My heart hurt to see children removed from their homes. Many children did not understand why they were being removed and were losing ties with their families, sense of self/ belonging, and culture. Even more painful was to hear stories about abuse within foster placements. On the other hand, I’ve seen the opposite where there was culturally responsive supportive coordination of care among workers, placements that maintained cultural & community ties, and children able to thrive in their new environment and/ or effectively reunite. This gave me hope for positive change in a broken system. Minnesota ranks as one-of-the-best-places-to-live-unless-you-are-black. Think about the discrepancies of trying to live one’s best life while experiencing some of the worst economic, educational, and racial discrimination as a Black Minnesotan. Consider wanting to seek out a safe place to process these experiences and how this will feel with your provider. If you prefer a culturally specific match such as a Black therapist, it can take time to get connected due to underrepresentation in the field. In Minnesota, only 2% of mental health professionals are Black. At CARE, we are working hard to address some of the systemic barriers by helping more BIPOC students pursue careers in therapy as well as providing high-quality training and supervision to therapists. Being immersed in the Black community and being outside my own comfort zone in others’ homes or the community setting gave me many opportunities to challenge and confront my own areas of discomfort and bias. Through training and personal experiences, I did a lot of reflection on how I would feel if roles were reversed. How would I feel about going to therapy if someone told me I or my child needed therapy as a requirement, such as a person in a position of power in the school or legal system as part of my care plan? In Minnesota, a black child is 3Xs more likely to be reported to child protection and removed from their home than a white child. Many of these children move through CPS to the juvenile detention system. The rates of Black and Native American children continue to be overrepresented in Minnesota’s child welfare system with significant systemic disparities, and Minnesota-legislature-again-fails-to-pass-bill-defending-black-families. There is a renewed-push-for-the African-American-Family-Preservation-Act. This would help provide culturally grounded resources to support and strengthen Black families and have standards around removals and out-of-home placements. To learn more and become involved see preserveourfamilies.org. Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find a therapist or find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need and address frequently asked questions. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/systems-involvement-and-preservation-of-black-families-in-minnesota/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/systems-involvement-and-preservation-of-black-families-in-minnesota
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Mandated Reporting: Considerations for Providers Working with Children in the BIPOC Community2/23/2023 Mandated Reporting: Considerations for Providers Working with Children in the BIPOC Community
If you work in education, legal or law enforcement, the medical field, or social services—keep reading. According to childwelfare.gov, the most common professional report sources for child maltreatment include the following: Educational personnel (20.0%) Legal and law enforcement personnel (19.1%) Medical Personnel (11.0%) Social Services Staff (10.3%) As mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect, I was initially somewhat surprised to see that mental health therapists would be considered at the very end of this list. But the more I thought about it, it does make sense. The therapeutic relationship is an important foundation of our work as therapists. Therapists are trained to ask open-ended questions and listen to understand. We do a lot of work on ourselves—to examine any biases or assumptions both conscious and unconscious which is important work as self-as-therapist. We have opportunities to consult with a supervisor if needed before making a mandated report. We are required to complete training around the topic of mandated reporting in addition to many other continuing education topics. Asking questions and having a relationship with the individual or family can be helpful before jumping to conclusions with an unnecessary report. For example, if a child’s clothing appears “dirty” this could be related to factors unrelated to neglect such as limited resources for clothing or lack of access to resources for washing clothing. Families may need resources and providing options for such resources are listed here can help: https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/childrenyouth/cyshn/family.html Of course, there is a legal responsibility of reporting the maltreatment of minors in which child abuse or neglect is suspected. Depending on your position, level of support, access, and opportunities for training, you may be seeking some additional resources to assist your work with families. Here are some resources from the Child Welfare Information Gateway for additional reading: African American Grandfamilies: Helping Children Thrive Through Connection to Family and Culture Generations United (2020) https://www.gu.org/resources/african-american-grandfamilies-helping-children-thrive-through-connection-to-family-and-culture/ A Connectedness Framework: Breaking the Cycle of Child Removal for Black and Indigenous Children Chase & Ulrich (2022) International Journal on Child Maltreatment: Research, Policy and Practice, 5 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42448-021-00105-6 Family, Economic, and Geographic Characteristics of Black Families With Children Lloyd, Alvira-Hammond, Carlson, & Logan (2021) Child Trends https://www.childtrends.org/publications/family-economic-and-geographic-characteristics-of-black-families-with-children Family Preservation Matters: Why Kinship Care for Black Families, Native American Families, and Other Families of Color Is Critical to Preserve Culture and Restore Family Bonds Hopkins (2020) Juvenile Law Center https://jlc.org/news/family-preservation-matters-why-kinship-care-black-families-native-american-families-and-other Fighting Institutional Racism at the Front End of Child Welfare Systems: A Call to Action to End the Unjust, Unnecessary, and Disproportionate Removal of Black Children From Their Families Children’s Rights (2021) https://www.childrensrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Childrens-Rights-2021-Call-to-Action-Report.pdf Reimagining Black Families’ Cultural Assets Can Inform Policies and Practices That Enhance Their Well-Being Lloyd, Shaw, Sanders, Abdul-Masih, & Schaefer (2022) Child Trends https://www.childtrends.org/publications/reimagining-black-families-cultural-assets-can-inform-policies-and-practices-that-enhance-their-well-being Why Develop a Culturally Sensitive Approach to Social Work with African American Clients? Hawkins: The New Social Worker https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/practice/why-develop-a-culturally-sensitive-approach Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find a therapist or find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need and address frequently asked questions. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/mandated-reporting-considerations-for-providers-working-with-children-in-the-bipoc-community/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/mandated-reporting-considerations-for-providers-working-with-children-in-the-bipoc-community Stop Blaming Yourself and Over-Apologizing
One specific negative automatic thought is personalization. Blaming oneself and over-apologizing are both common behavioral patterns related to this automatic thought. Personalization is a very common thinking error in which a person takes things personally that they are not primarily responsible for. A person may blame themselves for events that are not caused by them (or perhaps not even connected at all). A person may assume fault for things outside of their control and feel the need to apologize. Do you know someone who is constantly apologizing even when you’re clearly not at fault? Whether it is a pattern triggered by guilt, a tendency towards “people-pleasing” or possibly associated with mental health conditions, there are other options. Try pausing before responding and start with a thank you versus an apology. For example, instead of “I am so sorry that I cannot come to your [fill in the blank] but I [explanation of your reason].” Try this: “Thank you for inviting me to [fill in the blank]. I can’t make it.” Practicing these skills can be difficult and take practice. Many people feel the need to give an explanation or feel pressured to give answers to questions that they don’t feel comfortable responding to. Maybe you are saying no to an event because you need a night in to take some time for self-care. Remember that you do not owe others an explanation. You are not responsible for the way others feel. One danger in relationships is feeling responsible for someone else’s happiness. This can be especially challenging if a friend or family member is struggling with substance abuse or mental health. When one engages in personalization, they are assuming responsibility for another person’s feelings and struggles–taking-things-personally. For those that struggle with people-pleasing, if not all people in your party are happy, then you may feel as if you are to blame or feel guilty which can lead to other distorted thinking patterns. You are responsible; however, for your feelings and can actively take steps to address what you are experiencing. You are also responsible for your actions. Note: It is important to be accountable and take responsibility for your part in an interaction. For example, if you said something hurtful to your partner, own up to this and apologize. The importance of apologizing can help mend trust and relationships and resolve conflicts. If you struggle with self-blame, over-apologizing, or assuming personal responsibility for the feelings and actions of others, therapy can help. Distorted automatic thoughts such as personalization respond well to cognitive-behavioral therapy, using techniques such as cognitive restructuring. If you would like to talk to a mental health specialist contact CARE Counseling at 612-223-8898. https://care-clinics.com/ Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find a therapist or find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need and address frequently asked questions. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/stop-blaming-yourself-and-over-apologizing/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/stop-blaming-yourself-and-over-apologizing Sex After 40
Sex drive changes through various ages in addition to the quality and quantity of sexual encounters. According to researchers at the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Reproduction, and Gender, the average sex frequency for adults ages 40-49 was 69 times a year. This is approximately half the rate of 18-29 years olds at 2x weekly, or 112 times a year. Several factors impact having sex such as daily stressors, family obligations, the impact of chronic medical or mental health conditions, and current relational status. While older adults may be having less sex, some are reporting some of the most satisfying sex after 40. Depending on who you ask, adults in their 40s, 50s, and 60s report experiencing the best sex. Fewer distractions and more time and privacy to enjoy sex can lead to more quality sexual interactions, especially as one enters a new phase of life where children may be out of the home and work demands may lessen. There may be more freedom to express needs and sexual fantasies as older adults become comfortable in their relationships and become more self-confident in expressing sexuality-and-intimacy. Middle-aged and older adults may worry about some of their body changes as their bodies will look different than what it was in their 20s. There may be physical limitations, depending on health concerns. Worries about attractiveness and challenges with “performance” may be a factor Those who are impacted by mental health conditions such as depression may have decreased interest or pleasure in sexual activity which can impact the relationship. There are a few things that you/ your partner can do to help. Communicate with your Partner(s): Speak up about your wants and needs related to sex and intimacy. Be transparent about your feelings such as embarrassment, anxiety, or discomfort. Low self-esteem can make you feel less attractive to others and can be something to address with a mental health professional. If communication is hard to do in your relationship, therapy can help practice these skills. Be Kind to Your Partner(s): When a partner discloses concerns such as attractiveness, or topics related to sexual performance such as difficulty maintaining an erection, please be kind and don’t blame. It is common to have concerns about performance and attractiveness and the relationship should feel safe to work through challenges. Being supportive and kind can help show acceptance, “let go” of inadequacy, and work towards solutions. Talk to Your Doctor about Options & Address Underlying Conditions: There are options available such as over-the-counter lubricants for vaginal dryness, medications for erectile dysfunction, and prescription hormones that can help. If you are struggling with mental health or a chronic medical condition, be open with your partner about this and seek medical and/ or mental health support. Consider exploring alternative ways to give and receive love and affection. Be Creative and Have Fun: Sex after 40 can be a lot of fun and sex-as-you-age is better over time for many adults as they have a good understanding of their bodies and what is pleasurable. They may be more comfortable asking for what they want and more willing to experiment or try new things. Do you have a sex bucket list? Enjoy the Health Benefits of Sex: Sex has wonderful health benefits for both mental and physical well-being. Not only does it feel good, but it can add years to one’s life and deepen relationships. Consider how you might incorporate sex into your therapy treatment goals. https://care-clinics.com/ Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find a therapist or find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need and address frequently asked questions. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/sex-after-40/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/sex-after-40 “Second Puberty” in Adults
For those in their 20s bone and muscle mass reach their peak. You may feel physically strongest and in peak performance. For those who experience menstruation, periods tend to be regular as estrogen peaks, and chances of getting pregnant are good until fertility begins to rapidly declines around age 35. While the term “second-puberty” is not recognized as a medical term, it does help explain the developmental changes that continue to take place in the body after puberty. One in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s will experience different changes in the body as hormone levels decline. Those who are taking hormonal therapy and testosterone treatment will notice changes like those experienced during puberty such as hair and voice changes and mood changes. A second puberty for those with a vulva often refers to perimenopause–the period before menopause (typically in one’s late 40s). Estrogen levels begin to become more irregular and decline; the vaginal walls thin and become drier. Bone and muscle mass decreases. You may notice gray hair, sagging skin, and wrinkles. Progressing into the 40s weight gain and decrease in height are common due to the discs between the vertebrae getting smaller as well as symptoms of menopause until the end of one’s periods around the early 50s. Testosterone levels begin to gradually decrease for those with a penis, around 1% a year after age 40 during age-related hormone changes similar to menopause. While 10-25% of men have low testosterone levels, most have levels in the average range. Additional changes include bone and muscle mass decreasing, while weight gain, especially fat in the belly or chest may set in. You may notice gray hair and skin changes. There may be difficulties with urinating or maintaining an erection as the prostrate changes and testosterone decrease with age. While the physical and hormonal changes vary throughout ages and states of identity, maintaining a healthy lifestyle- physical activity, eating well, managing any chronic health conditions, and receiving routine medical care are all important. All the challenges that we tend to associate with puberty in adolescence such as anxiety and depression can persist into adulthood but just look different. If you would like support and talk to a mental health specialist, CARE clinicians are here to help. https://care-clinics.com/ Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find a therapist or find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need and address frequently asked questions. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/second-puberty-in-adults/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/second-puberty-in-adults Timelines of Life Expectations: Where do these come from?
What is the “predominant culture” in which you grew up and how does that compare to the predominant influence in America of White, middle-class European origins and heteronormative expectations? What are the messages and experiences I have received surrounding my friendships and relationships? What about dating, intimacy, and sex, and what this looks like? Is there any pressure to be in a certain type of relationship or meet certain “milestones” such as getting married and having children? What if you did everything “as expected” only to find that you are feeling trapped in a relationship, unhappy in a marriage, amid separation or divorce, or struggling with emotions such as jealousy, anger, or loneliness? What are the expectations surrounding your education? How is this impacted by learning challenges, mental health, bullying, or other negative school experiences? If you did not finish high school or college, are currently unemployed or struggling with finding fulfilling work, or have struggled with maintaining work due to instability in your life, it can be hard to find the motivation and strength to keep going. What are expectations related to jobs and careers? Is there pressure to be in a certain type of career/ field to gain approval and social status? What happens if what you want for yourself does not align with the expectations of your family? How about expectations related to your retirement and what this looks like? What if you would like to retire but are not able to be able to do so due to factors such as being a foster parent or financial limitations? Are there other specific messages that are implied but not directly communicated to gain approval such as how much money you should make, where you be at in your career, where you live/ what your space looks like, and what you should be doing at this stage in your life? If you are a parent, are there any implied expectations about your children? What values are most important to you? Do your choices align with these? Perhaps your values have changed over time or have remained the same while the values of others in your life have changed. Do you feel connected to others who are accepting of where you are currently at? There is a community and supports available. Talk therapy is a great place to explore these topics including a space to:
Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find a therapist or find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need and address frequently asked questions. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/timelines-of-life-expectations-where-do-these-come-from/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/timelines-of-life-expectations-where-do-these-come-from Your Lived Experiences: Acceptance & Approval vs. Disapproval and Judgment
Many people have stories of seeking and finding acceptance and approval within their journey as well as stories of experiencing disapproval and judgment—either within themselves or from others. When you have had life experiences in which there is often stigma and shame such as sexual trauma, mental illness, substance abuse, or legal issues you may find yourself experiencing more judgment than others. Even if you consider yourself functioning well, having a “normal” childhood, coping generally well with your mental health, with no history of physical or sexual abuse, no significant struggles with substances, and no history of legal issues, you are still prone to disapproval and judgment from others. In fact, you may find that there is more pressure to gain others’ acceptance and approval in areas such as how you express your identities, who you live with, what you do for a living/ how “successful” you are, and progress in meeting milestones. When there is acceptance and approval, there is little room for disapproval and judgment. It feels good to know that your thoughts and feelings are valid. Someone in your life may not approve of all your life choices, but that is OK. We all get to decide. A choice may align with one person’s values may or may not align with another person’s values. Yet, feeling loved and supported is so important, especially when disapproval and judgment are coming from someone whose opinion matters the most. For many people, this comes from a parent or primary caregiver figure, significant role model, or intimate partner. Parents and caregivers are not going to approve of all their child’s life choices. Some choices may go against beliefs, values, their religion, and social or cultural norms. It can be challenging to have conversations and to know what to say. The relationship is such an important foundation; unconditional love does have boundaries. Working with a therapist can help improve functioning in the family and restore relationships while setting healthy limits rather than overreacting and responding to extremes (e.g., overbearing discipline to a lack of involvement/ “hands-off” approach). In turn, a partner is not going to approve or accept certain aspects of the relationship. Partner(s) may have a response to disclosures of the past and decisions that impact the relationship such as those surrounding sex and money. Partner(s) may also have a response to struggles with mental health and substance use, particularly when these areas are not being managed well and are directly impacting the relationship. Topics may resolve over time with communication, healthy boundaries, and supportive resources. The relationship may become stronger or may dissolve and end. Couples therapy can help facilitate this process. When you are your worst inner critic and you are harsh on yourself, practicing forgiveness and self-compassion can help. For adult children, it can take time to learn to trust your “own voice” and place more value on your own decisions, and the decisions of others. It is important to prioritize your own well-being, and focus on strengths, and the present moment. If you would like to learn how to do this, our therapists at CARE Counseling are experts in these areas. https://care-clinics.com/ Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find a therapist or find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need and address frequently asked questions. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/your-lived-experiences-acceptance-approval-vs-disapproval-and-judgment/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/your-lived-experiences-acceptance-approval-vs-disapproval-and-judgment How to Cope with Feeling Judged by Others within your Spaces
It is important to be aware of your judgment and your intentions when meeting others for the first time and forming relationships. Using our judgment does have benefits such as making informed choices but being judgmental of other people can lead to rigid and unfair opinions, negatively impact mental health, and lead to comparisons. When important aspects feel questioned such as one’s decisions, character, or beliefs this can make one feel judged and put “in a box”. When you are struggling with your mental health, you can feel vulnerable reaching out for help. For some people, reaching out to a therapist is a lot easier than reaching out to family or friends for support. While family and friends may have good intentions, they may also be full of unsolicited advice and lack empathetic listening. Therapy is meant to be a safe place, to process thoughts, feelings, and experiences without feeling judged. Rather than assuming thoughts, feelings, or experiences are “bad” or “good”, therapists are trained to observe, listen, explore, and help you process while being mindful of any countertransference. Sometimes safe spaces do not always feel safe. It can be very hard to be vulnerable again if you have opened up in a space that felt safe at the time (e.g., with a partner, parent, best friend, or past therapist) only to feel misunderstood, upset, and discouraged to continue opening up. I encourage you to not give up. For those who are in recovery or substance use or intensive outpatient or residential treatment programming for mental health, these concerns may come up in the treatment program or group support. Exploring what you are feeling and what is experienced in the body, sharing your experience (e.g., journaling, support groups, the person you trust), and evaluating the next steps with trusted support can be helpful. This may include working to repair the relationship that was ruptured, ending the relationship, or giving new relationships a chance. Sometimes the fear of judgment is perceived and does not match the facts of the situation. For example, those who struggle with social-anxiety-disorder have an intense fear of being scrutinized and judged. These situations are either avoided or endured with significant distress. The fear is often out of proportion to the situation. Leaning into fear and learning strategies to cope can help. Options can include seeing a therapist to treat social anxiety. A therapist can help work with your thoughts & feelings and work towards not caring as much about others’ opinions. A therapist can also help explore your perceptions of situations with the facts of the situation and work with fear. Sometimes judgment is experienced in unhealthy environments and relationships. Anyone who has experienced a toxic work environment knows that a negative environment creates a culture where your mental health is impacted by unhealthy relational dynamics such as office bullying, discrimination, or harsh criticism. There is a lack of emotional (and sometimes physical) safety for those who have been in abusive relational patterns.. Seeking advocacy support can be helpful to speak, get help, and evaluate options when you are in an unhealthy environment or have unhealthy relational patterns. You do not have to go through this alone. If you are in an unhealthy relationship, here is an excellent resource: https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/ Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find a therapist or find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need and address frequently asked questions. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/how-to-cope-with-feeling-judged-by-others-within-your-spaces/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/how-to-cope-with-feeling-judged-by-others-within-your-spaces Coffee with CAREDuring these hard Minnesota winter months when seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is at its peak, CARE Counseling has chosen to surprise unsuspecting coffee shop patrons with FREE Tumblers and fill the tip cups of baristas who keep the Twin Cities caffeinated. CARE Counseling will be handing out custom CARE coffee tumblers at Pow Wow Coffee Grounds, on Thursday, February 9th starting at 11 a.m. while supplies last. Pow Wow Coffee Grounds has been “caffeinating and feeding the American Indian community in Minneapolis since 2010.” The coffee shop is conveniently located near our clinic on Franklin Ave. at 1414 E Franklin Ave Native/indigenous communities in America report experiencing serious psychological distress 2.5 times more than the general population over a month’s time. CARE Counseling strives to uplift the community by informing and providing accessible mental health resources to all. CARE also offers same-week availability, expert therapists, and accepts all major Minnesota insurances. Because we CARE. CARE Counseling’s mission is, “Building a Community, to Strengthen the Community.” We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/coffee-with-care/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/coffee-with-care Guide to Starting Conversations Surrounding Pregnancy Concerns
You may not know who to turn to or what specific information will be the most helpful. Anyone who is part of your prenatal or post-pregnancy support team can be a good starting point. They can help direct you to a specialist if needed who can diagnose, treat, and rule out any underlying medical or mental health conditions that are exacerbating concerns. If seeking help seems scary, try reaching out to a trusted friend or family member or community supports such as mentors, advocates, religious or spiritual leaders, and cultural leaders in the community. As a mental health specialist, some of the most important information includes the presenting concern and the basic facts of the situation. For example, if you had a baby six weeks ago, that is an important fact. In what area(s) do you have concerns (e.g., mood, thoughts, behavior, relationship, living situation, access to resources)? What current symptoms are you experiencing? A history of the presenting concerns is also very important, as well as information on any underlying medical or mental health conditions, and current medications. How long has this been going on? What does this look like for you and how does it impact your day-to-day living? What current resources are in place and who is part of your support circle? When starting a conversation with a healthcare provider, it may be difficult to start conversations or stay focused on the main points that you want to communicate. The great news is that there are some helpful online resources, including an awesome guide by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention that provides a guideline on how to have these conversations for pregnant or postpartum people. Here is a Guide to Help You Start the Conversation
Review the urgent maternal warning signs and how to describe them.
Sample questions to ask:
Tips:
Be sure your provider schedules you for postpartum checkups after delivery. Although there’s no sure way to avoid postpartum complications, staying in touch with your doctor and completing follow-up appointments can help protect your health. “Guideline to Help Start the Conversation” provided by: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/pregnant-postpartum-women/index.html Blog Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find a therapist or find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need and address frequently asked questions. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/guide-to-starting-conversations-surrounding-pregnancy-concerns/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/guide-to-starting-conversations-surrounding-pregnancy-concerns |
AuthorHello its me Lisa Johnson i am 32 years old from Mission, TX. I am professional family therapist and i also deals in adult therapy and children’s therapy. Archives
April 2023
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