​Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes the creative process of making art to improve mental, emotional, and psychological well-being. It provides individuals with a means to express themselves, explore their emotions, and communicate when we do not have words to convey inner thoughts and feelings. Unlike talk therapy, art therapy activates both sides of the brain, enhances brain function, and allows for creative thought and logic to occur simultaneously. Here are some key points about art therapy:

1. Creative Expression and Healing:
Art therapy allows individuals to express thoughts, feelings, and experiences that might be difficult to articulate verbally. Engaging in creative activities can promote healing and self-discovery, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself and one's emotions. deeper understanding of oneself and one's emotions.

2. Non-Judgmental
Space:The art therapy process is focused on the process of creation rather than the final product. This non-judgmental approach helps individuals feel safe and encourages them to explore without fear of criticism.

3. Art as a Language:
Art is considered a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. Art therapists are trained to interpret the symbolism, colors, and forms within the artwork to gain insights into the individual's emotions and psyche.

4. Therapeutic Goals:
Art therapy can be used to achieve various therapeutic goals, such as managing stress, reducing anxiety and depression, building self-esteem, and improving communication skills.

5. Diverse Techniques:
Art therapy encompasses a wide range of artistic mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, dance, music, and more. The choice of medium depends on the individual's preferences and therapeutic goals

6. Populations and Settings:
Art therapy is employed by diverse populations, including children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. It is used in various settings, such as schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, rehabilitation centers, and community centers.

7. Art-Based Assessment:
Art therapists might use the individual's artwork as a form of assessment to track progress and understand emotional changes over time.

8. Group and Individual Sessions:
Art therapy can be conducted in both group and individual settings, each offering unique benefits. Group sessions can encourage social interaction and shared support, while individual sessions provide focused attention and self-exploration.

9. Professional Training:
Art therapists undergo specialized training in both art and therapy techniques. They are skilled in creating a safe and supportive environment for clients.

10. Ethical Considerations:
Art therapists are trained to handle sensitive topics and emotions that might arise during the creative process. Respect for clients' confidentiality and emotional well-being is paramount.
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Art therapy is a powerful tool that has been proven to enhance emotional resilience, promote personal growth, and provide individuals with alternative ways to cope with challenges. It's important to note that while art therapy can be practiced individually, it's most effective when guided by a qualified art therapist who understands both the psychological and artistic aspects of the process.

By Tandy Hale, LCMHC, ATR-BC, NCC
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#CreativeExpression #EmotionalWellBeing #TherapeuticArt #SelfDiscovery #CopingWithArt #ArtisticProcess #MindfulCreation #ArtAndPsychology #ArtAsCommunication #StressRelief #TraumaRecovery #PersonalGrowth #ArtisticExploration #PositivePsychology #ArtInterventions #SelfCareThroughArt #ArtBasedHealing

Healing and resilience lie within each of us. 
We believe in the innate resilience and strength that lies within every individual. Our goal is to unleash these inner strengths and empower our clients to overcome the effects of trauma, specifically Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (cPTSD). Complex trauma can come from a history of almost imperceptible Violations to your sense of self, usually in the form of emotional and psychological abuse. This includes covert narcissistic abuse and other forms of gaslighting from people along the dark triad. We understand that these events can deeply impact one's life, leading to emotional and psychological distress. To address these challenges, we employ transformative therapeutic approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Expressive Arts Therapy, and other trauma-focused modalities. In this blog post, we will explore how these powerful techniques can facilitate healing and pave the way for a brighter future.

Understanding Trauma and Its Impact:
Trauma can arise from various experiences, such as childhood abuse, accidents, violence, or other distressing events. Both PTSD and cPTSD can manifest as intense emotional reactions, hypervigilance, flashbacks, and disrupted daily functioning. These conditions can be debilitating, preventing individuals from living their lives to the fullest.

Unleashing Inner Strengths through EMDR: 
EMDR is a highly effective and evidence-based therapy that targets traumatic memories and their associated negative emotions. During EMDR sessions, clients follow bilateral eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while recalling distressing memories. This process helps to desensitize the emotional charge connected to the trauma, allowing for reprocessing and integration of healthier emotions and beliefs. Through EMDR, clients can transform their traumatic experiences into valuable lessons, enabling them to regain control over their lives.

Expressive Arts Therapy:
Unlocking the Power of Creativity:Expressive Arts Therapy offers a transformative platform for individuals to explore and express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences through various artistic mediums. This approach provides a safe and creative space for clients to externalize their inner turmoil, process their feelings, and gain insights into their trauma. Engaging in activities like drawing, painting, writing, or movement can be profoundly healing, as it facilitates a deeper understanding of one's emotions and encourages self-compassion.

Other Trauma-Focused Modalities:
In addition to EMDR and Expressive Arts Therapy, we offer a range of trauma-focused modalities tailored to individual needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) helps identify and challenge negative thought patterns, while Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) enhances emotional regulation and interpersonal skills. Mindfulness-based techniques aid in grounding and reducing anxiety, and somatic experiencing addresses trauma through the body's sensations. Each of these modalities plays a vital role in transforming trauma into opportunities for growth and healing.

Empowering Clients for Long-Term Recovery:
We understand that the healing journey is unique for each individual. Our compassionate and experienced therapists provide personalized treatment plans, focusing on long-term recovery and growth. We encourage clients to build resilience, embrace their strengths, and develop healthy coping strategies to navigate life's challenges successfully.
Unleashing inner strengths through transformative approaches like EMDR, Expressive Arts Therapy, and other trauma-focused modalities can lead to profound healing and transformation. Start your journey to overcome PTSD and cPTSD, foster empowerment, and facilitate lasting well-being. If you or a loved one is seeking support and healing from trauma, don't hesitate to reach out.

By Deborah Ashway, LCMHC, LCAS

#UnleashingInnerStrengths #TraumaHealing #EMDRTherapy #ExpressiveArtsTherapy #TransformativeApproaches #PTSDTreatment #cPTSDRecovery #MentalHealthTherapy #InnerSourceTherapy #HealingJourney #ResilienceBuilding #Empowerment #TraumaRecovery #PersonalGrowth #WellBeing #Mindfulness #SomaticExperiencing #CognitiveBehavioralTherapy #DialecticalBehaviorTherapy #TraumaTherapy #TherapySupport #MentalHealthSupport #InnerStrengths #HealingFromTrauma #OvercomingChallenges #EmpoweringRecovery #BrighterFuture #TraumaInformedTherapy #MentalHealthAwareness
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Why do some people form addictions while others do not?
Initial use of substances or other problematic behaviors often begin voluntarily, borne from a sense of
curiosity, the desire to be accepted by peers, or as an escape from the effects of trauma. No one
experiments with alcohol or drugs with the intent of becoming addicted, and while addiction can develop
within anyone, certain aspects make it more likely to occur in some individuals. A family history of
substance abuse, personal trauma, domestic violence in the home (emotional, physical, or sexual),
undiagnosed or untreated mental health conditions, and a lack of social support make addiction more
likely to develop from experimental use.

Brain Circuits Simplified
The following is a simplified version of the brain chemistry underlying addiction as this forum does not
support the time or space to detail the complexities involved. The key chemical involved in addiction
(whether substance use or behavioral patterns) is dopamine which impacts several regions of the brain,
collectively referred to as the mesolimbic dopamine pathway. Together, these areas of the brain support
the necessary chemical reactions to induce pleasure sensations and reinforce those sensations, while
simultaneously impairing one’s ability to control impulses and practice sound judgement. The brain
remembers these pleasurable sensations and the more the behavior is practiced, the stronger the urge to
repeat it becomes, sometimes in a habitual manner that manifests as chemical dependence (addiction).

Addiction’s Impact on Quality of Life
The impact of addiction can typically be seen in an individual’s personal relationships, job performance,
finances, legal problems, and health concerns. One of the leading indicators that a person can achieve
successful recovery is strong social support, like family and long-term friendships. Ironically, one of the
biggest impacts of addiction is the damage to family relationships due to broken trust. Family and/or
couples counseling can often increase the chances of a successful recovery as it helps to repair the
damage inflicted by previous behaviors associated with substance abuse and reinstates a support system
in the individual’s life. When family members are not willing to engage in the recovery process, therapists
can often help clients find opportunities to develop new sober friendships to establish a support system.

If you or a loved one is experiencing chemical dependance, there is help. Please contact our office at
(252) 571-6508 to schedule an appointment with a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist that can walk
you and your family through the process of recovery in a judgment-free environment. For more
information about addiction, visit the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) website at
https://nida.nih.gov/, or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
website at https://www.samhsa.gov/.

Written by Vicki Howe, LCMHC, LCAS, CCTP, NCC

#Addiction #MedicalModel #Disease #Alcohol #SubstanceAbuse #BehavioralAddiction #Gambling #Pornography #FoodAddiction #BrainChemistry #Dopamine #Recovery #SupportSystem #FamilyRelationships #Counseling #AddictionRecovery #ChemicalDependence #Empathy #Support #NoStigma #EndTheStigma #MentalHealth #AddictionHelp #RecoveryJourney #Healing #Hope #SAMHSA #NIDA

Meditation is a powerful tool for managing stress and promoting relaxation. Regular meditation practice helps calm the nervous system, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve overall well-being. Maybe the most beneficial aspect of meditation is its power to shift negative emotional energy into cultivating positive emotions.
The nervous system is responsible for regulating the body’s response to stress and controlling the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. When the nervous system is overstimulated, it leads to feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and irritability. Meditation helps to calm the nervous system by slowing down the body’s physical and mental responses to stress.
"I can never get my mind to stop."
We hear this all the time from so many clients. We can't even get our minds to stop because the mind is always active. This takes practice, but there are several different types of meditation techniques that can be used to help with this. It does not always involve shutting off your thoughts. Mindfulness techniques can help to reduce stress and anxiety by encouraging relaxation, focusing on the present moment, and fostering positive emotions.
Mindfulness meditation involves paying attention to the present moment and non-judgmentally observing thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. Become the observer instead of a participant. This type of meditation can help to reduce stress by increasing awareness of the mind-body connection and allowing individuals to detach from negative thoughts and emotions.
Loving-kindness meditation involves focusing on positive emotions such as love, compassion, and kindness. This type of meditation can be used to shift negative emotional energy by increasing feelings of well-being and promoting positive feelings toward oneself and others.
Body scan meditation involves lying down and focusing on each part of the body, one at a time, to release tension and promote relaxation. This type of meditation can help to calm the nervous system by reducing stress in the body and allowing for a deeper level of relaxation.
When you engage in mindfulness meditation practices, rather than trying to block out thoughts, you're giving your mind-energy something to focus on other than the habitual process of scanning the past to assess future risks. Meditation can be practiced anywhere, at any time, and requires no special equipment. Begin by setting aside 10-20 minutes each day for meditation practice.
Start by focusing on your breath and gradually progress to more advanced techniques. Over time, you may find that meditation becomes an integral part of your daily routine, providing a source of calm and balance in your life.
Regular meditation practice can promote relaxation, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve overall well-being. The emotional energy shift you experience with meditation goes far beyond calming the nervous system. Emotional energy is central to your life and even manifestation. Give meditation a try and see the positive impact it can have on your life.

By Deborah Ashway, LCMHC, LCAS

#Meditation #EmotionalEnergy #EmotionalHealing #InnerPeace #EnergyShifting #StressRelief #Calmness #MindBodySpirit #PositiveEnergy

Do you have too many regrets about your past and/or anxiety about your future? Mindfulness
may be for you! It can be defined, “...as meaning to remember to pay attention to what is
occurring in one’s immediate experience with care and discernment (Wallace & Bodhi, 2006).

Without research a person often finds themselves thinking that mindfulness means emptying
your thoughts or never thinking about your past or present. It is not those things, but several
thoughts put together to enhance the current activity and experiences of people.

Mindfulness includes both mindful awareness followed by mindful practice. Mindful awareness
is a way of being in the moment with everything included in that moment such as smells, sounds,
how your body feels, your emotions, and your perceptions without adding to it or pushing away
what we do not want to acknowledge.

Have you ever had a thought in your head that led to an emotion that you did not understand or
like so you distract yourself somehow instead of experiencing it? Mindfulness teaches how to sit
with it instead.

There are three core elements used in mindfulness and they are intention, attention, and attitude.
Intention is the why of the situation. Why is this important to you? Why are you giving the item
time in your life?

Attention is, “... discerning and non-reactive, sustained and concentrated, so that we can see
clearly what is arising in the present moment”. That includes thoughts, feelings and emotions
that may be coming to the surface.

Attitude has more to do with the approach in that we should use our heart when using
mindfulness so that, “ with practice and right effort, individuals can learn to attend to their own
internal and external experiences without evaluation or interpretation, and practice acceptance,
kindness, and openness...”.

In conclusion, mindfulness techniques can be used to stay in the present while slowing down our
thoughts and intentionally staying in the situation as it is and experiencing all that comes with it.
It takes time to master these techniques but thirty years of research has proven its usefulness,
relevance, and benefits.

References

Shapiro, S. L., Carlson, L. E. (2006). Mechanisms of mindfulness. Journal of Clinical
Psychology, 62, 373-386.

Shapiro, S. L., Carlson, L. E. (2017). What is mindfulness and how does it work in clinical
settings?. The Art and Science of Mindfulness. 10-28.

Shapiro, S. L., & Schwartz, G. E. (2000a). Intentional systemic mindfulness: An integrative
model for self-regulation and health, Advances in Mind-Body Medicine, 16, 128-134.

​By April Fitchett, LCSWA

#Mindfulness #PresentMoment #SelfAwareness #EmotionalWellbeing #MentalHealth #MindfulPractice #MindfulAwareness #Acceptance #Kindness #Openness #StressManagement #AnxietyRelief #PositiveChange #EmbraceThePresent #MindfulLiving #MentalWellness #Meditation #StayInTheMoment #MindfulAttitude #MindfulApproach #InnerPeace #SelfDiscovery #MindfulThinking #EmotionalHealth #LiveInTheNow #MindfulnessBenefits #ResearchBacked #MindfulnessTechniques #MindfulnessMatters