As adult children move away from dependance on their primary attachment figure and form other significant intimate relationships, we learn more about ourselves, our relational needs, and how to communicate in ways that help us feel understood, seen, and loved in relationships. Understanding attachment styles is a common interest for adult clients seeking therapy for themselves or their partner(s). The four primary attachment styles are secure or insecure (anxious-pre-occupied, dismissive-avoidant, and fearful-avoidant). I’ll briefly outline the major characteristics of each and provide some tips that can be helpful as you move towards a more secure attachment. Secure *Positive/ stable view of self and others *Interdependence *Able to trust self and others *Comfortable with intimacy *Able to self-regulate and seek appropriate support *Healthy boundaries Tips: Surround yourself with others who help reinforce a positive view, engage in routine maintenance therapy to be emotionally strong as an individual and within relationship(s) as you process and work through thoughts/ feelings within various relational dynamics. Insecure (Anxious-Pre-occupied, Dismissive-Avoidant, Fearful-Avoidant) Anxious-Preoccupied: *Negative/ insecure view of self but positive/stable view of others *Dependence or clinginess (tends to be a pursuer in relationships) *Low self-esteem * Fearful of losing relationships/ fear of rejection *Seeks approval & validation from others *Porous boundaries Tips: Improve self-esteem. Build self-confidence. Increase tolerance of being alone. Work on receiving internal validation. Do some work on setting and maintaining boundaries. Consider individual therapy first to help find your voice and feel stronger as a person. Dismissive-Avoidant *Positive/unstable view of self and negative/ insecure view of others *Independent and self-reliant *Comfortable without close relationships *Afraid of intimacy (tends to be a withdrawer) *Independence is prioritized; may self-isolate *Suppression of emotions *Rigid boundaries Tips: Explore factors influencing your view of self and others, work on becoming more comfortable asking for help, work on fears of intimacy and becoming more vulnerable within relationships, increase comfortable naming and expressing emotions. Consider adding couples therapy to individual sessions. Fearful-Avoidant: *Negative/ insecure view of self and others *Seeks but avoidant of closeness/ intimacy *Difficulty trusting and opening up emotionally *Afraid of being hurt by others *Discomfort with expression love and emotions *Inconsistency with patterns, including with setting and maintaining boundaries (e.g. supportive then unavailable) *Pursuing and withdrawing (to avoid being hurt) Tips: Build a positive view of self and others, explore underlying fears that impact intimacy & trust, address underlying traumas, try building a foundation of trust and opening up in therapy to learn a healthy model to practice outside of session. Learn more about your attachment style by taking Dr. Diane Poole Heller’s attachment-styles-quiz and discussing this with your therapist. 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/adult-relationship-attachment-styles-and-helpful-tips-for-each-kind/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/adult-relationship-attachment-styles-and-helpful-tips-for-each-kind
0 Comments
It’s alarming that not even half of those who die by suicide have sought treatment for mental illness.It’s alarming that not even half of those who die by suicide have sought treatment for mental illness. According to a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles, less than half of the people who die by suicide have seen a mental health professional. Over half (55.3%) of those who died by suicide had current mental health problems but less than half (48.5%) had any history of treatment for mental illness. The Minnesota Violent Death Reporting System (MNVDRS) gathers information to learn more about people who die by violence, including suicide. Populations consistently associated with not receiving mental health services included younger and older individuals identified as male and those living in rural locations. Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and individuals experiencing psychosocial stressors may also be less likely to receive mental health services. Individuals who have never sought therapy are less likely to have a mental health diagnosis or any connections to receiving mental health support. It is frightening that those who have not sought treatment for mental health are more likely to use violent means to commit suicide. The top three means of suicide deaths include firearms, hanging, strangulation/ suffocation, and poisoning. While violent means are common, so is the use of substances, including prescription and non-prescription medications. Data indicates that 31% of suicides involve the use of alcohol, 15.8 % involve the use of antidepressants, and 6-10% of deaths involve one or more of the following: benzodiazepines, amphetamine, marijuana, and opiates. There may be no indication of any past suicidal behavior, so suicide may come as a shock to loved ones. It is important to help support people who are at risk of suicide. One way we can do this is by understanding the needs of those who are underserved and developing new ways of responding to these needs and continuing to improve existing mental health services. It is also important to help yourself. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline identifies serval ways to help yourself including finding a therapist, building (and using) a support network, and making a safety plan. At CARE Counseling, therapists are trained to assess safety at the first session and assist in creating a safety plan for those who are struggling but able to create and follow a safety plan. Therapists are also trained to diagnose and treat mental health concerns. Therapists can help assist in connection to more intensive care if needed. Here are some additional ways a therapist can help with suicidal thoughts: A therapist can help you identify your warning signs. These include thoughts, images, moods, situations, and behaviors that are present during a time of crisis. A therapist can help you develop internal coping strategies. These are things that you can do on your own to help take your mind off problems. Examples include relaxation techniques, self-soothing strategies, and physical outlets. A therapist can help build your support and get you connected. A therapist can help you talk through possible supporters who are part of your existing support network. This may include a friend, family member, or co-worker. Perhaps you are feeling isolated and alone–struggling to name anyone that you could reach out to. That is OK! We’ll help get you connected to phone numbers of professional helpers, such as the resources listed below. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988; https://988lifeline.org/ In the case of imminent harm, call 911. Mental Health Crisis Services: Call: **CRISIS or Text: MN to 741741 Metro Area Mental Health Crisis Response: Ramsey (adults): (651) 266-7900 & Ramsey (children): (651) 774-7000 Hennepin (adults): (612) 596-1223 &Hennepin (children): (612) 348-2233 South Central Mobile Crisis Team: (877) 399-3040 Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline: Call: (833) 600-2670 or Text: FARMSTRESS to 898211 The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386; https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ A therapist can with skills & strategies to feel safe within your environment.This can start with taking steps of being physically safe by removing access to means such as firearms, drugs, and alcohol. Working on ways to feel emotionally safe by processing psychosocial stressors and learning strategies to cope can also help. No one needs to suffer alone. While asking for mental health support can feel scary, it can also be a tremendous support that offers hope. 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/its-alarming-that-not-even-half-of-those-who-die-by-suicide-have-sought-treatment-for-mental-illness/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/its-alarming-that-not-even-half-of-those-who-die-by-suicide-have-sought-treatment-for-mental-illness Coping with Farm & Rural Stress: Supporting Greater Minnesota with Tele-therapyThe rural population often faces significant mental health disparities when it comes to mental health treatment. Mental health services, including specialized treatment options, tend to often be centered in metropolitan areas, yet the prevalence of mental health needs in both rural and metro areas are similar. Accessibility to mental health care can be difficult as well due to challenges with trying to find a provider that has availability, accepts your health insurance, and/or is not closely connected to others in the community. It can feel stigmatizing to ask for help when everyone seems to know everyone. It may be more difficult to avoid dual relationships in small towns when your therapist is also the therapist for family and friends, attends the same events, or does business with you. There is more room for problems related to ethics such as overlapping roles, privacy, and confidentiality. When you live where you work and your co-workers could be your family, separating work stress from home stress can be harder. Some common stressors in rural and farm communities include financial struggles, coping with uncertainties and social pressures, family conflict, distress in parent-child, marital, or intimate partner relationships, and challenges supporting family members struggling with mental health and substance use concerns. Oftentimes, friends, family, or religious leaders find themselves taking on the role of informal mental health support, but this does not replace the need for mental health care. CARE Counseling is excited to help bridge the gap by providing tele-health therapy. This option involves the same quality level of care that you would receive in a clinic setting but it is provided within the convenience of your own home. Here are some of the awesome benefits that tele-health therapy offers our rural clients:
CARE Counseling offers tele-health therapy within the state of Minnesota, in addition to in-person options at our seven locations. Appointments can be scheduled online: https://www.therapyportal.com/p/carecounseling2000/ or call us at 612-223-8898. Coping with Farm and Rural Stress in Minnesota Resources: This website lists forms, resources, and external links for coping with farm and rural stress. https://www.mda.state.mn.us/about/mnfarmerstress This MN Department of Agriculture brochure has some great resources for mental health help, daily living, business, financial, and legal help. https://www.mda.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/docs/2020-08/copefarmstressbrochure8-2020.pdf This website offers a hub of mental health resources for the rural population. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/mental-health 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/coping-with-farm-rural-stress-supporting-greater-minnesota-with-tele-therapy/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/coping-with-farm-rural-stress-supporting-greater-minnesota-with-tele-therapy Reflecting on Sleep Awareness Week: How Sleep Impacts Mental HealthSleep is a fundamental aspect of our lives, yet it is often overlooked or undervalued. Dr. Heidi Bausch-Ryan, Clinical Director of Training at CARE Counseling, shared invaluable insights into how sleep influences our mental health and how we can enhance our sleep habits to improve our overall well-being. While poor sleep habits can lead to a decline in mental health, mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression can also cause sleep disturbances. According to Dr. Bausch-Ryan, sleep is crucial for the body’s restorative functions, which play a crucial role in maintaining good mental health. Dr. Bausch-Ryan’s expertise shed light on the reciprocal relationship between sleep and mental health. Our mental state affects our ability to sleep, and conversely, the quality and duration of our sleep can significantly impact our mental well-being. When we experience sleep disturbances, it can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and mood disorders. Recognizing this interconnectedness is vital for fostering better sleep habits and nurturing our mental health. The podcast episode emphasized the importance of good sleep hygiene as a preventative measure against mental health conditions. Dr. Bausch-Ryan provided practical tips for better sleep, such as sticking to a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, and limiting screen time in the hours leading up to sleep. She also stressed the importance of seeking professional help for sleep disorders or mental health conditions. In conclusion, the insights shared by Dr. Bausch-Ryan provided actionable steps that listeners can take to improve their sleep habits and support good mental health. The full podcast discussion can be found here: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-medical-alley-podcast-83489993/episode/sleep-and-mental-health-a-conversation-110443806/?embed=true 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-sleep-impacts-mental-health/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/how-sleep-impacts-mental-health Five Benefits of Talking About Your Mental Health with PeersTalking about mental health with peers is one of the best ways to celebrate mental health awareness month. The more that we talk about mental health, the more normalized these conversations become. It inspires hope as the stigmas associated with mental health begin to dissipate, especially as you share your own experiences with mental health and listen to others talk about their mental health. Here are Five Benefits of Talking About Your Mental Health with Peers Encourage Talking about your experiences, especially what has been helpful for your mental health encourages others to also talk about their experiences. Peers can be a great source of encouragement. Empower Talking about your mental health can empower others to embrace aspects of themselves and take positive steps such as making the decision to see a therapist for the first time. Talking about topics that may have previously been avoided due to stigma can empower you to find your voice and overcome shame. Connect Talking about mental health can help make new friends and connect to others who share similarities such as current stage of life, presenting concerns, or mental health diagnosis. Talking about mental health can also help you feel more connected to a larger community. Support Talking about mental health can greatly support others, both 1:1 and in settings such as mental health support groups. Celebrate Talking about the ‘wins’ that are part of your mental health journey such as making progress towards goals and becoming a stronger version of yourself is something to celebrate and talk about. Acknowledging wherever you are currently, embracing imperfections, and celebrating yourself and the journey is important. 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/five-benefits-of-talking-about-your-mental-health-with-peers-2/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/five-benefits-of-talking-about-your-mental-health-with-peers7079570 Share Your Story + More Ways to Get Involved in Mental Health AwarenessThe National Alliance on Mental Illness has some great ideas and resources to get involved in events for Mental Health Awareness Month. One way to do so is to share your story. Stories are so powerful. They can help us connect with the writer, evoke emotions, provide a foundation for important topics, inspire hope, and motivate change. 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. Many of these stories have yet to be shared. There are many reasons: fear of judgment, shame, embarrassment, and anxiety. Everyone is going to struggle with someone and something at some point. Mental health is impacted, especially when the “voice” of depression or anxiety begins to take over. You may feel that you’re not enough. These feelings are often heightened by circumstances that are not going well. For example, you feel like a failure as a parent because your kids are struggling, you feel unworthy of love because you continue to experience heartbreak in your relationships, or you feel unproductive because you are struggling with motivation which is impacting your sense of worth. No matter what you are currently experiencing, you are #MoreThanEnough. Share and celebrate the little steps with supportive people in your life by sharing your story. Don’t be afraid to speak up when things become challenging, or you experience setbacks. The more I have shared my story with others, the more others have opened up to share their own story. I have found that my little steps add up to big steps over time, especially as others have walked alongside me. This has helped give me the strength to keep going while also building momentum to find a steady stride. This has included a vast network of friends, family, peers, and professional helpers. It is so empowering to have a team of supporters, including those who can help lead me to new paths and cheer me along the way. I am #MoreThanEnough and so are you. If you are looking for more ideas to get involved in mental health awareness, here are some options to consider. Attend an Event and Partner with NAMI:
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/share-your-story-more-ways-to-get-involved-in-mental-health-awareness/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/share-your-story-more-ways-to-get-involved-in-mental-health-awareness Five Benefits of Talking About Your Mental Health with PeersTalking about mental health with peers is one of the best ways to celebrate mental health awareness month. The more that we talk about mental health, the more normalized these conversations become. It inspires hope as the stigmas associated with mental health begin to dissipate, especially as you share your own experiences with mental health and listen to others talk about their mental health. Here are Five Benefits of Talking About Your Mental Health with Peers Encourage Talking about your experiences, especially what has been helpful for your mental health encourages others to also talk about their experiences. Peers can be a great source of encouragement. Empower Talking about your mental health can empower others to embrace aspects of themselves and take positive steps such as making the decision to see a therapist for the first time. Talking about topics that may have previously been avoided due to stigma can empower you to find your voice and overcome shame. Connect Talking about mental health can help make new friends and connect to others who share similarities such as current stage of life, presenting concerns, or mental health diagnosis. Talking about mental health can also help you feel more connected to a larger community. Support Talking about mental health can greatly support others, both 1:1 and in settings such as mental health support groups. Celebrate Talking about the ‘wins’ that are part of your mental health journey such as making progress towards goals and becoming a stronger version of yourself is something to celebrate and talk about. Acknowledging wherever you are currently, embracing imperfections, and celebrating yourself and the journey is important. 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/five-benefits-of-talking-about-your-mental-health-with-peers/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/five-benefits-of-talking-about-your-mental-health-with-peers Three Strategies for Coping with Overwhelming ProblemsProblems are not something that we often want to deal with. They tend to bother us at the most inconvenient times while shouting “do something”. One of the difficulties is that the answer to solving a problem is not always quite so clear. Problems can be complex and complicated. There may be uncertainty about the outcome, especially in major recurring problems such as ones that occur in relationships, or in settings that you cannot avoid such as work, school, or home. The feelings that problems bring can be overwhelming—exasperation, worry, fear, sadness, anger, and frustration to name a few. I’d like to share three strategies for coping with overwhelming problems which include skills for solving problems, regulating emotions, and managing distress.
This strategy involves first defining the problem. Then identify and explore possible solutions, pick one to try, and reflect on the outcome. This may seem like a fairly straightforward process (for simple problems) but people are complex and so are many of the decisions. Another factor is that there are often too many choices. From everyday decisions such as picking out a box of cereal at the grocery store, to major purchases such as a new vehicle or home. When it comes to making decisions that impact your future self, there are a lot of factors to consider. Problem-solving therapy can help provide tools to assist with the problem-solving process.
While this is not a solution to solving the problem, emotion regulation skills can help create some space to pause between your feeling and reaction. By doing so, you are regulating your response to the problem to one with more emotional control. This also helps by creating space to reflect on the things that you want, love, and value. Some activities that a therapist can help with include identifying emotions that come up in recurring problems, noticing, and naming feelings and sensations in the body and any thoughts associated. They can then assist with specific tools to help regulate the emotion and support you with strategies that help allow greater acceptance and adaptability while reminding you to show some compassion towards yourself in a moment of suffering.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by problems, it is going to be very difficult to think clearly in a heightened emotional state. Distress tolerance skills help manage distress to problems that feel out of control such as in a state of crisis. Think about difficult situations in your life that might create a lot of distress- losing your job or a relationship, being diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition, experiencing physical or sexual assault, losing a loved one due to suicide, etc. Taking care of yourself by using sensory soothing and distraction can help get through this time, before facing all the problems and decisions that come next.
There is always the option to do none of the above—to not deal with problems. Maybe you lack the self-awareness to know that a problem exists. Perhaps you put on a fake smile and tell yourself that everything is “fine” and hope that things will change while you clearly know that there is a problem but are too scared to do anything. The fear (such as vulnerability, possible failure, loss, or rejection) can seem too great for the risk, and you’d rather remain in an unhappy situation and silently suffer. Doing something requires work and maybe you don’t want to put in the effort. You likely don’t have a plan or resources to help support you. This sounds depressing and hopeless! If you are tired of feeling stuck in a problematic situation, then I encourage you to do something. CARE Counseling has same week-availability for therapy appointments to help you act. Working together, we can gain clarity on problems, develop a treatment plan, process stressors, and learn new skills to cope. 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/three-strategies-for-coping-with-overwhelming-problems/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/three-strategies-for-coping-with-overwhelming-problems Help, My Life Feels Empty!
*Note: If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or mental health crisis, call 988 or your local crisis resource numbers. Biopsychosocial factors such as genetic predisposition to mental illness, experiences of stressors and trauma, social, and environmental factors can all contribute to feelings of emptiness. For some people, these thoughts and feelings are in response to an event that changes them. For example, perhaps you can recall a time in which you experienced interest and pleasure but then an event happened that sucked out all the joy and life inside of you. I want to take a moment to acknowledge that many people have experienced some awful events, especially within the context of relationships. It pains me to think of all the children who experience neglect, abuse, and other adverse childhood experiences (ACES). For adults who have experienced complex trauma in childhood and are continuing to be impacted in adulthood, it can take time to feel integrated and whole when parts of oneself have been disconnected. This includes part of the physical body, one’s mental state, and the spiritual aspects of self. Feelings of emptiness may be present in various mental health conditions. While feeling empty is something most people are likely to experience at times, this is different than when feelings are present for periods of time and associated with other symptoms. For example, loss of interest and pleasure, feelings of hopelessness, and low self-worth are common in depression. Chronic feelings of emptiness and emotional detachment, known as depersonalization are symptomatic of borderline personality disorder. Descriptions of chronic emptiness in patients with borderline personality disorder include the following: “feeling dead inside”, “void”, “feeling swallowed”, “like a shadow”, and “social alienation”. Similar symptoms are also characteristic of trauma disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder. There are many interventions that come to mind that can be helpful, depending on the unique experiences of each person. If you would like to talk to a trained mental health specialist about therapy options, CARE Counseling has in-person and telehealth options with a wide variety of therapists: https://care-clinics.com. Here are some things to consider in terms of opposites and possible needs:
If you struggle to experience emotions, then what you may need is some therapeutic support to work with emotions, parts of yourself, and the experiences which have contributed to numbness. Rather than feeling like a shadow, you can start to see and experience yourself, becoming stronger, more vibrant, and fully alive. 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/help-my-life-feels-empty/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/help-my-life-feels-empty |
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
Categories |