by Anastasia Chrysostom | Nov 11, 2021 | Uncategorized
by Shelida Johnson,APC
When experiencing a life changing event, we may notice a ripple effect within the lives of those around us. There are stakeholders that may feel this change. Some may feel it deeper than others, especially if the event has changed the dynamics of the relationship. Our loved ones may feel uncertain of where they fit in our lives and how to help during this time.
I believe this resonates with me, but could you give me an example? Can you explain this from the stakeholders’ point of view?
Maybe a close friend of yours received a life changing call, email or letter. The affected person may feel a flood of thoughts and emotions, ranging from denial to sadness and possibly grief. You start to notice significant changes in your loved one. Maybe they are not as available as the once were due to changes in routine, isolating behaviors, or they may simply need time to process the news they have received. You try to be there for them, but you feel as if they are pushing you away with each attempt.
What now? “I want to be there for them, but I’m also feeling alone,” or maybe even abandoned.
1) CHECK-IN
Continue to remain open to checking in and offering support. Support may be as simple as lending a non-judgmental ear to listen. When doing this, limit distractions and be completely present for your loved one.
2) EMPATHY
Understand that this is a life changing time for your loved one, as well as yourself. Truly try to place yourself in their shoes and understand that this simply takes time to process. The time needed to process is different for everyone, so do not put a time limit on this.
3) TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Your feelings are valid. You, too, have experienced a change. You’re attempting to navigate this change the best way you can, with the tools you have. Those feelings (feeling isolated from your loved one) are real, and it is important for you to acknowledge those feelings without guilt.
Re-evaluate your strengths and try to make sure your self-care routine speak to your strengths. You will need a reminder of the things you do well and try building on this.
Including your strengths in your self-care routine can help combat some of those negative thoughts (of self) that may rise at this time (i.e., If you are a great artist and enjoy art, possibly set asides some time to include this in your self-care routine).
Furthermore, be intentional when caring for yourself. PLAN, PLAN, PLAN and SCHEDULE your self-care routine. Planning and scheduling your activities can increase the likelihood of you following through with this task.
4) SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP (or trusted support)
If you notice that this change is becoming more and more difficult, and you’re experiencing feelings of sadness and grief, due to the possible loss of the relationship, begin sorting through these thoughts and feelings with a professional.
If for some reason professional help is not an option at this time, try to identify a trusted support person. Furthermore, some states/cities/counties have peer warm lines available for individuals seeking additional support for non-crisis situations.
I strive for continued growth, so that I am providing you with sound and ethical care throughout your counseling journey. To maintain this level of care, I receive continued supervision .For nearly seven (7) years, I have served both children and adults during significant transitions. My background includes grief counseling, PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
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by Anastasia Chrysostom | Sep 16, 2021 | Uncategorized
by Shelida Johnson,APC
In 2018, I received a phone call from my son’s genetic team that changed my families’ life, as we know it.
I remember a voice on the other end confirming speculation around my son’s diagnosis of MPS IV.
All the information I read online began to flood my brain. It was a devastating moment to learn that your child’s prognosis was not only life-long but also progressive.
As time went on and doctor’s appointments were scheduled (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, infusions, pulmonology, orthopedics, and many more), I watched as my resilient and outspoken son adjusted to a life slightly different from other children his age. His siblings continue to try to understand his diagnosis and frequent visits to the doctor.
I realized that my Mondays were not going back to normal. We would spend every Monday in an infusion clinic, where my son will receive the enzymes that his body currently lacks. More reports began to flood in, concerning his body and how this MPS IV manifests in patients. This was not only difficult to hear, but also difficult to explain to my child at 6, 7, and 8 years of age.
Now I must admit, in the beginning, I was stuck in feelings of guilt, sadness and worry surrounding my son’s progression in life. However, I began to find some solace in attending educational seminars, receiving support phone calls, hospital staff, that have been amazing with my son, and simply in seeing his resilience through it all.
I’m now in a stage of acceptance, but I move back and forth from acceptance, to bargaining and guilt (much like the stages of grief). However, I am hopeful whenever I see my son’s ability to laugh, play and express joy through it all.
For parents, I realize that these are beyond tough times, with mixed feelings.
We may sometimes feel guilty for even expressing these feelings, because we are not the one’s actually going through the pain (as our children are), but I’m here to say it is okay to feel what you feel.
This experience is traumatic, and it weighs heavy on our heart. We must take care of ourselves, so that we are able to take care of our little ones. In doing so, this is my request for you.
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Identify your support system and utilize them as needed. Do not be afraid to ask for help, because this is a heavy load to carry on your own.
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Self-Care! Remember to take time out for yourself. This may be a long evening bath after your little one is down for the evening, time out with friends (if a babysitter is available), or simply reading a book or journaling your feelings.
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Educate yourself! Remember, you are your child’s number 1 advocate, so continue to educate yourself surrounding their diagnosis.
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Attend a support group. If needed, take the time to attend a support group so that you have access to people who understand what you’re dealing with, talk freely about difficult feelings without judgement, and feel supported by a group of your peers.
I strive for continued growth, so that I am providing you with sound and ethical care throughout your counseling journey. To maintain this level of care, I receive continued supervision .For nearly seven (7) years, I have served both children and adults during significant transitions. My background includes grief counseling, PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
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by Anastasia Chrysostom | Sep 16, 2021 | Uncategorized
by Jennifer Hama, LPC, CPCS
The brain’s way to keep you alive is to make quick
and dirty decisions.
How the Brain Works
The brain has developed quick bypasses in an attempt to keep you alive so that we can spread our genetic code. This often works to our advantage. Think about the times you have accidentally touched the stove and pulled back quickly only to realize it wasn’t on. Or that time
you jumped back from the long, slinky hose as if it were about to bite you. The brain errs on the side of speed, making quick decisions before you even realize you made a decision to move.
The Brain Isn’t as Smart as we Are
The quick and dirty method keeps us alive long enough to realize the inaccuracy of our threat assessment. A cold stove can’t hurt us but moving our hand quickly allows us to avoid possible threat of burns. The hose can’t bite, but had it been a snake, we could have prevented
a heavy dose of pain. We want the brain to err on the side of speed but it doesn’t think like we do. We have the ability to then tell ourselves it was only a hose and to take some deep breaths to reverse the effects of the sympathetic nervous system that had been quickly activated. We can tell our brain that the threat is no longer there.
So What do we Do?
- First we need to recognize that our brain’s ability to make quick and dirty decisions is a wonderfully protective mechanism.
- Second, we need to recognize that this ability can be inaccurate.
- Third, we need to examine the quick conclusions we jump to in situations.
Because
they arrive quickly, it is easy to assume the threat was real or accurate. We need to challenge quick assumptions and thoroughly think about the accuracy of the situation.
For example: Say you quickly feel disrespected in a situation with a loved one, the brain may err on the side of speed and defer to anger (the fight response) quickly. It is easy to say because you quickly got angry that in fact your loved one is a threat. This may or may not be accurate. Once safely out of the situation, it is important to thoroughly review or process the situation. Were you actually unsafe? Was your loved one intentionally trying to disrespect you? Is there a pattern of this for your loved one? A pattern of this for you? After you have challenged your assumptions, then decide if the threat response was accurate or inaccurate.
Jennifer Hama, LPC, CPCS I have a core belief that a sense of humor is essential to living a fulfilling life. And I like to recognize mine. Regularly. I hate laundry and psychobabble, but I love uncensored real talk. It’s necessary for you to know this. Also, I have a white board that I go everywhere with. While it’s entertaining to watch me roll it around the office while trying not to trip, it’s also a powerful therapy tool, helping you visualize your struggles and brainstorm solutions. I don’t do “therapy speak, ” I shoot straight, and believe in giving you practical tools to help you change your life.oes here
Learn more about Jennifer and CBT, Here
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One could argue whether or not the management ever had designs on winning in the first place, or whether they opted for a guaranteed fan draw by drafting a team filled with brawlers. Either way, one thing is clear, the Vancouver Canucks rarely, if ever, lost a fight. That dirty water then needs to be disposed of, either on the surface contaminates the soil and can have a negative effect on ecosystems or into deep wells drilled into bedrock it often leaks out into aquifers and effects the quality of surrounding water sources This must be taken into account, given that our rivers may be seriously impacted by the release of dirty saline water into their headwaters. Such pollution would destroy salmon and the economies and ecosystems which depend on them. cialispascherfr24.com Feeling is it will return more than it won come back.
by Anastasia Chrysostom | Jul 29, 2021 | Uncategorized
by Brittany Fisher of financiallywell.info
So you just got married — congratulations!
You’ve declared your love for each other and celebrated. Now comes the hard part: combining finances (or not!) and setting out on this life journey together. These are decisions you’ll have to make together — no one can force you and your partner to do anything, especially because this is your life and your partnership. But here are a few suggestions for how to navigate the upcoming financial discussions you’ll be having:
- Talk About Combining Finances This is the first step of any financial discussion after (or, better yet, before) marriage. Determine whether or not you want to combine bank accounts, list each other as users on your credit cards, and refinance vehicles (if applicable) to have each other’s names on the title. Some folks, however, decide to keep their finances separate. Around 30 percent of couples say they don’t know how much their partners earn — and they’re happy to keep it that way. Just make sure you are both in agreement here.
- Insurance Situations Regardless of whether you combine bank accounts, you should discuss combining auto and home insurance policies. Often, a multi-person or multi-car policy is more cost-effective than going alone, especially if you both have good driving records and no points on your licenses. You should also consider setting each other as beneficiaries on your life insurance policies.
- Buy a Home Together Buying a home is a great way to combine assets and increase your credit score, and with two people working toward making payments, it could be an achievable goal. When purchasing a home, you need to consider how much you are willing to put toward the down payment. Depending on what kind of loan you get, the percentage of the full mortgage you put down could be anywhere from 3.5 percent to 20 percent. If you put less than 20 percent down, you will need to get mortgage insurance, so be prepared to pay that fee.
- Get power of Attorney for Each Other Power of attorney can make it easier to deal with each other’s financial situations if necessary. The law affords spouses some built-in privileges when it comes to health care and insurance, but if one of you ends up not being able to take care of your own finances, power of attorney makes that situation less of a headache.
- Consider Filing a Will Having a will on file isn’t necessarily a fun thing to think about. After all, it can be sobering to consider your own mortality. But if the unthinkable happens and one of you passes away, you’re going to be thankful for having a will on file. For instance, any property the deceased person owns is given to the surviving spouse automatically — but what if you want your house to go to any children you have? What happens if both partners are unable to care for the home?
And finally, take a deep breath
These topics often seem stressful, as you’re making decisions that will impact the rest of your life (and your partner’s life!). Don’t forget to practice anxiety-reducing techniques or have a soothing cup of tea with your partner as you enjoy the first few months of wedded bliss.
If you want to talk to someone about these situations, or are having a hard time in general, get in touch with the folks at Petrichor Counseling. We can help you navigate these new beginnings and heal constructively.
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