(ME)ntal Justice

Katherine Lausier is a first grade teacher in an urban city in Southern Maine. Katherine discusses the strategies her school is utilizing during COVID19 to practice distance learning while being conscientious of the pressure student’s and family’s feel around their child’s learning. We talk about the mindfulness practices, coping strategies and feelings identification exercises she teaches and encourages with her students. She explains the trauma-sensitive approach that she operates from, and how that allows her to be flexible, mindful, and empathic during this difficult time; she gives vivid, beautiful examples of her experiences with students and the resiliency they embody. She also discussed the social justice that intersect with COVID19 including the challenges faced by youth that are not in stable living situations or experiencing poverty, and those student’s difficulty accessing resources and their parent’s learning to use certain technology/have devices that can easily access material. She also said something powerfull how report cards are actually measuring privilege. Additionally, she speaks on the self-care strategies she is implementing to get through this difficult time; she touches upon having strong boundaries, mindfulness practice, self-reflection, and remembering that we are all in this together.  I hope you throughly enjoy this interview as much as I did! Important acronyms: *ELL= English Language Learners *ESL= English Second Lauguage Learners Resources:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiaUKiwbiHMQDQLCXoPaMMYotldKlUQCw https://www.imagineneighborhood.org/ https://www.headspace.com/meditation/kids http://www.gonoodle.com  https://www.cfchildren.org/resources/sesame-street-little-children-big-challenges/general-resilience/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode Angelor discusses her experience working as a Clinical Social Worker in a New York City Hospital during COVID19. She discusses the challenges, barriers, and inspiring aspects of her work experience. If you'd like to donate to Meals on Wheels, an important organization serving the NYC community, please see the following link: https://www.citymeals.org/support-us/donate-now --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I will suggest four strategies on coping with this difficult and uncertain time. Additionally, I discuss the important racial justice implications that COVID19 has brought about including the correlation between systemic oppression and trauma and the contraction of COVID19. Resources: Feelings Wheel: https://www.thebodyandmindcoach.com/the-feeling-wheel/ Stages of Grief: https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-5-stages-of-loss-and-grief/ The Body Keeps the Score: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I answer a variety of questions from listeners pertaining to episodes from this season. For additional questions or information related to this podcast, please email me at areedlscw@gmail.com.   --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I will give you a brief overview of the different components of this therapy intervention. I am Nationally Certified in TF-CBT and use this modality frequently in the therapy I provide to children who have experienced trauma. Please consult the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (see link below) or tfcbt.org for more information on this treatment modality and seek clinical supervision with a certified provider if you would like to practice this intervention. Also, please note that this episode is not a substitute for getting treatment from a licensed mental health professional. TF-CBT Components: Assessment Psycho-education Engagement Parenting Skills Relaxation Affective Modulation Cognitive Coping Trauma Narrative Cognitive Processing In-vivo Exposure Enhance Safety National Child Traumatic Stress Network: https://www.nctsn.org Trauma Focused CBT: https://tfcbt.org --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

There is a trigger warning for this episode; we do discuss child abuse, substance use, anxiety, and depression, and other similar topics. If these topics are too difficult to listen to, I encourage you to skip this episode. Helen opens up the discussion by talking about MCA’s work towards alleviating poverty in Maine, advocating for vaccinations, and the Maine Kids Count data book they produced with many important statistics that highlight Maine children's mental health, poverty and other health outcomes. Some of the data trends we discuss include the high rates of anxiety, depression and drug exposed infants. We also discuss the importance of early childhood interventions in improving long term health outcomes. On a positive note, Maine is doing a great job getting kids into counseling services, our juvenile justice system has made great strides, and our child poverty rate has declined and specifically, we get into what policy changes have been helping improve this. We conclude our discussion with emphasizing the importance of advocacy work on institutional and micro levels; your voice matters! For questions and comments about this episode, please email me at areedlcsw@gmail.com Important Links: Maine Children's Alliance where you can also find Maine Kids Count Data Book: https://www.mekids.org Kentucky Youth Advocates Podcast: https://kyyouth.org/podcast/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=bf0418d6-751d-42d4-86bd-77a0ba61fc91 Important Child Abuse/Death cases in Maine that have impacted child welfare: https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/health/year-after-10-year-olds-death-maine-dhhs-still-searching-for-solutions/97-c657dbb8-affe-4147-aeeb-d5f700fe6eda https://bangordailynews.com/2019/04/30/news/midcoast/judge-finds-maine-woman-guilty-of-murder-in-death-of-4-year-old/ https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/fostercare/marr/ Adverse Childhood Experiences Study: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/aces/fastfact.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fviolenceprevention%2Fchildabuseandneglect%2Facestudy%2Faboutace.html Social Emotional Learning Article: https://www.edsurge.com/news/2019-05-07-why-social-emotional-learning-is-suddenly-in-the-spotlight --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I start out this episode by explaining the basic premise of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which highlights the interconnection of thoughts/feelings and behaviors/body sensations. I then outline 11 different thinking styles: All or Nothing/ Black & White Thinking Mental Filtering Jumping to Conclusions = Mind Reading & Fortune Telling Overgeneralizing Disqualifying the Positive Magnifying/Catastrophizing or Minimizing “Should” Statements Personalization/Blaming Emotional Reasoning Labeling Comparison Trap I briefly discuss the concept of “self-fulfilling prophecies”, as well as the perceived safety and control we feel in formulating meanings even if they are inaccurate and/or unhelpful.  I touch on the concept of "core beliefs" which are when we construct false, rigid ideas about ourselves and/or our world.   Additionally, I go through a number of strategies to combat these types of thoughts such as looking at the evidence, speaking to yourself like you would a friend, evaluating the costs/ benefits of continuing to think this way, etc.  I also provide you with a few questions to ask yourself when experiencing an inaccurate thought. Helpful resources: Brene Browns video on "Blame": https://youtu.be/RZWf2_2L2v8 List of Unhelpful Thinking Styles (also known as Cognitive Distortions): https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/cognitive-distortions.pdf CBT Triangle: https://depts.washington.edu/hcsats/PDF/TF-%20CBT/pages/7%20Trauma%20Focused%20CBT/Cognitive%20Triangle_Worksheet_Coping_and_Processing.pdf --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, Aaron Landry, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) Supervisor discusses what a MCT is and how to utilize it in the community.  He speaks about crises situations that may lead to a MCT call, how their team helps people find resources in the community, and their colloborative approach with law enforcement.  We touch on how low resources can negatively impact a community, as well as the importance of decriminalizing mental health.  I share a personal story with my listeners that touches on this, and highlights how we can still strive for improvement in this area. Mobile Crisis Statewide Hotline: 1-888-568-1112 Maine Crisis Line: 744-HELP (4357) National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Maine: https://www.namimaine.org  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I will describe different eating disorders, what contributes to a person developing an eating disorder, my treatment recommendations, and how to support your own recovery if you do not have access to a clinical team. I review the different types of eating disorders, and review some of the biological/psychological/social aspects that influence a person developing an eating disorder, as well as the importance of evaluating family dynamics and traumatic experiences. I discuss the Health at Every Size model (HAES) and BMI not being the most accurate indicator of health. I recommend that people experiencing eating disorders seek (HAES) informed clinicians who have an understanding intuitive eating. Additionally, I recommend the following recovery tips: 1. Build self-awareness (tune into your thoughts, feelings, behaviors) 2. Set boundaries with others 3. Honor your needs/wants in small ways 4. Practice self-compassion by acknowledging disordered eating behaviors as a survival skill and without judgment 5. Evaluate your relationship with exercise 6. Practice intuitive eating and body trust 7. Acknowledge the ways that diet culture is a method to distract and oppress people 8. Remember that your self-esteem was never positively impacted long term by your body 9. Build a strong social support network/ follow accounts on social media that POSITIVELY IMPACT YOUR WELL-BEING (unfollow those fitspo accounts!) 10. Practice radical acceptance- what can you control and what can you not control? Let go of self blame or responsibility that you have over things that are not yours to hold on to Resources: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/toolkit/parent-toolkit/temperament-and-personality https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3366171/ https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/special-reports/neurobiology-eating-disorders-clinical-implications/page/0/1 https://psychscenehub.com/psychinsights/neurobiology-of-binge-eating-disorder/ https://haescommunity.com https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/14/a-number-that-may-not-add-up/ Podcasts for Body Liberation: Food Psych with Christi Harrison Love your bod pod with Cara Carin Cifelli Book Recommendations for Eating Disorder Recovery: Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole Anti- Diet by Christi Harrison Health at Every Size by Linda Bacon Eating in the Light of the Moon by Anita Johnston The Body is not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor Body Wisdom by Cara Carin Cifelli Hunger by Roxane Gay The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf IG Accounts to Follow for Body Acceptance: @maryscupoftea @drcolleenreichmann @whollyhealed @bodyposipanda @caraskitchen @mollybcounseling @iamdaniadriana @thickleeyonce @bodyposipower **Lastly, I reference an episode on TFCBT which has not been published yet. Stay tuned! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode you will learn about Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers' organization from the Clinical Director Debra Levenseller, LCSW, and about Trust-Based Relational Interventionâ (TBRIâ) components and therapeutic usefulness. Other staff members included in this episode are: Angela Woodhead, LSW Adoption Social Worker Lindsey Bragdon, LSW Adoption Program Director and TBRI Practitioner Stacey Merrill LCPC-c Outpatient and Family Therapist and TBRI Practitioner Special thanks from Debra Levenseller to: "Foundations/donors that helped us with funding to get all of this TBRI/Theraplay/Play Therapy trainings, as well as supported some of our TBRI conferences/training we’ve offered. [Our] Board and Administration and the foundations that really made it happen financially. [Also] The Bingham Program, The Gimbel Foundation and the Elsie and William Viles Foundation." Helpful links and resources: https://child.tcu.edu/about-us/tbri/#sthash.njTs8lae.dpbs https://www.mainechildrenshome.org/ https://theraplayinc.com Upstairs & Downstairs Brain/ Trauma Brain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IDG_Mm_82w Book: “The Whole Brained Child” TBRI Books by Cindy Lee: https://www.amazon.com/Cindy-R-Lee/e/B00Q7APA7K/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1 Engine Plate to help your child learn self-regulation: https://mountainadoptionadventure.wordpress.com/2016/03/25/co-regulation-hows-your-engine-running/ My contact information for questions & comments: areedlcsw@gmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Trigger Warning (TW)! ----- This episode does include discussions around suicidal thoughts and self-harm.  If this topic activates unhelpful and unsafe thoughts within you, please skip this episode and take care of yourself. In this episode, I speak with two Maine public school employees, a school counselor, who has chosen to remain anonymous but we can refer to as “B” and a career coordinator, Eliza, who also has previous experience as a high school teacher.  They both have important insights about the challenges faced by youth, particularly stress and anxiety related to the transition from middle to high school and from high school to building a career. They both explain their role and how they support students with these transitions while also exploring the intersections of mental illness, social support, and poverty and how these impact student’s trajectories. Throughout our discussion, I will be referencing statistics and information provide by the Maine Kids Count data book. You can find a link to that data book in the show notes. "B" discusses the support she provides to 8th and 9th graders through developing a positive rapport with students and normalizing their anxiety.  We touch on advice for parents with children experiencing this transition period, particularly asking questions and building a collaborative relationship with their child's teachers.  Additionally, "B" explains her schools approach to safety concerns including suicidal ideation and self-harm by utilizing the support systems in place. We touch on protective and risk factors for suicide; bullying is a risk factor for suicide indicated by the Maine Data Book, so we explore how "B" determines what constitutes as bullying and what incidents can be resolved using "restorative justice" as a mediation practice.  (More information this can be found below).  Lastly, "B" discusses her solution-focused approach to school counseling and gives helpful ideas on how to help kids self-regulate, advocate for themselves, and honestly appraising their strengths/challenges. Eliza talks about her role helping high school students explore their career interests by networking with members of the community to speak with students.  She speaks to the importance of having a gentle approach to discussing future aspirations with students, so that they do not feel unnecessary pressure.  We explore the demonization of "mistakes", how helpful it can be to acknowledge the value in learning from our difficult experiences, and the reality of non-linear life paths.  Additionally, we discuss barriers to obtaining higher learning, as well as cultural pressures to achieve it.  Lastly, we explored how poverty, particularly in communities of color, plays a role in a child's ability to be successful, as well as creates grander expectations/responsibilities for the school staff involved in the child's life. Maine Kids Data Book link: https://www.mekids.org/2019-maine-kids-count-data-book.php More on Restorative Justice: http://www.rjpmidcoast.org/what-is-restorative-justice.html Helpful Phone Apps:  "My 3" - for safety planning "Calm Harm" - for coping with thoughts of self-harm Mobile Crisis Numbers: 744-HELP (Maine Crisis Line) 1-888-568-1112 (Statewide Crisis Line) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, Sare, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, explains how creativity allows us to explore how we experience the world in a tangible way. She also explains the therapeutic process she utilizes while in session with her clients. Additionally, we explore perfectionism in relation to the creative process and "healthy risk taking", as well as how she guides her clients through this experience and supports them in building flexible thinking. Sare delves deeper into the neurobiological aspects of utilizing art therapy by explaining her trauma sensitive approach that involves nurturing developmental traumas that a child may have experienced. Sare emphasizes creating a safe holding space for her clients, and inviting parents to learn engagement tools through attunement and observing their child without judgment. Lastly, she describes how she utilizes a Gestalt framework in her sessions by staying in the moment and providing an authentic presence. In particular, we talk about how transparency can be helpful in working with teens. Sare discusses her experience facilitating a teen group. Important resources: How to contact Sare Gebhardt- sare@healingartstherapy.org http://www.healingartstherapy.org/about-sareacute.html More on Gestalt Therapy- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/gestalt-therapy --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this trailer, you will hear more about what to expect in our first season!