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Neurodiversity is a concept given life back in the 1990s by an Australian sociologist named Judy Singer. The term is used to represent the different ways people think, behave, communicate, and more. Neurodiversity is often associated with challenges an individual may face. For instance, people with neurodiverse traits may be diagnosed with conditions such as […]
Neurodiversity is a concept given life back in the 1990s by an Australian sociologist named Judy Singer. The term is used to represent the different ways people think, behave, communicate, and more.
Neurodiversity is often associated with challenges an individual may face. For instance, people with neurodiverse traits may be diagnosed with conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHA) dyslexia, or autism. But the concept turns the traditional diagnoses on their heads. Instead of thinking something is “wrong” with the person, the new science is suggesting that within the human genome, there is a diversity we’ve yet to fully grasp. Conditions aren’t necessarily faults in the brain but rather a unique expression.
Extensive data points to the fact that there are greater rates of depression and anxiety co-occurring in individuals with diagnoses of autism, ADHD, and dyspraxia. Autism alone has been linked to higher rates of anxiety, eating disorders, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and more. Much of this may stem from the fact that individuals with autism have typically been found to have low levels of dopamine, a “feel good” neurotransmitter greatly responsible for elevated moods.
But what about those individuals whose levels of dopamine are in the normal range? And for that matter, what about depression and anxiety in people who have not been diagnosed with any other cognitive condition?
For years, psychologists, psychiatrists, and neurologists have tried to understand the profound links between body, brain, and life experiences. And what we have learned is that narrow diagnostic categorization doesn’t allow us to recognize all of the diverse ways cognitive conditions express themselves in the human race.
Neurodiversity helps solve this. It embraces the complexity of the interconnectedness of the brain, body and life to help us get better patient outcomes. As clinicians, we need to move away from crude labeling and diagnoses and begin to focus on personalized interventions and treatment plans to better serve our clients.
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This recent pandemic has turned our world upside down in a flash! Minds are racing with worry and anticipation….Will I get sick? Will I lose my job? Is the world going to survive this? Top this off with the stress of isolation, homeschooling, and working from home, and we could have a mental health crisis […]
This recent pandemic has turned our world upside down in a flash!
Minds are racing with worry and anticipation….Will I get sick? Will I lose my job? Is the world going to survive this?
Top this off with the stress of isolation, homeschooling, and working from home, and we could have a mental health crisis on our hands next.
Online therapy is here, it’s effective, and it is something that could help you and your family right away.
Here are some common questions we get about online therapy and how it can support you in these difficult times.
WHAT IS ONLINE THERAPY?
Online therapy (also considered part of telehealth) is counseling that is provided face to face over a secure video conferencing platform. Phone calls are also a form of telehealth counseling that may be an option for people without access to a video system, or who would prefer telephone over video conferencing.
HOW DOES ONLINE THERAPY WORK & IS IT SECURE?
Online therapy functions the same as in person counseling, where the therapist and client meet privately and have a counseling session. Some things may be done differently as a result of being in separate locations, but adjustments are made to make the therapy equally effective. You don’t have to download any special software. The therapist initiates all of the calls and procedures and will walk you through the process.
We use a secure video platform, sessions are never recorded or saved, and all the same ethics and HIPAA rules apply for your protection.
HOW CAN ONLINE THERAPY HELP & WILL MY INSURANCE COVER IT?
Although it may be challenging to find private space at home for a session right now, we can help you get creative and we are also offering a variety of hours to make it work.
To make an appointment or ask any questions, you may email us through our website or call the office at 715-441-1828.
People often think purpose already exists or must be found. However, more often purpose is given. One effective way people cope with loss, trauma, illness, any sort of struggle really, is to give it purpose. I’m sure you have seen many examples of this. This is where so many organizations come from, when people turn […]
People often think purpose already exists or must be found. However, more often purpose is given.
One effective way people cope with loss, trauma, illness, any sort of struggle really, is to give it purpose.
I’m sure you have seen many examples of this. This is where so many organizations come from, when people turn suffering into a mission to help others.
We are in the strangest of times right now in this pandemic. There are a wide variety of reactions to it so far.
Some feel we are overreacting, some feel we are under reacting, some are working feverishly to help protect their patients and communities, some are seeking shelter in their home and quietly praying, and some are fortunate enough to simply enjoy the change of pace that’s been forced upon us. Many of us probably vacillate between all of these.
One thing we can all do right now is think about how to give our current reality and experience a purpose.
There will be a lot of stress and heartache to recover from for our entire planet when this pandemic is finally under control. Right now, before that moment comes, before we get the green light to leave home and we start rushing around trying to catch up and return to “normal,” let’s think about what we want that “normal” to look like, given what we have just experienced.
We have an opportunity here, as a planet, to hit the reset button.
We can all notice what it’s like to slow down, to come back to the collective rather than focus on ourselves, to have time with loved ones without watching the clock, to appreciate what we have and not be wasteful, to remember how we are all connected to each other and this planet in a way that can no longer be denied.
When I watch what is happening with this purpose in mind., I see people supporting each other, I see compassion again. I feel a reminder of how much people matter more than money, more than elections, more than our achievements or whatever else usually distracts us from life. We can see that none of us get anywhere on our own, we are in this life together. Maybe that’s the purpose behind this whole thing, or maybe it’s just the purpose I have given it.
What purpose will you give it? Write it down, hold on tight to it, so you can remind yourself when that rushing river of our culture tries to sweep you away again, that you have the power to choose the purpose of your life.
We have gotten a lot of information in this pandemic about who is physically vulnerable to this virus. We would like to also bring to your attention who is mentally vulnerable to these current conditions of social distancing, isolation, and fear. Let’s face it, we are all vulnerable right now in one way or another, […]
We have gotten a lot of information in this pandemic about who is physically vulnerable to this virus.
We would like to also bring to your attention who is mentally vulnerable to these current conditions of social distancing, isolation, and fear.
Let’s face it, we are all vulnerable right now in one way or another, whether it’s physically, emotionally, psychologically, financially, or all of the above.
It has been great to see communities pulling together to help keep families fed, educated, and connected while we are all doing our best to stay home.
However, being stuck at home for an unknown length of time under stressful circumstances can be quite problematic for a lot of people, especially those who already struggle emotionally, or perhaps do not have a safe home.
If you happen to know anyone that might fit these following conditions, please reach out to them or their families to offer support, connection, or helpful resources, including online counseling.
Here is a short list of just a few people you can consider reaching out to right now:
The best thing we can all do right now is stay connected, whether that’s on the phone, social media, or the many platforms available for video conferencing. It would be especially helpful to get some live face time with people. There are many platforms to help you with this including face time on your phones, Zoom, Google hangouts, Snap Chat, and more.
Online counseling is also an option if you feel you need some help, or you if you are isolated and don’t have anyone to visually connect with. It’s easier and best to establish a connection now, instead of waiting until you are struggling.
If you have any questions about online counseling, feel free to give us a call!
People are often surprised to find themselves having anxiety in the spring. It seems like this is when we should be feeling joy, energized, and the excitement of summer coming. However, for some of us, we experience that excitement as agitation, stress, and anxiety, and don’t know why. Spring can trigger some anxiety for a […]
People are often surprised to find themselves having anxiety in the spring. It seems like this is when we should be feeling joy, energized, and the excitement of summer coming. However, for some of us, we experience that excitement as agitation, stress, and anxiety, and don’t know why.
Spring can trigger some anxiety for a variety of reasons including the change of sunlight angles, circadian rhythms (sleep-wake cycles) getting off with the time change, allergens popping up, and the pressure for both kids and parents of school coming to an end soon.
Here are a few things you can start doing to help:
As you get transitioned into the new season, you’ll start to feel better. If you would like any help or think your anxiety is getting too intense, give us a call, we’re happy to help.