When this class started I had two thoughts:
1. I'm super excited because I love to blog and I love technology and I love counseling
2. What else can I really learn about it?
Well, I still love it all and I'm still super excited about using it in the future, but there has been so much that I've learned!
I didn't think that so many online tools could really be used to counsel people. I also was surprised at how easy it was to get carried away within the different forms of technology. I know just by looking at my classmates blogs, how I just wanted to keep reading what they all had to say.
Overall it was an awesome experience that I got to have and one that I will continue to use in future sessions.
Now if you're reading this blog because you found it online and are interested, I'm sorry to say that there will be no more posts to this blog. But, be sure to checkout the links provided and email me (the link can be found here in my CV) if you have any questions or want more information!
I've enjoyed bringing you resources and awesome topics over the last 15 weeks and I hope you've enjoyed reading them!
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Sunday, April 19, 2015
You is kind, you is smart, you is important
I'm not sure if any of you have read the book, The Help, or have seen the movie, but that is where the title for this week's blog comes from.
If you haven't read it...or watched the movie....go do it! It's wonderful!
Now onto the topic of the week!
Everyone has those days where we feel like we are just stupid, or boring, or lame, or not worth anyone's time. You know those days? I have them, my friends have them, you have them.
The thing is though, we aren't stupid, boring, lame, and we are totally worth anyone's time.
But life gets us down sometimes and our minds tend to doubt our capabilities or sometimes even our worth.
So what do we do?
We can mope around and have our moments, sure, there's nothing wrong with that, but after you mope (my best friend only gives me like 5 minutes to mope, sometimes I'll get 10), what do you do?
You pick yourself up and remind yourself that you are awesome!
But really, there's a little exercise that I've found to be helpful for moments like these.
Once again it's all about writing things down...or you can say them out loud, but I like writing them down. I feel like it really sticks if I do!
Write down:
3 things you are good at
3 compliments you have received
3 things you like about yourself
3 challenges you have overcome
By writing things down, you're not only bring awareness to the fact that you have positive qualities, but you're also changing your mood while you do it. It makes you go back and think, "oh wow, I totally forgot this happened" or "I remember when she gave me that compliment!".
So next time you feel like you're a plastic bag, drifting through the wind and wanting to start again.
Or you feel so paper thin, like a house of cards, one blow from caving in....
Sorry I had to!
In all seriousness though, next time you are having a bad day and you feel worthless or not good enough, I want you to try writing those things down and see how it changes your mood!
And always remember....
If you haven't read it...or watched the movie....go do it! It's wonderful!
Now onto the topic of the week!
Everyone has those days where we feel like we are just stupid, or boring, or lame, or not worth anyone's time. You know those days? I have them, my friends have them, you have them.
The thing is though, we aren't stupid, boring, lame, and we are totally worth anyone's time.
But life gets us down sometimes and our minds tend to doubt our capabilities or sometimes even our worth.
So what do we do?
We can mope around and have our moments, sure, there's nothing wrong with that, but after you mope (my best friend only gives me like 5 minutes to mope, sometimes I'll get 10), what do you do?
You pick yourself up and remind yourself that you are awesome!
But really, there's a little exercise that I've found to be helpful for moments like these.
Once again it's all about writing things down...or you can say them out loud, but I like writing them down. I feel like it really sticks if I do!
Write down:
3 things you are good at
3 compliments you have received
3 things you like about yourself
3 challenges you have overcome
By writing things down, you're not only bring awareness to the fact that you have positive qualities, but you're also changing your mood while you do it. It makes you go back and think, "oh wow, I totally forgot this happened" or "I remember when she gave me that compliment!".
So next time you feel like you're a plastic bag, drifting through the wind and wanting to start again.
Or you feel so paper thin, like a house of cards, one blow from caving in....
Sorry I had to!
In all seriousness though, next time you are having a bad day and you feel worthless or not good enough, I want you to try writing those things down and see how it changes your mood!
And always remember....
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Nighty Night
This week I want to talk about something that is really important for our bodies...especially if you have a chronic illness or disability.
Let's talk about sleep.
Now most of you might be like me, where we feel like we don't get enough sleep because we have so much we need to do.
But in order to take care of ourselves, we need to sleep in order to get the energy we need to function.
Those who have chronic illnesses and disabilities rely on sleep to provide their bodies with the rest they need.
This can also apply to those who don't have disabilities.
Let's talk about sleep.
Now most of you might be like me, where we feel like we don't get enough sleep because we have so much we need to do.
But in order to take care of ourselves, we need to sleep in order to get the energy we need to function.
Those who have chronic illnesses and disabilities rely on sleep to provide their bodies with the rest they need.
This can also apply to those who don't have disabilities.
Yes!! And I'm going to tell you some great ways that will help you get the sleep you need.
1. The first thing is to set a schedule.
Now, I'm a stickler for making sure my sleep schedule is not messed with. I'm in bed by 10 at the latest and I just watch mindless tv until I'm asleep by 11 then I'm up before my alarm goes off around 7. My body likes the schedule and it knows that if it gets more or less sleep than normal, that somethings off.
2. Don't force yourself to go to sleep.
This one can be hard because we know if we don't get the sleep we need then we are going to be cranky or in a bad mood, but don't force it. They say if you haven't fallen asleep within the first 20 minutes to go read or do something calming. Don't watch TV because the bright lights will just keep you awake longer.
3. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
Doing these things before bed or even a few hours before bed can affect your quality of sleep and your ability to even fall asleep.
4. Avoid Naps.
This one I believe in! I don't take naps because I know I won't sleep at night. If you aren't like me though and love cat naps, then don't take one longer than an hour and don't take it later in the day.
5. Only use your bed for sleeping.
This one is tough for me because my bed is just so comfortable, but the more activities you do in bed, the more your body will associate those activities to laying down. So the more you read or do homework on your bed, the more your body will think that it's time to rest. Then you won't get anything done!
6. Exercise and Eat well.
This is true for everything. However, don't eat big meals at least 2 hours before bed. But eating well and exercising can lead to your body becoming healthier which leads to better sleep!
7. Sleep in a comfortable environment,
I hope everyone's bed is comfy! But by sleeping in a place where you feel comfortable, safe, and secure, it allows your body to relax more and fully rest. So splurge on that extra foam top or those ear plugs and eye mask you want...it just means you're working on getting more sleep at night so you can function better in the day!
If you work on these steps, you'll be sleeping like a puppy in no time!
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
The Little Things
There are many times throughout the day that we take things for granted.
It's not our faults, we just get to wrapped up in every day life that we tend to overlook the little things.
This week I want to talk about a few exercises that you can do that will bring to focus those things we miss.
Let's call them gratitude exercises.
Not only will it bring some positivity back into our lives, but it will remind us that we are not alone.
By reminding ourselves that good things to happen, it sheds light on the little things, the little blessings we encounter on a day to day basis.
The first activity you can do (you don't have to do all of them) is just journaling!
Pretty simple, right?
So every night before you go to bed, reflect on your day and write down around 5 good things that happened to you. They don't have to be big, in fact they can be as simple as having a conversation with your best friend on the phone. But just journal a few thoughts and how that made you feel before and after the good thing happened!
The second activity is to write a letter to someone you appreciate. It can be someone who has helped you recently, in the past, or someone who you see every day and just don't tell them how much they mean to you. Put some specifics in there about how they make you feel or how they make your life better. I know that they would love to hear from you and I know that by making them smile, you'll feel better yourself! Oh, and don't forget to actually give them the letter!
The third activity is to actually visit someone who means a lot to you. Now I know in this day and age we are all so busy that we don't have time to actually sit down and have a conversation with someone, but that's why it's on here. You have to make the time to sit and listen and appreciate someone's company. It's amazing how much we take for granted human interaction! It'll make you feel connected and loved after just talking to someone and laughing for 5 minutes.
The fourth activity is a really important one, in my opinion. It's just saying Thank you to people or to the world. By noticing the little things people do for you, the people getting your food, the traffic light not turning red so you can go, or the simple kindness of a stranger....by appreciating that and saying thank you for that, you are acknowledging the fact that it happened instead of thinking you deserve it or expect it to happen. Saying thank you is showing respect and gratitude and it's something we need to do more.
The last one on the list is to take a gratitude walk. Now I know this one is a bit tricky because of our schedules and trust me, I'm one of the worst when it comes to this...but sometimes we just need to take a walk outside and notice the world around us. We need to break away from the electronics and go listen to the birds and guess the shapes of the clouds in the sky. It's easier said than done, I know. However, you'll feel more connected and in touch with yourself and everything around you.
Try one or a few of these this week and see how you feel! If anything, just take the time to be thankful for what you do have and notice the little things in life that are really little blessings in disguise!
It's not our faults, we just get to wrapped up in every day life that we tend to overlook the little things.
This week I want to talk about a few exercises that you can do that will bring to focus those things we miss.
Let's call them gratitude exercises.
Not only will it bring some positivity back into our lives, but it will remind us that we are not alone.
By reminding ourselves that good things to happen, it sheds light on the little things, the little blessings we encounter on a day to day basis.
The first activity you can do (you don't have to do all of them) is just journaling!
Pretty simple, right?
So every night before you go to bed, reflect on your day and write down around 5 good things that happened to you. They don't have to be big, in fact they can be as simple as having a conversation with your best friend on the phone. But just journal a few thoughts and how that made you feel before and after the good thing happened!
The second activity is to write a letter to someone you appreciate. It can be someone who has helped you recently, in the past, or someone who you see every day and just don't tell them how much they mean to you. Put some specifics in there about how they make you feel or how they make your life better. I know that they would love to hear from you and I know that by making them smile, you'll feel better yourself! Oh, and don't forget to actually give them the letter!
The third activity is to actually visit someone who means a lot to you. Now I know in this day and age we are all so busy that we don't have time to actually sit down and have a conversation with someone, but that's why it's on here. You have to make the time to sit and listen and appreciate someone's company. It's amazing how much we take for granted human interaction! It'll make you feel connected and loved after just talking to someone and laughing for 5 minutes.
The fourth activity is a really important one, in my opinion. It's just saying Thank you to people or to the world. By noticing the little things people do for you, the people getting your food, the traffic light not turning red so you can go, or the simple kindness of a stranger....by appreciating that and saying thank you for that, you are acknowledging the fact that it happened instead of thinking you deserve it or expect it to happen. Saying thank you is showing respect and gratitude and it's something we need to do more.
The last one on the list is to take a gratitude walk. Now I know this one is a bit tricky because of our schedules and trust me, I'm one of the worst when it comes to this...but sometimes we just need to take a walk outside and notice the world around us. We need to break away from the electronics and go listen to the birds and guess the shapes of the clouds in the sky. It's easier said than done, I know. However, you'll feel more connected and in touch with yourself and everything around you.
Try one or a few of these this week and see how you feel! If anything, just take the time to be thankful for what you do have and notice the little things in life that are really little blessings in disguise!
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Top 10 List: Miscellaneous
10. Ten activities to get rid of anxiety
***
This is a neat little list of things that you can do to
practice lowering your anxiety. It goes back to some of the basic coping skills
that you can use from yoga and exercise to positive affirmations.
9. 16 Gentle Exercises for People with Arthritis
***
This can be used for any type of disability when done the
right way. It doesn’t have to be just for arthritis. It’s a pretty cool list of
low key, not hard on your joint exercises that I found could be useful for
those wanting to become active or wanting to find a new way to cope and release
stress.
8. Theory of Everything
***
Based on the life of Stephen Hawking, this movie shows his struggles
overcoming the obstacles that ALS placed on him. He beat the odds with the help
of his friends and family and the fact that he never gave up. Such an inspirational movie that features
someone with a disability and shows how he was able to live with it.
7. 30+ lessons life with Chronic Illness can teach you
***
Written by a lady who has lived with a Chronic Illness for a
very long time, this list includes first hand advice/opinions/thoughts on what
it’s like to live with a disability. It’s always nice hearing what someone who
actually deals with it on a daily basis has to say.
6. Tips of Traveling with a Chronic Illness
***
So you may be thinking why this is on a list for mental
health and chronic illnesses. Well, it’s because this is information that we don’t
normally think of. We tend to overlook the simple things in life, like packing
or vacationing or even walking. So, why not put it on the list?!
5. Coping Skills Toolbox
****
This is a pretty awesome thing to have handy! It’s simple
and something that you can make all your own. It’s a toolbox for things you can
pull out when you need it to calm you down and bring you back to your safe
place. Check it out!
4. How Stress Affects the Body
****
I have this on here because I feel like a lot of us really
don’t fully understand the impact that stress has on our bodies. This breaks it
down and explains what we all need to know.
3. What you need to know
****
This is a basic definition list of
some of the major autoimmune disorders. It’s helpful to have on hand, just like
the last number about the effects of stress on the body. It’s just some
resources to keep on file in case you find yourself wondering more about them.
1. 2. Things you may not know about autoimmune disease
*****
I really like this page! It’s honest, it has
facts, it’s written by someone who knows what it’s like to live with an
autoimmune disease. Basically, it’s very relatable!
1. 1. Cake
*****
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This is a movie about a lady experiencing chronic pain after
a car accident. She then befriends the husband of a lady in her chronic pain
group that committed suicide and together they work their way through the
healing process. It’s a great combination of what it’s like to experience
depression and chronic illness. It’s a wonderful film that I recommend seeing!
Stop and Breathe
Lately we've been talking about coping skills and how to apply them when you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
Well I have a first hand experience to share with you on how I applied my coping skills this past week and it helped me to survive....literally.
If you've made your way over to my other blog, then you know that I have a chronic illness.
This past week I got really sick, so sick I ended up in the hospital for 5 days.
It started out with what I thought was just stress from Comps, because those are really stressful, but then it turned into something worse.
I'm not going to get into details, if you want to read those, then just check out my other blog in a few days lol!
However, throughout the week while I was in the hospital I was stressed over missing school, falling behind, my body not having enough energy or strength to sit up, and just freaking out about everything.
It was here (after many phone calls from professors and my mother nagging me) that I realized it was all out of my control.
I stopped thinking those negative automatic thoughts that weren't helping me and I took a deep breath.
Now I know i've talked about breathing a lot and you're probably rolling your eyes at me right now.
But it works.
Sometimes you have to focus on what's right in front of you in order to gain the control back that you lost.
I couldn't fix not being in school. I couldn't fix my body breaking down on me.
What I could fix though, was being able to breathe.
Simply taking one deep breath showed me that I do have some power, I do have some control over my situation.
And sometimes when you're really stressed or anxious or overwhelmed, that little bit of control is all you need.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
5 tips for counseling those with disabilities
This week in class we had do create a presentation about something that we are interested in.
Well of course I decided to do mine on the topic of my blog.
I hope you find this mini lecture helpful!
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below!
I would love to get feedback!
http://present.me/view/269978-
Well of course I decided to do mine on the topic of my blog.
I hope you find this mini lecture helpful!
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below!
I would love to get feedback!
http://present.me/view/269978-
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Positive Peggy
We've finally come to the conclusion of discussing different ways to cope. Now I'm a little biased, but I saved the best for last!
We all have those moments in life where we just can't even.
Things are going wrong and we just want to bask in the moment of it being a crappy day.
And there's nothing wrong with that! We all deserve the chance to have those moments.
There are many research articles that have found positive psychology to be helpful, not only with those who have disabilities, but in general.
By focusing on the positive aspects of the situation, re-framing negative thoughts, and finding outlets that the person enjoys such as dancing, religion, and music it can overall affect the attitude and outlook of the person.
Positivity can lead to a healthier lifestyle, higher self-esteem, and a better chance at overcoming the obstacles in front of you.
Next time something goes wrong, or you just have a bad day, think about what hasn't gone wrong yet.
Oh and check out this awesome blog post about Positive Psychology :)
http://20-somethingcounselor.blogspot.com/2015/03/whos-ready-to-get-positive.html
We all have those moments in life where we just can't even.
Things are going wrong and we just want to bask in the moment of it being a crappy day.
And there's nothing wrong with that! We all deserve the chance to have those moments.
There are many research articles that have found positive psychology to be helpful, not only with those who have disabilities, but in general.
By focusing on the positive aspects of the situation, re-framing negative thoughts, and finding outlets that the person enjoys such as dancing, religion, and music it can overall affect the attitude and outlook of the person.
Positivity can lead to a healthier lifestyle, higher self-esteem, and a better chance at overcoming the obstacles in front of you.
Next time something goes wrong, or you just have a bad day, think about what hasn't gone wrong yet.
Oh and check out this awesome blog post about Positive Psychology :)
http://20-somethingcounselor.blogspot.com/2015/03/whos-ready-to-get-positive.html
Monday, March 9, 2015
Top 10 List: Apps
Since nearly everyone in today's world has a smart phone, here are some cool apps that I found that can be helpful!
10. Depression Check
**
This is a free app that assesses depression
and anxiety in 3 minutes. It’s a neat little checker that can let you know how
high your depression and anxiety levels are and then it gives you some ideas of
what you can do to lower it.
9. tap to talk
**
This was a
really cool app for younger kids or those who have developmental disabilities.
It’s free too! But what you do is you tap a picture to talk. You can form
sentences by tapping on the pictures for the words. It also includes many
languages.
8. Simon says
**
You’re
probably thinking why does she have a game on here….well not only is it free,
but it can be used to increase memory. Plus, it’s also fun and who doesn’t love
fun things.
7. Mind shift
***
This app is free
and it has chill out tools for anxiety. It also provides the person with
different ways to think in terms of negative/positive self-talk.
6. First then
***
It’s a
schedule app for 10 dollars to help those who need visual and developmental
support to increase independence and lower anxiety during transitions through
activities. It’s pretty neat for those who want to work on memory and order
techniques
5. ADA 2014 reference
****
This app gets
for stars because everything you need to know about ADA is at the touch of your
fingers. It has resources, guidelines, and basic information about the American
Disability Act and it’s only 99 cent!
4. Sound amp lite
****
While it’s
only 99 cents, this app does have some pretty cool things in it. Sounds are sent
to your ear buds in real time and it basically amplifies the sounds when it’s
noisy. This is great for someone who has trouble hearing.
3. Self-help for anxiety medication
****
This app is
free, which is great! It contains customizable anxiety management techniques.
It also has scales of how high a person’s anxiety is at the moment, and then
provides recommendations on how to lower it.
2. Voice dream reader: text to speech
*****
So this app is
the opposite of Dragon Dictation. While it may be 10 dollars, it’s worth every
single one. It turns text to speech. It also has tons of languages that it can
do too. It can read books to you, or can speak what you write out.
*****
This app is
awesome! I give it 5 stars because not only is it free, but it also does some
really cool things. You can speak and it will write for you. It can even post
to social media! What’s cool about this is that it’s helpful for those who have
problems writing or even hearing in class. You can set the app up to record and
basically take notes for you.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Top 10 List: Websites
Here are my top 10 picks for helpful websites for those who have disabilities and their caregivers!
10. Top Disability Website
http://www.
http://www.
http://www.kidstogether.org/
http://www.supportforfamilies.
10. Top Disability Website
**
I give this site two stars because there isn’t information
on this website. Instead, I’m giving you a bonus and it’s a website that has 10
more websites! It’s a list of disability websites that offer resources,
information, and support for those who have disabilities and their caregivers.
http://www.
9. Cornell University: Disability Statistics
**
I give this website two stars because it’s an awesome site
put on by Cornell University. It provides stats about disabilities and provides
FAQs for those who have them. It’s a great informational website.
8. Kids Together, Inc.
**
This site gets two stars because it’s a neat place for kids
and adults who have disabilities to come and find resources, but also blog and
talk to others about their experiences. It’s kind of like a group forum and
discussion opportunities for those who want information.
7.
Family Resource Center on Disabilities
**
Now
this is a pretty cool website, however it’s based out of Illinois. It has workshops,
resources, and guest speakers all for families who are facing disabilities.
They even provide training and assistance to those who need it
6. Support for Families of children with disabilities
**
This site, much like #7, provides resources, services, and
upcoming events for families of children who have disabilities. I really like
this site because it focuses on helping not just the person with the
disability, but the family as a whole.
They also put on conferences that you can attend to gain more
information and meet others who know what you’re going through.
5. National Organization on Disability
***
This website is more of a professional website, but it
provides Research, publications, and disability resources. Anybody can access
it and anybody can gain information from here. It’s pretty cool in that it
gives stats and results from research studies so people can use that knowledge
and apply it to their own lives.
4. National Disability Rights Network
****
This site narrows information down by state, but it also
provides really cool videos too! It’s a great advocacy website for those who
have disabilities. It lists tons of “issues” that people might face and then
gives information on how to handle them. This is a pretty awesome site!
http://www.ndrn.org/index.php
3. The American Association of People with Disabilities
****
This site contains resources, podcasts, and events for
people who have disabilities. It also has blogs and the latest news on what’s
going on in the disability world.
2. Psychology Today
*****
I give this site 5 stars because it’s an awesome site for
general information regarding counseling and psychology. It gives you tabs to
look for therapists, topics, and expert opinions on whatever you happen to be
looking for.
1. Disability.Gov
*****
This website is the top website for any and all information
regarding disabilities. Anything that you want to know can be found here. They
have stats, resources, blogs, latest news, and much more.
Being Mindful
Mindfulness is something that's still very new to the field of counseling. I'm going to be talking about how mindfulness can be used as a coping mechanism for stress.
What is mindfulness?
Well, it simply is the act of being mindful.
Our lives can be filled with stress and pressures of trying to do our best, be our best, and make people happy. With that comes overwhelming feelings and thoughts.
In order to help with those, we practice mindfulness.
If intrusive thoughts enter our mind, we simply notice them, then blow them away.
We focus on the task at hand.
Now I know that sounds hard because there are so many things to worry about. But that's the point of mindfulness. You focus on one thing. When you drive, you drive. When you need to breathe, you simply breathe.
By focusing on one thing, it alleviates the stress of the rest of your worries.
Below I've listed some blog posts that I've found helpful. They both include some mindfulness exercises and I encourage you to try them!
Take a deep breath, let it out, and start your journey on becoming more mindful :)
http://pacifyingthepanic.blogspot.com/2015/01/mindfulness.html
http://mentalhealthsmm.blogspot.com/2015/01/stress-and-deep-breathing-exercises.html
What is mindfulness?
Well, it simply is the act of being mindful.
Our lives can be filled with stress and pressures of trying to do our best, be our best, and make people happy. With that comes overwhelming feelings and thoughts.
In order to help with those, we practice mindfulness.
If intrusive thoughts enter our mind, we simply notice them, then blow them away.
We focus on the task at hand.
Now I know that sounds hard because there are so many things to worry about. But that's the point of mindfulness. You focus on one thing. When you drive, you drive. When you need to breathe, you simply breathe.
By focusing on one thing, it alleviates the stress of the rest of your worries.
Below I've listed some blog posts that I've found helpful. They both include some mindfulness exercises and I encourage you to try them!
Take a deep breath, let it out, and start your journey on becoming more mindful :)
http://pacifyingthepanic.blogspot.com/2015/01/mindfulness.html
http://mentalhealthsmm.blogspot.com/2015/01/stress-and-deep-breathing-exercises.html
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Top 10 List: Twitter
Since we just talked about social media and keeping up with my top 10 lists, here are my top 10 picks for twitter :)
Check them out!
Check them out!
1. Disability.Gov
*****
This twitter site gets 5 stars because this is the U.S. federal government website for information on disability policies, programs & services nationwide. This is extremely helpful for those who want information on what’s going on in the disability world.
2. Disability Now
****
This twitter site is interesting because it’s a UK site. It has all of the opinions, information, and articles that come out of the UK. While this may not apply to clients here in the US, it’s nice to know that others feel and think the same way.
3. Disabled World
****
This is the twitter site of worldwide disability news and information. It contains health news, events, and even includes some pinterest ideas! It’s a helpful site for no matter where you live!
4. Disability Scoop
***
This is the Premier Source for Developmental Disability News. I thought this was really cool because it had entertainment news that related to disabilities. It’s always interesting hearing about disabilities in the world of movies, music, and tv!
5. Disability Website
***
This site provides disability information and resources for people with disabilities and their caregivers. On twitter, one of the best things to do is share resources. I found this cool because it not only included things for those with disabilities, but also their caregivers.
6. Disability Advocates
***
This is an awesome twitter site! It’s for advocates of disabilities and a place for them to share their thoughts and findings! They state, “We advocate and facilitate action by persons with disabilities and the community to achieve equal access for all”. If that’s not awesome, then I just don’t know.
7. AbleSea Disability Community
***
AbleSea is a Disability Community with over 15,000 members providing information, resources, help, advice and support to everyone worldwide. It contains fun facts, resources, and articles all involving the disability community. It’s pretty neat to check out!
8. Disability Today
***
This site is kind of neat because it combines information on people, product, and places in the disability community. It also contains personal stories and opinions!
9. AAPD
**
AAPD is America's largest disability rights organization. This twitter link provides information on internships, organizations, and workshops all in the disability realm. It’s a pretty cool site if you’re looking to get involved.
10. Disability Rights
**
A center for advocacy and services for people of all types of disability, it includes blogs and opportunities for those who have disabilities. It’s a decent twitter site, but there are some better ones listed above.
Tweet, Friend, and Pin: Counseling with Social Media
So I know we were on a roll with coping skills and how they can apply in the mental health and medical realms, but this week I want to talk about something that we've been discussing in class.
This week we are going to talk about how social media can be used in helping those with disabilities in the counseling setting.
Now you might be thinking:
1. What types of social media?
2. Are you asking to be my Facebook friend?
3. How can you be personal hiding behind a technological device?
4. Does that mean I need to be using social media to communicate with a counselor?
Social media can be used in many different ways when it comes to counseling. There are so many tools in technology that can be used as well, but that's a story for another time!
Now, to answer those great thoughts you must be having!
1. Twitter, Facebook, email, linkedIn, blogs, and even pinterest can all be used. Not all of them can used to counsel directly, but they can be used in one way or another. With linkedIn and facebook you can boost your business and clientele. With email you can counsel directly. With twitter, not only can you spread the word and post daily tips, but you can also allow clients to ask you questions. Kind of like a Q&A! Blogs are kind of obvious lol! With Pinterest, it can be used to add boards of things that clients can use outside of sessions.
2. Yes I want to be your facebook friend, but only in a professional way (if I ever have a professional counselor facebook page that is)! The thing with friending is that you want it to be professional and you want to set boundaries right off the bat. That all falls into the informed consent that you and your counselor will be discussing whenever the time arises.
3. Here's the tricky part. It can be done, but the rules for this might need to be discussed beforehand! For example, we had to do email counseling in class and it was great....with the exception that you can't read people through technology like you can if you're sitting with them. One of the suggestions that was given was to put in parentheses feeling words or to even use emoticons. So yes, it can be done!
4. No, you don't have to use social media with your counselor. It's just one of the many aspects of counseling! Nobody is going to make you do anything, I mean, we are a field of helpers....not pushers! It's just something cool that if you find helpful, it can be done :)
I hope this helps and is somewhat interesting! Tune in next week where we will pick back up with our coping skills!
This week we are going to talk about how social media can be used in helping those with disabilities in the counseling setting.
Now you might be thinking:
1. What types of social media?
2. Are you asking to be my Facebook friend?
3. How can you be personal hiding behind a technological device?
4. Does that mean I need to be using social media to communicate with a counselor?
Social media can be used in many different ways when it comes to counseling. There are so many tools in technology that can be used as well, but that's a story for another time!
Now, to answer those great thoughts you must be having!
1. Twitter, Facebook, email, linkedIn, blogs, and even pinterest can all be used. Not all of them can used to counsel directly, but they can be used in one way or another. With linkedIn and facebook you can boost your business and clientele. With email you can counsel directly. With twitter, not only can you spread the word and post daily tips, but you can also allow clients to ask you questions. Kind of like a Q&A! Blogs are kind of obvious lol! With Pinterest, it can be used to add boards of things that clients can use outside of sessions.
2. Yes I want to be your facebook friend, but only in a professional way (if I ever have a professional counselor facebook page that is)! The thing with friending is that you want it to be professional and you want to set boundaries right off the bat. That all falls into the informed consent that you and your counselor will be discussing whenever the time arises.
3. Here's the tricky part. It can be done, but the rules for this might need to be discussed beforehand! For example, we had to do email counseling in class and it was great....with the exception that you can't read people through technology like you can if you're sitting with them. One of the suggestions that was given was to put in parentheses feeling words or to even use emoticons. So yes, it can be done!
4. No, you don't have to use social media with your counselor. It's just one of the many aspects of counseling! Nobody is going to make you do anything, I mean, we are a field of helpers....not pushers! It's just something cool that if you find helpful, it can be done :)
I hope this helps and is somewhat interesting! Tune in next week where we will pick back up with our coping skills!
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Humor Helps
Before you begin reading this blog, I want you to watch this video:
http://youtu.be/zak5Aq1m_xg
What do you think?
Did you laugh?
Were you questioning yourself about if it's ok to laugh at this joke?
Well, in my opinion, it was hilarious because it's so true. I totally laughed my butt off at this joke and I didn't think twice about whether I should have been laughing or not!
Now there might be a difference between you and I. I have a disability and you might not.
But that still shouldn't take away from the fact that this was funny.
See humor helps in a lot of ways.
If you have a disability, humor is one of the top coping skills used to make someone feel better.
If you don't have a disability, humor can not only make light of a serious situation, but it can also influence a person's attitude and thoughts toward a disability and toward someone who has a disability.
I know for a fact that I love laughing, making people laugh, and just making a dark situation, somewhat lighter.
Humor does that!
Seeing people with disabilities able to not only make fun of themselves, but making fun of people that make fun of them, it's just an awesome outlook to me.
While not everyone with a disability feels this way, research does show that humor is a great coping skill.
You just have to be able to smile and laugh :)
Here are two funny videos that I suggest you watch! They even have a whole "Comedians with Disabilities Tour" that travels around the country! Check them out!
http://youtu.be/XBWlgRf6FL4?list=FLXYdkcx30DCwuatxBnyS6hA
http://youtu.be/lLkX0ybNn6Q?list=FLXYdkcx30DCwuatxBnyS6hA
http://youtu.be/zak5Aq1m_xg
What do you think?
Did you laugh?
Were you questioning yourself about if it's ok to laugh at this joke?
Well, in my opinion, it was hilarious because it's so true. I totally laughed my butt off at this joke and I didn't think twice about whether I should have been laughing or not!
Now there might be a difference between you and I. I have a disability and you might not.
But that still shouldn't take away from the fact that this was funny.
See humor helps in a lot of ways.
If you have a disability, humor is one of the top coping skills used to make someone feel better.
If you don't have a disability, humor can not only make light of a serious situation, but it can also influence a person's attitude and thoughts toward a disability and toward someone who has a disability.
I know for a fact that I love laughing, making people laugh, and just making a dark situation, somewhat lighter.
Humor does that!
Seeing people with disabilities able to not only make fun of themselves, but making fun of people that make fun of them, it's just an awesome outlook to me.
While not everyone with a disability feels this way, research does show that humor is a great coping skill.
You just have to be able to smile and laugh :)
Here are two funny videos that I suggest you watch! They even have a whole "Comedians with Disabilities Tour" that travels around the country! Check them out!
http://youtu.be/XBWlgRf6FL4?list=FLXYdkcx30DCwuatxBnyS6hA
http://youtu.be/lLkX0ybNn6Q?list=FLXYdkcx30DCwuatxBnyS6hA
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Top 10 List: Blogs and Podcasts
Hi!
So throughout the semester for my class I will be researching the resources that I feel are helpful and then I'll be sharing them with you! Here is the first list that's filled with blogs and Ted Talks. I highly recommend checking them out :)
10. The Bloggess
***
This blog is about a mother/wife/woman/author/person who
suffers from mental illness. I give it
three stars because it is a hilarious and honest blog about what it’s like from
the person who suffers from a mental illness and the daily struggles she faces.
This blog is helpful for those reasons I just stated: it’s honest, funny
(sometimes inappropriate), and just raw. If you want to laugh and probably
relate to her, go check out The Bloggess!
http://thebloggess.com/
9. The Gimp Parade
****
This is another blog that provides information and opinions
on disabilities and all that comes with it. I give it 4 stars because It shares
personal stories, songs, videos, and ideas about how to deal with disabilities
and what to think about them.
8. Dave Hingsburger/ Rolling Around in my head
****
This blog is about raising awareness about disability. It
also touches on diversity and differences. I give this blog 4 stars because it’s
a man’s personal experiences and stories, along with videos of other people in
order to raise awareness about disabilities. This blog is one of the biggest
blogs in Canada about disability and has won numerous health and various blog
awards! Check it out!
7. Phil Hansen/ Embrace the shake: Ted Talk
***
This is a Ted talk about a man who developed a tremor in his
hand. He tells his story of how he thought he would never be able to draw
again, until one day, when he realized he could use it to his advantage. This
is a very resourceful video because it shows that you can find the positive in
the negatives. It also shows that you can still follow your dreams even though
there may be some obstacles in the way.
6. Aimee Mullins/ It's not fair having 12 pairs of legs: Ted
Talk
****
This is another ted talk about an amazing lady who helped
design prosthetics because she herself is in need of them. This is a funny and
lighthearted video. I really learned a lot watching it! I give this four stars
because Aimee talks about beauty and how she hopes to make it to where people
don’t label her disabled because they know nothing about it, but instead, they
learn to see beauty in it.
5. JJ Hanley/ JJ’s list
****
This is a blog that is a goldmine for people with disabilities. I give it 4 stars because it has everything that you could ever want from information and resources to
personal stories. The website itself is a communications and marketing website
for businesses who want to make their businesses more disability friendly. The
blog though is the main resource that I feel is important. Like I said above,
it has tons of information on awareness, employment, benefits, and just
resources in general.
4. Maysoon Zayid/ I got 99
problems... palsy is just one: Ted Talk
****
This is a video of a comedian who
has a disability. She goes on throughout the video to tell her story in a
hilarious, lighthearted, and uplifting way. I give this video 4 stars because
it represents the perfect combination of what someone is looking for when they
look for resources on people with disabilities. It has humor, truth, and an
outlook on life that’s genuine. Maysoon pushes her own limits and succeeds
because she knows she can.
3. Stella Young/ I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much: Ted Talk
****
This video is absolutely wonderful. I give this video 4 stars because of Stella’s humor and honesty. In the video Stella tells her story and how growing up people would think she’s an inspiration when she doesn’t think she is. It’s an important resource because it shows that not everyone who has a disability likes being the “inspiration” and sometimes, we are just regular people.
2. Amy Purdy/ Living Beyond Limits: Ted talk and Greeting Adversity: Ted Talk
*****
This is the only link on here that you will see 5 stars because it's the best video about disabilities that I've seen. It’s also the only number that has 2 links with it. I went ahead and added the second video because it’s very similar to the first, but with a different spin on it. I LOVE Amy Purdy. She’s amazing and just a good person in general. In the video she talks about how she lost both of her legs and her journey to live beyond the limits placed upon her. This is a great resource because not only is it inspirational and funny, but it’s an amazing story to hear. It's also raw and emotional and she nearly breaks down a few times sharing her story because it's just that real.
1. Kara Dingess/ Ribbons, Bows, and Hospital Bracelets
****
I’m a little biased on this one. This is my personal blog and it includes information on what it’s like to be a kid growing up with a chronic illness. I give it four stars (not because it’s my blog), but because it involves personal stories, information, and things that you can truly relate to if you have a disability. It’s great for kids, parents, and those who have a chronic illness, but have no one to relate to. It also aims to raise awareness that kids get arthritis too!
Spirtual Coping
In researching many different coping styles, I figured it would be best to do one a week! This week's is about spiritual coping.
Now you don't have to be religious for spiritual coping to work for you. You can replace God with whatever being/object/food/etc. that you want.
With that being said, here's the definition of what positive spiritual coping by Reynolds, Mrug, and Guion (2012), "Positive spiritual coping reflects the use of faith for comfort during difficult times, while negative spiritual coping reflects struggle, doubt, or abandonment by a God-figure".
Research has showed that spiritual coping has fewer internalizing and externalizing problems. Whether it be the faith of the individual, the hope, or the comfort that the idea of God provides, coping spiritually has benefits that can help those who are suffering mentally or physically, or both.
Check out one of my friend's blogs. She does a great job at showing how you can cope spiritually in a mental health world.
https://proverbs1522.wordpress.com/
If you are interested in research, here is the article I cited above. It's an interesting read and provides more information and data about spiritual coping!
Now you don't have to be religious for spiritual coping to work for you. You can replace God with whatever being/object/food/etc. that you want.
With that being said, here's the definition of what positive spiritual coping by Reynolds, Mrug, and Guion (2012), "Positive spiritual coping reflects the use of faith for comfort during difficult times, while negative spiritual coping reflects struggle, doubt, or abandonment by a God-figure".
Research has showed that spiritual coping has fewer internalizing and externalizing problems. Whether it be the faith of the individual, the hope, or the comfort that the idea of God provides, coping spiritually has benefits that can help those who are suffering mentally or physically, or both.
Check out one of my friend's blogs. She does a great job at showing how you can cope spiritually in a mental health world.
https://proverbs1522.wordpress.com/
If you are interested in research, here is the article I cited above. It's an interesting read and provides more information and data about spiritual coping!
Reynolds, N., Mrug, S.,
& Guion, K. (2012). Spiritual Coping and Psychosocial Adjustment o Adolescents With Chronic. Journal of
Adolescent Health, 52(5), 559-565. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.09.007
Monday, February 2, 2015
Advocating and Awareness
One big thing in the counseling world today is advocating for your client, or if you're a person with a disability, then advocating for yourself.
What does advocating mean though?
Well webster defines it as :
"to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly"
Basically, you're fighting for what you feel you need or what you feel is best.
Counselors will advocate for their clients in many ways. They will push to get them the accommodations they need, an example of this is the ADA with making buildings accessible for those with disabilities. Another way counselors advocate is by getting their clients extra help or services provided to them.
You can advocate for yourself by making it known what it is you exactly need.
Not everywhere is accessible and often times, it can be harder for those who have disabilities to get places because it is so inaccessible.
By advocating for yourself and your disability, you are bringing awareness to the topic. That's one of the most important things, in my opinion, that counselors and those with disabilities should strive towards. We should strive towards bringing awareness to issues that are in the dark in order to normalize them.
Below you'll find some links to some interesting reads and videos that highlight bringing awareness to certain issues.
Here, Demi Lovato (formerly a star on the Disney Channel) is bringing awareness to her mental heath struggles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMCb9cE3oPY
Here is a website that features information, resources, and facts about how kids can get arthritis too!
http://www.kidsgetarthritistoo.org/
What's great is there are tons more websites and links out there for many disabilities and mental health problems that provide people with information on the subject. Advocating for yourself and raising awareness on things that are important to you, are both important steps in shedding light and normalizing disability and mental health.
Stay tuned! Next week we will be learning about coping skills!
Have an awesome day!!
What does advocating mean though?
Well webster defines it as :
"to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly"
Basically, you're fighting for what you feel you need or what you feel is best.
Counselors will advocate for their clients in many ways. They will push to get them the accommodations they need, an example of this is the ADA with making buildings accessible for those with disabilities. Another way counselors advocate is by getting their clients extra help or services provided to them.
You can advocate for yourself by making it known what it is you exactly need.
Not everywhere is accessible and often times, it can be harder for those who have disabilities to get places because it is so inaccessible.
By advocating for yourself and your disability, you are bringing awareness to the topic. That's one of the most important things, in my opinion, that counselors and those with disabilities should strive towards. We should strive towards bringing awareness to issues that are in the dark in order to normalize them.
Below you'll find some links to some interesting reads and videos that highlight bringing awareness to certain issues.
Here, Demi Lovato (formerly a star on the Disney Channel) is bringing awareness to her mental heath struggles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMCb9cE3oPY
Here is a website that features information, resources, and facts about how kids can get arthritis too!
http://www.kidsgetarthritistoo.org/
What's great is there are tons more websites and links out there for many disabilities and mental health problems that provide people with information on the subject. Advocating for yourself and raising awareness on things that are important to you, are both important steps in shedding light and normalizing disability and mental health.
Stay tuned! Next week we will be learning about coping skills!
Have an awesome day!!
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Counseling Thoughts
When it comes to counseling people, there are many different aspects of the person that you have to consider.
They range from culture, race, sexual orientation, gender, family, SES, education, history, and much more.
Now when it comes to counseling people who have chronic illnesses, you have to think about all of the above....plus how they feel and think about their illness, how their medication might affect them or their diagnosis, how their family and friends think and feel, their support systems, and much much more.
On the website I have listed below, you'll find information regarding the psychologist's role in helping someone with a chronic illness, as well as some annual costs that come along with that.
So what is the psychologist's role?
Well, like I mentioned above, they have to take into account all the different social, economical, biological, and psychological things that a person is experiencing. They also wear a few different hats. They are the teacher, the researcher, and health provider.
In the teacher role they simply provide education and training to their client about the many different influences that certain things can have, whether that be attitudes or medications. Counselors can also provide psychoeducation on how the client can better take care of themselves.
In the researcher role, the counselor simply learns more about the new things in their field of study. This can better help the counselor and benefit the client. By doing this, the counselor and be sure he/she is providing the best care possible for their client.
In the health provider role, the counselor provides the services that the client needs.
One of the more important aspects that the counselor has to think of is the needs of the client they are seeing. These needs range anywhere from helping the client cope with the emotions that come along with their illness, changing the clients behaviors in order to better help the health of the client, or even helping the client learn ways in which they can better organize their lives in order to accommodate their illness.
Check out this website for more information:
http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/health-care/chronic.aspx
They range from culture, race, sexual orientation, gender, family, SES, education, history, and much more.
Now when it comes to counseling people who have chronic illnesses, you have to think about all of the above....plus how they feel and think about their illness, how their medication might affect them or their diagnosis, how their family and friends think and feel, their support systems, and much much more.
On the website I have listed below, you'll find information regarding the psychologist's role in helping someone with a chronic illness, as well as some annual costs that come along with that.
So what is the psychologist's role?
Well, like I mentioned above, they have to take into account all the different social, economical, biological, and psychological things that a person is experiencing. They also wear a few different hats. They are the teacher, the researcher, and health provider.
In the teacher role they simply provide education and training to their client about the many different influences that certain things can have, whether that be attitudes or medications. Counselors can also provide psychoeducation on how the client can better take care of themselves.
In the researcher role, the counselor simply learns more about the new things in their field of study. This can better help the counselor and benefit the client. By doing this, the counselor and be sure he/she is providing the best care possible for their client.
In the health provider role, the counselor provides the services that the client needs.
One of the more important aspects that the counselor has to think of is the needs of the client they are seeing. These needs range anywhere from helping the client cope with the emotions that come along with their illness, changing the clients behaviors in order to better help the health of the client, or even helping the client learn ways in which they can better organize their lives in order to accommodate their illness.
Check out this website for more information:
http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/health-care/chronic.aspx
Monday, January 19, 2015
The Mind and Body
You know that feeling after you have had a long day and you can just feel it everywhere?
It's in your shoulders, your back, you've got a headache, and your feet hurt.
Now imagine all of that, but it's an actual illness.
Wait, we aren't done yet.
Let's add to it depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, or any mental health diagnosis for that matter.
Now how do you feel?
Overwhelmed, I'm sure.
So how does having something wrong with your body affect your mind and how does having a mental health disorder affect your chronic illness?
It's interchangeable, really.
When I took a class a few semesters ago on medical aspects and counseling, we discussed some of these thoughts.
The stress that the chronic illness causes can in turn create problems for a mental health diagnosis and vice versa.
Stress is not only one of the biggest problems, but it's also the most dangerous.
In later posts, I will discuss how stress can be handled and how preventing it can help control chronic illness issues, as well as preventing more stress and anxiety from occurring.
You also need to think about how both a chronic illness and a mental health diagnosis affect all the other aspects in your life. This can range from family to environment. Other things will also need to be considered like therapy treatments, medication reactions, and the person's ability to fully function.
It's more than a passing glance.
Having both body and brain pains means having to consider all the options that are there for you and all the solutions to the problems that may come up.
It's in your shoulders, your back, you've got a headache, and your feet hurt.
Now imagine all of that, but it's an actual illness.
Wait, we aren't done yet.
Let's add to it depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, or any mental health diagnosis for that matter.
Now how do you feel?
Overwhelmed, I'm sure.
So how does having something wrong with your body affect your mind and how does having a mental health disorder affect your chronic illness?
It's interchangeable, really.
When I took a class a few semesters ago on medical aspects and counseling, we discussed some of these thoughts.
The stress that the chronic illness causes can in turn create problems for a mental health diagnosis and vice versa.
Stress is not only one of the biggest problems, but it's also the most dangerous.
In later posts, I will discuss how stress can be handled and how preventing it can help control chronic illness issues, as well as preventing more stress and anxiety from occurring.
You also need to think about how both a chronic illness and a mental health diagnosis affect all the other aspects in your life. This can range from family to environment. Other things will also need to be considered like therapy treatments, medication reactions, and the person's ability to fully function.
It's more than a passing glance.
Having both body and brain pains means having to consider all the options that are there for you and all the solutions to the problems that may come up.
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