LifeStance Health’s Post

After 5 years of studying I've finally qualified as an integrative therapist, starting a new position as a college counsellor, alongside this I'm starting up my own private practice. What a privilege it is to help people struggling with life's adversities, exciting times ahead! Here's to the next chapter #mentalhealthmatters

Paul Krauss MA LPC and Laurie Belanger LCSWR speak about the foundations of what Trauma-Informed Care really means in the context of our greater society, not just mental health practice or trauma therapy. Laurie and Paul discuss the intersections of Trauma-Informed Care and change in greater society This is a different way of approaching human behavior and it really ought to help us question, reorganize or even dismantle many of our institutions of care (medical, educational...for starters) and build something better. That may sound a bit ambitious, yet it becomes pretty clear once you begin unpacking the core concepts of Polyvagal Theory. Neuroscience and Trauma therapists agree: It's something like a ‘Windows update’ for "being a human.” We are living in a very strange time in history. We actually have the knowledge that we need to create more compassionate and science backed care and education of every member of society. Yet we are falling farther and farther behind in many real spaces. Much of it comes down to systems that were not designed with emotional safety in mind as being important for learning or healing  physical health issues. Fear of change keeps broken systems in place. This means that trauma-informed providers and educators are out here in society trying to share and equip a community working from within systems that were not designed to work that way.  Rather than become discouraged, Laurie Belanger LCSWR is talking about it. As citizens, the steps we can all take from within the outdated systems we are working within. We are talking about the possibilities of someday re-inventing the systems that no longer serve us. Laurie Belanger LCSWR is a licensed Clinical Social Worker & Trauma Psychotherapist in New York State. With a bachelors in Psychology from Moravian University and a Masters in Social Work from The University at Buffalo Graduate School of Social work, Laurie continues to pursue a lifetime of advanced learning attending conferences and training herself on the advances continuing to be made in the field of trauma, social work and psychology. Get involved with the National Violence Prevention Hotline: 501(c)(3) Donate Share with your network Write your congressperson Sign our Petition Looking for excellent medical billing services? Check out Therapist Billing Services. A behavioral and mental health billing service developed by therapists for therapists. Preview an Online Video Course for the Parents of Young Adults (Parenting Issues) EMDR Training Solutions (For all your EMDR training needs!) Paul Krauss MA LPC is the Clinical Director of Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, home of The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. Paul is also a Private Practice Psychotherapist, an Approved EMDRIA Consultant , host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, and Counseling Supervisor. Paul is now offering consulting for a few individuals and organizations

Celebrating Milestones in Therapy 🌻 Over the past few months, I've had clients share with me various moments where they’ve shown courage in seeking support from their loved ones. Simultaneously, they have also developed the art of caring for themselves that involves check-ins, journaling, walks and other self-care activities. These very clients previously struggled to ask for support, didn't know how to care for themselves or had any idea about the kind of care they needed. Today, they feel empowered in seeking support (even though it continues to feel uncomfortable) and are also able to identify when they need some time to themselves (that's equally refreshing). Often, individuals enter therapy feeling trapped, dependent on others, or isolated. Our work together involves breaking these habitual patterns, encouraging clients to step out of their comfort zones by seeking support when needed and embracing solitude when necessary. In therapy, a significant milestone is reached when clients develop the ability to discern when they require additional support and when they need personal time for self-care. When clients assert, "I think I have enough support, and I want to now spend some time caring for myself," it signifies a profound moment in their healing process. It's about reclaiming agency over their well-being and fostering a deeper connection with themselves. As therapists, we are privileged to be part of this transformative journey, guiding and supporting our clients as they navigate towards growth and empowerment.🌱#TherapyMilestones #SelfCare #Empowerment #TherapyJourney www.spiraluptherapy.com

Thank you to Forbes for featuring me and Colette Sachs, LMSW. Click below to learn more about intrusive thoughts and how to cope with them!

Hey there, friends! Welcome back to another exciting episode of Adulting with Autism, the podcast where we explore the highs and lows of adulthood from a unique, neurodiverse perspective. I'm your host, April Ratchford, your friendly occupational therapist mom, proudly on the spectrum and raising an amazing young adult son with autism. Grab your drink of choice, no judgment here, and let's dive into today's episode! Happy Saturday, everyone! It's been a whirlwind of a week for me, and I'm sure it has been for you too. Between managing our Facebook group, working on merchandise, and collaborating with friends who also have neurodiverse family members, there's never a dull moment. But hey, I wouldn't have it any other way. Today, I have a fantastic guest joining us. Please welcome Darlene Green, a Stensaw Activation Technologist Consultant, retired U.S. Navy Commander, and co-author of the best-selling book, Powered Echoes. Darlene is here to share some groundbreaking insights into a technology that's changing lives—patches that can help with everything from pain relief to improving mental clarity. Trust me, you don't want to miss this! Darlene talks about her journey discovering these patches after exhausting traditional therapies to help her husband with early Alzheimer's. The results were nothing short of miraculous—improved energy, better sleep, and even a return to his vibrant personality. And guess what? This technology is not just for Alzheimer's; it can help with ADHD, anxiety, systemic inflammation, and so much more. What makes these patches so special? They're based on light therapy, a safe and non-invasive method that activates your body's own stem cells. Imagine improving your health without the need for drugs or surgeries! It's fascinating to hear how athletes like Tom Brady and Michael Phelps have benefited from these patches, and now this technology is available to all of us. We also delve into the specifics of how these patches work, the various types available, and real-life testimonials from people who've experienced life-changing results. From reducing anxiety and PTSD symptoms to helping kids with autism become more independent, the possibilities are endless. If you're curious to learn more, Darlene has a wealth of information on her website, I Am Reverse Aging. And don't worry, there's even a money-back guarantee if you're skeptical. Thank you so much for tuning in today. As always, your support means the world to me. Be sure to check out the show notes for all the links and details mentioned in this episode. And stay tuned for an exciting giveaway coming up on July 15th! Until next week, keep adulting, and don't forget to hit that subscribe button. This is April Ratchford signing off from Adulting with Autism.   https://lnkd.in/grfWbd4X https://lnkd.in/gmQgsRhV https://lnkd.in/gd7Y5bmn https://lnkd.in/gPVyNs-s or https://lnkd.in/gigDYDAT

Are you feeling cold, tired, forgetful? 🥶 😴 🤨 Yes, the weather is changing and summer seems like a distant memory already, but is it JUST that? 🤔 Pernicious Anaemia might be to blame! Known as 'the great masquerader', symptoms can easily be dismissed by the medical profession! Watch this video, part of my amazing LinkedIn Lived Experience Learning Series, to find out how this invisible disability has impacted my life. 👀 ➡️ Over 80% of employees live with non visible disabilities, but only 4% feel comfortable disclosing them to their employers. Isn't it it time we start having open and proactive conversations in the workplace about this? More info on Pernicious Anaemia can be found here The Pernicious Anaemia Society 💡 #MelanieCostasConsulting #LinkedInLivedExperienceLearning

Therapy has been useful for many people to unpack and move through many of life's challenges. However access to therapy for some communities can be difficult. Specifically therapy for BIPOC young folks can be hard to access but a beneficial tool for support when life's challenges present itself. In this week's blog post our clinical resident Jasmine McElroy details how therapy for BIPOC young people can truly be helpful. Share and comment, let us know what you think. https://lnkd.in/etZM4NkJ

"I saw the ways in which children were being overlooked, marginalized, and relegated to the notion of being “seen and not heard”. And as a mom-of-two, I knew that I couldn’t just sit by and watch. I had to do something." It was an honor to share the story of how Kurt Roots and I founded Bend Health with the The Tech Tribune. Check out my full interview with them here: https://lnkd.in/gFCjZS52 #femalefounder #mentalhealth #healthcareonlinkedin #healthcareleader #healthcarestartup

If you are in your 20s, look no further! This blog written by one of our therapists, Debbie Livermore, is spot on with the truth. Can you relate? Follow this link:

Therapy is fantastic. Work with a therapist, or a counselor, because you *want* one. Don't wait until you think you "need" one. Many, many years ago I decided to work with a therapist for a very specific reason. It was something I was trying to sort out myself, but felt like I was going round in circles and wanted to talk it through with someone who: 1) Wasn't related to me 2) Didn't work with me 3) Was 100% on my side I found a great therapist and worked with him for about a year. He helped me through my own decisions and and transitions, and when I felt complete, we planned a final closing session. It was great. I'm still feeling grateful to past me for being curious about therapy, and trying it out. If you're curious about it, too, take this as a sign of encouragement! Many therapists will do an initial free consult, so you can talk to them, ask questions, get a sense of their vibe and learn how they work. You want to choose someone who is a good fit. You're not wasting their time! If they offer a free consult, it's an invitation you are welcome to accept without obligation or expectation. #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth