Mindful Dance Presentation for the 2025 EDS Echo Summit

 This past fall I had the opportunity to present at the 2025 EDS Echo Summit on the topic of Mindful Dance. The ability to introduce a way for those living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome to enjoy movement in a manner that is safe for them, was such a special experience. I was on a panel with so many wonderful people within the EDS community, which was such an honor. I will hold this day dear for years to come. If you are interested in being mindful while moving, please watch the linked video to learn more. Following my discussion on the topic is a brief demonstration of mindful dance. 

How to help your child who is experiencing suicidal thoughts

First let me just say, however you responded in the moment is okay. 
If you overreacted in some way, responded with anger, or punishment I understand. 
Don't be afraid to apologize when you have done something from an emotional state, that you later regret. 
Parents are human too. 

If your child comes to you, or if you find out from another concerned adult such as a School Social Worker or School Counselor, that your child has expressed suicidal ideation, what can you do? 

• Listen- let your child talk to you about how they feel
• Believe- don't assume that your child is attention-seeking 
• Support- avoid punishment and ask how you can support them
• Inform- tell your child what you will do, such as locating a therapist or exploring hospitalization
• Breathe- it can be easy to react without thinking, breathe first
• Acknowledge- how are you feeling after learning what you have? Take the time to really acknowledge these feelings so that your words are not causing harm. 
• Be Kind- do not seek to blame yourself for this or assume others are judging you

In my years of working with children and their parents, I have often been the person to contact parents and inform them of their child's suicidal thoughts or actions. The responses have ranged from disbelief, anger, dismissiveness, and sadness. Often times parents want to know why their child is sad, depressed, anxious, and/ or suicidal. Occasionally parents will insist that their child tell them why they are upset, and if a reason cannot be identified the parent draws the conclusion, that the child must be wrong. I.e. "You have nothing to be sad about". Unfortunately, depression and other mental health conditions do not always have an identifiable cause. Or the person may be unable to put their feelings and thoughts into words. This does not make their feelings any less real. 

Do know that how you respond can have a big impact on your child. Your actions can lead to your child feeling supported and loved or disbelieved and burdensome. Don't be afraid to seek the help of others such as mental health professionals and medical professionals. Know that your child's mental health needs are not a sign of you "failing" as a parent. 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255

*Note this is not a diagnostic tool or replacement for mental health treatment. 

Wellspring: April Dancing Mindfulness

 
April Dancing Mindfulness 

This month our class theme is:

• Wellspring

well·​spring 
: a source of continual supply

We will explore what our own wellspring is and how to feed it. 

In the poem below the author explores the renewable resource within us all. 

Wellspring

To the wellspring

I ask, 

"Where are you?"

As I pour out my last drops,

My last ounce willingly

To those who have forgotten the taste of water.

As I drain myself

Of all I have to share,

Now, I too join in the thirst.

To the wellspring

I ask,

"Where are you?"

Does this resonate with you?

We will focus on refilling out proverbial cup. 

Purchase your tickets here .

Click here for more information on Dancing Mindfulness

Jonathan. "Wellspring". 2020, Hello Poem, https://hellopoetry.com/poem/4054759/wellspring/ . April 7, 2021

Join my bi-monthly Dancing Mindfulness class

 The full calendar of upcoming Dancing Mindfulness classes now available on Eventbrite. Link to register for class

Dancing Mindfulness with Stacia will be held on the third Thursday of the month at 8 PM and the third Saturday of the month at 1 PM. Upcoming dates: 

• 
  March 18th
• March 20th
• April 15th 
• April 17th
• May 16th
• May 21st
• June 17th
• June 20th
• July 15th
• July 18th
• August 15th
• August 19th
• September 16th
• September 18th
• October 17th
• October 21st
• November 18th
• November 21st
• December 16th
• December 18th

In Dancing Mindfulness, participants use dance to achieve mindfulness. The act of noticing without judging how we move, feel and think is integral to the practice. During a dancing mindfulness class or individual session participants are not taught to dance or required to achieve any specific level of dance. Dancing Mindfulness is trauma informed and adaptable to different ability levels. You are accepted as you are and encouraged to do what you feel. The facilitator will make suggestions during the class, but they are just that suggestive. 

If you have questions about an upcoming class or would like to book me for a special event/one on one session please reach out at staciabarrett.therapy@gmail.com

How to Handle Repetitive Heavy News

From deaths while in police custody/ during arrests, to news of the Coronavirus Pandemic, the News can be difficult to digest.

I often tell people that I don't watch the News, what I really mean is that I don't often tune into News Programs. I don't think that any one can really avoid the news. It is on social media, in commercials on television (even outside of the usual places i.e. ABC, NBC, CBS), in ads and suggested videos on YouTube, to conversations with friends and family.

While it is essential to know what is happening in the world around you. It is also important for you to take care of yourself. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the news, numb when another person's end of life requires a hashtag, or anxious about what will be reported next. Put a Personal News Plan into effect.

Some people limit their exposure, some may talk about how they are feeling with others, some may seek professional help, some may take breaks from social media, some may stop friends/family when they bring up a topic that is causing distress. Whatever approach you take spend some time today thinking about what your approach needs to be.

Below is a tracker template I created. Feel free to use and share your plan with others. (Screen shot and edit in your favorite app (The photos app on your phone or Instagram work well).

Let me know how your plan works for you. Also feel free to share your thoughts with me. 

What we get wrong about trauma

Trauma by now is a commonly used term. We know that it is a "bad reaction" that happens as a result of a "bad thing" happening to someone. But what do you consider a "bad thing"? And how does that line up with the person who experienced the "bad thing"?

I have presented to several groups of people over the years about trauma. Something that I like to make sure each group hears, is that trauma is an individualized reaction to a traumatic event. Only the person that experienced the event can make the decision about its ranking on their trauma scale. Though this decision is not a conscious one.

Most people would agree that witnessing a murder or being exposed to a sexual assault is traumatic. But not everyone would agree that viewing a telecast of a school shooting is traumatic, or that the words of someone that are not directly abusive can be traumatic. If the person that is witnessing the telecast identifies with the school shooting and interprets the coverage of proof of what could happen at their school, this could be traumatic. If the words that are spoken come from a person held in high regard or power over the person these words could be traumatic.

I have often heard people tell others not to let the words of others effect them, but that is not really a sensitive stance. I have personally been traumatized or negatively impacted simply by the words of others. I have never purposefully allowed this to be so. I would very much have liked to have let the words go in one ear and out the other. If only that is how the brain worked. Yes that car almost ran me off the road, but it didn't so my heart can stop pounding now. Just thinking these things does not make them so. It also doesn't work in less life threatening situations.

The next time a child, friend, or family member comes to you with a story that they keep telling and you don't understand why it is still crippling them, I have a challenge for you. Listen to how they describe their feelings about the situation. Before you tell them to just get over it or not to let others dictate their life going forward, empathize with them. It sounds like that situation really impacted you in ways I don't understand. What do you think could help alleviate its impact?

If you are the person who has been set back by words or situations others don't view as a "big deal" be understanding. Not only with the people in your life but also with yourself. Try to work through the situation, what are the thoughts associated with it? What are your feelings about the situation? Why was it so hard on you? Then begin the healing, not the "getting over it".

Respect your feelings they mean something.

Preventing suicide with talk?

I am sure everyone has known someone that has been down or clinically depressed in their lifetime. 

Many times you may suggest that person "talk to someone" or get those emotions out. 

But what about those that are suffering from thoughts of suicide or those who have actually tried to die by suicide?

A Danish study that followed participants for 20 years found that "those who received therapy were 27 percent less likely to attempt suicide again" after their first attempt. 

This is very good news because though many of us know that talking about what is troubling us 

can help, this is the first study of its kind to really look into how talk therapy (counseling) really

impacts the rate of further suicide attempts. 

If you know someone who is suicidal please don't just suggest that they go talk to someone. 

Offer yourself and offer this number 1-800-273-8255 or website for further help. 

I personally have known someone that attempted suicide, and have had someone close to me

die by suicide. 

Knowing now there is proof that therapy reduces the likelihood of another attempt makes me feel

much better about my chosen career and being able to help others, not just clients with this in the 

future. 

Tell me have you been impacted by depression or suicide?

Edited March 25, 2022, to correct outdated language in regard to suicide. 

Why roses aren't so great

 

I am sure you have heard the famous saying "Stop and smell the roses." This is a reminder to take time to appreciate the positives in life and not let the hard things get us down.

But what if there are no roses around? Do you just wait until you find some?

I would challenge you to stop and smell wild flowers and what ever is growing right where you are.

 

 

It can be such a challenge to find the positives in every day, let alone every moment. I have made plans to take time each day to find 1 positive. Days like yesterday in my life would make it seem that this is not possible each day. That is a normal reaction to stress, but if you really can't find one thing a day to be glad about or grateful for I would challenge you to MAKE A CHANGE!

 

 

 

 

Enjoy your weekend... and tell me what was great about today?