A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

Working through a mental health difficulty can be personally challenging for the self, but most people who confront such concerns also encounter issues within their families. In extreme cases, some people may become separated from their loved ones, as is the case of many women in Los Angeles with criminal backgrounds and indications of mental health concerns. But the rate of reunification is distinctly on the rise in the city, as women with feelings of depression, anxiety, and other issues are receiving assistance from programs aimed at meeting the needs of local families torn apart by conflict and a misuse or absence of effective treatment.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Simi Valley Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

Grappling with the symptoms of mental illness can be challenging for therapy clients and their families, with issues ranging from poor emotional feedback on a daily basis to problems with the maintenance of a house and declining personal relationships. Recognizing the need to help therapy clients and their families understand these challenges from a more experienced point of view, a Wisconsin chapter of NAMI has developed two convenient group courses for local community members. The courses, taught by specially trained NAMI representatives (some of whom are themselves diagnosed with mental health concerns), are aimed at limiting the potential for the negative impact of mental health issues in homes, and are a great example of mental health action being taken at the community level.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Long Beach Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

While here have been scores of studies on the causes and effects of post-partum depression, a researcher from the University of Queensland recently set out to uncover the effects of mothers’ mental health during the long process of child rearing. Focusing her research on a study performed at the Mater University of Pregnancy, the researcher found that those mothers who exhibited signs of mental health concerns were significantly more likely to raise children with behavioral and other issues, while those with recurring issues such as feelings of depression or anxiety showed a dramatic increase in these rates. The effective treatment of mothers experiencing mental health issues may in fact prove valuable for more than just the client herself.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Fullerton Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Update

There is growing evidence that introducing children and adolescents to therapy can prove beneficial in a host of areas; in fact, recommendations have been made that most if not all young people undergo some sort of professional screening for feelings of depression. The effort to help curb unnecessary suffering in youth is undoubtedly important, and mental health professionals from many different fields are keen to lend their knowledge and expertise to the health and well-being of kids. But as for engaging in actual therapy sessions, there is some contention between those who assert that the child is the most apt representative of their person, and those who prefer to glean the most information from the parents.

This issue has recently come up for a professional in Israel, who has discussed the virtues of meeting with parents prior to meeting with the child, and adds that meeting with the child may not be necessary at all. While it is generally accepted that parents who are concerned about their relationships with their children can benefit from meeting with a therapist, the idea that a child who could realize greater well-being from therapy can treated in a vicarious manner is cause for questioning for some professionals. With that said, experienced marriage and family therapists have known for years about the positive impact made on the lives of children as a result of their parents being in therapy or marriage counseling. And although family therapy has gained in popularity over the last 40 years, treatment absent of the person for whom the treatment is intended is not nearly as accepted by professionals outside the realm of marriage and family therapy. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Minneapolis Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

Feelings of depression can be disruptive for many people in various areas of their lives, but it can also have a serious impact on those with whom they’re especially close, including their family. The National Research Council and Institute of Medicine has released a report identifying the need to address feelings of depression within the context of entire families rather than limiting perspective to the individual, with special urgency afforded in cases involving children. source: http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=news&id=119782&cn=5

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist North Vancouver Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

By Marti Granizo-O’Hare

“I became a lawyer 20 years ago to represent children’s rights. I became a mediator to assist partners restructure their lives in the face of a divorce, and in doing so minimize the deleterious effects of separation.”

More and more couples are participating in divorce mediation to effectively communicate about their financial and parenting matters. Particularly where families are involved, all other dispute resolution processes are dwarfed by the advantages and benefits of the mediation process. The legal fees, costs and emotional strain entailed in starting a court action against a life partner can be daunting. Although, mediation has been in existence for decades, in the past 10 years it has progressively gained recognition as a preferred alternative dispute process to litigation and attorney negotiated settlements. Among the reasons for its growth, is the fundamental objective of the mediation process: to assist both parties in effectively communicating and negotiating solutions which are best for them, their family and their situation. Mediation seeks to empower both parties by providing information in a neutral manner, respecting and supporting each individual’s rights and feelings, acting as a resource for professional referrals, and ultimately facilitating what often can be a difficult-and at times, tumultuous situation.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a dispute resolution process which assist parties’ communications for agreement. (See: mediate.com/articles/what.cfm). It is voluntary and confidential, and is conditioned on the informed consent of parties to actively participate in the process. It is a dispute resolution process which honors and is predicated on the self -determination of the participants involved. The parties have control over how they want the process to proceed and they have total control over what agreements are reached as a result of their participation in the process. Mediation is an all-inclusive process. The active involvement of the parties’ attorneys, third party professionals such as financial advisors or therapists, is always available to the parties and at the parties’ discretion. Read the rest of this entry

A GoodTherapy.org News Update

For many therapists and other mental health professionals, the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD, are fairly clear. But for parents of children who suffer from related difficulties, it’s not always a straightforward matter to distinguish between positive and unhelpful behaviors, and sometimes parents’ efforts to help their children can have the opposite effect. Validating the behaviors associated with OCD is a common, and often unintentional, result of parents’ reactions to their children’s symptoms. But through consultation with a mental health professional and a better understanding of how OCD tends to work, parents can provide the care they seek to bestow upon their children without worsening symptoms.

A study recently published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology has revealed that a large number of families engage in what the study terms as “accommodations,” which typically take place when parents wish to soothe upset over a particular worry or concern experienced by a child. Such accommodations can include assistance in carrying out obsessive rituals, or the verbal assurance of certain conditions about which the child is worried. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Sacramento Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Update

Though there have been many positive trends in the worlds of therapy and mental health treatments over the past few years, not all areas have been improving. Amidst a chaotic and stressful society with increasingly tight demands on youth, eating disorders have become a more prominent issue in the United States and around the world than many had imagined, touching the lives of children –especially adolescent girls– with alarming frequency. A great deal of treatments and programs have been developed in an effort to help curb the development and pervasiveness of anorexia, bulimia, and other sufferances, but one approach proposed by Houston psychotherapist Mary Jo Rapini takes an angle that’s close to home.

Specifically, Rapini’s focus is on the relationship between girls and their fathers. While it’s well known that healthy relationships between children and their parents are essential for positive childhoods and the creation of many proactive behaviors, the specific interactions of fathers and daughters as they relate to issues of body image are less often discussed. Rapini notes that fathers can help their daughters achieve a more positive body image by participating in healthy family activities and being open about the paternal love a father feels for his child. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Culver City Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

By Anne Ream ATR-BC, LPC

Click here to contact Anne and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

Some years ago psychologists were pointing out the unrealistic expectation that some people have that their partners “should” be able to know what they want or “read their mind”. Indeed that is an unrealistic expectation and gradually we are learning the importance of speaking up and telling our partners what we need, want, feel or think. Being attuned to another person, however, is a vital skill for a good enough relationship.

Researchers report that nonverbal communication makes up between 80 to 93% of our communication process. Because nonverbal messages express emotions more genuinely, being attuned to others and ourselves results in more effective communication and better relationships. As relationships mature, we become more attuned to the nonverbal communication of our partner.

The ability to be attuned to others begins to develop when we are infants. If our caregivers are well attuned to us, understanding and responding appropriately to our nonverbal communications, we will learn how to be attuned to others, gradually, as we grow up. Attunement is a social skill that we learn best during early childhood. Unfortunately, that does not always happen. For instance, a mentally ill, depressed or alcoholic mother or father will not be able to be well attuned to her or his children. Their children will often grow up without being appropriately heard, understood or empathized with. Because of this, the children’s ability to recognize and understand their own emotions (self-awareness) will not develop well enough for them to recognize, understand and empathize with other’s emotions. Read the rest of this entry

By Lois V. Nightingale, Ph.D.

Click here to contact Lois and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

Many adults acknowledge the benefits of having a supportive therapist as they face the inevitable challenges of divorce. But many parents are unsure at what point their child may be exhibiting signs that indicate a need for professional counseling. Many of the following indicators are similar to the symptoms adults experience when undergoing severe stress. Please note that the following indicators are not all inclusive and should not be used as an assessment tool to determine whether or not your child is in need of assistance. Evaluating an individual’s need for therapy is best left to a licensed professional.

Sleep disturbances

Some children wake with nightmares or have great difficulty going to sleep, saying they are afraid (of monsters, burglars, ghosts, etc.). Other children may regress to earlier sleeping patterns, such as sleeping with a favorite object, wetting the bed, or sleeping in a parent’s room. Children may also withdraw and hide in sleeping, which is more likely in teenagers and sleep longer hours than usual.

Eating changes

Some children under severe stress have difficulty with appetite. They may find their stomach hurts or feels upset and they may appear more picky than usual or refuse to eat at certain meals. Other children may find solace in food and try to nurture themselves by eating sweets and high fat foods. Both are signs that a child is not addressing directly their feelings of stress, anxiety or possible depression.

School problems

Teachers can often tell when there are problems at home just by observing a child’s behavior at school. A child who was once very social may isolate or even push peers away. Children can become aggressive, exhibiting the interaction styles they have witnessed between their parents.

Withdrawal

Some children withdraw and isolate when they are afraid or upset. When isolating children may be doing things that help them feel better, such as writing, drawing or listening to music. But a child may be feeling alone, left out, frightened and obsessing about how out of control their life feels.
Outbursts of anger or destructive behavior

Children who have been holding in how they feel will let it out at some point. If outbursts of anger (verbal or physical) are modeled by either of the parents, children are more likely to let this anger out in similar ways. Children’s anger and frustration need to be heard, not “fixed” or reasoned away.

Trying hard to get parents to reconcile

It is very normal for children to want their parents back together, but if a child becomes fixated on this activity it can be a sign of severe stress and fear. Some children try to get their parents back together by being exceptionally good so parents won’t fight about them, others will act out to try to get parents to focus on them rather than the separation.

Becoming the “perfect” child or confidant

Some children cope with the stress of a divorce by trying to take the place of the absent parent. They may try to make life easier for a parent, and in return deny their own natural needs as a child. This robs a child of having a healthy childhood and can cause serious problems later on in life.

Coping with a difficult custody battle.

Custody battles can take a grave toll on children. Often they are pulled this way and that and may even be asked by the court with which parent they wish to live. A child entangled in a complicated custody battle can almost always use some outside help and counseling.

While some of these signs may appear for a short period of time and in mild forms during any divorce, if they are present for a significant period of time (weeks or months) it is important for the child to be evaluated by a professional therapist. Children usually feel comfortable with a therapist who specializes in treating children or has children of their own. A therapist working with children should also have supplies on hand to help children feel comfortable sharing their feelings. Some common therapy tools are, drawing materials, such as crayons, markers, colored pencils, puppets, books, sand tray and toys.

Remember it is always appropriate to ask several therapists questions about how they conduct therapy before choosing one for your child. A therapist with experience in working with children should help your child feel comfortable in their office. Both parents and children need extra support when going through the challenges of divorce.

©Copyright 2009 by Lois V. Nightingale, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. Permission to publish granted to GoodTherapy.org. The following article was solely written and edited by the author named above. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the following article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment to this blog entry. Click here to contact Lois and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile