics.

In order to maintain the MAC certification, therapists must continue to hold a valid license, work in the substance use disorder and addiction-related treatment, and participate in 40 hours of continuing education every two years.


Congratulations to Craig, James, Amber June, Tara Soligan, and Cyndi Turner who took the steps to earn their Master Addiction Counselor certifications this fall. All four therapists provide treatment for adolescents, young adults, and adults in Insight Into Action Therapy’s Dual Diagnosis Recovery Program©. The DDRP focuses on four main areas: recovery, physical and mental Health, education/employment, and family.


If you are someone you love is struggling with alcohol, drugs, or other addictions, please reach out. There are many different types of treatments available. One size does not fit all.  Effective treatment for substance use disorders, dual diagnoses, and addictions require specialized training and individualized treatment. One way of ensuring that you get the best help is to make sure that your provider is licensed and credentialed.


There are many paths to recovery. There is help and there is hope.


 

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Published on November 29, 2016 10:03

November 22, 2016

Preventing Holiday Overindulgence

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the season of overindulgence. We will eat, drink, and spend too much. There are many parties to attend, gifts to purchase, things to decorate, and people to visit. The extra chores and activities demand time and take us away from our healthy routines of working out, eating well, and getting enough sleep. Instead we check one more item off the shopping list and finish wrapping that last gift.  We eat too many seasonal treats and take an extra helping of holiday dishes rationalizing: we only get this once a year.


The holidays should be a time of celebration and togetherness not just about food, drink, parties, and shopping. I spent the last two years researching and writing about the topic of moderation. While the book’s title indicates that it is about drinking, one Amazon reviewer noted:


This is a book for everyone to read. We’ve all either had some issues with different ‘addictions’ (Food, Chocolate, Gambling, etc.) or have been affected by others who do.




The various techniques she suggests arthankgiving-imagee applicable to not only addressing addictions but various forms of stress in any of our lives.”


 I encourage you use the book as a resource to help you stay in balance. I want you to celebrate the holidays not regret choices you made. You may save yourself a few pounds of weight gain, hangovers, fights, or even a legal charge.


Get your pre-public release copy of Can I Keep Drinking? How You Can Decide When enough is Enough” by clicking on https://buycanikeepdrinking.ecwid.com


Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the treats, but focus on relationships and strive to keep your life in balance!

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Published on November 22, 2016 07:05

November 11, 2016

Election Results: Perspective from Both Sides

“Mommy, did the girl win?” Nearly a decade of clinical experience providing therapy to suicidal clients, individuals struggling with gender identity, teenagers in the clutches of addiction, and my three year old daughter made me speechless with five simple words. With tears in my eyes, I tightly held my daughter and told her that no, the girl didn’t win.


In a time when the news is consumed with rapidly increasing opiate addiction, middle school children committing suicide, and cyber bullying, how do we, as parents, explain to our children that the party we did not vote for will be leading the country in ways we do not support? I have some thoughts…



Show Our Children How to Use Positive Coping Skills. Acknowledge your feelings and demonstrate how to channel those emotions into something constructive. Instead of having an extra glass of wine, go for a walk as a family. Rather than hurling verbal insults, set goals and make plans for the future. Encourage your children to acknowledge their feelings. Kids can sense parents’ anxieties and often act out as a result. Help your kids channel their emotions into a developmentally appropriate activity, such as coloring, reading, or playing outside. This will help you and your child alleviate stress while validating uncomfortable emotions.
Act Kindly. Regardless of political affiliation, our country is in a state of unrest. Show your children how to give back in your community. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, ask your children to donate used toys to kids in need, or give your child change for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign when leaving the grocery store. Explain the benefit of these actions. Volunteering produces a sense of pride and community involvement. Help your children process their emotions after helping an individual in need. Beginning these habits at a young age can start lifelong community engagement.
Reinforce Home Values. The foundation of morals and good behavior begin in the family home. While some of the events in the world may not be congruent with the morals that we are teaching in the home, it is important to remain consistent. Provide positive reinforcement for behaviors that you want to encourage. Use age appropriate metaphors, such as movies or books, to explain why other behaviors are discouraged. Basic human nature is to mimic those closest to us. As a result, if we live by the ethics that we set forth for our children, they will follow suit and become positive role models to the next generation.

While the world may be struggling to set positive examples for our children, as parents, we can combat the negativity by using strong coping skills, being kind, and maintaining a definitive moral compass at home. I find comfort in the words of former First Lady Barbara Bush: “Your success as a family, our success as a society, depends not on what happens in the White House, but on what happens in your house.”


A Democratic Voter


 


It has been an interesting week. After a long and ugly election season, it’s all finally over. I am happy about the result. The odd part is, as a Republican, I feel like it isn’t socially acceptable for me to be authentic about that. The term “silent majority” emerged out of this election cycle and oddly, I still feel like I need to be silent. You see, to share my feelings about the election result means risking being seen as racist, sexist, homophobic and numerous other negative labels.


I am none of these. I am an open hearted, compassionate human being who voted on issues unrelated to these labels. Wanting different things from our government and for our country doesn’t make me heartless. I care deeply about people and my career and relationships bear witness to that. The beauty and uniqueness of our elections is that we are free to have different opinions, another form of diversity.


When we don’t “win” it is human to feel disappointed and to grieve or mourn in healthy ways. I know. I did it the last two elections. However, when we project our dislike of the winning candidate on to those who voted for him in shaming ways that gets hurtful and divisive. My hunch is that voters from both parties saw the flaws of the candidates and voted for the platform that most closely aligned with their values.


Let’s accept the election result and focus on seeing one another as individuals, not as categories or labels. Assumptions and labels perpetuate divisiveness and the notion that those who disagree with us are somehow bad or wrong.   I get that it is easier and emotionally safer for us to go to those judgements because it doesn’t require anything of us. I challenge us to look beyond anger to see what fear or anxiety lies beneath. It’s my experience that anger masks many other emotions. From there, we can advocate in healthy ways for beliefs and values we strongly hold.


I believe that there is far more that unites us than divides us so I challenge us to focus on these things. Think about your friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers who voted differently than you: now embrace the qualities that you respect, admire, or simply enjoy about them. Allow for differences of opinion while valuing all the reasons you liked them in the first place. In my opinion, a crazy election is not worth losing relationships over!


A Republican Voter


 

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Published on November 11, 2016 13:00

October 31, 2016

Bullying is More Than Just Playground Fights

October is National Bullying Awareness Month. In the past, the main venue for bullying was on the playground or in the hall at school. Now, thanks to social media and instant access to the internet, victimization can happen 24/7 without any escape.


I am sure many of us can think of our own experience of bullying as either a victim or a witness to taunts and kids picking on each other. Bullying does not just stop on the playground. Bullying continues in our adult lives. It is important to know that the psychological effects can continue weigh on us as adults.


According to Forbes, roughly 37% of adults report getting bullied in the workplace.  It might look like someone spreading rumors about inter-office relationships, negative comments about how someone dresses, or even belittling someone’s work. Even witnessing someone bullied at work can be harmful by creating an environment of tolerance for this behavior. People may miss work to avoid the situation. It can cause a victim to feel stress and anxiety about being a victim again and feeling alienated from others. It can cause someone to even eventually leave a job which could significantly impact their income and ability to provide for their family.


Many perpetrators of work place bullying were actually identified as perpetrators as kids too. When this behavior is not addressed in kids and teens it can have lasting effects. Let’s look at where this starts….


One common characteristic of “schoolyard” bullies is they have their own insecurities and are often trying to control more vulnerable peers. The bullies are often more likely to develop problems later in life, such as acting out violently and aggressively toward others. They are more likely to use substances and more likely to become abusive toward others. Intervening and getting a bullying kid help to change their behavior is important. Ignoring this behavior or just assuming “kids will work it out” can lead to more problems down the road.


There are some risk factors identified in kids who are bullied. These include being perceived as different from their peers, such as teens who are starting to identify as LGBTQ, teens who have few friends, teens who are perceived as week or unable to defend themselves, or kids with special needs. Just because kids might have these risk factors it does not mean they will be bullied. However, keep an eye out for these warning signs:  changes in eating habits, nightmares or difficulty sleeping, anxiety about going to school, sudden change in friends, loss of interest in social activities, declining grades, headaches/stomach aches, or even self-destructive behaviors. Don’t wait for a kid to ask for help because many times they are embarrassed, fear retaliation, or think no one will believe them. Let kids and teens know that bullying is not okay.


Kids who are bullied are more likely to have health complaints and miss school, feel anxious or depressed, or act out aggressively toward others in response to being bullied. Keep in mind the kids that witness bullying are also impacted.


Social media has created a whole new platform for online bullying which can have the most drastic impact on us. This is a mechanism for bullying that is widespread and constant.


Do you want to learn more about how to combat bullying in your community or school? Visit www.stopbullying.gov for more information and tips to raise awareness.


To find ways to get help for anxiety, depression or the psychological impact of being bullied visit www.insightactiontherapy.com


Angie Harris, MA, MSW, is a therapist with Insight Into Action Therapy.  She enjoys working with adolescents and young adults to support their journey through mental wellness and resiliency. Through her years of clinical experience she has learned that early awareness and intervention is essential. She has experience working with specialty populations and understands the unique needs of the LGBTQ community and their families.  She provides individual, family and group therapy at the practice. She is currently offering a teen girls group, Empower, to help address self-esteem and bullying-related issues.  If you are interested in seeking services, give her a call at (703) 646-7664.


 

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Published on October 31, 2016 17:51

October 18, 2016

It is Time to Talk About It

Did you know that  September was Suicide Awareness Month? Have you heard about suicide awareness activities such as the NAMI walk or an Out of the Darkness Community Walk? If not, now that you know September is an important month to raise awareness about suicide, you can plan participate in an event next year.


Talking about suicide is so important because it is a concept that makes many people uncomfortable. By increasing awareness about the prevalence of suicide, specifically by identifying those most at risk, knowing the warning signs and implementing prevention and intervention services, we can start to impact the silent epidemic of suicide.


Suicide continues to impact everyone, regardless of age and gender. It is the tenth leading cause of death in the US and the third leading cause of death for youth. Although women attempt suicide more than men, men die three and a half times more often because they chose more lethal means. The actual number of people attempting suicide is hard to track because many are not reported or treated.


Know the Warning Signs



Threats or comments about killing themselves, also known as suicidal ideation, can begin with seemingly harmless thoughts like “I wish I wasn’t here” but can become more concrete and dangerous
Increased alcohol or drug use
Aggressive behavior or dramatic mood swings
Social withdrawal from friends, family and the community
Talking, writing or thinking about death
Impulsive or reckless behavior

Giving cherished items away


Know the Risk Factors for Suicide


Research has found that about 90% of individuals who die by suicide experience mental illness. A number of other things may put a person at risk of suicide, including:



A family history of suicide or knowing someone who recently died by suicide.
Substance use. Drugs and alcohol can result in mental highs and lows that exacerbate suicidal thoughts.
Intoxication. More than one in three people who die by suicide are found to be under the influence.
Access to firearms.
A serious or chronic medical illness.
Gender. Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are almost four times more likely to die by suicide.
A history of trauma or abuse.
Prolonged stress.
Isolation.
Age: Elderly and middle-aged individuals.
A recent tragedy or loss.
Agitation and sleep deprivation.

LGBTQ youth and young adults are at increased risk of suicide. Did you know adolescents in grade 7-12 who identify as LGBTQ are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide as their heterosexual peers? The need for increased awareness and intervention for these youth is essential.*


Helping this group and their families know they are not alone is crucial. Supportive families are a key protective factor to combat the prevalence of suicide among LGBTQ youth. The Trevor Project is a National Hotline for crisis and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth. Learn more at http://www.thetrevorproject.org/ 1-866-488-7386


For more information on this topic https://www.recoverymonth.gov/sites/default/files/toolkit/2016/lgbt-community.pdf


If you or someone you know is struggling, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK


See more at: www.afsp.org


To learn more about local available mental health counseling services, please visit www.insightactiontherapy.com


Angie Harris, MA, MSW, is a therapist with Insight Into Action Therapy.  She is passionate about suicide awareness and prevention. She enjoys working with adolescents and young adults to support their journey through mental wellness and resiliency. Through her years of clinical experience she has learned that early awareness and intervention is essential. She has experience working with specialty populations and understands the unique needs of the LGBTQ community and their families.  She provides individual, family and group therapy at the practice. If you are interested in seeking services, contact her by email at: aharris@insightactiontherapy.com or call her at: (703) 646-7664 x10.


 


*Michael P. Marshal, Mark S. Friedman, Ron Stall, Kevin M. King, Jonathan Miles, Melanie A. Gold, Oscar G. Bukstein1, and Jennifer Q. Morse. (2008). Sexual orientation and adolescent substance use: a meta-analysis and methodological review. Addiction, 103(4): 546–556. doi:10.1111/j.1360- 0443.2008.02149.x

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Published on October 18, 2016 06:53

October 4, 2016

Worried about your client’s drinking? Do they say they are not an alcoholic and don’t think AA is for them? They might be right.

Approximately six percent of the Unites States’ population struggles with a severe alcohol use disorder.  This group and their loved ones will experience devastating consequences.  On the plus side, most traditional treatments and self-help groups are geared for their recovery.  However, there is a larger number of the population—over 90 million people— that have a gap in services.  They will avoid getting help for fear of being labeled an alcoholic, forced into treatment, made to attend 12-step meetings, and have to stop drinking completely.  As health care providers, we need find ways to help this large number of alcohol users who are not experiencing addiction, but may be dealing with a mild or moderate alcohol use disorder.


There is a controversial, emerging treatment option: moderation.  From my twenty years experience of working with people experiencing problems from alcohol use, I developed the “How Do I Know If I Can Keep Drinking Quiz.” The quiz offers predictions for whether someone is a candidate for moderate drinking.  The Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines moderate alcohol consumption as having up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men.


Negative predictors for being able to moderate include:



Daily drinking
Drinking to deal with emotions
Drinking alone
Experiencing mental or physical health problems
Having legal, probationary, or employment conditions

The worst predictor for being able to continue drinking is having withdrawals.  This almost always means that the body has a physical dependence on alcohol and that the person likely meets Diagnosis and Statistical Manual 5 criteria for a severe alcohol use disorder, placing them into the six percent of the population.


Several predictors that I have identified that lead to a better chance of being able to drink moderately include:



Willingness to go through a period of abstinence to develop and implement coping skills
Delaying drinking until after age 21 thus reducing potential for addiction
 Willingness to monitor amount and frequency of drinking
Consuming when alcohol is part of a celebration and not the main event

The number one predictor for being able to moderately drink is having a support system that can offer perspective, accountability, and motivation.


I believe that it is important for clients to have tools to learn how to moderate. I help them understand why they were drinking, why they want to continue, and ways to make it safer for them.  I prepare them for how to drink again and give them a Gut Check for whether their Moderate Drinking Plan is working that includes: amount, frequency, intent, and impact.


There are many paths to recovery. I believe we need to offer alternatives to the traditional models of alcohol treatment.  If you have a client or know someone who needs help but is avoiding getting it for the reasons listed above, please check out Can I Keep Drinking? How You Can Decide When Enough is Enough.  The book offers more information and resources to help all types of drinkers. To find out more about treatment options go to www.insightactiontherapy.com.


CIKD CoverTo order your pre-public release copy go to www.canikeepdrinking.com


 


 

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Published on October 04, 2016 13:16

Are you worried about your client’s drinking? Do they say they are not an alcoholic and don’t think AA is for them?

Approximately six percent of the Unites States’ population struggles with a severe alcohol use disorder.  This group and their loved ones will experience devastating consequences.  On the plus side, most traditional treatments and self-help groups are geared for their recovery.  However, there is a larger number of the population—over 90 million people— that have a gap in services.  They will avoid getting help for fear of being labeled an alcoholic, forced into treatment, made to attend 12-step meetings, and have to stop drinking completely.  As health care providers, we need find ways to help this large number of alcohol users who are not experiencing addiction, but may be dealing with a mild or moderate alcohol use disorder.


There is a controversial, emerging treatment option: moderation.  From my twenty years experience of working with people experiencing problems from alcohol use, I developed the “How Do I Know If I Can Keep Drinking Quiz.” The quiz offers predictions for whether someone is a candidate for moderate drinking.  The Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines moderate alcohol consumption as having up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men.


Negative predictors for being able to moderate include:



Daily drinking
Drinking to deal with emotions
Drinking alone
Experiencing mental or physical health problems
Having legal, probationary, or employment conditions

The worst predictor for being able to continue drinking is having withdrawals.  This almost always means that the body has a physical dependence on alcohol and that the person likely meets Diagnosis and Statistical Manual 5 criteria for a severe alcohol use disorder, placing them into the six percent of the population.


Several predictors that I have identified that lead to a better chance of being able to drink moderately include:



Willingness to go through a period of abstinence to develop and implement coping skills
Delaying drinking until after age 21 thus reducing potential for addiction
 Willingness to monitor amount and frequency of drinking
Consuming when alcohol is part of a celebration and not the main event

The number one predictor for being able to moderately drink is having a support system that can offer perspective, accountability, and motivation.


I believe that it is important for clients to have tools to learn how to moderate. I help them understand why they were drinking, why they want to continue, and ways to make it safer for them.  I prepare them for how to drink again and give them a Gut Check for whether their Moderate Drinking Plan is working that includes: amount, frequency, intent, and impact.


There are many paths to recovery. I believe we need to offer alternatives to the traditional models of alcohol treatment.  If you have a client or know someone who needs help but is avoiding getting it for the reasons listed above, please check out Can I Keep Drinking? How You Can Decide When Enough is Enough.  The book offers more information and resources to help all types of drinkers. To find out more about treatment options go to www.insightactiontherapy.com.


CIKD CoverTo order your pre-public release copy go to www.canikeepdrinking.com


 


 

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Published on October 04, 2016 13:16

August 14, 2016

School Stress Is More Than Just The Right Backpack

The last few weeks of summer are winding down and the beach toys are getting packed away.  Many parents are thinking about the craziness of back to school shopping and are ready to put our kids on the bus.


Check off the list of school supplies.  Then think about the tools your kids need to help with the social and emotional transition back to school. Some of our kids are becoming middle schoolers or high schoolers for the first time.  Remember how hard it was to get the locker combination to work?  Or how nerve-wracking it was to enter a new school? Sometimes we forget about the stress, anxiety, and stomach butterflies that this process provokes each fall for kids.


I encourage you to use these next few weeks to connect with your child before the chaos of sports and activity schedules begins. Take a minute to think about helping your child to emotionally prepare for this stressful time. Giving your kids an outlet for their feelings can make a big difference. Strike up a conversation in the car.  This is often less awkward for kids than a face to face sit down. Teach your kids ways to lower their stress.  Label the emotion they might be experiencing.  Practice taking ten deep breaths when faced with a trigger.  Use post it notes to create lists to reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.  Offer healthy snacks.  Set and enforce a reasonable bed time.  Limit screen time, especially social media.


Don’t be afraid to get professional help if things do not improve. Therapy can be a valuable experience for kids and adolescents to share their experiences with a neutral party.  It can also help them develop skills to help manage stressful events in the future.


To learn more about how to help your child transition back to school with ease this year, please visit www.insightactiontherapy.com


By Angie Harris, MA, MSW aharris@insightactiontherapy.com

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Published on August 14, 2016 01:00