Each of the following topics are topics I have been dealing with in outpatient, inpatient, partial, training, workshop, and seminar settings over the years. They can be combined in any combination following the approximate time allotments noted. They can be done in a more lecture/discussion format or a workshop/participant format. They can be done in a single session or in a series.
Balance Living: This presentation is the most comprehensive. I begin by covering the generally theory of the five parts of our humaness, the need for balance and examples of imbalance. Next we explore ways to challenge ourselve to health in each of the five areas. This idea coalensced for me in my outpatient work when I realized that I kept dealing with the same topics over and over. When working with relatively healthy people I came up with the idea of taking these repeated topics and tieing them together in a wellness maintance plan. This way we can prevent relapse. It also works for prevention in general, to increase overall stress management. Each of the more specific topics below are subset of one of the five areas we discuss in the balanced living topic. If expanded into a long enough time slot most of the topics below would be, or could be, covered in this presentation, plus others. Therefore, the focus of this topic can be specialized to any of the following, or others. Timing options 1 - 6 hours. I have done this as a series of workshops at times.
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Grief: In this presentation I give a chance for the participants to explore what grief is. Then we discuss the stages in the grief wheel, the model to explain normal grieving process. They learn what to expect. It's a chance to learn that the feelings that make you feel like they're going crazy are just normal grieving. Then we talk about the four task that need to be completed for healty grieving. We discuss practical examples of activities that will encouraged healthy grieving. It is extremely informative and practical. Timing options 1-2 hours. I have done this as a series of workshops.
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Anger/Emotional Management: In this presentation we explore the four basics ways to deal with anger. Participants can identify their own tendencies. We discuss the emotional volcano within each of us and healthy ways to vent it and prevent blow ups. We cover cognitive and behavioral coping skills to defuse the volcano. This is one of the most common topics I cover in outpatient therapy. People find it extremely helpful. Timing options 1-2 hours.
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Body Image/Self Esteem: This presentation has been extremely popular. I have presented it at youth leadership workshops and hospital mothers/daughterseminar. It has become a standard in both annual events. We discuss the history of body image change, media influences, statistics, realistic expectations, the definition of healthy, body awareness and respect, cogitive coping skills to defend against society's lies and maintain healthy body image and self esteem. Timing options 1-2 hours.
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Communication: This presentation is variation of some of the most common information discussed in therapy. We discuss effective interpersonal communication skills. Expressive and reception (listening) skills are explored, demonstrated and rehearsed. In this presentation we touch on the emotional volcano and boundaries also. 30 min - 2 hours.
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Stress Management: In this presentation we discuss behavioral and cognitive strategies to decrease the experience of stress within a person. It is very practical with relaxation exercises, behavioral ideas and cognitive skills to take home. 1 - 2 hours.
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Boundaries/Control: People use the term "control freak" so easily. In this presentation we explore what this means, how to recognize the limits of your control and responsibility, how this related to healthy interpersonal boundaries and decreasing frustration. 30 min - 2 hours.
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Depression/Anxiety: In this presentation we discuss different types and severities of depression and anxiety. This topic is a little more clinical than the others. We disucss the nature verses nuture issues, genetic and environmental influences and "treatment" or prevention options, especially action oriented behavioral options. We explored the relationship between action and neurology of depression. 30 min- 2 hours.
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Dealing with Difficult People: In this presentation we discuss verbal de-escalation skills first, focusing on "normal" people who follow a somewhat predictable pattern of escalation. We will discuss skills needed to help calm anxious or defensive people. But then we discuss techniques for dealing with the unique population called Personality Disordered. 30 min- 2 hours.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder: I originally put this presentation together for the LPN association of Michigan. It covers how to identify SAD, statistics and common treatment options. 30-60 minutes.
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Attention Deficit Disorder: I put this presentation together for elementary school teachers. They asked me to return to present it a second time to another set of teachers. It reviews the criteria of the diagnosis, common treatment options and behavioral strategies for managing the behavior while helping the child succeed. This was put together not only with the knowledge of a mental health professional but also as a parent of a ADD child. 45- 90 minutes.
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