Tagged With "therapy animals"
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The Books That Helped Me Transition from Trauma to Triumph: A Book Review Series – “Getting Past Your Past”
Naturally, I would at times experience panic attack symptoms, and would almost always cry. Sometimes slow tears cascading down my cheeks. Other times full-on ugly crying, requiring a pause in the action.
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Therapy Dogs and Service Dogs: What Are They and Why Are They Important?
Therapy dogs are used in a wide variety of environments and circumstances but, broadly speaking, they are dogs whose presence is designed to help alleviate stress, promote feelings of well-being and sometimes help with a process of rehabilitation or healing in humans other than their owners.
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Therapy with Neurofeedback
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/02/04/689747637/if-youre-often-angry-or-irritable-you-may-be-depressed My response to the above article from NPR: Depression is the word people use when they feel bad. What people in this piece are struggling to understand is that depression is not one thing or in fact “a thing” at all. It’s certainly not a useful diagnosis. DSM diagnosis constricts our understanding rather than enhancing it. Here they are struggling to understand states of...
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To Help Heal Trauma, Talk Less, and Write More
For a lot of people with Childhood PTSD, talking about traumatic memories can make symptoms worse -- worse than if we were to do nothing at all. Yet talking about the past is the default mode of therapy for virtually everyone who is depressed, anxious or troubled about the past. It's true that talking can be crucial to emotional healing. But there is a lot of research that supports WRITING as a more effective way to communicate past trauma and relieve symptoms of Childhood PTSD. In this...
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Children & Families COVID19 Resilience Brief 5: Music For Healing
Click on the pdf link for the full child-friendly article.
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Crafting Provides Cross-Body Therapy Which Helps Mental Health [blogs.psychcentral.com]
I recently had the opportunity to chat with Sharyn of Homespun Dreams about how she uses craft as therapy. She lives with both anxiety and chronic pain. She enjoys crochet, knitting, sewing, tatting, and other crafts, sometimes mixing them together in one project. She also happens to have a nursing degree so she understands the benefits of crafting from both a personal and professional perspective. It was through her that I learned about the idea of crafting as cross-body therapy. What is...
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Defining Resilience Series: Step 6 - Find a Guiding Hand to Hold
I am in love with the idea of utilizing our own healing experiences to help those who are looking for guidance and a comforting hand to hold. I know when I was in despair, I was flailing in my efforts to find answers.
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How a Therapy Dog Impacts a Child's Life
Afterward I discovered the horrific tragedy that had befallen this child only hours prior. I cried the entire car ride home. My sweet dog helped this little guy smile when smiling seemed an impossibility for these circumstances. She gave him an hour of reprieve from his heartache and trauma.
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How Therapy Helps You Recover from Childhood Trauma and Abuse [talkspace.com]
If you experienced trauma or abuse during childhood, you might wonder if you should seek therapy . But maybe you are too busy to commute to appointments. You don’t even have any time to feel everything, much less talk about it. Then there are the plethora of worries people sometimes have when they consider working with a therapist. You might think, “What if I end up feeling worse? What if the therapist thinks I don’t have any problems? Am I exaggerating my experiences?” Then you start...
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How Trauma Therapy Cultivated My Recovery
I was 5 years old when I had my first encounter with trauma. Too young to comprehend the magnitude of the situation, my first grade class participated in a “Good Touch/Bad Touch” workshop,centered around educating and recognizing signs of sexual abuse. I found relief in finding a safe place to lay down the burden I had been carrying. I went straight to the school counselor and told her, in vivid description, the intimate details of my unwarranted molestation. I remember the grueling...
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Seven Benefits of Working with a Therapy Animal from a Handler's Perspective
Sometimes I feel selfish for walking away from our therapy dog sessions with my heart overflowing with joy, a smile radiating from my face AND heart. I love watching this dog turn a child’s tears into giggles. Sammie has a thing for kids. Her tail wags every time she sees one. Whether we are walking the halls at a school or the trails at a nature preserve. She wants to meet them all and offer a snuggle. As a result, her tail thumps in canine happiness, and I just can’t help but grin.
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Seven Strategies I Use To Reregulate As Anxiety Symptoms Surface
So, how does Teri Wellbrock bring herself back into a state of calm once the anticipatory anxiety has been triggered? Here is Teri's personal go-to list. Please keep in mind she created this plan on a trial and error basis. She loaded her coping skills toolbox with exercises, fidgets, courses, books, therapy suggestions, and techniques discovered through personal research. Following is her top seven strategies, however, please note that she has a much larger bag-o-tricks to pull from if needed.
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Re: How a Therapy Dog Impacts a Child's Life
How fulfilling it must be to come full circle by helping children who've experienced trauma as you yourself recover from the long-term effects of childhood and adult trauma. And what a beautiful way to involve your adorable Sammie. Thanks for your work and for sharing here, Teri.
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Re: How a Therapy Dog Impacts a Child's Life
Oh, Laura, my heart fills with joy every Tuesday as I watch Sammie work her therapy dog magic. I had worked in a mental health agency in the school systems helping children with trauma, bullying, etc., but found it was taking its toll on me emotionally. I eventually left that job out of a forced situation (God's grace at work) as I had to go to work for a company I owned that was suddenly flourishing. Now I find I am back working with children, but this time Sammie is the one engaging them...
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Re: How a Therapy Dog Impacts a Child's Life
Teri, I LOVE your post on your sweet dog Sammie’s work!!! Best!!! Mary
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Re: How a Therapy Dog Impacts a Child's Life
Thanks, Mary! We had our Tuesday morning therapy dog work again this morning and the little boy I referenced in the post was beaming with joy when he walked into the room to see Sammie. My heart melted all over again.
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Re: The Books That Helped Me Transition from Trauma to Triumph: A Book Review Series – “Getting Past Your Past”
Teri, this book has been on my list for a while (along with a blue million other books ...). Thanks for the reminder to nudge it toward the top of the list. I'm an EMDR veteran too, and your descriptions of your experience with that therapy echo mine. I too can say I wouldn't be where I am today without it. I've undergone a few more sessions recently and it has not lost its power. It is also quite the trip. Every time I think, nothing is going to happen this session. And then ... boy, do...
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Re: The Books That Helped Me Transition from Trauma to Triumph: A Book Review Series – “Getting Past Your Past”
I totally relate to your "along with a blue million other books" How wonderful you found EMDR and it helped you along your healing journey. And, wow, yes, those session where I would go in thinking everything was calm in my world then . . . BAM . . . I'd walk out thinking, "Where the hell did THAT come from?" But, so glad those aha moments would surface and I could process them and release that negative energy. Cathartic in so many ways. Thanks again for posting the obit for Dr. Shapiro. I...
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Re: How Trauma Therapy Cultivated My Recovery
Beautiful and brilliant. Thank you for sharing. I wish you continued resolution and growing tranquility as you move along your healing journey. Peace, Teri
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Re: How Trauma Therapy Cultivated My Recovery
This is such an impressive account of overcoming trauma and addiction, and to boot it's educational and informative. Your story is a model of how one can transform painful experience into something that benefits others who are recovering from their own trauma. Thanks for posting, Tricia.
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Re: Defining Resilience Series: Step 6 - Find a Guiding Hand to Hold
Great post, Teri! Every one of these steps is about connecting -- if not in person, then with information and resources that will help us along as we develop resilience. Then, of course, there are the ACTUAL connections, with therapists, with life coaches, and with friends and likeminded folks. I especially like the life coach suggestion -- I think one common long-term effect of childhood trauma is just getting thrown off track, right from the get-go, whether in our educational pursuits,...
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Re: Defining Resilience Series: Step 6 - Find a Guiding Hand to Hold
I love it . . . I am right there with you, needing to find ALL the answers! I never really knew much about the concept of coaching until I started interviewing ACEs champions and found so many beautiful souls offering their coaching services to others. Like you said, "working with a life coach to get back on track can be a solid way to reclaim one's life." Agreed! Thanks for the feedback. Peace, Teri
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Re: Crafting Provides Cross-Body Therapy Which Helps Mental Health [blogs.psychcentral.com]
One of the simplest and easiest cross-body exercises is crawling . It is the best mind-body exercise. It requires just a minute, 3 to 4 times a day but it really keeps me fit and has helped me heal my back.
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Re: Seven Benefits of Working with a Therapy Animal from a Handler's Perspective
Teri... such beautiful work you do. Your big heart—and Sammie's—help heal so many hearts. ❤️
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Re: Crafting Provides Cross-Body Therapy Which Helps Mental Health [blogs.psychcentral.com]
Cheryl, I read your blog post about crawling, and it was so intriguing. I've tried it a few times and have been trying to get into the habit of doing it on a regular basis. It's such a novel way to move around, and if it helps with back trouble, I'm in! --Laura
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Re: Seven Benefits of Working with a Therapy Animal from a Handler's Perspective
There's so much to like about this "love letter" to working with a therapy animal, if I may. Two bits that stand out, though, are "Do I approach with a 'wagging tail' and welcoming aura?" -- definitely goals for which to strive. I know that in my decades-long habitual self-guarding and hypervigilance, I can unintentionally come off as aloof. I'm now inspired to try to wag my figurative tail when approached or approaching others. And this whole piece just sings with the fact that you and...
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Re: Seven Benefits of Working with a Therapy Animal from a Handler's Perspective
Thank you for this. You made my big heart smile big I was away visiting my son in Colorado and had to leave Sammie for a week. She's still not speaking to me. Ha! I'm excited for school to start back up so this dog can begin helping kiddos again.
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Re: Seven Benefits of Working with a Therapy Animal from a Handler's Perspective
Oh, I so relate to what you wrote about the hypervigilance bit and coming off as aloof. I lived in a guarded state for decades. Once I started the healing journey I began shining a light from within and found myself smiling without even realizing I was doing so as I would notice others smiling back at me or stating, "You must be having a great day based upon that grin!" And, yes, yes, yes . . . I find joy in watching Sammie help children find their smiles which naturally brings me to a place...
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Re: Seven Strategies I Use To Reregulate As Anxiety Symptoms Surface
Great list, Teri! I'll add another: Knitting. It's my portable therapy. I tend to get anxious when there's turbulence on a plane flight so I always take a knitting project with me when I fly. It's meditative and soothing. Here's some information and research about the health benefits of knitting: https://well.blogs.nytimes.com...enefits-of-knitting/ Thanks again for your great and useful post!
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Re: Seven Strategies I Use To Reregulate As Anxiety Symptoms Surface
Wonderful! Thanks for the knitting suggestion. I have a friend who swears by knitting when she flies, as well.
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Re: Seven Strategies I Use To Reregulate As Anxiety Symptoms Surface
Teri... and here's another one: Jigsaw puzzles. I can get absorbed in a puzzle for hours. While not portable like knitting, jigsaw puzzles are meditative and relaxing. I always have one going on a table in my home. I'm a psychotherapist and will pass on your suggestions and post to my clients and followers. Thanks again!
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Re: Seven Strategies I Use To Reregulate As Anxiety Symptoms Surface
Yes!!! I am a fan of jigsaw puzzles, as well. Great reminder! Thank you. And thanks for passing along my post. I have a website that has links to resources regarding ACEs, trauma, hope and healing . . . including my podcast. Many ACEs Connection members have joined me on air to discuss the healing work they are doing and/or their own healing journeys. If you'd ever like to join me, please reach out at info@teriwellbrock.com . I am now booking into August and beyond (on summer hiatus to...
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Re: Seven Strategies I Use To Reregulate As Anxiety Symptoms Surface
Love it! Another fellow jigsaw puzzler! Thank you for the information about your website and podcast and also for your invitation. I am interested and will be in touch! Blessings, Diane
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Re: Seven Strategies I Use To Reregulate As Anxiety Symptoms Surface
What a lovely collection of ways to calm yourself while away from home (or in general). Just looking at your coloring projects, your photos, and Sammie help me feel calmer. Your coloring and photos are just stunning, Teri. I second Diane's suggestion of knitting while flying. It helps distract me from my anxiety even if I have to "frog it" (rip it back) afterward because I made so many mistakes .
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Re: Seven Strategies I Use To Reregulate As Anxiety Symptoms Surface
Aw! Thank you, Laura! You made me heart smile with that. My dad and sister were/are phenomenal artists and I can't even draw a straight line with a ruler. LOL! But, coloring and photography and writing . . . THOSE I can do. For years I told myself I wasn't artistic because I couldn't draw or create magnificent artwork like them. So glad I found my own creative outlets. Now I admire and applaud their work while being appreciative of my own. I may have to give knitting a whirl. Who knows,...
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Re: To Help Heal Trauma, Talk Less, and Write More
Yes! There must be a mountain of research (not to mention anecdotal evidence) that writing is one of the most effective ways to process the emotion from traumatic events, not to mention everyday stresses and worries. While talk therapy has its place and its benefits, it's not always the best approach for recovering from trauma, for the reasons you cite. From personal experience, I'd caution anyone who's considering writing about a trauma they've experienced, especially if they have not yet...
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Re: Therapy Dogs and Service Dogs: What Are They and Why Are They Important?
Informative article. Aren't we all fortunate that Elaine Smith and her colleagues persevered in the face of skepticism and ridicule when they brought dogs into the nursing home? Thanks, Teri.
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Re: Therapy Dogs and Service Dogs: What Are They and Why Are They Important?
My dear friend works in the mortuary science field and informed me that therapy dogs (animals) are now being utilized to help the bereaved at funeral homes (per the request of the family, obviously). I love it that the power of these sweet animals is being recognized as a healing tool in so many arenas.
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Re: Therapy Dogs and Service Dogs: What Are They and Why Are They Important?
I don't think there's any place or situation where dogs can't provide healing and comfort (but I'm biased ).
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How to Set Healthy Boundaries in Relationships After Trauma
How are you coping with so much time at home? Whether you call it lockdown, sheltering in place, or quarantine, just about everyone’s work-life balance has been disrupted. We need to nurture ourselves even more than usual these days. We are all in need of more self-care, gentleness and especially healthy boundaries in relationships! Your schedule and your life are probably quite different now than they were before COVID. Many are feeling disruptions like work reconfiguration and job loss,...
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Re: How to Set Healthy Boundaries in Relationships After Trauma
HI Hannah- good to hear from you and good question. Yes, we definitely want you to share your blogs that are relevant to this community (be sure you are a member of the community and are signed into your account so you can post. We are a social network so we WANT folks to post relevant articles, resources, tools to share with others in the community. AND we hope that folks can add reactions, comments questions to the blog posts. Here in the Practicing Resilience for Self Care and Healing...
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Re: How to Set Healthy Boundaries in Relationships After Trauma
Thanks ACEsConnection I will look at the directions and post. All the best, Hannah On Sun, Jan 10, 2021 at 11:31 PM ACEsConnection < communitymanager@acesconnection.com> wrote:
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Re: How to Set Healthy Boundaries in Relationships After Trauma
I have a question. As a member of ACEs can I post my blogs on Aces connections? I will of course put on the ones that have a meaning for the community. I write a blog every week, and post it on my website. From time to time it is a blog that I feel is useful for the community. How do I go about it? I am an Art Therapist specialized in Trauma and bereavement, and supervise other therapists. I Am looking forward to your reply. Wishing you all a healthy and peaceful 2021 Hannah Sherebrin On...
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List of Books, Therapies & Resources for Healing Chronic Illness and Other Effects of Trauma (Free Downloadable PDF)
These are the books, therapies and resources I wish I'd known about when I was a family doctor and when I first started getting sick with what would turn out to be a disabling chronic illness. This compilation includes the most helpful resources I’ve found over the past 20 years of learning about the science of adversity, why it's not psychological and how to heal the effects of trauma.
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Re: Healing the Hidden Wounds from Childhood: The Promise of Healing, Part II (Glenn R. Schiraldi, Ph.D., Lt. Col., USAR, Ret.)
Beautifully put and described - this is what I came to learn only after leaving my career as a family doctor and retraining as a somatic trauma therapist specializing in chronic illness. May this work of increasing awareness and becoming trauma informed spread throughout the health sciences and beyond. Thank you for this and it's nice to know of your work and workbooks
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Healing the Hidden Wounds from Childhood: The Promise of Healing, Part II (Glenn R. Schiraldi, Ph.D., Lt. Col., USAR, Ret.)
So many people are struggling with unhealed, hidden wounds from toxic childhood stress. For some the pain is obvious. Others might look outwardly strong, capable, and in control. However, unhealed inner wounds cause needless suffering and can lead to a dizzying array of psychological, medical, and functional problems. This three-part blog discusses the road to recovery. Part I explained “The Principles of Healing.” This part explains why traditional treatments are not usually the best...
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Healing the Hidden Wounds from Childhood: The Promise of Healing, Part III (by Glenn R. Schiraldi, Ph.D., Lt. Col., USAR, Ret.)
So many people are struggling with unhealed, hidden wounds from toxic childhood stress. For some, the pain is obvious. Others might look outwardly strong, capable, and in control. However, unhealed inner wounds cause needless suffering and can lead to a dizzying array of psychological, medical, and functional problems. Fortunately, there is hope for healing—even decades after traumatic wounding from ACEs occurs—enabling us to be 100% there for ourselves, our families, and others we work and...