Informed Consent Podcast

Episode X: Adoption and Mental Health Part I

Adoption is complex in it’s implications in mental health and it is broad in scope. In this episode, Heather and Gabriel begin to discuss the complex topic of adoption. This topic will not be discussed in it’s entirety in this episode; it’s just too vast to fit into one episode.

This is only the beginning of this discussion. More episodes will follow on this topic.

Resources mentioned:
Book: Foster Care Odyssey: A Black Girl’s Story by Theresa Cameron
CASE: Center for Adoption Support and Education: www.adoptionsupport.org

For over 25 years Joan Sotkin has helped entrepreneurs and practitioners experience freedom from struggle personally, professionally, and financially. Thousands have benefitted from her groundbreaking book Build Your Money Muscles: Nine Simple Exercises for Improving Your Relationship with Money and her ongoing support programs. Joan is a holistic Prosperity and Mindset Mentor and a dynamic, inspiring speaker who brings a depth of knowledge plus a huge dose of empathy and compassion to her work. She is THE expert when it comes to understanding how emotions learned in early childhood can affect a person's earning capacity as an adult.

Free downloads and discount courses of Joans at www.informedconsentpodcast.com/eparchive

Jody Anderson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Psychodramatist with over 20 years of experience in the field of substance abuse, addiction, and co-occurring disorders. Jody provides both individual and group therapy to address a range of mental health disorders in a private practice setting in Roanoke, VA. In today’s episode, Jody shares with us her knowledge and skills of a psychodramatist.

For more information on Psychodrama, Jody’s practice, and/or to sign up for an upcoming training visit www.jodyandersoncounseling.com or email Jody at [email protected].

Sorry for the duplicate episode last week guys (travel and publishing don't mix!). But without further ado, Mrs. Jill Williams!

Agency work is wrought with challenging cases, long hours, low pay, etc. How does one survive in this environment? In this episode, Heather and Gabriel interview Jill Williams, LCSW in order to answer that very question. Jill owns a private practice in Asheville, NC, Flourish Counseling and Life Coaching, where she provides supervision for licensure in addition to clinical work specializing in anxiety disorders and PTSD. Prior to opening her practice, she successfully navigated the challenges of working in an agency. Jill shares with us her strategy for surviving and thriving working in an agency setting!

To find more information on Jill Williams, LCSW, visit her website at https://www.flourishasheville.com.

When you imagine networking, does it seem as though it is an impossible task? It is actually MUCH easier that you think! In this episode, Gabriel and Heather are joined by Allison Puryear of Abundance Practice Building. Together they explore the many facets of networking:

-What is networking
-Why network
-The power of networking
-When to network
-Fears about networking
-How to tackle networking

Collaborative Divorce is a legal process that empowers you to resolve your divorce without litigation using a future focused model. Collaborative Divorce is a team approach utilizing lawyers, mental health professionals, and financial professionals to educate, support, and guide you through a process of developing an agreement specifically for your family.

In this episode, Gabriel and Heather are joined by Collaborative Divorce professionals, Cheryl Watson Smith, JD, Robyn Walker, CFP, Susan Witt, LCSW, and David Nixon, JD. Together they will provide information on the Collaborative Divorce Process answering all things involved in this process.

Where do you stand with Technology? Are you a Digital Native or a Digital Immigrant? Regardless of our feelings or comfort with technology, it's fully present in our everyday lives, personally and professionally. Join Heather, a digital immigrant, and Gabriel, a digital native, as they explore considerations in the use of technology in our roles as mental health professionals.

Ethical considerations discussed include:
-HIPAA regulations
-Confidentiality
-Informed Consent
-Competency
-Dual/Multiple Relationships

Specific Technology Considerations include:
-Data storage
-Use of Email
-Texting
-Use of smartphones and tablets
-Social Media

What are you worth? That is the question that Gabriel and Heather pose in this episode. To fully celebrate your value, one must first evaluate their own worth asking yourself the questions:
-What are your strengths?
-What is your unique genius?

Most of us have heard and/or used the phrase “I didn’t get into this field to make the big bucks.” Today’s episode challenges you to end the martyrdom and to begin to explore your relationship with money. We all have a narrative that we have created our our life that includes our relationship with money. This narrative affects our self worth and informs our relationships with ourselves, others, and our clinical work. The exploration of our relationship with money begins with an assessment of:
Our belief system around money and about those who have money:
-Our religious beliefs
-Underlying emotions about money

As you increase your awareness about financial matters and your beliefs about money, it is easier to see money as an equivalent of your time and as a symbol of a relationship. Thus, it brings a new perspective to the question, “What am I worth?” It is important for us to develop a value for ourselves based on what we bring to the table. Not all things, people, and/or services are created equal. Our unique gifts have value, and we owe it to ourselves to advocate for our own worth!

Resources mentioned in this episode:
-Sex, Money, Kiss by Gene Simmons
-Joan Sotkin: http://prosperityplace.com/ and The Prosperity Show podcast

As counselors we treat our clients with genuineness, respect, unconditional positive regard but how do we treat our ourselves, our colleagues, families, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers? Join Gabriel and Heather as they explore kindness towards others as a recipe to improve our own happiness.

In this episode they will discuss five problematic patterns of communication: gossip, meddling, boasting, complaining, and cynicism. Heather and Gabriel will define and give examples of each of these communication patterns and suggest strategies for moving from negative to positive communication.

While each of the problematic communication patterns has specific strategies for change, there is one strategy that can be used to address kindness in general and can augment your current gratitude and goal setting practices.

Our journey into self betterment continues with this episode on exercise. Heather and Gabriel will discuss the benefits of exercise for ourselves and our clinical population. A resource that is repeatedly cited in the is episode is “Spark” by John Ratey. Topics discussed include:
-Definition of Exercise
-The research on the effects of exercise on depression
-Reasons why exercise is not widely embraced for medical treatment
-Top 9 benefits of exercise
-Concerns regarding exercise addiction.