The LightHouse Arabia’s Post

If you're struggling with mental health and engaging in traditional therapy is not an option, consider joining one of our support groups that is led by a licensed mental health professional. At LightHouse Arabia, we offer over 20 free support groups each month, including some for parents, expats, those dealing with physical health issues, and those who are grieving. These groups provide a space to connect with others facing similar challenges and are led by licensed mental health professionals. Explore our website to find a group that suits your needs and start building connections and support today. Dr Robert Chandler #DiscoverYourLight #MentalHealthSupport #FreeSupportGroups #CommunityCare #MentalHealthMatters

We think that when we're stressed, or traumatized we go into “fight or flight” and when the threat subsides, we back down to neutral. But that's not wholly true. If we remain in fight/flight for too long, our exhausted system moves into a ‘freeze’ response to protect itself from being overwhelmed. According to the Polyvagal Theory, human beings have 3 subdivisions of our autonomic nervous system and they follow a natural order depending on how our brain/nervous system perceives safety or danger in the situation. 1. Ventral Vagal/ Parasympathetic/SAFETY 2. Sympathetic/fight or flight/DANGER 3. Dorsal Vagal/ Freeze/ LIFE THREAT When you're having a traumatic response (and what most people have encountered on social media has been nothing short of traumatic) and depending on how much your nervous system can handle, you were probably in FIGHT OR FLIGHT. This is when you're feeling anger, rage, and panic, and are defensive and hyper-aroused. You are mobilized to act or attack. But for some people, when the nervous system was already overloaded, perhaps due to mental health difficulties, mental load, grief, divorce, breakups, unemployment, or other major life stressors—it's possible that their system had already been in fight/flight for quite some time and their system moved into FREEZE and they felt more numb. It literally feels like a life-threatening experience for the nervous system. It cannot take anymore so it shuts down. This is when you are feeling numb, exhausted, tired, disassociated, helpless, trapped, hopeless, tired, disengaged from work/life, confused—paralyzed. Some people move up/down these 3 systems depending on their support system, their self-care, and their nervous system's ability to self-soothe and digest difficult emotions. If you have experienced trauma or secondary trauma recently you may need - more sleep than usual - gentle movement (not high-intensity) - personal space to recharge - a craving to be in nature - need for breaks before re-engaging with social media/social life - therapy to process the experience (or support group) - time before trusting others Be gentle with yourself. You are going through a lot. By Dr. Saliha Afridi, PsyD #PolyvagalTheory #MentalHealthAwareness #TraumaHealing #SelfCare

“When we feel heard, there is an activation of the reward system. This part of the brain releases dopamine which occurs when we receive affirmations, acknowledgement such as verbal agreement and/or nodding and compassionate empathetic attuning and response.” Tanya Dharamshi, Counselor at The LightHouse Arabia speaks to Arabian Business, about the fading art of face-to-face conversations in a world dominated by digital distractions #DiscoverYourLight #ChildDevelopment #ParentingTips #EmotionalWellbeing #RoutineMatters #BackToSchool #ChildrensMentalHealth #ConsistencyForKids #ParentingAdvice #FamilySupport

Take care of your mental health by attending one of the free upcoming psychologist led support groups at The LightHouse Arabia this and next weeks. Many of our groups are online and can be joined from anywhere in the world. Swipe left to see them.  👉 Please, note that one-time free Grief Consultation will be required before registering for a Grief Support Group. Please contact us on +971 (0)4 380 2088 to schedule an appointment with one of our Grief Support Specialists. #DiscoverYourLight #FreeSupportGroups #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthSupport #PsychologyDubai 

If you would like to be able to guide adults and adolescents to develop rich and meaningful lives, we invite you to join our Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Training Workshop! Participants will be taught through didactic presentations, experiential exercises, and role-plays and will gain: ✅ Different tools and techniques that are used in ACT therapy ✅ Knowledge of how to apply ACT skills when supporting both adults and adolescents ✅ In-depth understanding of the ACT Hexaflex model in adults and adolescents — Date: Thurs. 24th  & Fri. 25th October 2024 Time: 9am – 2pm (10 hours total)  2-Part Training  Location: In-person at The LightHouse Arabia (821 Al Wasl Rd, Al Safa 2, Dubai)⁣ Investment: 1,750 AED + 5%VAT Participants will receive a course manual and a certificate of attendance at the end of the 2-day training. For those collecting CME/CPD credit points, 8.5 points from DHA will apply. This is a two-day training taking place in-person. Pre-registration is required: https://lnkd.in/dvfG7ay — THIS ONLINE TRAINING IS SUITABLE FOR • Psychologists/psychotherapists • School counselors working with primary school children and above • Life Coaches • University students interested in psychology • School nurses • Psychiatrists with psychotherapy experience • General medical practitioners #DiscoverYourLight #Acceptance #ACT #psychologydubai #Commitment #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthfirstaid #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthadvocate