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January invites reflection. In 2026, whether you’re a clinician supporting others or a client investing in your own healing, one truth remains constant: change is inevitable—but growth is intentional. The way we engage with change shapes outcomes more than the change itself. While mental health frameworks, technologies, and conversations continue to evolve, the core of healing remains deeply human—rooted in connection, meaning, and courage. The Bigger Picture: A Need That’s Real, and Hopeful Mental health challenges are widespread, yet the story does not end there. Globally, over 1 billion people live with a mental health condition. In the United States, nearly 1 in 4 adults experienced a mental health concern in the past year. At the same time, recent data shows improvements in youth mental health, including reductions in major depressive episodes and suicidal ideation. These numbers tell a dual story: the need is significant, and progress is possible. For Clinicians: Where Science Meets Presence We practice at the intersection of evidence and empathy. Recent trends show that more than half of adults with mental health conditions are now receiving treatment, and nearly 70% of individuals with serious mental illness are accessing care. Additionally, close to nine out of ten people who engage in therapy report meaningful improvements in their lives. What this reinforces in 2026: Evidence-based modalities matter, but how they are delivered matters just as much. Emotional safety is not optional; it is foundational. Small, often quiet gains are still powerful indicators of change. Progress does not always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like a client naming an emotion more clearly, setting a boundary, or returning after a difficult week. These moments count. For Clients: Your Healing Is Not a Performance If you are in therapy, or considering it, these truths are worth holding onto this year: You are not behind. Healing has no universal timeline. Your voice matters. Therapy works best when your values and lived experience shape the process. Progress is rarely linear. Growth often includes pauses, detours, and revisiting old ground with new insight. Therapy is not about becoming a different person. It is about becoming more fully yourself. The data supports this: the vast majority of people who engage in counseling report improvements in confidence, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. A Shared Journey Forward Clinicians and clients are not on opposite sides of the work, we are collaborators in a shared human process. Hope in 2026 is not blind optimism. It is grounded in effort, connection, and skill-building. It shows up in sessions that feel hard but honest, in moments of insight that arrive quietly, and in the courage to keep showing up. As this year unfolds, may healing feel attainable, growth feel sustainable, and change feel less overwhelming. One intentional step at a time. Geries Shaheen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor operating in and around St. Louis Missouri. Geries holds his MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University, BA in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University, and holds a certificate in Life Coaching, Geries provides life coaching services to clients online globally. Geries is EMDR trained and DBT Certified, practicing from a TIC lens.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan in the 1980s to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). DBT combines cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness and emphasizes acceptance and validation of intense emotions. It involves weekly individual and group therapy sessions, where individuals learn specific skills related to mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT has since been adapted to treat a range of mental health conditions and is recognized as an evidence-based treatment. DBT has been proven effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder, substance abuse, and eating disorders. One of the key components of DBT is the use of specific protocols to address common issues that clients may experience. One of these protocols is the DBT Nightmare Protocol, which is designed to help individuals who are experiencing recurring nightmares. Nightmares are a common experience for many people, and they can be particularly distressing for individuals who have experienced trauma. In fact, nightmares are a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and they can be a significant barrier to healing for individuals who are struggling with this condition. The DBT Nightmare Protocol was developed to help these individuals manage their nightmares and reduce their overall distress. The DBT Nightmare Protocol is a 10-week protocol that is designed to help individuals learn to manage their nightmares through a combination of behavioral strategies and cognitive techniques. The protocol is typically conducted in a group setting, although it can also be done on an individual basis. The following is an overview of the different components of the DBT Nightmare Protocol. Week 1: Psychoeducation The first week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol is dedicated to psychoeducation. During this week, the therapist will provide information about nightmares and the impact they can have on mental health. Clients will also learn about the common triggers for nightmares and the different ways in which nightmares can be managed. Week 2: Sleep Hygiene During the second week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about sleep hygiene. This includes information about the importance of getting enough sleep, as well as strategies for improving sleep quality. Clients will also learn about the relationship between sleep and nightmares, and they will be provided with specific strategies for reducing the frequency and intensity of their nightmares. Week 3: Imagery Rehearsal Therapy Imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) is a technique that is commonly used to treat nightmares. During the third week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about IRT and how it can be used to reduce the frequency and intensity of nightmares. Clients will also have the opportunity to practice IRT techniques with the guidance of their therapist. In IRT, your therapist first provides you with background information on sleep and nightmares to "set the scene" for learning to manage them. Then, working with your therapist, you create detailed, nonfrightening endings for nightmares you've had repeatedly. Write down and rehearse the nightmares with the new endings. Learn how to monitor your nightmares so you know how well your IRT treatment is working. The goal is to "reprogram" your nightmares to be less terrifying if and when they occur again. Week 4: Mindfulness Mindfulness is a key component of DBT, and it can be particularly helpful for individuals who are experiencing nightmares. During the fourth week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about mindfulness and how it can be used to manage anxiety and other symptoms associated with nightmares. Week 5: Progressive Muscle Relaxation Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a relaxation technique that involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body. This technique can be particularly helpful for individuals who are experiencing nightmares. During the fifth week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about PMR and how it can be used to reduce the intensity of nightmares. Week 6: Cognitive Restructuring Cognitive restructuring is a technique that is used to challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs. During the sixth week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about cognitive restructuring and how it can be used to challenge negative beliefs and thoughts that contribute to nightmares. People sometimes experience distorted thinking. Thought patterns that create an unhealthy perspective of reality. Cognitive distortions often lead to depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and self-defeating behaviors. Examples of cognitive distortions include: black-and-white thinking catastrophizing overgeneralizing personalizing Cognitive restructuring allows you to notice these maladaptive thoughts as they’re occurring. And then practice reframing these thoughts in more accurate ways. During this step, you will question your assumptions, gather evidence by self-monitoring on a daily basis, and perform cost-benefit various analyses. If you can change how you look at certain events or circumstances, your feelings and the actions you take may also change. Week 7: Graded Exposure Graded exposure is a technique that involves gradually exposing oneself to a feared situation or object. During the seventh week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about graded exposure and how it can be used to reduce the fear associated with nightmares. Week 8: Relaxation Training Relaxation training is a technique that involves teaching individuals to relax their bodies and minds. During the eighth week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about relaxation training and how it can be used to reduce anxiety and other symptoms associated with nightmares. Clients will also have the opportunity to practice relaxation techniques with the guidance of their therapist. Week 9: Self-Compassion Self-compassion is an important component of DBT, and it can be particularly helpful for individuals who have experienced trauma. During the ninth week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol, clients will learn about self-compassion and how it can be used to reduce self-criticism and self-blame associated with nightmares. Week 10: Relapse Prevention The final week of the DBT Nightmare Protocol is focused on relapse prevention. During this week, clients will learn about the different strategies they can use to maintain the progress they have made in managing their nightmares. They will also be encouraged to develop a plan for how they will continue to manage their nightmares after the end of the protocol. The DBT Nightmare Protocol is a comprehensive and effective approach to managing nightmares. By incorporating a range of behavioral and cognitive strategies, clients are able to learn the skills they need to reduce the frequency and intensity of their nightmares. If you are experiencing nightmares, it may be helpful to speak with a mental health professional who is trained in DBT to see if the DBT Nightmare Protocol is right for you. Unsure about adapting DBT into your framework? -A randomized controlled trial of DBT for suicidal and self-injuring individuals with BPD found that DBT was more effective than treatment as usual in reducing suicidal and self-injurious behaviors (Linehan et al., 2006). -A meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials of DBT for individuals with BPD found that DBT was effective in reducing suicidal and self-injurious behaviors, as well as other symptoms of BPD, such as depression and anxiety (Kliem et al., 2010). -A randomized controlled trial of DBT for individuals with binge eating disorder found that DBT was more effective than treatment as usual in reducing binge eating and improving eating disorder-related attitudes and behaviors (Safer et al., 2010). -A review of 17 studies of DBT for individuals with substance use disorders found that DBT was effective in reducing substance use and improving overall functioning (Linehan et al., 2002). Overall, research suggests that DBT is an effective treatment for a range of mental health conditions, including BPD, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is worth noting that the effectiveness of DBT can vary depending on individual factors, such as the severity of symptoms and the level of treatment adherence. Perhaps you are a private practice in the mental health industry, or maybe a large agency trying to get your clinicians on the same page regarding Trauma Informed Care. Consider the Pioneer Counseling Trauma Informed Care Psychotherapy Tx Planner. It really is more than a tx planner, it is a guide and a point of reference. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQ9FWFMT?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_0MKBDBQ5PRD8G8NBEJ0B No alt text provided for this image Geries Shaheen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor operating in and around St. Louis Missouri. Geries holds his MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University, BA in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University, and holds a certificate in Life Coaching, Geries provides life coaching services to clients online globally. Geries is EMDR trained and DBT Certified, practicing from a Trauma Informed Care lens.e body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development is a widely accepted and highly regarded framework for understanding human development from infancy to old age. Erikson believed that individuals go through eight distinct stages of development, each with its unique set of psychosocial challenges and opportunities. In this article, we will explore each of Erikson's stages of psychosocial development and discuss ways to utilize this model in mental health counseling sessions. Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (Birth to 18 Months) The first stage of psychosocial development occurs from birth to 18 months. At this stage, infants learn to trust or mistrust their environment and caregivers based on how their needs are met. If their needs are consistently met with warmth, comfort, and care, they develop a sense of trust in the world. Conversely, if their needs are neglected or met inconsistently, they may develop a sense of mistrust. Counseling Application: In therapy, it's essential to establish a safe and nurturing environment to build trust with clients. As a therapist, it's crucial to show warmth, empathy, and non-judgmental support. By providing a safe and caring environment, clients can begin to build trust and feel comfortable opening up. Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (18 Months to 3 Years) During this stage, toddlers begin to develop a sense of autonomy and independence. They want to do things on their own and assert their independence. If caregivers encourage this behavior, toddlers develop a sense of autonomy. Conversely, if caregivers are overly restrictive or critical, toddlers may develop shame and doubt about their abilities. Counseling Application: In therapy, it's crucial to acknowledge clients' need for autonomy and independence. Encourage clients to make their own decisions and take charge of their lives. Help them explore their strengths and abilities and provide positive reinforcement to build their confidence. Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (3 to 6 Years) During this stage, children begin to explore their world and develop a sense of initiative. They want to try new things and take on new challenges. If caregivers support and encourage this behavior, children develop a sense of initiative. Conversely, if caregivers are overly critical or dismissive, children may develop a sense of guilt. Counseling Application: In therapy, it's crucial to help clients explore new possibilities and take on new challenges. Encourage them to set goals and work towards achieving them. Help them develop a sense of accomplishment and pride in their achievements. Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (6 to 12 Years) During this stage, children begin to develop a sense of industry and competence. They want to learn new skills and take on more significant challenges. If caregivers support and encourage this behavior, children develop a sense of industry. Conversely, if caregivers are overly critical or dismissive, children may develop a sense of inferiority. Counseling Application: In therapy, it's crucial to help clients develop a sense of competence and achievement. Encourage them to explore new skills and interests, and provide positive reinforcement for their efforts. Help them develop a sense of pride and accomplishment in their achievements. Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (12 to 18 Years) During this stage, adolescents begin to explore their identity and establish a sense of self. They try on different roles and experiment with different behaviors to discover who they are. If caregivers support and encourage this behavior, adolescents develop a sense of identity. Conversely, if caregivers are overly critical or dismissive, adolescents may experience role confusion and a lack of direction. Counseling Application: In therapy, it's crucial to help clients explore their identity and develop a sense of self. Encourage them to explore their interests and passions, and help them identify their values and beliefs. Assist them in developing a sense of direction and purpose in life. Validate their experiences and provide a supportive environment for them to express themselves. Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (18 to 40 Years) During this stage, young adults begin to establish intimate relationships with others. They seek emotional and physical connections with others and form lasting bonds. If young adults are successful in developing these relationships, they experience intimacy. If they fail to establish these connections, they may feel isolated and alone. Counseling Application: In therapy, it's crucial to help clients develop healthy and meaningful relationships with others. Provide support and guidance in navigating the challenges of intimate relationships. Encourage clients to communicate effectively, set boundaries, and practice self-care. Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (40 to 65 Years) During this stage, middle-aged adults begin to focus on their contribution to society and the next generation. They seek to make a positive impact on the world and leave a lasting legacy. If they are successful in these endeavors, they experience generativity. If they fail to make a meaningful contribution, they may feel a sense of stagnation. Counseling Application: In therapy, it's crucial to help clients explore their values, passions, and goals. Encourage them to find ways to make a positive impact on their community and the world. Assist them in developing a sense of purpose and fulfillment in their lives. Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (65 Years and Older) During this stage, older adults reflect on their lives and seek to find meaning and purpose in their experiences. They may experience a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment if they have lived a meaningful life. Alternatively, they may experience despair if they feel that their life has been wasted. Counseling Application: In therapy, it's crucial to help clients reflect on their lives and find meaning and purpose in their experiences. Encourage them to focus on their strengths and accomplishments and find ways to continue to make a positive impact on the world. Provide support and guidance in navigating the challenges of aging and help them find ways to maintain their independence and quality of life. Erikson's theory of psychosocial development provides a comprehensive framework for understanding human development across the lifespan. By understanding the challenges and opportunities of each stage, mental health therapists can provide tailored interventions to support clients' growth and development. Utilizing this model in therapy sessions can help clients develop a sense of self-awareness, purpose, and fulfillment in their lives. Erikson's theory proposes that at each stage of life, individuals face a specific psychosocial crisis that must be resolved in order to progress to the next stage. When individuals successfully resolve the crisis, they develop a specific virtue or strength that enables them to navigate future challenges. Here are the virtues attained from each stage: Trust vs. Mistrust (Birth to 18 months) - The virtue of hope: If infants receive consistent and responsive care from their caregivers, they develop a sense of trust in the world around them. This trust allows them to feel hopeful and optimistic about the future. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (18 months to 3 years) - The virtue of will : If toddlers are encouraged to explore their environment and make choices for themselves, they develop a sense of autonomy and independence. This allows them to develop a strong sense of will and self-control. Initiative vs. Guilt (3 to 6 years) - The virtue of purpose : If young children are encouraged to take initiative and explore their environment, they develop a sense of purpose and direction in life. This allows them to feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in their achievements. Industry vs. Inferiority (6 to 12 years) - The virtue of competence : If children are encouraged to master new skills and succeed in academic and social endeavors, they develop a sense of competence and confidence. This allows them to feel capable and successful in future endeavors. Identity vs. Role Confusion (12 to 18 years) - The virtue of fidelity: If adolescents successfully navigate the challenge of developing a sense of identity, they develop a sense of fidelity or loyalty to themselves and others. This allows them to develop a clear sense of values and beliefs that guide their decision-making in adulthood. Intimacy vs. Isolation (18 to 40 years) - The virtue of love : If young adults are successful in developing meaningful and intimate relationships with others, they develop a sense of love and connection. This allows them to form lasting bonds with others and experience deep emotional fulfillment. Generativity vs. Stagnation (40 to 65 years) - The virtue of care : If middle-aged adults are successful in making a positive contribution to society and the next generation, they develop a sense of care and concern for others. This allows them to feel fulfilled and satisfied with their accomplishments. Integrity vs. Despair (65 years and older) - The virtue of wisdom : If older adults reflect on their lives and find meaning and purpose in their experiences, they develop a sense of wisdom and acceptance. This allows them to feel at peace with their life's journey and to share their insights with future generations. By developing these virtues, individuals are better equipped to navigate the challenges of life and to find fulfillment and purpose in their experiences. Mental health therapists can help clients develop these virtues by providing guidance and support as they navigate each stage of development. Regression is a common phenomenon that occurs when individuals revert to earlier patterns of behavior or thought in response to stress, anxiety, or other challenges. When individuals regress, they may exhibit symptoms that are typical of earlier stages of development, even if they have already progressed through those stages. Here are some common symptoms related to regression: Withdrawal : Individuals who regress may withdraw from social situations, become isolated, and avoid social interactions. Tantrums : Regression may manifest as temper tantrums or outbursts of emotion that are typical of earlier developmental stages. Sleep disturbances : Regression may cause sleep disturbances, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, nightmares, or night terrors. Regression in daily habits : Clients may stop doing things they were previously able to do, such as brushing their teeth, taking showers or dressing themselves. Regression in communication: Clients may use baby talk or simple language or lose their vocabulary altogether. Anxiety : Regression can cause anxiety or fear related to a particular situation or object, such as separation anxiety or fear of the dark. Helplessness : Clients may feel helpless and dependent, expecting others to do everything for them. For example, a client who is struggling with intimacy in their relationships may regress to stage 5 (Identity vs. Role Confusion) and struggle with developing a sense of self. This can prevent them from successfully navigating stage 6 (Intimacy vs. Isolation) and developing meaningful connections with others. If left unresolved, the client may continue to struggle with intimacy and become stuck in earlier stages of development. I n post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), regression is often seen as a way for the client to cope with the traumatic experience. A study found that 53% of patients with PTSD experienced symptoms of regression, such as avoidance or withdrawal. Similarly, a study on depression found that 42% of patients exhibited regressive behavior, such as clinging to others or exhibiting temper tantrums. In borderline personality disorder, regression is seen as a maladaptive coping mechanism that can lead to impulsive or self-destructive behaviors. I t's important for mental health therapists to be aware of these common symptoms related to regression and to help clients overcome them in therapy. By addressing regression, therapists can help clients progress through each stage of development and develop the virtues associated with each stage, leading to greater personal growth and fulfillment. It's essential for therapists to recognize when clients are regressing and provide support and guidance to help them move forward. Here are some ways therapists can help clients overcome regression: Validate the Client's Experience: It's important for therapists to acknowledge and validate the client's feelings and experiences. This can help build trust and provide a safe space for the client to express themselves. 2. Help Clients Identify Triggers: Identifying triggers that cause clients to regress can help them anticipate and prepare for potential setbacks. This can help clients develop coping mechanisms and prevent them from becoming stuck in earlier stages. 3. Encourage Clients to Practice Self-Care: Encouraging clients to practice self-care can help them manage stress and anxiety that can lead to regression. This can include activities such as exercise, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques. 4. Provide Tools for Growth: Providing clients with tools and techniques to manage stress and anxiety can help them progress through each stage of development. This can include cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and other evidence-based interventions. By addressing regression in therapy, therapists can help clients overcome obstacles and progress through each stage of development, developing the virtues associated with each stage. This can help clients live a more fulfilling and purposeful life, and achieve a sense of self-awareness and personal growth. Perhaps you are a private practice in the mental health industry, or maybe a large agency trying to get your clinicians on the same page regarding Trauma Informed Care. Consider the Pioneer Counseling Trauma Informed Care Psychotherapy Tx Planner. It really is more than a tx planner, it is a guide and a point of reference. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQ9FWFMT?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_0MKBDBQ5PRD8G8NBEJ0B Geries Shaheen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor operating in and around St. Louis Missouri. Geries holds his MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University, BA in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University, and holds a certificate in Life Coaching, Geries provides life coaching services to clients online globally. Geries is EMDR trained and DBT Certified, practicing from a TIC lens.The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, with a rate of 14.0 suicides per 100,000 people in 2020. Suicide rates have been increasing in recent years: The CDC reports that suicide rates in the United States have been increasing since 1999, with the highest rate recorded in 2020. Access to mental health services is a key factor in preventing suicide: Studies have shown that access to mental health services can play a critical role in preventing suicide. However, only about half of individuals in the United States with a mental illness receive treatment, which can lead to a higher risk of suicide. Improving access to mental health services, especially for those at high risk of suicide, is a key factor in reducing the rate of suicide. This past year, I have had the opportunity to receive extensive training in the Zero Suicide Model, as well as join a Zero Suicide Collaborative! Yes, these exist! The Zero Suicide Model is a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention in healthcare organizations. It is based on the idea that suicide deaths for individuals under the care of health systems are preventable, and it aims to reduce the number of suicide deaths through a combination of clinical, organizational, and cultural changes. The Zero Suicide Institute is a non-profit organization that provides training, resources, and technical assistance to healthcare organizations to implement the Zero Suicide Model. This Model is an evidence-based approach that has been shown to reduce suicide deaths in health systems. It consists of seven key components: leadership commitment, clinical best practices, a suicide care management team, data-driven quality improvement, suicide risk assessment, and safety planning, employee training and cultural competence, and ongoing evaluation and improvement. Leadership commitment is essential to the success of the Zero Suicide Model. The organization's leadership must make a public commitment to the prevention of suicide deaths and create an infrastructure to support the implementation of the model. This includes ensuring that the resources and support are in place for the staff to implement the model effectively. Clinical best practices are an important component of the Zero Suicide Model. This includes evidence-based assessments, risk stratification, and evidence-based treatments for those at risk of suicide. It is essential for healthcare organizations to provide their staff with the training and resources they need to effectively assess and treat individuals at risk of suicide. The Zero Suicide Model also includes a suicide care management team, which is responsible for ensuring that all patients at risk of suicide receive appropriate care. This team should include individuals from various departments, such as psychiatry, nursing, social work, and primary care. The team should also have the resources and support they need to effectively coordinate care for patients at risk of suicide. Data-driven quality improvement is a crucial component of the Zero Suicide Model. This involves regularly collecting and analyzing data to monitor the effectiveness of the model and identify areas for improvement. The data should be used to inform clinical decision-making and guide the development of new best practices for suicide prevention. Suicide risk assessment and safety planning are critical components of the Zero Suicide Model. All patients at risk of suicide should receive a comprehensive assessment to determine their level of risk and develop a safety plan to reduce that risk. This safety plan should include information on warning signs, coping strategies, and the steps to take in the event of a crisis. Employee training and cultural competence are also important components of the Zero Suicide Model. All staff, including those who may not work directly with patients, should receive training on suicide prevention and risk assessment. This training should help staff understand the warning signs of suicide, how to respond to a crisis, and how to provide appropriate referrals for those at risk of suicide. Finally, ongoing evaluation and improvement are essential to the success of the Zero Suicide Model. Regular evaluations should be conducted to monitor the effectiveness of the model and identify areas for improvement. This feedback should be used to make ongoing improvements to the model, to ensure that it remains effective in reducing the number of suicide deaths. Consider these action steps in confronting suicide prevention in your agency or practice: 1) Integrative in-depth charting that showcases the golden thread regarding suicide prevention. A data-driven system that showcases comparative charts. How many clients indicated having suicidal hx, or suicidal ideation? Of these, how many received a safety plan? Of those, how many clients indicated utilizing said safety plan? Collectively, how many were assessed within sessions at each session for suicidality? This data-driven approach will help bring to light any gaps that may exist systematically. 2) Consider surveying your agency annually and upon hire. How many of your workforce know how to respond if another staff, a stakeholder, or a client presents signs of suicidality? For a long time, suicidality has been seen as a personal concept not to be discussed. This Model suggests the opposite. Suicide is a community disruptor, and thus it is everyone’s responsibility. You may be surprised at your findings. Connecting training completion numbers will also give you a sense of security knowing your agency is on the same page regarding suicide prevention. 3) Incident Reporting monitoring for charting EMS and Hospitalizations. Indicating how many are related directly to suicidality. 4) Collaboration with staff/ teams in developing effective/evidence-based responses to suicidality. These are to be constructed as action steps within the incident reports themselves. Mitigation both from a formal lens, and a 1x1 approach. 5) Incorporating accessibility to mental health services (even if they are not through you or your agency) after hours 24/7. Accessible care does not always mean it must be territorial care- you can not be all things to all people all of the time. Consider a variety of tools/ hotlines/ apps/ community centers/ private practices as means to equip the client. In the most recent Zero Suicide Collaborative meeting, we discussed IFS- internal family systems, as well as the development/ implementation of Peer-Led Suicide Prevention groups. Derek Vaughn from the Gibson center in Cape Girardeau Missouri reflected on their groups called the 988 group. We viewed resources like the following: https://drexel.edu/familyintervention/abft-training-program/abft-training/Self%20Paced%20Course/ https://didihirsch.org/download-best-practices-manuals-toolkits/ We even had a rep from the Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH)/ Casey Muckler, showcase a new magazine type resources rolling out to schools! See below  https://www.flipsnack.com/pathtomysuccessprograms/988_guide-for-schools/full-view.html In conclusion, the Zero Suicide Model is a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention that has been shown to be effective in reducing the number of suicide deaths in health systems. The Zero Suicide Institute provides training, resources, and technical assistance to healthcare organizations to implement the model effectively. By implementing the Zero Suicide Model, healthcare organizations can play a critical role in preventing suicide deaths and improving the lives of individuals at risk of suicide. Geries Shaheen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor operating in and around St. Louis Missouri. Geries holds his MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University, BA in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University, and holds a certificate in Life Coaching, Geries provides life coaching services to clients online globally. Geries is EMDR trained and DBT Certified, practicing from a TIC lens.The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

As a licensed professional counselor, I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients who have presented with a variety of difficulties. While each person's experience is unique, there are certain difficulties that are commonly encountered in counseling. In this blog post, I will discuss some of the most common difficulties clients face and provide strategies for addressing them, including statistics that support the prevalence of these difficulties. 1. Difficulty in building trust and rapport with the therapist: Building a therapeutic relationship is the foundation of effective counseling, yet some clients may struggle to trust the therapist or feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. This can be especially true for those who have had negative experiences in therapy in the past, or those who have difficulty trusting others in general. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, about 15% of clients drop out of therapy within the first three sessions, with lack of trust in the therapist being one of the primary reasons cited. To address this, therapists can work to create a safe and non-judgmental space for clients, actively listen and validate their experiences, and clearly communicate the therapeutic process and boundaries. 2. Difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions: Many clients may struggle to understand and communicate their emotions, which can make it difficult to process and make sense of their experiences. According to a study published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology, emotional expressiveness is positively related to better therapeutic outcomes. To address this, therapists can help clients develop an emotional vocabulary and provide strategies for identifying and expressing emotions in a healthy way. 3. Difficulty in setting and achieving goals: Setting and achieving goals can be challenging for clients who may feel overwhelmed or lack motivation. According to a study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, goal-setting is positively related to better therapeutic outcomes. To address this, therapists can work with clients to set realistic and achievable goals and provide tools and strategies for overcoming obstacles and staying on track. 4. Difficulty in managing stress and anxiety: Stress and anxiety can be overwhelming for many clients, and can make it difficult for them to function in their daily lives. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States, affecting 40 million adults in the U.S age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year. To address this, therapists can teach clients coping strategies such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and cognitive-behavioral therapy to help them manage these feelings in a healthy way. 5. Difficulty in overcoming past traumas: Past traumas can have a significant impact on a person's present and future, and can lead to a variety of difficulties such as anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. According to the National Center for PTSD, about 8% of the U.S population will have PTSD at some point in their lives. To address this, therapists can use a variety of evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR, and other trauma-focused therapies to help clients process and heal from their experiences. While these are some of the most common difficulties clients face in counseling, it is important to note that each person's experience is unique and may require a tailored approach. As a licensed professional counselor, I work collaboratively with clients to identify their specific needs and develop an individualized plan to address them. With the right support and strategies, clients can make meaningful progress in their journey toward healing and growth. As with any field, you might be new to, there are helpful reads you can pick up! Guides, books, workbooks! Read through the below list for 5 helpful book resources as you enter the counseling field! "The Counseling Practicum and Internship Manual: A Resource for Graduate Counseling Students" by Shannon Hodges. This is a comprehensive guide for graduate counseling students and new counselors, providing practical information and strategies for successfully navigating the counseling practicum and internship experience. It covers topics such as developing therapeutic relationships, understanding the counseling process, and addressing ethical and legal issues. "The Handbook of Clinical Techniques in Child and Adolescent Therapy" edited by Thomas Ollendick and Michel Hersen. This book is a comprehensive resource for counselors working with children and adolescents, providing a wide range of evidence-based techniques and strategies for addressing common mental health issues. It covers topics such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems, and includes chapters on specific populations such as children with autism and those who have experienced trauma. "The Skilled Helper" by Gerard Egan. This classic text provides a comprehensive overview of the counseling process, including the skills and strategies needed to be an effective counselor. It covers topics such as building rapport, active listening, and goal-setting, and provides practical examples and exercises for developing these skills. "Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Basics and Beyond" by Judith Beck. This book is a comprehensive guide to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most widely used and evidence-based therapies in counseling. It covers the basics of CBT and provides strategies for addressing a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. "Introduction to Addictions and Substance Abuse Counseling" by David Capuzzi and Mark D. Stauffer. This book is a comprehensive introduction to the field of addictions and substance abuse counseling. It covers the basics of substance abuse, the impact of addiction on individuals and families, and the most effective treatment strategies for addressing addiction. It also includes information about the ethical and legal issues involved in the field. These books can provide a solid foundation of knowledge and practical techniques for licensed professional counselors starting new in the field, helping them navigate the counseling process effectively. It is important to stay up to date with new research and developments in the field. Additionally, it is also important to seek out supervision and mentorship from experienced counselors to gain additional guidance and support. Perhaps you are a private practice in the mental health industry, or maybe a large agency trying to get your clinicians on the same page regarding Trauma Informed Care. Consider the Pioneer Counseling Trauma Informed Care Psychotherapy Tx Planner. It really is more than a tx planner, it is a guide and a point of reference.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQ9FWFMT?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_0MKBDBQ5PRD8G8NBEJ0B Geries Shaheen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor operating in and around St. Louis Missouri. Geries holds his MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University, BA in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University, and holds a certificate in Life Coaching, Geries provides life coaching services to clients online globally. Geries is EMDR trained and DBT Certified, practicing from a TIC lens.The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

If you have been in the mental health field at all, you have probably picked up on the fact that therapy and counseling are personal. Thus trauma is personal. Throughout our field, we learn to celebrate small wins along the way. • Approximately 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health, 2020) • About 20% of these adults will go on to develop PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health, 2020) • Nearly 4 million adults have PTSD in a given year. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health, 2020) • Women are twice as likely to develop PTSD as men. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health, 2020) • Approximately 59% of men and 51% of women have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. (Source: National Center for PTSD, 2020) • Over 20 million adults in the United States suffer from some type of mental illness in a given year. (Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2020) • Approximately 8 million adults are affected by serious psychological distress or major depression in any given year. (Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2020) • Approximately 8.7% of Americans reported having PTSD at some point in their life. (Source: National Center The sustainability of TIC must be an active role we take in our industry, whether through movements or committees. Some of us might send Monthly newsletters in our organizations or even write consistent articles on TIC. Various agencies have built Comfort Rooms into their programs. Crisis stabilization Units have leaned on TIC committees to help with the development of programming and even design! These are just a few examples of tangible change. It can be truly hard to keep staff engaged in conceptualization in TIC when they do not see tangible physical components.I was recently in a TIC committee group where this was shared “Data persuades, Stories inspire.” People remember stories. These become teaching tools. Newsletters are not always about the content, but perhaps just the story itself. Could the story itself be plenty to bring impact? At this point, for most agencies “All staff” are trained in TIC principles and practices. The idea is to have the best standards presented on large scale without missing the personal component. Here are a few elements to consider in orientating your staff on TIC. Define Trauma Realize - statistics of trauma Recognize - how impactful trauma is on our communities Respond - using trauma-informed approaches Recognize - training is essential Avoid Retraumatizing - both staff and clients! Having the knowledge of TIC is one thing, but presenting care through a narrative manner impacts lives! Telling stories, creating meaningfulness. We all need guides, training, and slides, but the one thing that we all deeply need is a place in the larger story of life. Perhaps you are a private practice in the mental health industry, or maybe a large agency trying to get your clinicians on the same page regarding Trauma Informed Care. Consider the Pioneer Counseling Trauma Informed Care Psychotherapy Tx Planner. It really is more than a tx planner, it is a guide and a point of reference. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQ9FWFMT?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_0MKBDBQ5PRD8G8NBEJ0B  Geries Shaheen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor operating in and around St. Louis Missouri. Geries holds his MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University, BA in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University, and holds a certificate in Life Coaching, Geries provides life coaching services to clients online globally. Geries is EMDR trained and DBT Certified, practicing from a TIC lens.

Why I Created A Mental Health Character

Are you constantly worrying about everything? People often worry about relationships, finances, your parents, children, job, school, and everything in between. Sometimes, without even realizing it! Do your negative thoughts take control of your mind and drive you absolutely crazy? Worries tend to do that. There are a few things you can implement in order to get your thoughts back on track.Throughout our education, we may have learned crucial subjects such as math, science, and history. We might not have been presented with ideas regarding anxiety. To accomplish our potential, we need values and attributes that enrich our lives and the lives of others. These qualities, the result of our inner development, will allow us to mature emotionally and spiritually. Lets take a look at 10 attributes that could help us on our journey Balance Faith Forgiveness Honesty and Integrity Interpersonal Skills Love Motivation Perseverance Responsibility Self confidence Ten Attributes Developing these ten attributes builds character, which serves as a jumping-off point for dynamic action in living a worry reduced life. We might not be able to eradicate worry completely, as some worry is healthy. BALANCE We are able to live a balanced and fulfilling life by centering on spiritual development as a top priority, and by devoting time to the other areas: physical, mental, career, financial, family, and social/recreational. We can provide balance in our lives by keeping up our wellness and vitality; developing a clear mind and a positive mental attitude; discovering our talents and doing your part in a meaningful career; meeting our financial needs and responsibilities; taking care of our responsibilities to family; taking time out for fun; and building meaningful friendships. FAITH Belief in ourselves and trust in a Higher Power can help us through tough times.The age old concept of ” Letting go and letting God" enables us to accept and appreciate life in all its diversity. Faith in a Higher Power allows us the stability and peace we need in life. FORGIVENESS Forgiveness comes from a compassionate heart. Were able to find strength to forgive ourselves and other people. Retaliation and violence are often the consequence of a lack of forgiveness. A forgiving attitude gives us serenity. HONESTY AND INTEGRITY Being dependable gives us dignity and faith in ourselves. We can be honest without hurting the feelings of other people. Honesty is what we do when no one is watching in addition to when other people are present. Integrity includes honesty and requires adhering to our values and morals. People of integrity do not compromise their principles for money, comfort, or quick results. Integrity demands courage and the strength of one's convictions. This individual serves as an admirable example for other people. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Positive relationships revitalize us. Relating easily with other people decreases feelings of solitude. Perceiving the beneficial qualities in other people and showing appreciation are keys to having better relationships. Listening to other people is one way to let them know they are important to us. As our ability to listen and communicate improves, so does our strength in building successful relationships. Though we may disagree with somebody, we can select words that show regard for that individual’s viewpoint. Learning to relate effectively with other people is a skill that can be developed. LOVE When love is aroused in us, other great qualities--such as joy, inner peace, and courage can develop automatically. Love is brave and forgiving. Our soul is love. Love is our essential nature. MOTIVATION To accomplish anything in life, we must create a goal and then take positive action to achieve it. Motivation starts with a solid desire from within oneself. To make a wholehearted effort towards our goals, we must be extremely motivated. Envisioning our dreams will increase our motivation to accomplish them. Strong motivation, combined with the will to take action, removes barriers that block our potential. PERSEVERANCE Perseverance heightens our ability to achieve goals. Perseverance is powerful. Inner growth and personal transformation require perseverance. Our minds are our greatest challenge. Life's toughest battles are fought within ourselves. We need courage to win these battles. RESPONSIBILITY Responsibility entails responding to the needs of the situation at hand. We have to determine the difference between unnecessary obligations and appropriate obligations. Self-improvement is a creditworthy and unselfish action; it is a requirement to effectively helping other people. We cannot make a substantial contribution to other people if we avoid helping ourselves. SELF-CONFIDENCE Self-confidence means that one believes in oneself. Self-confidence grows as we attain and utilize our strengths. Experiencing a series of small, incremental successes is an excellent way to defeat fear and establish self-confidence. As our self-confidence grows, we gain ability to achieve our dreams and heighten our joy of living. Believing that we are worthwhile makes life worth living. Acquiring these ten attributes enables us to live effective and fulfilling lives. I believe each of us has tremendous potential. We possess immense inner resources. Drawing upon these resources, we can develop ourselves into the best human beings we are capable of becoming. Our lives become a blessing, not only for ourselves, but also for individuals around us. It is human to be concerned but it is unhealthy to overly worry. We often find ourselves worrying about many things. How do we deal with worry? Is there something that we can do to keep from worrying in the first place? What Is Worry? Worry turns small things into big shadows. It makes us feel uneasy or concerned; feeling troubled. Worry is that sense of fear that can overwhelm you in all domains of life. This can take the shape of panic attacks when the level of worry is so high that it's debilitating. We worry about the future believing that we are totally helpless as to influencing what will happen next in our lives.It will be important to trust that we're not helpless in every aspect of our lives. In most cases, we worry about matters that have not happened or something that we imagine will occur. The biggest point of differentiation in this regard is to be able to filter between a rational fear and an irrational fear. Worrying has a tendency to lead our imagination in the negative direction. We typically do not worry about the areas of our lives that are beneficial to us or gives pleasure; we worry about things that we think will hurt us in one way or another. Worrying is normal in life. Again, a great deal of worry is harmful. The primary form of worry is having the sense of feared vulnerability and powerlessness. A worrying individual thinks that their triggered day-to-day difficulties are not controllable, while others may worry because of a loss of faith in something. “What ifs” can lead to deeper worries. Worry can take many forms. For the m ost part a little worry is normal. Anxiety is the body’s natural response to threat. It sets us up for fight or flight (among other forms of response). All the same, if the energy made available by worry is not used then it starts to build up causing harm in the end. Worry affects several things. When we worry, our body begins to pump out a range of chemicals (such as adrenaline) that increase the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain and skeletal muscles. Your blood also clots quicker, ready to fix any injuries you sustain in your “fight or flight”. Your body certainly goes through changes when we worry. You can probably hear your heart pounding stronger or perhaps even sweat starting to form. You might be able to feel the anxiety rise in yourself, which causes you to shake or become agitated. These are all effects of worry and stress. Naturally, if this happens often without a way to use or redirect the energy, then issues will occur over time. You may feel keyed up with nothing to fight or flee, and no way to turn off the tension. You become on edge, feeling as though you may implode. If this happens often (or chronically) it can have a dangerous effect on your health. Every system in your body is affected by worry. Besides raising blood pressure, worry can lead to production of more cholesterol, all of which can raise your risk of hear attack and stroke. Muscle stress can produce headaches, back pain, and other body aches. Worry can also trigger an increase in stomach acid and either slow or speed up muscle contractions in your intestines, which can lead to stomach aches, constipation, diarrhea,gas or heartburn. Worry can affect your skin as well. It can affect your respiratory system and aggravate asthma. Growing evidence even proposes that chronic worry can compromise your immune system, making you more vulnerable to bacteria, viruses, and perhaps even cancer .there's one thing that worrying does not do. It does not make the situation better. Therefore, we should find an alternative to worrying so that we have less worry and stress in our lives. How to Reduce Worry Luckily, there are methods that you are able to learn and practice that can be valuable for decreasing worry.We must first recognize that it will take frequent practice to cut back the habit of worrying. The more the strategies are rehearsed, the stronger the new habit becomes and the weaker the old habit of worry becomes. This will take some drive in the beginning. In addition, it is crucial to recogniz e that what works for one person might not work for another. Because each individual is unique, the way in which he or she worries may vary. Thus the best ways for that individual to cut down their worrying may vary. The most effective way to decrease worry is to select a technique and rehearse it. If after a couple of weeks of conscientious practice does not reduce worrying, it is sensible to shift to another technique and to rehearse that for a while. This does not automatically mean the process is a failure, but rather that a different technique may be helpful for you. The important point is to give a technique a good try before deserting It. Recognize that while some techniques work well for some cases of worrying, but not for all. Don’t shy away from combining techniques until you find which combination works best for you. Observe You’re Worrying and Catch It Early When we worry, we might not even be aware that it has begun. That is the nature of habits. That is why learning to become aware of your worrying is fundamental to any technique of worry reduction. Self awareness is crucial. Start out by noticing you are worrying: Become more aware of it; observe it with the goal in mind of catching the worry as soon as it starts. In enforcing any of these worry-reduction methods, the earlier it's applied, the more effective in the long run the technique will be. This is because the longer an episode of worrying lasts, the more the habit is reinforced and the more you are strengthening the bonds between the worrisome ideas. Put differently, you are reinforcing the habit. Therefore, the earlier the worrying is caught, the less that habit is strengthened. By becoming progressively conscious of the habit of worrying, you have a greater degree of switching it off before it becomes obsessive. It is a great sign when you are consciously catching the worrying early. You are approaching the position of bein able to do something about it more effectively. Count Your Worrying In learning to keep an eye on your worrying, it is useful to keep track of how often it happens during the day. Making marks on a notepad or on your phone to record this info. At the end of each day write down the total and watch this trend over a number of days. This routine is helpful as a reminder to observe and catch worrying. It also offers information on how much time you spend worrying. After, you begin applying worry-reduction strategies and continue to track the day-to-day frequency of worrying, you will be able to see what impact your strategies are having. Relaxation Methods for Bodily Disturbance Worry can create uncomfortable bodily sensations, such as muscle tension, stomach disturbance, and a pounding heart. Imagining awful things can affect our bodies just as if they were actually happening. These sensations may be good clues to help you catch your worrisome thoughts earlier. Whenever you catch yourself worrying or feeling such sensations, you can replace these with a relaxation response to calm your body. This will make it easier to think more reasonably and clearly, focusing your attention on your immediate environment. There are many types of relaxation methods for worrying, 1. Picture a relaxing image. Picture a scene that creates a sense of calm and peacefulness, for example lying on a warm beach, sitting next to a brook in a beautiful valley, or reclining in your favorite chair at home. Let go of all other thoughts and immerse yourself in this picture as if you were actually there. 2. Focus your attention on your breathing, every time you inhale and exhale. Say the word, "relax" or "calm" or any other word that is significant to you, upon each exhalation. 3. Deliberately tense up different groups of muscles for about five seconds, then release that tension all at once and concentrate for a minute on the feelings of relaxation that enter those muscles once they are released. 4. Breathe with your stomach, rather than your chest, and with practice learn to breathe at a rate of around eight to ten cycles per minute. With each of these techniques, you will notice thoughts intruding. Let those thoughts pass through your mind and gently focus your attention back to the relaxation process. With practice, your ability to let go of thinking is likely to increase, making it easier to let go of worrisome thoughts during the day. You can practice such methods for ten to 15 minutes twice a day, to build up your ability to elicit a relaxation response briefly, whenever you catch yourself beginning to worry or notice bodily tension or upset. It Lies Within Yourself One of life’s hardest lessons to learn is that you are able to only change yourself. Some individuals spend excessive amounts of time and energy worrying or frustrated by other people’s thoughts and behaviors. You are able to protect yourself against the rain or feel grumpy about the snow, but there is not a lot you are able to do about it. Why should we believe we can change someone else’s behaviors and thoughts with just a couple of choice words? We may be able to influence or redirect those around us, but true change comes from within. When it comes to those around us, we may think or say “How could they say such a thing!” or “How can anybody be so rude?” or “don't they recognize how much they hurt me? Why do they do that?” We frequently react in this way because our emotions are a part of people’s innate decision-making skills. We react and respond emotionally to our own emotional needs. Emotions are indeed helpful messengers and feel very real, but they do not have to be our full reality. Therefore, when someone touches one of our emotional strings, we may respond in a way that feels right to us. Focusing on our own expectations and boundaries will be helpful in the long run. Requesting the person to stop the behavior that you find frustrating, annoying or makes you worry may be the extent of sharing boundary. Repeating something over and over again does not suddenly make people more aware of themselves. However it does make them aware of your boundary. It may not change them, but it does provide a consistent message. This gives the person continual opportunities to either respect your boundaries or to go against them. Catch your thoughts before they upset you! You must consider the impact worry and frustration has on your own health. Individuals can spend weeks, months and in some cases years in psychotherapy working on changing their thoughts or behaviors. They do this to find some way to not allow worry and stress to overcome them. Realize the change depends on you, not others. Often, this sort of change in thinking takes a long to understand, practice, and then implement. Our automatic thoughts and behaviors are integrated parts of our personality. They are infused with our beliefs about the entire world. Save yourself some frustration today and try to learn to stop trying to change others. Focus instead on changing your own thoughts and behaviors. You may find yourself living a happier and more peaceful life. Keep in mind your safety! Boundaries are crucial in decreasing worry, but you must also consider your safety. If you are being continually abused (physically, emotionally, mentaly, sexually, verbally or the like), your boundaries are intended to protect you from receiving these sorts of experiences. The more resistance you feel from the other party in regards to your boundaries, the stronger the boundaries must be implemented. This takes a great deal of intention and follow through. If a boundary is not consistently modeled, then the ongoing nature of abuse will most likely continue. 15 Way to Spend Your Time Worry Free 1. Visiting a park is a great way to spend your free time but you can enhance it even more by learning a game that you can play yourself. Pick up juggling or hacky sack or just grab a tennis ball and start playing catch with yourself. You may be able to find something lying around your house that you can take to the park and play with. 3. Play cards. There are tons of different card games out there that you can play alone, with a partner or with a group of people. Get online if you can and find out the instructions for new games. Challenge yourself to master one new card game each week or month. 4. Take photographs, or sketch out images. You do not have to spend any money to enjoy this art. Head out to anywhere with your camera or phone and challenge yourself to have a great time noticing the details through the lens of your device. 5. Read something that interests you. Most people find it fun to read something. Whether its novels or non-fiction or comic books or just websites, there is probably something that you could sit down and read for hours and not be bored. Make it a point to turn off all of the other distractions and immerse yourself in the written word so that you really enjoy the time that you spend on this activity. Make use of local libraries or bookstores that do not mind you hanging out for a while to keep this activity free. 7. Draw / color/ paint. Remember when you were younger and you could spend hours making art? Unless you are an artist now, you may have stopped having that kind of fun. Start up again! You do not have to be “good at art” to have a good time being creative. You also do not have to spend money on fancy pencils and pads of art paper. Instead, find the scrap paper that is lying around your house, pick up whatever pens or old paint you might have and just have a good time. 8. Check out free events in your area. There are always free things happening even in the smallest of cities. Check your local venues and online landing pages / social media for announcements about free events, movie screenings, free lectures at schools and libraries, free book readings. If you open your mind to trying to find events in the area you will find that there is a lot to do and a lot to learn. 9. Host an event. Gather a group of friends and invite them over. Hav a karaoke night or some other form of performance art/ games with your friends and family members. Create an experience that is relieving to the mind and body. 10. Spend time making a wish list. Spend time daydreaming. Sit down and spend some time making a wish list of all of the things that you would like to have or do in your life. Make a list of goals – places to travel someday, achievements you would like to make, things you want to change about yourself. Or make a list of silly things like what you would do with a billion dollars or whom you wish you could have met in a past life. You may find that this inspires you to do more with your life. Or you may just find it fun to daydream for a while all by yourself. 11. People watch. Sit somewhere where there are many people and just watch them. People are fascinating. You will overhear things and witness things that may surprise you. Of course, do not be creepy about watching other people. Do it appropriately in places where it is normal to spend time, places like town squares and public parks and shopping districts. 12. Go hiking. Get your blood pumping by finding a spot near you where you can hike. If you do not have the right equipment for hiking, just go for regular walks. There is a lot to see when you get out of your car or off of your bike and just slow down. The physical exercise is good for you but it is the chance to really enjoy your surroundings for a change that makes walking fun. 13. Dance. Dance at home, dance at free community dance events. Dance with friends. You do not have to have rhythm or special shoes to be able to move your body and feel good. Loosen up and have fun with it! 14. Make up stories. It is fun to stretch our imaginations by creating stories in our minds (constructive stories of course). If you are the writer type then you can get a pen and paper and construct these stories. If not, consider getting one or more people together regularly to tell stories aloud to each other. Tell your own stories or work on stories together. Do not worry about getting the words exactly right. Instead, get the ideas flowing and enjoy watching your own mind expand with new thoughts. 15. Resume an old sport or hobby that you gave up. You may already have the equipment lying around your home. Find a basketball and go shoot some hoops. Pick up a flute or harmonica and give it a try. The reason these 15 examples are given is to allow the mind to move from a concrete pattern of thinking to more of a fluid manner. If these 15 could be helpful then perhaps there are others. Here is a challenge, thing of 5 more that are specific and unique to you. 5 more approaches that your mind could buy into. What Occurs With Too Much Worrying? Worrying is feeling anxious or being overly concerned about a state of affairs or issue. With unreasonable worrying, your brain and body go into overdrive as you perpetually center on “what may happen.” In the middle of excessive worrying, you might suffer with high anxiousness or even panic. A lot of chronic worriers tell of feeling a sense of imminent doom or unrealistic fears that only step-up their worries. Ultra-sensitive to their surroundings and to the criticism of other people, excessive worriers might see anything, and anybody, as a likely threat. Chronic worrying impacts your daily life so much that it interferes with your appetite, life-style habits, relationships, rest, and job performance. Often if we worry heavily we may look for relief in harmful life-style habits like overeating, cigarette smoking, or utilizing alcohol and drugs among other things. As discussed earlier, the fight or flight response makes the body’s sympathetic nervous system release stress hormones like cortisol. These hormones may boost blood sugar levels and triglycerides (blood fats) that may be used by the body for fuel. These hormones may likewise cause physical reactions like: Trouble swallowing Vertigo Dry mouth Quick heartbeat Tiredness Headaches Inability to concentrate Crossness Muscle aches Muscle tension Nausea Anxious energy Speedy breathing Breathlessness Perspiration Quivering and twitching All of these systems interact and are deeply influenced by your coping style and your mental state. It isn’t the stress that makes you ill. Instead, it’s the effect responses like excessive worrying and anxiety have on these assorted interacting systems that may bring on the physical illness. Consider life-style changes to alter the way you react. The Money Worries Some of the most common worries are directly correlated to finance. Instability, debt, making ends meet, these are the worries that tend to keep people up at night. These fears and anxieties over cash may cause us to ignore other issues or even goals we must address. If you're having trouble paying your bills, or discover that you're getting further and further into debt, but are avoiding dealing with it, start being courageous now- in this moment. There are tools and resources that may help you consolidate your debt to get you back on track. If you are unsure about where you stand, you won't be able to make the necessary changes to get yourself back on track. After you've got a solid grip on your fiscal situation, if you feel that you can't handle it yourself seek out a little assistance. Your financial organization or a financial counselor may be good places to start. Debt counselors may help you feel you've won back control of your situation. They're there to help you manage what may appear unmanageable. Acquiring sound financial insight may help relieve much of that anxiety and worry. Assess if you are living beyond your means. Making a few easy changes to your spending habits may help you gain more in control and prevent disharmony that comes from these sorts of worries. Start by making some easy changes like cutting back on morning lattes, taking a lunch to work, attempt to make arrangements to take public transit, carpool bicycle or walk to work rather to save on parking and fuel fees. If these are out of your scope of reality- perhaps consider a side hustle or extra means of income. At first these changes may feel embarrassing- its important to get past that feeling. Letting go of pride and leaning into humility will help greatly. These easy changes may make a huge difference to the bottom line. Attaining a strategy for your cash is an excellent way to relieve some of the anxiety surrounding it. Dreads of the unknown and of those accidents that may arise may keep you awake at night. If you've a little extra cash monthly than consider putting it away in an emergency fund. Little sacrifices here and there are really themselves small prices to pay for peacefulness. As financial stress breeds worry, discord and family fighting, taking control of your state of affairs may go a long way to relieve these difficulties. Regardless of the state of economy, you are able to still work toward keeping your own finances in order. Most especially, try to consider what's of most value to you and your loved ones. You might not actually need that new vehicle, that new expensive gadget, or even that extra 5 dollar cup of coffee. These matters may all be sacrificed without sacrificing what's really crucial: your own peacefulness, happiness and security. Relax When enough anxiousness builds, it may cause a lack of mental alertness, mental disease, physical illness and a whole host of other problems. Anxiety is a biological response to stress. It's consequently necessary to discover ways to alleviate anxiety before it may build. Breathing meditation can help greatly, this works for relieving anxiety and creating a peaceful moment. Sit in a chair or on the floor, place your hands on your knees, close your eyes and breathe through your nose. If you learn to guard your mind properly, external happenings will not affect you as deeply. Try not to practice blaming when things do not go your way. You must not think that you are unlucky, that you are the victim of fate, or that somebody has cursed you or had done some vendetta against you. Even if they truly are. Even if they have literally spoken ill will toward you. No matter what reason yo u give, you must not evade responsibility for your own internal emotions and thoughts.Try to navigate your emotions and thoughts without sulking. Try to process difficulties with a constructive demeanor even under the most trying circumstances. Be courageous to face any change even if the change is natural or necessary. Be brave enough to accept what you cannot avoid. Be wise enough to accept what you cannot avoid. Be wise enough to understand the uncertainty of worldly conditions, which affect everyone. Develop courage to face disappointments and problems without feeling frustrated. Difficulties abound in our life. We have to face them bravely. We must overcome them without creating further problems. Try to not be discouraged. Perhaps even practice selfless service. Being present for others may eventually brings happiness in its own right. In rendering our service to others. Looking for more creative clinical content? Check out my linktree: linktr.ee/Geries_Shaheen_LPC Geries Shaheen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor operating in and around St. Louis Missouri. Geries holds his MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University, BA in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University, and holds a certificate in Life Coaching, Geries provides life coaching services to clients online globally. Geries is EMDR trained, and practices from a TIC lens.

Marriage is a fragile institution and many factors can lead to its dissolution. From infidelity to incompatibility, there are many things that can cause a marriage to end. In this article, we’ll explore 10 of the most common reasons why marriages fail. Here is the quick rundown. Read the entire article for more detail. 1. Infidelity 2. Financial Stress 3. Abuse 4. Lack of Communication 5. Lack of Intimacy 6. Lack of Respect 7. Substance Abuse 8. Incompatibility 9. Growing Apart 10. Unresolved Conflict Let's get into it. 1. Infidelity is one of the most common reasons marriages end. When a spouse is unfaithful, it can be difficult to rebuild trust and restore the relationship. 2. Financial stress can also lead to the end of a marriage. Issues such as an imbalance of income, debt, and other financial problems can cause tension in the relationship. 3. Abuse, be it physical, emotional, or verbal, is an unacceptable behavior in a marriage and can lead to the end of the relationship. 4. Lack of communication can be a major problem in a marriage. Not being able to communicate openly and honestly can prevent couples from resolving conflicts and can lead to the end of the marriage. 5. Lack of intimacy can also be a problem in a marriage. Without a physical connection, couples may feel disconnected and drift apart. 6. Lack of respect can also be a major issue in a marriage. Not respecting the other person's opinions and feelings can lead to the demise of the relationship. 7. Substance abuse can be a major issue in a marriage. Not only can it cause problems in the relationship, but it can also put one's health and safety at risk. 8. Incompatibility can also lead to the end of a marriage. If two people have different values and beliefs, it can be difficult to maintain a successful relationship. 9. Growing apart can be a natural consequence of staying married for a long time. Couples may find that as they age, their interests and values may drift apart, leading to the end of the marriage. 10. Unresolved conflict can also cause a marriage to end. If couples are unable to resolve their differences, it can lead to frustration, resentment, and ultimately, the end of the marriage. Marriage is a complex institution and it can be difficult to maintain over time. These 10 reasons are some of the most common causes of marriage failure. It’s important to recognize the warning signs in order to save the relationship before it’s too late. How can Counseling help? 1. Marriage counseling can help couples who have experienced infidelity to rebuild trust and work through their issues. 2. Marriage counseling can help couples who are experiencing financial stress to develop strategies to address their issues and strengthen their relationship. 3. Marriage counseling can help couples who are in an abusive relationship to identify and address the underlying issues. 4. Marriage counseling can help couples who are struggling with communication to learn how to communicate more effectively. 5. Marriage counseling can help couples who are lacking intimacy to reconnect and create a stronger bond. 6. Marriage counseling can help couples who are lacking respect to learn how to show appreciation and respect for one another. 7. Marriage counseling can help couples who are struggling with substance abuse to develop strategies to address their issues and strengthen their relationship. 8. Marriage counseling can help couples who are incompatible to learn how to compromise and find common ground. 9. Marriage counseling can help couples who are growing apart to reconnect and work through their issues. 10. Marriage counseling can help couples who are in unresolved conflicts to learn how to communicate more effectively and resolve their differences. 5 Tips for marriage counseling: Look for an LMFT (licensed marriage and family therapist). If you can not find one in your area, utilizing an LPC (licensed professional counselor) will suffice. You may find an LMSW (licensed social worker), which are more Clinical/medical but can be helpful as well. Steer clear of life coaches for marriage counseling. Christian or biblical counselors may be helpful if that is specifically what you are looking for, but be mindful as they might not hold an actual state license but a license through an association instead. 2. Find someone local. Telehealth has been a wonderful new addition to therapy. However, for couples or marriage, it is best practice to meet in person. Even if once per month and switching it up with telehealth. Presence will be important in a triad. 3. Attend even if the other doesn’t. It may feel strange or not what you expected, but continual counseling is better than long pauses due to the other partner's schedule, hesitations, or hiccups. 4. Go in with a handful of outcomes in mind. If you don’t have any, be prepared to be transparent about that. 5. Be communicative when sessions feel overwhelming. Marriage dynamics are years in the making. Being up front all the time will help navigate the counseling process If you are struggling in your marriage, don't wait until it's too late. Seek the help of a professional marriage counselor who can help you identify the issues and develop strategies for resolving them. With the right guidance, you can save your marriage and build a strong and lasting relationship.  Looking for more creative clinical content? Check out my linktree: linktr.ee/Geries_Shaheen_LPC Geries Shaheen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor operating in and around St. Louis Missouri. Geries holds his MA in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University, BA in Intercultural Studies from Lincoln Christian University, and holds a certificate in Life Coaching, Geries provides life coaching services to clients online globally. Geries is EMDR trained, and practices from a TIC lens.