Behavioral Health Matters

Video Chatting….with your Therapist? The Rise of Clinical Video Telehealth

2012-02-29T09:08:00.000-05:00

By: Kari Traver

They're heeere! It's no longer extraterrestrial or Jetsonesque. We can video chat in full color on large screen displays. Skype, FaceTime, WebEx and GoToMeeting all allow us to see and hear our far away friends, family and co-workers. From his Marine base in California, my nephew was able to "share" Thanksgiving dinner with the East Coast family. He even gave us a "tour" of his apartment. I thought this was quite cool, but is it effective in a clinical environment?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs believes the answer is "yes". They are leaders in this new area of health care. The VA uses clinical video telehealth to make diagnoses, manage care, perform check-ups, and actually provide care. Since September, Colonial Behavioral Health has been using WebEx to conduct clinical assessments of children, so I thought I'd ask our therapists, "How's it going?"

First I spoke with Lee Phillips, a licensed therapist at CBH. “It’s been beneficial. I’m able to see facial expressions, affect and type of mood. A big part of the assessment is the mental status exam. I can get a clear mental status. I’m able to tell if the child is depressed, sad, angry, guarded or withdrawn.” Phillips added, “I’m also able to talk to the parent. If I’m assessing for the possibility of ADHD I can look for symptoms. I can see if the child is fidgeting, looking all over the room, inattentive or fixated on an object.” Phillips feels that it’s a time saver for both the family and the clinical practice because the check in and check out process is minimal as compared to a regular office visit.

Next I asked Philip Mitchell, who provides intensive in-home services to families by teaching problem solving skills and assisting parents in becoming their own advocates. Mitchell said, “For the most part it has been successful. Initially I was worried because we hadn’t used this technology before. The audio was fine, the picture was clear. I was able to have a person-to-person interaction.” Mitchell did feel that there is a need for the technology to improve. He said, “It is a little difficult because the body language is a little muted.”

I also heard from Lisa Perez, who conducts clinical assessments to determine a child’s level of need for services. She can then recommend the most appropriate service. Perez used the novelty of the remote camera to her advantage. “I would ask, ‘Have you ever used a web cam?’ Then I would make funny faces to put the child at ease. Kids actually thought it was fun. Since it was very new to them I felt they needed to get any silliness out of their system,” she explained. It turned out that the children were more comfortable with the technology than the parents. Perez said, “It was interesting to watch the kids help the parents. Both the parents and the children found it empowering.” At the end of each session Perez thanked the family for helping CBH try something new.

Until recently, videoconferencing solutions had been expensive and inflexible. Now faster, cheaper internet access and a prevalence of secure, affordable solutions make it feasible for therapists to provide professional assessments to individuals in remote locations. For Colonial Behavioral Health, clinical video telehealth is proving to be effective, convenient and empowering for our therapists and the families they serve.

Kari is the Chief Information Officer at Colonial Behavioral Health. She has over 26 years of experience in the field of Information Technology and 21 years within the Virginia behavioral health system. For 17 years, Kari has been responsible for Colonial's LAN, WAN, system development, database design, software and hardware implementation, project management and security.

The ABCs of Advocacy

2012-02-22T07:35:00.003-05:00

By: Kim Smith

Is there something going on in our government that gets your blood pumping? Do you ever think to yourself, “If I had more time and energy I would tell someone how I feel about this issue!” Congratulations - this means you have considered advocacy.

However, just the thought of picking up the phone to call your legislator may make your heart race. What if you say the wrong thing? Or worse, what if you don’t remember why you even picked up the phone?

You are not alone in your thinking. Most of us hate making cold calls, especially to elected officials. Knowing that we have 60 to 90 seconds to clearly communicate our point will cause even the best public speaker to get clammy hands.

The good news is, advocacy is something that is relatively easy to do and in which everyone can and should participate.

Webster defines advocacy as “the act of or process of supporting a cause or proposal,” more simply put, showing support. You have probably been stopped in front of a grocery store by a person with a clipboard or received emails asking you to sign and forward a petition. No doubt you have debated issues with friends, perhaps even written a letter to the editor. Taking part in these simple acts makes you an advocate, whatever the cause.

Why should you advocate? Your legislator’s job is to represent you in regards to policy and decision making. To do this they need to know what you support. By advocating you are simply making your opinion known to the very people who can effect legislative change. Nine times out of 10 Legislators are happy to hear from you. Legislators want to make decisions that parallel the thoughts and views of the population they represent - you and your family.

With this in mind, advocate for the issues that are near and dear to your heart, issues you are passionate about. For example, Colonial Behavioral Health advocates for the rights of those affected by mental health, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CBH’s advocacy efforts work to ensure funding for these community services and to ensure the equal treatment of those affected by these diagnoses.

Agencies that also advocate for Behavioral Health issues include:

If you are still exploring what to advocate for, try contacting the local organizations in which you are involved, such as schools, local government or any non-profit. Usually these organizations will develop annual legislative priorities and always need additional voices to join their cause.

Finally, there are several online resources that make advocacy easier. First, if you live in Virginia and don’t know who your state legislators are, visit the General Assembly website’s “Who’s My Legislator” tool. Here you simply enter your address and you are given both your Delegate and Senator along with all of his/her contact information.

In addition to helping you find your legislator, the General Assembly website provides a plethora of information regarding everything from meeting times and dates to how bills become laws. It is a great starting place for all advocates.

Richmond Sunlight is another online tool for Virginians advocating at the state level. It provides very user friendly tools to track bills. A particularly unique section on this site is the “Tag Cloud” where you can search bills by topic. The more common the topic, the larger the word appears in the Tag Cloud. Visiting the Tag Cloud may also help a new advocate see what topics are frequently addressed in legislation and may facilitate your decision regarding what to advocate.

So, whatever you decide to advocate for, don’t be overwhelmed. Starting a new project may seem challenging at first but you’ll find that advocacy can be very rewarding and there’s nothing like seeing a bill you support pass both the House and Senate and become a part of State law.

Kim Smith has worked at Colonial Behavioral Health for three years as the Marketing and Development Specialist. Smith studied Communication at The Ohio State University and has worked in the Communication industry for over six years. She also owns her own marketing and design business in James City County, Virginia.

Healthy Relationships - an Essential Part of our Wellbeing

2012-02-14T07:45:00.020-05:00

By: Bronwyn Robertson

Good relationships are good for our health, according to the American Psychological Association and the National Institutes of Health. Having positive, supportive relationships can prevent illness by boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure, and reducing our stress level. Research shows that merely being in the presence of caring, supportive people can lower our cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone that floods the body and brain when we’re under stress. In the short term, it can be beneficial by increasing energy, activating muscles, decreasing sensitivity to pain, and elevating heart rate. Long term elevation of cortisol levels, however, leads to a number of health and mental health problems including high blood pressure, chronic pain and inflammation, decreased memory and attention, impaired problem solving, anxiety and insomnia. Brain imaging studies indicate that chronic elevation of cortisol may actually shrink the hippocampus, a structure in the brain that coverts short term memories into long term memory.

Healthy relationships promote the release of beneficial hormones and brain chemicals. One such hormone and brain neurotransmitter is oxytocin. It is released when we bond with significant others, hug our children or even pet our pets. Studies have shown that oxytocin elevates mood and self esteem, and decreases physical pain. The release of oxytocin also has a calming effect and enhances the experience of empathy and emotional connection, according to research conducted by the University of California at Berkley and University of Southern California.

Feeling connected with others is good for our brain. We are actually “wired” to experience empathy, love and compassion, according to noted neuroscientists Richard Davidson at the University of Wisconsin and Daniel Siegel at UCLA. Whether we are directly experiencing positive interactions with our loved ones or merely observing other people engaged in kind, compassionate behavior, areas of our brain associated with positive emotions, insight, and creativity are activated. The experience of love, compassion and emotional connection not only elevates our mood but also improves memory, learning and problem solving.

As noted by neuroscientist Daniel Siegel, the relationships that begin in infancy can have a life-long impact. Being nurtured and loved by one’s mother as an infant promotes the healthy development of brain cells and the nervous system, and strengthens the immune system. Several recently published studies have highlighted the healthy effects of receiving positive parenting as a child, such as the prevention of hypertension, diabetes, stroke and mental health disorders.

Our relationships, how we connect with others, has a profound effect on our physical and mental health. Feeling love and compassion helps us feel connected with others, can heal our physical and emotional pain, improve our memory and mood, and enhance our overall wellbeing.

Bronwyn is a licensed professional counselor with more than 20 years experience in private practice and community agency service. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety, stress, trauma, panic, chronic pain, and depression. She works with children, adolescents, and adults, and individuals with intellectual disabilities. Bronwyn utilizes positive psychology, cognitive behavioral and expressive therapies, and mindfulness-based practices to help others overcome obstacles, manage challenges, and tap into their unique potential for healing and personal growth. Bronwyn is an Adult Outpatient Therapist at Colonial Behavioral Health and also in private practice with Parker, Schlichter and Associates.

Mental Health "Myth Busting"

2012-02-08T08:35:00.001-05:00

By: Rip McAdams, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT

When people are diagnosed with a physical health disorder (for example, appendicitis, arthritis, diabetes, etc.), they typically do not think twice about seeking treatment for the condition or telling others that they are doing so. However, when people are diagnosed with a mental health disorder (for example, ADHD, depression, anxiety, etc.), they may be less likely to seek professional help or talk to others about it. This appears to be due to some common myths about mental health and mental health treatment that continue to exist despite years of research and practice that have shown them to be false. Below, is a look at five of those myths and some reasons why they should not be mistaken for the truth:

Myth 1: Having a mental health issue means you are “crazy.” Having an infected appendix does not mean that you are appendicitis. In the same way, having a mental health issue does not mean that you are that issue. Instead, it means that you have a health issue that is interfering with the quality of your life and is in need of treatment and potential cure—nothing more.

Myth 2: Mental health issues indicate a weakness of character. This is doubtful considering that some of those experiencing mental health issues have shown to be of the strongest character. Take, for example, Abraham Lincoln who suffered from severe depression with occasional thoughts of suicide and Winston Churchill who suffered from what we now call bipolar disorder. If these two leaders did not have strong character, then who in the world does? Mental health issues are not an indicator of weak character; they are, at most, an indicator of being human.

Myth 3: People do not fully recover from mental health problems. Research by the World Health Organization suggests that even people with the most severe mental health issues can recover and become capable of running their own lives and having significant roles in society. Some people who have recovered from behavioral health conditions may require ongoing treatment to maintain their recovery; however, they are no different from the many people who require ongoing medical treatments to maintain their recovery from a physical illness. Recovery that needs to be maintained with ongoing treatment is still recovery.

Myth 4: Mental health issues in children are the result of bad parenting. There is no research to support the claim that bad parenting (or any other single thing) is to blame for mental health problems in children. What the research has shown over and over again, is that parents can play a very important role in their children’s recovery from mental health problems, no matter what their cause. Parents are to be commended—not blamed—for seeking professional assistance with their children’s mental health problems.

Myth 5: Talking about mental health problems in psychotherapy isn’t going to solve them. Research over the past half-century has shown that about two thirds of people who have engaged in counseling and psychotherapy improve. It is certainly a possibility that a person presenting for psychotherapy will be in the one third who is not helped, but with the chances of resolving mental health issues in psychotherapy being two times as great as not resolving them, it just makes good common sense to at least give therapy a try.

Despite a lack of any factual evidence to support these five myths about mental health and its treatment, some people continue to believe the myths and to apply them as justification for not taking advantage of available mental health services that could improve their own and their family’s quality of life. If you or someone you know falls into this category, it is hoped that the arguments presented here can be helpful in distinguishing fact from myth and realizing that mental health problems, like physical heath problems, are nothing to hide due to shame, guilt, embarrassment or other emotions and concerns that may be associated with these myths.

Rip McAdams, Ed.D. is a Professor of Counselor Education at The College of William and Mary, where he also co-directs the New Horizons Family Counseling Center. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with nearly 30 years of clinical practice experience.

Do You Need Help? Treatment and Recovery Options for Alcohol and Drug Use Disorders

2012-02-01T09:49:00.001-05:00

By: Cindy Levy, EdD, Ph.D.

How do you know if you or someone you care about has been drinking too much alcohol or taking too many mood altering drugs? How do you know when and where to get help? What is the best treatment for alcohol/drug problems?

Problems with alcohol/drug use can arise slowly over time or seemingly overnight. There are many reasons people say their use is fine despite others’ concerns. But, when your alcohol/drug use is associated with problems at home, work, health, and/or the law; then the use itself is a problem. Problems typically start small but continue to grow if we don’t check them. The American Society of Addiction Medicine issued an excellent updated definition of addiction based on current research completed in April. Interested readers can review at the new definition in its entirety here:

http://www.asam.org/advocacy/find-a-policy-statement/view-policy-statement/public-policy-statements/2011/12/15/the-definition-of-addiction

Briefly, addiction is a primary, chronic disease of the brain with bio-psycho-social-spiritual aspects. It includes biological conditions such as genetics and physical predispositions; psychological conditions such as thinking distortions and emotional defense mechanisms; social conditions such as problems with interpersonal relationships and coping skills; and spiritual conditions such as distortions in the meaning, purpose, and values guiding their life.

If you are concerned about someone’s drinking and/or drug use, the best you can do is to learn everything you can about addiction and your local resources, and to let them know your belief that the situation is serious enough for further investigation, that you want them to get help, and that you are in this with them. The two most common errors are (1) enabling, or ignoring the facts around the use and associated problems, making excuses for them, providing financial aid, allowing them to avoid their responsibilities; and (2) persecuting, or being judgmental, demeaning, nagging, and focusing on moral/character defects. Both approaches tend to result in failure to help the individual, and possible victimization if they don’t keep their promises, fail to pay back your financial aid, etc.

Places to go for help include local Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous meetings, various church recovery groups such as Celebrate Recovery, peer support recovery centers, and substance use disorder treatment centers. For help finding a meeting location, visit:

Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Finder: http://www.step12.com/virginia.html
Narcotics Anonymous Meeting Finder: http://portaltools.na.org/portaltools/MeetingLoc/
Celebrate Recovery Meeting Finder: http://www.celebraterecovery.com/?page_id=8

Levels of treatment include:

Outpatient - usually 1-2 times per week participating in group, individual or possibly family counseling
Intensive - typically 3 times per week for 3 hours each session followed by a step-down program of less intensive treatment
Inpatient – social or medical detox to help reduce withdrawal symptoms, and inpatient rehabilitation programs when less intensive levels of care have been unsuccessful.

Treatment involves trained counselors helping individuals move through the stages of change. It is tailored to the characteristics of the disease being treated and to the individual’s readiness to change. Individuals in the initial, or precontemplation stage of change, need information and feedback to raise their awareness of their substance problems and possibility of change. Individuals in the second, or contemplation stage, are ambivalent and vacillate between reasons for concern and justifications for unconcern. In this stage, counselors help them tip the balance in favor of change and strengthen their self-efficacy. In the preparation, or determination, stage individuals are motivated to make changes and counselors help them find acceptable and effective clinical strategies. In the action stage, individuals act to bring about change and counselors help ensure these actions are effective. Finally, in the maintenance stage, counselors help individuals learn to sustain changes already made, and to identify and use strategies to prevent relapse.

Cindy Levy, EdD, has a Doctorate in Agency Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner. She is the Adult Outpatient Services Coordinator for Colonial Behavioral Health where she oversees a variety of substance abuse and mental health treatment. She has over 30 years experience providing substance abuse treatment.

A GUIDE FOR SEEKING PSYCHOTHERAPY - PART TWO

2012-01-25T08:00:00.009-05:00

By: Randy Walton, Ph.D.

Finding a Therapist - Selecting a therapist

When you call a prospective therapist, get the basic questions regarding fees, insurance, location, scheduling, and how soon you can be seen, out of the way with the receptionist or office manager if there is one. You can also ask to schedule a five minute phone call with the therapist or counselor to discuss your needs and interests, and determine whether it is likely to be a good “fit”. An unwillingness to give you five minutes to ensure a good fit should cause you to be skeptical about whether that therapist is right for you. Respect the therapist's time and keep the phone call to five minutes or less.

If you speak with a therapist on the phone, it is likely that the therapist will ask you about the problem or concern that prompted you to consider therapy. This is a legitimate question to help him or her answer your questions, but you do not need to go into detail on the phone. Remember, the goal of this phone call is to get an idea about whether this therapist will be a good fit for you. Briefly describe the concern, problem, or goal you would like to address in therapy. Don’t worry about trying to diagnose, offer your interpretation of the problem, or provide a detailed history. Describe what prompted you to consider therapy at this time and/or what you would like to change.

You can also ask some of the following questions or others you think relevant.

Do you have experience working with people who have concerns and goals similar to mine? If so, have you had success with them?
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
How many sessions do you average per client?
Do you monitor progress and outcomes? Tell me about it.
What do you do if a particular therapeutic approach is not helping?

When talking with a prospective therapist listen for answers that reflect an emphasis on a good therapeutic relationship and the importance of your participation. Listen for an emphasis on client resources, strengths, and capabilities; these will be the basis on which solutions and positive changes will be built. Listen for answers that reflect a therapist’s flexibility in adapting or changing treatment approaches based on whether you are experiencing improvement or not. Compare the therapist’s answers with your own views of how change occurs. If the therapist identifies with a particular therapeutic approach, philosophy, or orientation, consider whether it is consistent with your theory of change. If it is different but you still think it has some merit, try it out. Your input and participation in therapy is essential in getting the results you want.

Over the past fifteen years there has been an increased emphasis on what are called “evidence based treatments”. These are specific therapy approaches for specific problems or disorders; they are called “evidence –based” because they typically have at least two research studies supporting their effectiveness for the treatment of the specific problem or disorder. Consequently, these therapeutic approaches or treatments have sometimes been recommended as the treatment of choice for particular problems or disorders. However, just as medications effective with certain disorders are not effective for everyone with that disorder, the use of specific evidence based treatments is recognized as just one factor associated with positive therapy outcomes.

In an August, 2005 policy statement, the American Psychological Association (APA) adopted a less rigid perspective which incorporates decades of therapy outcome research regarding effective therapy practice. This APA statement emphasizes that therapy services which “have a high probability of achieving the goals of treatment” involve integration of the best available research [e.g., evidence based treatments] with the therapist’s clinical expertise and the client’s characteristics, preferences, and response to treatment. The APA further indicates that “ongoing monitoring of patient progress and adjustment of treatment as needed are essential…”¹ You should be skeptical if you encounter a therapist who emphasizes one approach to therapy with little flexibility or willingness to consider other approaches. Research demonstrates that the most effective therapists adapt their approach to their client, and whether the client is experiencing and reporting improvement or not. The most effective therapists do not try to force the client to fit their approach, or persist in using an approach that is not helping.

If you decide on a therapist who seems like a good match, schedule an appointment and give it a try. If you meet with the therapist and feel comfortable with their style, approach, and genuine interest in you, keep working with them. If you meet with a therapist and do not feel it is a good match, talk with the therapist about your concerns and what might be more helpful to you. If the therapist does not seem receptive to your questions and feedback, consider a different therapist. Finally, not all problems are most effectively addressed with a therapist, or by therapy alone. Some problems can be better addressed through other means, or by services in addition to therapy, e.g., support groups, case management services, or medication. Therapists who are willing to consider alternative options or “wraparound” services are more likely to be effective because they are likely to be more focused on what is right for you.

Finally, keep in mind that research on therapy outcomes indicate that when therapy is successful, positive changes begin to occur early in the therapy process, e.g., the first 4-5 sessions. This has been found to be true whether the therapy is short-term or long-term. Everyone is different, but if you are not beginning to experience significant change by about the 4^th or 5^th session, discuss this with your therapist. Ask for his or her ideas about what is occurring, and whether a different approach or different therapist might be useful. Remember, you are paying the therapist to work with you, and your input and participation in the process is essential.

¹American Psychological Association Statement: Policy Statement on Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology (August, 2005)

Randy Walton, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who works full-time as Lead Clinician at Colonial Behavioral Health, and conducts a part-time private practice (http://www.williamsburgpsychologist.com/) in the Williamsburg, Virginia area. He has been in full-time clinical practice for over 25 years.

A GUIDE FOR SEEKING PSYCHOTHERAPY - PART ONE

2012-01-18T08:00:00.002-05:00

By: Randy Walton, Ph.D.

If you decide to seek counseling or therapy, achieving the results or outcome you desire is important. For this to occur, it is important to be an informed consumer. Part of being an informed consumer includes gathering information, educating yourself and having some skepticism about the service or product you are buying.

First, it is helpful to know whether the service you are seeking works. Fifty years of research unequivocally demonstrates that psychotherapy/counseling work! Review and comparison of hundreds of research studies demonstrate that people who engage in treatment (i.e., psychotherapy and counseling) are better off than 80 percent of the people receiving no treatment for similar problems. So seeking a therapist can be exactly what you need to assist in making the changes you wish to make.

However, what works for one person may not work for another. Research has demonstrated that a good “fit” or “match” between therapist and client is the single most important factor in achieving a positive outcome in therapy. The question then becomes, “how do I find a therapist who is a good fit or match for me?”

Finding a Therapist - Narrowing the possibilities

There are various ways to identify prospective therapists who might fit your needs. If the process is new to you, think about how you typically narrow the possibilities and select other service providers and products. For example, consider how you select home repair contractors, physicians, and lawyers, how you decide what car or TV to buy, or how you determine potential colleges/schools and neighborhoods in which to live.

You might start by talking with friends, family members, or acquaintances who may have first hand experience or knowledge of therapists in your area. Your medical professional is likely to have the names of some therapists to recommend. Searching online (for example, “psychologist Williamsburg”) or in the yellow pages for local psychologists, counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists can provide a large list of potential therapists from which you can begin to narrow the possibilities. Additionally, some health insurers only cover certain therapists who are part of their network or panel of providers. If you have health insurance, call the insurance company to determine if there is a list of therapists they cover or recommend (a toll free number for your insurance company is usually on the back of your insurance card).

When gathering information about potential therapists from these sources, review information in the yellow page ads, Internet sites, or other sources that give you an idea about what services a therapist offers, specialty areas, philosophy of treatment, etc. If you have a specific concern, problem, or preference, look for therapists who advertise experience or specialization in that area. Make a list of potential therapists who seem like they may meet your needs.

An important consideration in selecting a therapist is determining whether the therapist is licensed. Therapists are licensed in the state where they practice, and clearly identify their license by profession in online or printed advertising, e.g., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or Licensed Professional Counselor. Psychiatrists are also licensed to do therapy by the state in which they practice, although not all psychiatrists do therapy. A professional license indicates that a therapist has a required level of specialized education, training, experience, and awareness of ethical guidelines identified by that profession and the State Licensing Board. However, having a professional license does not guarantee therapeutic effectiveness any more than a driver’s license guarantees that all drivers are equally skilled. There are sometimes other therapist designations that vary from state to state, e.g., Certified Substance Abuse Counselor or Marriage and Family Therapist. Further information about any licensed therapist is available on your State government websites related to health professions, e.g., Virginia Department of Health Professions. Some agencies or therapists also utilize graduate students who conduct psychotherapy and counseling under direct supervision of a licensed, experienced professional, and this is also an option to consider.

Different professions (e.g., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, or Psychiatrist) emphasize different areas of knowledge and training. For example, clinical psychologists have training in psychological evaluation and testing as well as counseling and psychotherapy. This does not mean that all clinical psychologists offer psychological evaluations as part of their practice – however, they should all be able to intelligently discuss and answer questions about psychological evaluations and testing. If you are looking for a therapist, there are excellent therapists in all of the professions listed. Again, the key factor to a successful therapy experience is finding a licensed therapist who is a good match for you, including your needs, preferences, goals, and experience of what has helped and not helped in the past.

When you have a list of therapists who seem like they may offer what you want, the next step is to call prospective therapists for more information.

For details stay tuned to next week's blog post, A Guide for Seeking Psychotherapy or Counseling - Part Two.

Welcome to Behavioral Health Matters!

2012-01-17T07:30:00.011-05:00

Welcome to Behavioral Health Matters, the new Colonial Behavioral Health blog. On Wednesday of each week - beginning tomorrow, January 18, 2012 - we plan to bring you information related to mental health, intellectual disabilities, or substance use disorders. The blog’s goal is to inform and facilitate dialogue within our community about mental health and available resources.

Each week we will feature a different guest blogger, some from within CBH, and many from the larger community. Contributors are experts in their fields and have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with us. Blog posts will include information about the guest writers and helpful links to their and other websites, so you can continue your quest for information should you so choose. We hope you will join us in this community conversation.

As an example of good things in store for the future, please enjoy this brief article written by CBH Adult Outpatient Therapist Bronwyn Robertson and previously published in The Examiner.

Kings’s Dream and Mindful Vision

By Bronwyn Robertson

Yesterday our nation honored the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr., celebrating his dream, his vision and the content of his character. Dr. King dreamed of world in which “all life is interrelated” and envisioned the world transformed into “a beautiful symphony ” resonating with freedom and peace.
King was mindful of the effects of both positive and destructive emotions and thoughts. He knew well that that “hate destroys the hater” and challenged us all to “walk in the light of creative altruism” rather than in “the darkness of destructive selfishness." King sought to educate others about the value of cultivating a ”tough mind and a tender heart” through the tempering of one’s thoughts and a greater capacity to feel empathy and forgiveness. He understood the power of mindful compassion:
     "Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it."
Dr. King also spoke of the “interrelated structure of reality”, a concept deeply rooted in mindfulness. He eloquently observed our interconnected reality:
      “all life is interrelated… somehow we're caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. For some strange reason, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. You can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be.”
King sought to usher in a time during which we “rapidly begin the shift” to a “person-oriented society.” He urged us to free ourselves from a restricted, rejecting view of one another to kinder, more inclusive one:
      "Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge,aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love”
King believed “human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted”, those who can grasp the power and freedom of mindful transformation.

First published by the Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/mindfulness-in-national/king-s-dream-and-mindful-vision

Bronwyn is a licensed professional counselor with more than 20 years experience in private practice and community agency service. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety, stress, trauma, panic, chronic pain, and depression, and works with children, adolescents, and adults, and individuals with intellectual disabilities. Bronwyn utilizes positive psychology, cognitive behavioral and expressive therapies, and mindfulness-based practices to help others overcome obstacles, manage challenges, and tap into their unique potential for healing and personal growth. Bronwyn is in private practice with Parker, Schlichter and Associates at:http://parkerschlichterandassociates.com/bronwyn-robertson-lpc/

First Blog Post Coming January 17, 2012!

2012-01-11T10:16:00.001-05:00

Thanks for visiting us here at Behavioral Health Matters. Our first official blog post will be on Tuesday, January 17, followed by weekly updates and perhaps a few smaller postings in between.

Behavioral Health Matters is a blog created by Colonial Behavioral Health to provide relevant information regarding mental health, substance use disorders and intellectual disabilities. Our goal is to inform and facilitate dialogue within our community about mental health and available resources.

Please come back on the 17th and see for yourself what we are all about!