Clarion Psychiatric Center’s Post

Check out this month’s member spotlight!

People-pleasing clients often carry a deeply ingrained sense of responsibility for others’ emotions, sometimes to the detriment of their own well-being. How do we, as therapists, dismantle this narrative without invalidating their lived experiences? For clients who exhibit people-pleasing tendencies, therapy becomes a journey of not only self-discovery but also deconstruction. We are working with individuals who have often spent their entire lives believing their worth is tied to how well they serve others. This belief system, while adaptive in some ways, becomes maladaptive as it erodes their ability to assert their own needs and desires. As clinicians, our role is not to simply label people-pleasing as a ‘problem’ but to approach it with nuance. This behavior has, at some point, served them—keeping the peace, avoiding conflict, maintaining relationships. But how do we help them realize that this peacekeeping often comes at a significant cost to their own identity? In practice, I’ve found it invaluable to hold space for these complexities. We can’t dismantle years of conditioning overnight. It’s a process that requires patience, empathy, and, importantly, the validation of their lived experiences while helping them navigate the discomfort of asserting their needs. What strategies have others used in supporting clients through this delicate shift? #PeoplePleasing #TherapistReflections #MentalHealthProfessionals #TherapyWork #ClientCare

Empower your organization and support the families of caregivers simultaneously with our Master Licensee program. This innovative initiative creates a bridge between employers and the families of special-needs children, enabling a network of support that enhances corporate culture and community well-being. In today's interconnected world, your company's ability to make a meaningful difference is just a partnership away. By becoming a Master Licensee, you can facilitate critical resources and support directly to the families of your employees, promoting mental health and fostering a supportive workplace environment. Are you ready to be a catalyst for positive change in your community and within your organization? Learn how our Master Licensee program can help you build these essential connections. Click the link to start a conversation and explore the possibilities of becoming a transformative force in the lives of caregiver families. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/ghkcpEmU

🌱 Reignite Your Passion and Transform Your Practice🌱 Moving to Higher Ground, led by world renowned Kim Barthel, has proven to be a powerful experience, helping clinicians reconnect with their purpose and deepen their skills. This unique professional development opportunity offers more than just training; it’s an immersive journey through self-reflection, hands-on practice, and nature-based connection. For occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists, the program is a chance to: Break through burnout and feel renewed enthusiasm for our work. Explore holistic approaches that emphasize connection and relationship. Strengthen both personal and professional skills to better serve our clients. Whether you're looking to grow in your practice or simply seeking a new perspective, Moving to Higher Ground might be exactly what you need. We’ve seen first-hand how this program fuels passion, drives meaningful change, and leaves a lasting impact on everyone who attends. ✨ Ready to join us on this journey? Explore what it means to be fully present for yourself and others. Together, we’re building a community that supports true, lasting growth. 💫

This past week I've been facilitating some family therapy workshops, helping other professionals learn about family systems including things like family processes that help families do well in life, enjoy each other and manage the predictable changes and unexpected challenges, and it was a great prompt for me to share with you this blog - one of my earliest ones :) Over the past 27 years of working in the Helping Profession with children and families I have valued working with so many different types of families – families of different shapes, sizes, patterns, constellations, and in different communities and cultures. I’ve found that each family is unique. Each family will have their own hopes, goals, dreams, composition, structure, and way of being. I’ve also found that each family wants to do and be their best, and that this ‘best’ looks different for different families – because of each family’s uniqueness. As a Clinical Family Therapist & Psychologist, I’ve learnt that while each family is different, thriving families have some things in common – certain aspects of family life that support the family as a whole, as well as the individuals who make up the family. But what are these aspects? And how can you decide what is right for you to incorporate into your family? Or notice what you are already doing that’s working well and amplify those aspects? Read this blog to find out more :) https://lnkd.in/g-rYkdf

Across our touchpoints with many caregivers, educators, leaders, practitioners and community members, we see people looking for more practical ways to make sense of wellbeing. The IMPACT Program introduces the PERMA model as a practical model of wellbeing and is readily understood and applied by children, families and adults. The model, developed by Martin Seligman, a pioneer in positive psychology, indicates that you will experience higher levels of wellbeing when you bring an intent to five key areas of you life. Which of these could you embrace this weekend? 🧩 Positive Emotions 🧩 Engagement 🧩 Relationships 🧩 Meaning 🧩 Accomplishment For a deeper understanding, we encourage you to read Dr Seligman's book Flourish.

Social connection is vital for emotional well-being, especially in our golden years. 💛  In-home caregivers provide companionship, engage in meaningful conversations, and encourage social activities to support emotional well-being. Learn more about how we can help your loved ones stay connected! https://lnkd.in/d_9YcyG  

🧡 *Reflections on the Road: Suicide Prevention & Deaf Awareness Month* 🧡 As I continue reflecting this Suicide Prevention Month, I’m especially reminded of the loss we’ve faced in our Deaf community when one of our own made the painful decision to end their life. I, too, have been in that dark place at one point in my life. Now, during Deaf Awareness Month, I’m sharing two videos I created years ago to remind each and every one of you—*you are not alone*. Communication access, sign language, and inclusion are more than just tools; they are lifelines. Language deprivation, social isolation, and discrimination affect the quality of life for so many in our community and often contribute to the depression we see at such high rates. Let’s be more like Mother Nature—she doesn’t judge, she doesn’t discriminate, she embraces everyone. If we adopt her approach, we can create more inclusive spaces, filled with love and support for our Deaf, DeafBlind, and DeafDisabled communities, and help prevent the tragedy of suicide. You are seen, you are loved, and you are needed. 🌱 ✨ Watch the full videos and feel free to share them—links can be found in my stories and in the bio. ✨ #DeafAwarenessMonth #SuicidePreventionMonth #EndTheStigma #MentalHealthMatters #YouAreNotAlone #ASL #CommunicationAccess #DeafCommunity #DeafBlind #DeafDisabled How Nature Saved Me: https://lnkd.in/gfkrGNph Statistics : https://lnkd.in/gknd8KbE 

Social connection is vital for emotional well-being, especially in our golden years. 💛  In-home caregivers provide companionship, engage in meaningful conversations, and encourage social activities to support emotional well-being. Learn more about how we can help your loved ones stay connected! https://lnkd.in/gs3d_ymx  

💡 Rethinking Self-Care: Inspired by Terry Kottman at the Association for Play Therapy Conference 🎉 Terry flipped the script on self-care, and I loved it. Instead of the usual bubble baths, pedicures, and days off, she centered being grounded in the work, staying connected to our motivation, tuning into ourselves, and embracing play and fun. 🎲✨ This perspective really resonated with me. As therapists, especially neurodivergent ones like me, self-care isn't just about checking out—it’s about staying in touch with what lights us up and why we do this work in the first place. It’s about finding moments of joy and connection, even in hard seasons. 🌱 What are your favorite ways to stay grounded and connected to your motivation? I'd love to hear what keeps you going. 💜 #SelfCare #PlayTherapy #APT2024 #Neurodiversity #MentalHealth #TherapistsOfLinkedIn #InclusionMatters