tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-371160142024-03-13T21:53:07.560-06:00Mental Health and More...Discussions on mental health issues, treatments, and other related information. Also, opinions and stories.Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-32241080953140077562018-02-01T11:19:00.001-07:002018-02-01T11:19:17.790-07:00Assertiveness vs. Being Unkind
The headline poses an idea that has been on my mind for some time. Working in the mental health field, there is an ongoing idea that people can address many social issues and realize goals by being more assertive.
Assertiveness, by definition "is the quality of being self-assured and confident without being aggressive. In the field of psychology and psychotherapy, it is a learnable skill andLawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-14413759551814921782018-01-30T12:34:00.000-07:002018-01-30T12:34:01.495-07:00Where Have I Been???? SELF-CARE!
It's been, undoubtedly a long time since I posted anything. I am certain that my three readers have been biting their nails while checking their blog feeds and emails just waiting for my next comments. Well, here it is...
Over the past 16 months I have had the opportunity to see many clients, attend great conferences (i.e. The Evolution of Psychotherapy 2017 convention), teach multiple Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-15644147691345414282016-09-11T00:16:00.002-06:002016-09-11T00:16:25.883-06:00Equality vs. InequityI once knew a man who made me think on what society preaches about equality and fairness. This fella wasn't raised in a wealthy home. In fact, one might say that according to his parents' career paths, and the amount of siblings in the home, and the cost of living at the time that they were lower class. They certainly would have qualified for food stamps, Medicaid for health insurance, Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-59757465534461729362016-07-08T15:02:00.000-06:002016-07-08T15:02:26.476-06:00To Be Nice...Or Not To Be
With all of the information coming out about the shooter in Dallas along with everyone's opinions on whose lives matter, I can't help but make a few comments regarding the matter, or the other shootings or acts of terror that we have heard about in detail over the past several years.
Perhaps it is my professional training and experience or even my spiritual and religious beliefs, I Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-23037456567062527202016-04-27T09:36:00.000-06:002016-04-27T09:36:10.678-06:00Help! My Teeth Are Falling Out!!!!
Dream Analysis
Teeth falling out...
Feeling like you're back in school and you're naked and you can't find your clothes...
A shadow or someone following you that hides in the shadows...
Apocalyptic and violent dreams...
These are common themes that we hear about in nightmares or dreams. Naturally, clients will tell me about their dreams, and not the happy fluffy ones where they fly around Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-24462298633303300092016-03-07T23:42:00.002-07:002016-03-07T23:42:57.994-07:00I SUCK! But, at least I'm predictable...Today's tagline is: I suck...but at least I'm predictable.
Psychology is not the study of the mind. Rather, it is the study of the soul. As we delve into the soul we begin to find that human beings, despite how busy they become and how complex their lives are, they are fairly simple creatures. I tend to lean to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as a template to gauge why people do what they do.Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-88367127300688408812016-02-24T12:08:00.001-07:002016-02-24T12:08:48.380-07:00Anybody Wanna Take a Selfie? Thoughts on Social Media and Texting
Oh my gosh...does everyone want to take a selfie with me?
I read an article today (see link below) that brought some raw feelings, as well as some opinions that I decided to blog about. Social Media is a fairly new concept for many of us (i.e. ten years old or less), but to the upcoming generations it is a daily influence. Whether it's Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or blogging it is Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-74600901114516287022016-02-13T20:19:00.001-07:002016-02-13T20:19:57.649-07:00SELF-CARE! It's What's for Dinner!
I know, I know....
It's been quite a long time since I've posted anything in this blog. I'd like to chalk it up to being very busy with Faculty work, Counseling work, writing a fictional novel, or spending time with family...and while that's true, I know there have been many times over the past few months where I thought to myself, "Hey, I just got a great idea to blog about...I'll do that Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-40721450560114458782015-07-01T11:42:00.002-06:002015-07-01T11:44:45.989-06:00LGBTQ Community and Marriage... and Rocky Road Ice Cream???
Well, typically as a mental health professional I stay out of subjects that are controversial on a social scale. Naturally, I see individuals and these subjects arise, though it is my ethical responsibility to work from their value system and perspective. However, as the subject of the Supreme Court ruling is being discussed heavily in the media (both professional and social), I felt that I Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-42739099527049036312015-05-22T14:55:00.001-06:002015-05-22T14:56:22.900-06:00To Hate Or To Forgive...That Is the Question<!--[if gte mso 9]>
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Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-84395081462446673932015-01-09T12:16:00.001-07:002015-01-09T12:16:49.760-07:00Negative Psychology? Or Is It Focusing on People?<!--[if gte mso 9]>
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Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-54158282935603851212014-11-21T13:42:00.001-07:002014-11-21T13:42:22.913-07:00Adolescents and SecrecyYou know (referring to all three of my readers), every so often I run across an article that gets my mind going. The reason I say that it's only "every so often" is because much of what I read seems to be repetitive; therefore, when I come across something that really catches my interest I like to talk about it.
In my job for the University I have the unending privilege to review dozens of Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-59961407247894760892014-11-16T19:54:00.003-07:002014-11-16T19:55:06.189-07:00Here We Go Again...More Trauma Thoughts...Recently, while reviewing a few discussions with my job with Capella University, I came across a really great thread and it got me thinking. No one will ever read this, so I will leave it "as is" without editing it.
This
discussion got me thinking about trauma, as a general area of study and
treatment, and how my opinion and viewpoint of it has changed
drastically over the years. I remember Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-60507129615195143492014-09-09T12:56:00.001-06:002014-09-09T12:56:42.243-06:00OCD: Obsessive Type and ScrupulosityA few years ago I had the privilege of speaking to an expert in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I was informed that there are sub-types of OCD that the Diagnostic Manual did not address at the time. The two types that really stuck out to me were the "Obsessive Type" and "Scrupulosity."
In order to understand either, let's talk briefly about OCD. OCD is an anxiety disorder that has a few distinct Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-47802738067171679582014-08-20T21:16:00.000-06:002014-08-20T21:16:28.330-06:00A Brief Spiritual Reminder
For a short time I had the privilege of working as the director of a 12 step-based inpatient facility with clients who were in substance dependence recovery. I had never worked with the 12 steps before as I had been inundated with Cognitive Behavioral Methods for several years. What attracted me to working at this facility was the idea that I could combine a spiritual-based approach with Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-50645574529033457992014-07-31T12:27:00.001-06:002014-07-31T12:28:15.721-06:00THE ADVENTURES OF SANCHO AND RUSIMUS: A KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN!
Hello fellow readers (all 3 of you)!
I am not typically one to toot my own proverbial horn, but over the past two years I've had the crazy opportunity to develop a puppet show called The Adventures of Sancho and Rusimus. I've been doing it with my best friend, Russ Francis and we created two characters (Sancho del Chayito and Rusimus von Rusimus) who have crazy adventures. We Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-10812240813844269772014-07-11T11:44:00.001-06:002014-07-11T11:44:21.897-06:00Jamison Therapuetic Services | Counseling & Therapy in Saratoga SpringsLawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-39384239214359641982014-06-13T16:22:00.001-06:002014-06-13T16:23:34.204-06:00Anxiety, OCD, Depression, Panic Disorder: An Alternative Homeopathic Treatment!
Several years ago I had the privilege of speaking to an expert on obsessive compulsive disorder. Her name was Suze Harrington, LCSW and she had a small clinic in Salt Lake City, UT. She provided bio-behavioral mental health counseling for people who struggled with anxiety, OCD, and other related disorders. Those of you out there who struggle with obsessive thinking and compulsions understand Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-55668507369532742192014-05-27T17:10:00.000-06:002014-05-27T17:11:21.589-06:00Psychodynamic Therapy, Narcissism and Shame
I have been slowly reading a book on Skills of Psychodynamic Counseling. Psychodynamic counseling theories and methods stem originally from Freudian Psychoanalysis; however there are some inherent differences. The book is interesting as it focuses on the foundations of the theory. One really great quote about this style of therapy is "Psychodynamic therapy involves the interaction of two minds Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-35724649844612044892014-05-19T12:28:00.000-06:002014-05-19T12:29:19.726-06:00What Do Counseling and Heavy Metal Have In Common?
Hello everyone,
The title, this time, does have something to do with the article!
A recent situation got me thinking about the use and necessity of therapeutic confrontation. Much of it stems from having been at a training where individuals are trained in therapeutic relationship skills. One of the techniques that is taught is therapeutic confrontation. This technique means to demonstrate Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-89320715449571197352014-05-15T16:34:00.000-06:002014-05-15T16:35:36.849-06:00The Psychology of Brer Rabbit: Psychological Resiliency
I know for all four of my readers out there, it is obvious that I have an affinity for many things, Disney. Much of that has to do with its capacity to remind me of childhood, and for the positive memories I have with family and friends. I grew up watching old Disney cartoons on Sunday evenings with my siblings. They were good times and I remember them fondly and hope to give my children Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-13620581328148826132014-05-13T14:51:00.000-06:002014-05-13T14:54:40.617-06:00Carl Rogers' Counseling Skills CAN WORK!
I just returned from a week long Residency experience with a National University. During this Residency faculty members are assigned to train Mental Health Counseling students in basic counseling skills. Many of the skills are based on, though not limited to, skills that Carl Rogers suggested. Much of Rogers' Human Centered counseling approach was based on the idea that all people are Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-80547324741976389632013-12-04T17:12:00.002-07:002013-12-04T17:13:20.494-07:00Post-Modern Prometheus and Apocalyptic Premeditations
Truthfully, the title has nothing to do with this blog-article (or blarticle as I like to call them). However, it made you wonder "Hmm, what the heck is this about?"In that case, if you're already reading, you may as well finish.
I had an interesting conversation today with a peer. She is an excellent clinician and has wonderful insight. She reminded me how much I still have to learn in the Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-60922386786243846772013-11-05T16:19:00.001-07:002013-11-05T16:20:03.992-07:00A Kick In The Teeth: Walt Disney Says It's OK
All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles have strengthened me...You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you..." Walt Disney
Well, there you have it. As I've stated before in this blog, I'm a fan of Walt Disney. Not because I think he was a Saint or some perfect example to pattern my life by. Not a chanceLawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37116014.post-79611881498866097172013-09-02T22:18:00.001-06:002013-09-02T22:18:23.799-06:00Sancho Seeks Revenge - The Aventures of Sancho-n-Rusimus - mep5Lawdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12261461025534194422noreply@blogger.com1