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Read below for information we hope will be helpful to your life and emotional health. This blog will be a collection of original content as well as information we have found elsewhere on the internet.

Confidence Individual Treatment Stigma Therapy November 26, 2018 By Patrick Wood 2,169 Comments

Celebrities Chip Away at the STIGMA of Mental Illness

If you have reached this blog post, you are either interested in celebrities, mental health/illness, or both. You may be wondering what in the world celebrities have to do with mental health. The truth is that many celebrities struggle with mental health issues. Not long ago, one celebrity, Robin Williams, committed suicide. And over the last few years, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, and others have experienced a crisis due to mental illness. Mental illness, like physical illness is a condition that affects us all and is detrimental to your overall wellbeing. It is “an unhealthy condition of the body or mind”. Mental illness leads to numerous physical conditions including heart disease, chronic pain and fatigue, arthritis, and several others physical conditions.

BUT

In your life and the lives of most Americans, mental illness is not a condition that you are likely to find yourself sharing with others and it is certainly not something you are likely to find yourself getting help for. If you were to develop heart disease, chronic pain, or other physical ailments, you are more willing and able to communicate this with others and will most likely not risk rejection or derision. But, if you tried to talk with those close to you about “mental illness,” there is much more of a chance that you will not be taken seriously, be rejected, or simply told to “stop talking crazy.”

With so much pressure in our personal lives and in the communities we live in to remain silent, we need champions to help us develop courage to be honest with ourselves and others. Celebrities oftentimes serve as a standard for many and are looked at as these champions or role models. Celebrities have usually carry with them images of perfection that no one is able to live up to, not even them. Yet more and more, celebrities are standing up in support of being open and honest about the presence and reality of mental health in our lives. Celebrities have been coming forward to help to break the stigma of mental health that we all feel at times.

So, what is a stigma, anyway?

According to the dictionary, stigma is a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. If you are reading this, you have probably noticed that mental illness has become one of these “disgraces.” Those of us who are mentally ‘ill’ are called “crazy”, “weak”, “complainers”, and are generally seen as different from “the rest of the normal population”. People will say and think these things about you even when they struggle with the same issues. In counseling, we call this Projection. People find the things they hate the most about themselves in others and condemn them for those things. The experience of stigma creates fear and fear creates a host of mental, emotional, and physical problems in us. You might notice these symptoms of stigmatization:

Fear
Mistrust
Prejudice
Violence against those with mental disorders
The avoidance seeking necessary mental health care
Developing a practice of self-stigmatization
Helplessness
Poor work performance
Problems in relationships
Digestive problems
Chronic Pain
Aggression
Arthritis
Poor memory / cognitive deficits

With all of these negative consequences of unaddressed stigma and mental struggle, it is very important to get necessary help, but more often we don’t until there is a life or death crisis. We don’t often take the steps necessary to help ourselves when those steps are embarrassing.

That is, unless we have very motivating positive role models...

Recently, several celebrities have been showing up in the news for a variety of reasons, often times doing something that proves to us ‘regular people’ that mental illness does not discriminate and that nobody is perfect. Some of these celebrities are actively championing treatment for mental illness. It is important to realize that our idols are really “just like you and me”. They are all very susceptible to psychological pain, just like all of us.

Chrissy Teigen: Postpartum depression
Prince Harry: Depression/Anxiety
Dwayne Johnson (The Rock): Depression
Demi Lovato: bipolar disorder, bulimia, addictive disease
Chris Evans: Social Anxiety / Social Phobia
Lisa Nicole Carson: bipolar disorder
Kendrick Lamar: depression with suicidal thoughts
Wayne Brady: depression with suicidal thoughts
Robin Williams: depression, suicidal thoughts, addictive disease
Emma Stone: anxiety & panic attacks
Kid Cudi: depression with suicidal thoughts
Lady Gaga: PTSD
And more.

Some celebrities have become passionate advocates for mental health treatment and reaching out for help:

Prince Harry:

“You need to know a part of being strong and tough is having the courage to ask for help when you need it,” he said.
“You must not silently suffer. You are all in this together and if I may speak personally we are all in this together, because asking for help was one of the best decisions that I ever made.”

Lady Gaga:

“Stigma, fear, and lack of understanding compound the suffering of those affected and prevent the bold action that is so desperately needed and so long overdue.”

“The time has come for us all, collectively, to tackle the causes and symptoms of mental illness, and provide care for those who suffer from it. You don’t have to be an international artist or the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) to make an impact.”

Dwayne Johnson (from Twitter):

“Got tons of responses to this. Thank you. We all go thru the sludge/shit and depression never discriminates. Took me a long time to realize it but the key is to not be afraid to open up. Especially us dudes have a tendency to keep it in. You’re not alone.”

Selena Gomez:

“DBT has completely changed my life,” she explains. “I wish more people would talk about therapy. We girls, we’re taught to be almost too resilient, to be strong and sexy and cool and laid-back, the girl who’s down. We also need to feel allowed to fall apart.”

I want to encourage you to develop the willingness to let go of believing that you must rely on false strength to survive. I want to encourage you that you can develop almost infinite strength by developing a willingness to acknowledge your own vulnerabilities and by reaching out for help. It is only when we admit that we are struggling are we able to except the hand of help that is already reaching out to us, use that help to lift ourselves out of the pit of despair, and stand in the true strength of brotherhood and sisterhood with our fellow human beings.

See the following articles for a brief overview of the variety of experiences celebrities have with mental illness:

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Activities Children Therapy Parenting June 6, 2024 By Patrick Wood 0 Comments

Fun and Educational Indoor Activities to Keep Kids Engaged

Image via Pexels

Fun and Educational Indoor Activities to Keep Kids Engaged

Keeping children entertained and educated while indoors can be a challenging task, especially during times when going outside isn't ideal. Engaging them in activities that are both fun and educational can offer an enriching experience and serve as an excellent way to spend quality time together. Today, Phoenix Rising Counseling Services will delve into several indoor activities that not only keep your kids amused but can also stimulate their intellect.

Introduce Them to Board Games

There's more to board games than just fun; they offer a platform for family interaction and promote skills like strategic thinking and social etiquette. Games like Chess, Scrabble, or Monopoly involve various cognitive skills and offer the perfect mix of excitement and learning. Additionally, playing these games as a family offers the dual benefit of quality time and collective learning, making it one of the most enriching indoor activities.

Make a Playroom

Converting a spare room into a multi-purpose playroom for your kids is a fantastic way to utilize unused space in your home while creating a fun and safe environment for play and learning. This kind of project not only provides your children with a dedicated area for their activities but can also enhance the overall value of your home.

It’s important to document the transformation process with photos and keep all receipts related to the renovation. This documentation can be very beneficial if you decide to sell your home in the future, as it provides concrete proof of improvements and upgrades that justify a higher property value.

Puzzle Things Out

Puzzles offer a host of benefits, including the enhancement of problem-solving skills, pattern recognition, and spatial awareness. Whether it's a traditional jigsaw puzzle, Sudoku, or even a challenging 3D puzzle, the joy of piecing parts together to form a complete picture or solve a problem is unparalleled. Completing a complex puzzle can also provide a sense of accomplishment and boost the self-esteem for both kids and adults.

Get Creative with Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts are a fantastic way to stimulate children's creativity and motor skills. From simple drawings and paper mache to complex dioramas and knitting projects, the sky's the limit. Free online templates can help guide your art sessions, making it easier for kids to focus on creativity rather than technical complexities. The process of creating something from scratch also enhances children's focus and attention to detail.

Help Them Discover the Joy of Reading

Reading is a timeless activity that enriches a child's vocabulary and expands their imagination. Consider making it a daily ritual, perhaps before bedtime, and let your child pick books that interest them. Fiction can stimulate creativity and imagination, while non-fiction can impart important knowledge and interesting facts. You can also make this activity interactive by discussing the story, predicting outcomes, or even acting out scenes.

Karaoke Night

Encouraging your children's confidence can be both fun and engaging with the right tools, such as a karaoke machine designed specifically for kids. This type of equipment allows children to express themselves musically in a supportive and enjoyable environment, helping to boost their self-esteem and public speaking skills.

Before making a purchase, it's wise to research reviews online. Looking at feedback from other parents and experts can guide you in selecting a karaoke machine that is user-friendly, durable, and suitable for your child's age group. By choosing carefully, you ensure that the karaoke experience is positive and beneficial, fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-assurance in your young ones.

Explore Different STEM-Related Activities

STEM activities are a brilliant way to introduce children to the fascinating worlds of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Simple at-home experiments, coding activities, or even basic engineering projects can stimulate curiosity and foster a love for learning. These activities nurture critical thinking and the ability to apply knowledge in a practical context.

The activities listed above offer a robust mix of fun and education, ideal for keeping your children engaged while indoors. These activities cover various domains, from enhancing cognitive skills with board games and puzzles to fostering creativity through arts and crafts and room decoration. By embracing these ideas, parents can create an enriching environment that keeps children entertained and closely bonded with family while spending time together.

Phoenix Rising Counseling Services was created out of a passion and a desire to assist individuals, families, and communities in their time of need. It is our belief that when life seems it’s darkest and it seems as if there is no light at the end of the tunnel, there is in fact hope. Visit our website to learn more!

Self-improvement Stress mindfulness • relationships June 28, 2020 By Patrick Wood 0 Comments

Pausing in a Pandemic

5am wake up and shower, 6am breakfast, 7am carpool line for kid number 1, 7:30am carpool line for kid number 2, 8am work day begins, 5pm workday ends, 5:30pm grab Chick-fil-a on the way to practice or dance or scouts, 6pm arrive at practice or dance, or scouts, 7pm homework and a snack, 8pm bath and bedtime for the kids (if you’re lucky), 9pm check homework, pack backpacks and lunches, review the calendar of events for tomorrow, 10pm head to the home office to work just a bit longer, 11pm shower and head to bed…

…NOW… Rinse, recycle, and repeat.

We find ourselves caught up in the business of each day with work, practices, rehearsals, PTO activities, class projects (sometimes yours, sometimes the kids), laundry, dishes, vacuuming, meal preparation… the list goes on and on. Oftentimes we do this without leaving ourselves very many opportunities to stop and smell the roses. We are constantly on the go putting wear and tear on our vehicles, our bodies, and our minds without giving proper rest to any of these areas. This life of hustle and bustle has become our norm and resting is an extremely difficult task for us.

For many of us, sheltering in place or social distancing has caused a great deal of stress, anxiety, depression, frustration, and even aggression. The very thought of sitting at home with our spouses and our children and having to interact and communicate more that just the schedule for the day can feel frustrating and even foreign to many of us. Time may seem to be slowing down or it may seem to be flying by. Routines have changed, schedules altered, activities are put on hold, work has moved into our homes, and schools have closed early with little knowledge of what the fall will bring. Life as we have known it for so many seasons, has changed. The pause button for most of us has been pressed.

So, what do we do in this time of pause? How do we regain some semblance of our previous life? How do we adjust to this very new and uncertain part life? Well, what if we actually took the time to pause…to truly pause and embrace this time that has, by circumstance, been given to us all. What if we took this time to connect to our teenage son who has been angrier over the last year, or bond with our daughter who has seemed to grow more distant as she grows older? What if we took this time to work on marriages that may be rocky and lackluster and make them shine like new, or reconnect with parents, siblings, family, and friends we may have had a falling out with in the past, via Zoom of course? Taking the time to pause can be a period of relaxation, revitalization, restoration, and reformation. Pausing in a pandemic can give us time to reexamine what really matters in life and to focus on getting to know the people who live in our own homes…our families.

Social distancing does not have to equal social isolation but perhaps, social prioritization. Life for us will not always be spent on lockdown or in isolation, so what do you do once the coast is clear and its business as usual. Is that extra after school activity for the kids really needed? Will working one more hour really give you more of an advantage? Do you have to say yes to leading the bake sale and the toy drive and the carwash? What can you say no to today so that you can say yes to what matters most…loving and being in the presence of those incredibly special people that live within your own four walls. While the time of isolation is here, do your best to laugh, love, and truly live a life that allows you to see what is in front of you in the moment and not always needing to see what is 4 steps ahead of you to “increase productivity.” So, in this moment and at this time, I encourage us all to take the time to stop and smell the roses and to work to truly ...

... ENJOY THE PAUSE.

Uncategorized June 7, 2020 By Patrick Wood 270 Comments

Now Providing Telehealth Services

Anxiety Depression Self-improvement Stress Wellness January 1, 2019 By Aundretta Wood 2,358 Comments

New You In the New Year!

What can you do in the new year to improve your mental well-being?

While we may not all suffer with a clinical mental health disorder, mental health is very much a part of our overall well-being. Just as our physical and spiritual well-being are a part of us, our mental well-being is just one piece of our whole selves. According to the World Health Organization, mental wellness is defined as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”

Our mental well-being is shaped over time and is oftentimes based on our familial upbringing, our view of the world, our life experiences, our economic status, our academic accomplishments, our biology and brain chemistry, our genetics, and so many other things. Our mental well-being can also be negatively affected by many things; the stress of a job or being unemployed, financial strain or hardship, issues with our spouse or our child(ren), poor physical health and chronic illness, grief and loss of a family member, close friend, or pet, and general dissatisfaction with our lives the way they are. Everyone wants to feel a positive sense of mental well-being, but this does not just happen to us. Much like flat abs or buns of steel don’t just happen overnight, we must work consistently for the results we want to see over time.

So, what are some things that can be done to increase our mental well-being:

*Mindfulness and meditation - Reach Out says that “Mindfulness is about training yourself to pay attention in a specific way. When a person is mindful, they: 1) Focus on the present moment; 2) Try not to think about anything that went on in the past or that might be coming up in future; 3) Purposefully concentrate on what’s happening around them; and 4) Try not to be judgmental about anything they notice, or label things as ‘good’ or ‘bad’.” When we are mindful, we notice things in non-judgmental ways, allowing us to detach from any negative emotions we may feel instead of being consumed by them. As a result, the way we respond to events in our lives start to change. Over time, just 10 minutes a day is enough to start feeling the benefits of mindfulness and meditation.

*Talk therapy - Talk therapy (also known as psychotherapy) can be an important part of treatment to help improve our mental well-being. Talk therapy can help us cope with feelings, problem solve, and change behavior patterns that may contribute to negative feelings. Most talk therapy is focused on current thoughts, feelings and life issues. Focusing on the past can help explain things in our lives but focusing on the present can help us cope with the present and prepare for the future.

*Attend church - Connecting with a higher power can help us feel more grounded, allowing us to be more connected to ourselves and to others. It gives us hope and encouragement, increases our faith in a better tomorrow, and can create a support system to help us through tough times.

*Exercise and diet - Everyone knows that regular exercise is good for the body. But exercise is also one of the most effective ways to improve our mental health. Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps us sleep better, and boosts our overall mood. Research indicates that just 10 minutes of cardiac activity a day can help improve overall well-being. Many of us have also heard the phrase, “You are what you eat”. Without a good diet, we don’t have the necessary building blocks to repair our bodies, maintain adequate daily energy, and power the engine that is our body. When our body starts to break down because of bad fuel, we feel bad physically and emotionally.

*Input/download positive messages - Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D., states that “most people don’t pay attention to what they are taking in. If you watch a lot of negative news stories, chronically listen to songs about heartbreak and sadness, frequently watch crime dramas and horror movies, regularly play violent video games, or spend a lot of time listening to other people complain about their lives, this is negatively affecting you mental well-being.” Conversely, inputting positive messages can help increase our sense of well-being. For two weeks try listening to music and reading books that inspire you, watch videos that make you laugh, spend time with pets and people that are happy, take more walks in nature, keep a gratitude journal, read a daily devotion or inspirational quote, and limit social media. Try these things and see if you notice a difference.

*Giving to/ helping others – According to Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D., “when we show love and compassion to other people, it releases chemicals in the pre-frontal cortex and reward center of the brain that professionals refer to as the "Helper’s High." People who help others report many positive mental and physical health benefits, including lower levels of stress, lower blood pressure, and relief from depression and physical pain. Try volunteering your time on a monthly basis or doing kind things for others and see if you notice a greater sense of well-being in yourself, as well as those you choose to help.

*Other things like journaling, reading, listening to music, artistic/creative endeavors (painting, knitting, sculpting, etc.), spa treatments, and enjoying the beauty of nature can also help you develop a greater sense of well-being.

What are some things you do/have done to maintain positive mental well-being? Post a comment, we’d love to hear your feedback.

References:

https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health

https://www.americanmentalwellness.org/intervention/definitions/

https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/mental_health/en/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-forward/201703/the-mental-wellness-routine-will-change-your-life

https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/what-is-mindfulness-definition/

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm/

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Anxiety Children Therapy Electronics & Social Media December 10, 2018 By Patrick Wood 37 Comments

WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME AND MY PHONE?

This “mini post“ is based on the article you will find here.

SUMMARY

Basic Idea: screen time is generally harmful to children.
There are 3 well known tenets to basic mental health hygiene
- Good diet
- Exercise
- Sleep
Limiting screen time can be considered a 4th tenet
Screen time disrupts the body’s natural production of melatonin (a chemical in the brain that influences our sleep cycles)
Social media and gaming have some of the same effects on our bodies as trauma and cocaine use.
Screen time takes away from “green time” and physical exercise and positive socialization
Screen times overloads our sensory and executive functioning system, leading to a decreased ability to self soothe and calm down.

COMMENTARY

As a therapist, I am well aware of the mounting evidence suggesting that screen time tends to be “harmful“ for all of us, especially children.

As a father with a family, I am also aware of the very strong urge to use screen time as a babysitter.

In this post, I mainly want to encourage you, me, and all of us to do our very best to stick to the course of excellence in parenthood by finding other methods to manage our children’s time. I know this is not easy and sometimes really does seem impossible. We will all have amazing successes and horrible failures on this path.

REMEMBER

Forgive yourself
Get up and dust yourself off
Never quit trying
Remember that like any addiction, when you stop it things may get worse, but when your kids can really get screen time out of their system, they may become easier to manage and even be helpful too.
Celebrate your successes with wild abandon

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