Counselor Toolbox Podcast

Explore physical, affective, cognitive, environmental and relational triggers for both distress and happiness and discuss ways of mitigating the negative and enhancing the positive.

Enhancing Hardiness and Resilience

Summary - Trauma can enhance feelings of disconnectedness, helplessness and anxiety. - Trauma impacts people emotionally, mentally, physically, interpersonally, occupationally - By helping people develop trauma resiliency we can assist them in preventing PTSD after a trauma and breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma

Summary ~ Anger is a natural emotion. It is designed to alert people that there MIGHT be a problem. ~ When people are vulnerable or learned maladaptive ways of dealing with anger or simply never learned healthy coping skills they can experience anger management problems ~ Excessive anger negatively impacts people emotionally, mentally, physically, socially, occupationally, legally and spiritually. ~ Effective anger management involves preventing vulnerabilities, being aware of and working on “sensitive areas” or “threat areas,” preventing anger whenever possible and developing immediate coping responses to deal with it when it occurs.

Summary ~ Supportive interventions are necessary to help people radically accept their feelings and situation and get into their wise mind. ~ Solution-focused interventions will help them address the situation and start moving forward to break the distress cycle.

Interview with Dr. Lindsay Weisner. Author of "Ten Steps To Finding Happy: A Guide to Permanent Satisfaction." The book is available for pre-order at: https://amzn.to/2wmCTcU

Summary - Schema are lenses through which we predict and interpret situations - They are only as good as the knowledge and understanding of the situation - Schema often need to be altered as we gain new information

- Learn about bariatric surgery - Explore reasons for the surgery and increase in popularity - Identify the psychosocial outcomes of bariatric surgery - Identify common presenting issues in persons seeking bariatric surgery - Explore current recommendations for assessment protocols and presurgical preparation for bariatric surgery - Identify postoperative mental and physical health issues which may occur and need to be addressed Types of Bariatric Surgery

Summary • There are many unknowns with the current coronavirus situation • The flu is widespread and catastrophic for tens of thousands of people in the US each year and we do not panic. • High levels of stress and anxiety however will reduce immunity and make people more susceptible to all types of illnesses • Steps to reduce anxiety • Get accurate information • Limit your exposure to negative media • Practice mindful acceptance of your reactions • Use belly breathing to help de-escalate the physical anxiety reactions • Identify proactive, positive ways to cope with the situation • Regularly evaluate your beliefs against the FACTS at that time

Coronavirus, election anxiety and financial stress is getting to people right now. This is the audio version of a three part series just released on YouTube on dealing with that stress.

Summary • End of life care often involves multiple providers, the client and caregivers • It is essential to consider all biopsychosocial needs with a focus on integrative care • “Stress” and distress will increase HPA-Axis activation, impair sleep and immunity and contribute to worsening of health and wellbeing of both the patient and caregivers. • Children will need different approaches depending on their developmental level.

Every event is an opportunity to choose thoughts and behaviors that will help you use your energy to move toward your goals and values. Using the Flexibility Activity or worksheet youth can apply this on a daily basis. CEUs/OPDs are available for this podcast at allceus.com/counselortoolbox or if you are in Australia, Australia.allceus.com/counselortoolbox

Summary • People can have millions of automatic cognitive distortions. Addressing each one may not be possible. • Becoming aware of thought patterns, their function, their usefulness and alternatives underlies MCT. • MCT moves from addressing the content of thoughts (What is being thought?) to the function of those thoughts (Why are the thoughts occurring and are they helpful?

Summary • 46% of people in the US are exposed to adverse childhood experiences. (Early Intervention) • Instruction in skills to handle emotional dysregulation • Mindfulness • Vulnerability prevention and awareness • Emotion Regulation • Distress Tolerance • Problem Solving • Of those exposed to trauma, education about and normalization of heightened emotional reactivity and susceptibility to PTSD in the future may be helpful

Summary ~ Information is key; people who are quarantined need to understand the situation ~ Effective and rapid communication is essential ~ Supplies (both general and medical) need to be provided or available (i.e. online shopping) ~ The quarantine period should be short and the duration should not be changed unless in extreme circumstances ~ Most of the adverse effects come from the imposition of a restriction of freedom ~ Voluntary quarantine is associated with less distress and fewer long-term complications ~ Public health officials should emphasise the altruistic choice of self-isolating