The Art of Doodling

Posted by: Priya Senroy on April 16, 2013 8:00 am

Hello readers…..call it hiatus, call it sabbatical or call or taking break….that was good but it is good to be back contributing again to the blogs…..

I wanted to share one of my recent fads or obsession-Doodling…..yes doodling—-I have got into trouble for doodling during staff meetings, during taking notes in the sessions ….but that’s what you get from people who do not understand that doodling is a serious business and for me….its visual land of remembering and recording….not to mention relieving stress and I have been advocating what I have been practicing—have introduced to my clients, to my children and it’s all about doodle journaling.

…… it seems that I am not the only one ‘crazy enough’ to have found the therapeutic benefits of doodling…. Oprah .com quotes from the April 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine: The old thinking: Scribbling circles on a notepad while your company’s chief inspiration officer drones on about synergy means you have trouble focusing or described as a rough drawing made absent-mindedly in Oxford Dictionary.

Well that was the old way, this is the new wisdom: Doodling can boost your mind’s ability to notice and remember mundane information by nearly 30 percent, according to research from the University of Plymouth. The theory is that the act of drawing makes use of visuospacial processes in the brain that might otherwise be used for daydreaming, thereby preventing your mind from wandering. Doodling is defined as a type of sketch or unfocused drawing made while a person’s attention is otherwise occupied. In the same way that dreams are said to offer us a glimpse into our unconscious, psychologists believe doodling can give us an insight into our deepest thoughts and feelings ( Lucas, S 2013) I am not saying that just because its Oprah it has to be a great technique-but it is an evidence based work in progress for me and I have found it to be amazing counseling tool .

Check out these websites if you want to know more about Doodles :

http://counsellingcentral.com/psychology-of-doodling/

http://www.createmixedmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Z2784_Journal_Doodling.pdf

http://pinterest.com/rachelross123/doodle-therapy/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Doodle-Therapy/226790217336762

http://counsellingcentral.com/psychology-of-doodling/

So next time you doodle, doodle with confidence and doodle to relieve stress

*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

East is East West is West…..

Posted by: Priya Senroy on April 16, 2013 2:00 am

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Rudyard Kipling wrote a poem called “The Ballad of East & West” whose initial line reads: “East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet.” Tis particular line resonates with me as I worked with a group of first generation South Asian Women in a ‘Who am I?” workshop. What struck with me was as if Kipling was that all of us are, to some extent at least, unable to adapt to the ways of others. He wrote this over a century ago, long before anyone became aware of the term multicultural and while we are trying to make Canada a multicultural mosaic-why do some of us including me can relates to our culture more than the Western culture? Why is it that even though being seen as an independent successful person in the Western Society, my genetic framework is steeped in the traditional Eastern Society? Why is it that no matter how much I try to blend the Mocha and the White—they always stand apart? Why is it that my patriarchal upbringing finds it hard to break out of its shackle—As a counsellor practicing in Toronto, coming from an eastern background, using western techniques, I often find that its best to leave the two cultures separate—Yes my Canadian born daughters are more mocha latte than just mocha but I am finding as I am aging that it’s okay to be traditional and try to live like it is back home in some ways….and equally so it is oaky to accept clients who are not comfortable living in multicultural environment-I think it boils down to respecting our differences yet celebrating them. So in my workshop, we all agreed to disagree and conclude that we are who we are….that some of us will be more east than west than others …. And that’s who I am ….And that is okay.

*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Forgiveness

Posted by: Asa Don Brown on April 15, 2013 3:36 pm

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“Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.”
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Forgiveness is good, forgiveness is necessary, forgiveness stimulates the positive perspectives of the mind. When we retain hate, anger, displeasure, or hostility towards another; we have allowed the negative to absorb into our mind, body, and spirit. It is forgiveness that empty’s the soul, mind, and the body of the filth that we carry.

Forgiveness allows the pathways of our minds to flow smoothly. We are blocking the pathways of nutrition, healthy, and happiness. Even if, we have the “right” to hold resentment towards another; any negative thought, deed, action or reaction only affects our person. When we hold contempt for another person, we are essentially continuing the harm that was done by another.

FORGIVENESS

“What we don’t recognize is that holding onto resentment is like holding onto your breath. You’ll soon start to suffocate.” Deepak Chopra

The importance of forgiveness is that it reminds us that we can feel better, be better, and achieve more. Forgiveness’s importance is unmistakable; real forgiveness can alter your perceptions and worldview. If your worldview and perceptions have been based on the negative, then forgiveness refocuses your mindset onto the positive perspectives of life.

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Facebook Envy

Posted by: Dawn Schell on April 15, 2013 3:30 pm

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A colleague recently had an ‘aha’ moment when listening to her client talk about Facebook. Her client had been struggling with low mood and nothing seemed to make a difference in shifting her thoughts and mood. The ‘aha’ came when she heard her client say things like ‘everyone seems to have a better life than I do’. When asked where this thought came from the reply was “Facebook”. After more discussion my colleague recommended her client take a Facebook sabbatical for a couple of weeks. It worked. The client’s mood elevated, their motivation and focus increased. When the client went back on Facebook they noticed a marked decrease in mood again. For this particular client social networking seemed to increase their sense of isolation, envy of the lives of others and the more the client read and looked at Facebook posts the worse they felt.

This conversation sparked me to find out what research is being done on social networking. While there are numerous studies on social networking and potential negative effects I want to focus on one of the most recent studies. “Envy on Facebook: A Hidden Threat to Users’ Life Satisfaction?” [1] was a joint research study conducted by Berlin’s Humboldt University and the Darmstadt’s Technical University, led by Dr. Hanna Krasnova.

The authors of this report shared past research that “linked consumption of social information on FB to such undesirable outcomes as jealousy, increase in social tension, social overload, isolation and even depression”. What their research focused on was examining some of the underlying dynamics, in particular the role that envy plays in these negative outcomes.

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Introduction of Hospice and Palliative Care

Posted by: Hailing Huang on April 5, 2013 3:54 pm

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What is Hospice and Palliative Care

Now a day’s more and more people are becoming more familiar with the term Hospice and Palliative Care. Hospice and Palliative care address end of life issues by focusing on the palliation of a terminally ill patient’s symptoms. The symptoms can be physical, emotional, spiritual or social in nature. Compared with the conventional medical system, the distinguishing character of hospice and palliative care is its patient-centered care instead of provider – centered care. This patient- directed care is integral and interwoven throughout the provided care and this philosophy is also reflected on its Medicare regulations. In Canada, Hospice and Palliative Care is the nationally accepted term to describe care aimed at relieving suffering and improving quality of life.

The modern Hospice Palliative care movement traces back to the 1960’s. Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement, opened the first Hospice in United Kingdom. This initiated an alternative approach to the solely cure orientated and impersonal approach of standard health care. During the last few decades there has been a growing realization that quality of life criteria should be defined by the person with the illness. This is as important a goal as prolonging life for its own sake. The philosophies of hospice care were introduced and implemented in Canada in the 1970s: in 1975 the first hospital based palliative care units were opened in both Montreal and Winnipeg.

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

More Things that Go Bump in the Works

Posted by: John Stewart on March 25, 2013 1:07 pm

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In our last blog, Jeff and I considered the sources of oversight that may lead to a phenomenon known as reality shock. Reality shock occurs when an individual, who has successfully completed the requirements for entry into an occupation, experiences a high degree of dissatisfaction upon working within that occupation. We outlined three sources of oversight that could lead to making an occupational decision, which initially looked like a good person-environment fit, but when tested with the reality of performing the actual job, lead to an experience of job dissatisfaction and leaving the occupation to look for another.

The first source of oversight may come from within the individual. In North American society, most individuals make tentative occupational decisions upon leaving high school. Additionally, the preparation for entry into occupations require several or more years of education before entry. This time gap between choice and entry takes place during a significant period of developmental growth from adolescence to adulthood. This growth typically brings new information that ideally should be used in the decision-making. Often after making the occupational decision, individuals do not go back to reassess that decision. We think that individuals in long periods of preparation would do well to re-assess their long-term plans frequently to determine if the recent experiences during the period are in line with the long term objective.

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Toxic Relationships

Posted by: Asa Don Brown on March 25, 2013 1:04 pm

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A toxic relationship is any relationship that is unfavorable to you or others. The foundations of any relationship, healthy or not, are most commonly established upon mutual admiration and respect, but can in time become remarkably unhealthy. It is the poisonous atmosphere of the relationship that distinguishes a merely bad or troublesome relationship from a toxic relationship. Toxic relationships are interfering with those involved from living a productive and healthy life.

Toxic relationships can be caused by two polar opposite personality types. The toxicity is caused by the incompatibility of the persons involved in the relationship. In some cases, there is no one necessarily to blame for the toxicity, rather the toxicity is caused by the inability to commune and establish healthy boundaries, conversations, and communication.

Not all toxic relationships are caused by two unhealthy people. It does not always take two to tango. In some cases, unhealthy individuals target and prey upon others for their own personal needs and gratification. It is a slanted desire for a relationship. The individual who is preying is seeking to emotionally and psychologically dehydrate others, removing whatever is possible for their own greedy benefits. Such individuals have a manipulative style, and will frequently triangulate and maneuver their way into any relationship that they perceive as beneficial.

People who are toxic are rarely aware of their own toxicity. Toxic personalities have an unawareness of their own personality type. They are too self-absorbed and preoccupied with their own emotions, interests, needs, and goals to be aware of the needs, goals, interests and emotions of others.

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Hey Buddy – A New App.

Posted by: Dawn Schell on March 25, 2013 12:52 pm

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Here’s a cool use of technology! The Buddy App[1] designed by Sidekick Studios in the UK. It’s not like other apps I have talked about. This app is designed to be used by and with therapists (to use their language). “It is a digital tool to support therapy services. Clients use text messaging to keep a daily diary of what they are doing and how they are feeling, helping to spot and reinforce positive behaviours.”

Currently, the Buddy App is being used by some of the National Health Service locations in the UK as well as other service providers.

Here’s what I understand about how it works.

The therapist, with the client’s consent, sets up the Buddy App system with the client’s cell phone number and appointment date. Simple!

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Emerging Field of Psychotraumatology in Canada

Posted by: Linda AK Thompson on March 15, 2013 10:00 am

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Working With The Themes of Grief

During my Master’s program, I came across a research project completed by Susan Carter (1989), entitled “The Themes of Grief.” Utilizing content and thematic analysis, Carter identified nine (9) core themes inherent in the narratives of her study population of grievers: Being Stopped, Hurting, Missing, Holding, Seeking, Change, Expectations, Inexpressible and Content.

Clients presenting with the phenomena of grief seek support and a way to come to terms, work through – process and reconcile oneself with the traumatic lifetime events/losses they have endured. In 1993, I revisited Carter’s study and theory of ‘The Themes of Grief’ and created a grief assessment instrument utilizing the core themes and their content referred to as TOG (MOT – 1995). I also prepared a poem as a handout for use with grievers to introduce them to Carter’s concept of the themes of grief.

The goal was twofold: to generate an objective measurement of the client’s presenting bereavement response according to the depth of content noted within each theme. This tool and the scores represent my meager attempt to reflect the depth of a grievers experience concerning the vast phenomena of grief endured at a particular moment in time. Subjectively, clients state that working with the themes of grief is beneficial towards facilitating, understanding and reconciling themselves with the loss at hand.

I continue to use TOG as a research grief assessment tool (MOT, 1995) in my practice and would like to share the poem, Healing + Recovery (1993) utilized with grievers to introduce Carter’s nine themes of grief as identified below in italic, bold print:

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Enjoying Online Counselling

Posted by: Dawn Schell on March 13, 2013 10:38 am

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I have been doing online counselling since September 2006. That’s six years and six months [but who’s counting?]. Amongst other questions, I often get asked, “what do you enjoy about doing counselling this way?”

Well, there’s a lot I enjoy about it. Where do I start?

Flexibility- I love that my schedule can be flexible. Online counselling isn’t the only thing I do for a living so it’s nice to be able to schedule my online sessions around my other contracts. I don’t always have to be at my desk either. Nor do I have to dress up.

Disinhibition Effect – Clients tend to tell me way more about themselves more quickly in an online environment than they do in-person. There are moments when I want to say, “Whoa…how did we get here so fast?”. I have found this can be used to the client’s advantage. Deeper work can happen more quickly.

Writing – I enjoy writing and I believe that my writing in general has improved as a result of doing this work. Every time I write a session I learn more about how to use writing to effectively communicate ideas, empathy, non-judgement and describe abstract mental health concepts. I also learn from my clients about the power of words to heal.

Best part of all? Meeting and working with such fabulous clients from various professions and backgrounds all across the country. Given where I live I would not have had the opportunity to work with such an amazingly diverse clientele in-person. I have learned about life in large urban centres, small towns, and remote locations. I have learned about the pressures and stresses in large corporations and small companies. I can’t name the types of organizations but the diversity there has been fascinating. I have “listened” to people tell their stories – each one unique and inspiring.

My clients have taught me a lot [thinking all counsellors have this experience] and it’s been a privilege to walk with them for a while on their journeys [virtually speaking].

Dawn Schell, MA, CCC, CCDP is an affiliate counsellor with Worldwide Therapy Online, Inc. http://www.therapyonline.ca

*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA