Diet time!

 

Happy Thursday Everyone!

 

There are times when we stand in our own way to achieving happiness. Below are a few things that I think we can all give up that will make happiness a better possibility. I know that I am at times guilty of many of these things.

 

 

Do you ever feel selfish when you think of taking care of yourself? Well I am here to tell you that you should not. If you don't take care of you, you will be unable to work effectively, love effectively, or play effectively. So lets all try a new "diet". This will be a challenge but let's agree to give it a try. NO people pleasing, NO self doubt, NO negative thinking, NO fearing failure, no self criticizing, no more saying "yes" when you mean "no", and finally NO more procrastination.

I have learned that with diets it is better to focus on what you can have: self compassion, self empathy, understanding of self, and as I have learned in my Daring Way group treating yourself as you would a loved one (you love yourself don't you?) {If not it is time to}.

Try this for 7 days and tell me how it works for you.

I am willing to bet that you will experience more happiness by the end of this diet.

Struggle is a part of change

 

TDL

Sometimes we seek a quick fix: That instant diet that results in 20lb weight loss, that job application that results in an instant offer for a job, that dating site profile that results in a marriage proposal, that child discipline tip that fixes all behavior problems.

The only problem is that is not how we get to progress.

To progress we must endure pain, we must fall, we must struggle to stay on the right path

Imagine that you want to train for a marathon... you don't just go running once and become ready to beat those in the race with you the next day.

• you get shin splints
• you need new shoes because you have ruined the last pair you owned
• your legs and abs ache
• you don't want to get up for that next run
• you find excuses not to train today, but you will tomorrow

All of this is a part of the process...BUT if you stick it out you can complete your training program and participate in your first marathon, maybe not at the speed you wanted but it is the journey not the destination really.

Don't be discouraged, it is all a part of meeting that goal.

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?

 

Combatting Stigma Among Adoptees

Original Post Here

Source: Microsoft.com

Many families come into existence through adoption both domestic and international. As a former adoption worker and social worker this is a joyous and happy occurrence. This view is not a universal one, as some view children brought into families as “adopted children” (Wolf-Small, 2013). Though it is accurate that these children joined the family through adoption the definition of the “adopted child” as described by Wolf-Small has a negative connotation.  According to Wolf-Small’s (2013) work the “adopted child” takes on a touch of strangeness or differentness (p.1). This is associated with a list of problems to be expected from such a child. Working in the adoption field it was common place for potential adoptive parents to begin an inquiry asking what the child’s problems were (bed wetting, sexual acting out, Reactive Attachment Disorder).

Knowing that such beliefs are out there for children what can social workers, parents, teachers, and other concerned citizens do to combat this? Based on the study of Wolf-Small (2013) power and recognition are the keys to defeating stigma. Those with power have the ability to stigmatize. Adoptees should be encouraged to speak out against stigma and be living proof that they cannot be labeled based on the prejudicial thoughts of others. Many children that are in the process of being adopted, and those post adoption, attend therapy individual and family. The therapeutic process is a great opportunity to build self-esteem in youth which can help to buffer and prepare children for what they are to face. Much in the way that children of minority ethnic groups are prepared for discrimination by the adults in their lives children brought into families through adoption can also be prepared.

There are many opportunities to buffer the effects of stigma with this group. The education system is a great place for reducing stigma. Including educational materials with diverse family make up normalize this for children. Including activities to build self-esteem, reduce bullying, and discussing family is also important. Social workers and other professionals can encourage children to discuss their families and show pride in their story, this can be done in the therapeutic relationships and with educators.

References

Wolf-Small, Joanne. Adopted in America: A Study of Stigma (June 17, 2013). Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2280517

A LIFE WELL SPENT

HOW TO WAKE UP EACH MORNING READY TO CONQUER

 

In a world that is always pushing you to get somewhere, at times your true NEEDS are hidden. In our rush to complete assignments, complete applications, get projects done, or meet our work quota we forget. There is something we enjoy doing that gives that energy back to us. For me that energy giving source is dance.

Last night I decided not to suppress this side of myself any longer. I won't even wait until tonight when I get to Zumba to relieve my stress. A better more fulfilled and happy me starts NOW.

While it is great to meet goals that will get you passing grades, into college, or  that promotion at work this is not enough if you don't receive energy from these actions. There is no more important person involved with your goals than YOU. So give yourself what it is you need.

Whether it be:

• Painting
• Drawing
• Soccer
• Singing (singing badly)
• Harry Potter
• Listening to music
• Reading
• Writing

You OWE it to yourself to take time EACH day to do this wonderful YOU thing.

Will you accept the challenge?

Music credit: "Broken Reality" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

 

What is Dance Movement Therapy and How Can it Help?

Original Post Here

Dance has been a part of the human experience for centuries. Whether it be traditional folk dancing, recreational dancing, or formal training people dance around the globe daily. If you have ever known a child who began taking dance lessons you may have noticed a change in their confidence and/or outgoing behaviors. Having taught dance for several years I often noticed radical changes in children I taught. It is no wonder that dance and movement have been intentionally applied to bring about therapeutic change.

Dance Movement Therapy or DMT is defined as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of the individual” (American Dance Therapy Association, 2013). Jeong, Hong, Lee, Park, Kim, and Suh (2005) show that DMT has been a recognized form of therapy since the 1950s. Prior to this musical movement or dance was used to affect change in feelings for centuries (Jeong et al., 2005). DMT is a form of therapy that requires special training and certification/registration to be appropriately used.

A picture from Kinections with Director Danielle Frankel, my DMT instructor/mentor.
http://www.kinections.com/

In their study of the effectiveness of DMT with depressed youth Jeong et al. found that DMT was useful with a wide variety of populations and issues. According to Jeong et al. (2005) “DMT aids recovery from the psychosocial and psychophysical effects of physical trauma and diseases such as cancer, heart disease, neurological impairments, systemic lupus erythematous, chronic pain, and after surgery.” (p.1713). DMT was found to help in these situations by: Redefining and strengthening body image; clarifying ego boundaries; providing an outlet for relief of physical tension, anxiety, and aggression; reducing cognitive and kinesthetic disorientation; increasing the capacity for communication, pleasure, fun, and spontaneity; and support for therapeutic medical goals. (Jeong et al., 2005 p.1713)

Given the many applications for this treatment type further study is implicated. In Texas there are few providers of DMT. An increase in available options for DMT could benefit many.
Stacia Barrett, LMSW

References

American Dance Therapy Association (nd). About dance movement therapy. Retrieved from http://www.adta.org/About_DMT
Jeong, Y., Hong, S., Lee, M. S., Park, M., Kim, Y., & Suh, C. (2005). Dance movement therapy improves emotional responses and modulates neurohormones in adolescents with mild depression. International Journal of Neuroscience, 115(12), 1712-1713. doi:10.1080/00207450590958574

Antipsychotic Use in Foster Children

Original post here

Those that have followed the foster care system in the last decades are likely well aware that a substantial portion of youth are prescribed antipsychotics. In a study on antipsychotic use among Medicaid-Insured Children and Adolescents Burcu, Zito, Ibe, and Safer (2014) found that this use is often off label and for a longer duration than children not Medicaid-insured. As children in foster care are eligible for and more times than not Medicaid-Insured this information is applicable to this population.
Burcu et al. (2014) found that the reasons for antipsychotic use among Medicaid- Insured youth was often for non FDA approved uses (approved uses: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability associated with autism) such as behavior issues, ADHD, and other disruptive behaviors/ disorders. A quick survey of those children in foster care would likely show that many of these children have one or more of the issues listed above. Burcu et al. also found that Medicaid-Insured youth with externalizing behavior issues were the largest set of youth prescribed antipsychotics medication (2014).

Source:Microsoft Word

The clinical significance of this is the potential risks for long term use. Those risks include: weight gain, risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke also referred to as cardiometabolic risk (Burch et al., 2014). Children and youth receiving antipsychotic medications require regular monitoring of the potential risks. It is also of importance to note that long term use in those using this medication for off label use has not been studied.
Those who have experienced trauma and abuse often may experience behavioral symptoms of emotional pain. This is noted because this could be a cause for concern for relatives or foster parents caring for these children who then relay these concerns to primary care physicians. Children in foster care also receive more psychological testing and evaluation that children not in care which can again result in a higher likelihood of psychotropic prescription.

References

Burcu, M., Zito, M.Z., Ibe, A., Safer, D.J. (2014). Atypical antipsychotic use among Medicaid-insured children and adolescents: Duration, safety, and monitoring implications. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 24 (3), pp. 1-8. doi: 10.1089/cap/2013.0094