Gratitude Practice

Gratitude healthy attitudes takes practice. As I've discussed in previous posts, there are patterns of negative thought that occur in depression and anxiety. It takes practice to disrupt those patterns. Taking the time to recognize people and events we're grateful for on a daily basis helps to disrupt patterns of worry and hopelessness. Making gratitude a social experience can enrich the meaning of practice. Try telling friends, family, loved ones... and sometimes strangers that you're grateful for what they do for you. See how that works!

Some other great articles on thankfulness, it benefits, and practices:

The Neuroscience of Why Gratitude Makes Us

The Science Behind Gratitude (and How It Can Change Your Life)

Personality Inventory for DSM-5

The American Psychiatric Association developed some great measurements to use with folks to screen, and more importantly in my work, meter progress. Recently, a colleague introduced me to the Personality Inventory for DSM-5.  I think it can be a great tool, but it discouraged me that I could find no reliable key to crunch the numbers. Clinicians interested are welcome to use This File to help score the measure.

(For others, please note that the test is a clinical tool and does not constitute a diagnosis, recommendation, or treatment.)

First Appointment

Complted DV Training

Just completed Domestic Violence Screening and Assessment training through King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Learned a great deal, and Envision Therapies paperwork will be changing accordingly soon.

PTSD treatment for Vets in Lakewood

It's great to see successes in treating PTSD.
Veterans tackle their trauma with grit, gusto, word games
05/26/2014 The News Tribune

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/05/26/3212431/veterans-tackle-their-trauma-with.html#storylink=cpy

Recommended Podcast Episode

I wanted to listen to the whole show before sharing. It's fair warning that it might be triggering for someone in early recovery.
The conversation between Ira and his father was heart touching, and I thought did a fair job of presenting the subtle impacts of marijuana addiction. Pains from addiction can be deep and profound, even when there's no overt, violent, or obvious abuses or neglects.

This American Life - "I Was So High"

Continuing Educaction

The Matt Adler Suicide Assessment, Treatment and Management Act of 2012 has gone into effect this year. Looking forward to seeing what this initiative brings for Washington clinicians and more important Washington consumers and communities. I'm enrolled for my continuing education class.

Working with Suicidal Clients 2014 Workshops

Happy Spring!

Keep Balanced, Seattle! Happy Equinox!
Days get brighter and brighter from here!


Balancing an egg on the Equinox