Pills and Skills Recovery with Dr. Chris Maria

I talk extensively about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on my show. One way to prevent ACEs is for a responsible adult to supervise children at all times. But what if your child gets out of school at 3 pm and you don't get off until 5 pm or later? How do you ensure a responsible adult supervises your child at all times? Or,  What about when your child is on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or spring break, and you still have to work? How do you ensure a responsible adult supervises your child at all times? 
When I was teaching, I faced these challenges, and to ensure a responsible adult supervised my son at all times,  I enrolled him in the local YMCA. That was a great decision. 

Listen to learn how the YMCA can help with after-school care, drop-off during Thanksgiving and Christmas break, and more. 

Today's show is Part 2 of 7 Signs of a Narcissistic Mother and How to Cope. Last week I went over 7 Signs of a Narcissistic Mother and they include:

1. She doesn’t respect your boundaries.
2. She lacks empathy (or seems to turn empathy on and off)
3. She seemingly competes with you
4. She gaslights you. 
5. She only treats you well in public
6. She often presents as the victim
7. She takes advantage of others

Today I focus on  How to Cope with a Narcissistic Mother.  

1. Educate Yourself on Narcissism 
2. Stop Blaming Yourself
3. Implement Boundaries Firmly
4. Practice Grey Rocking
5. Find Support
6. Stop Trying to Change Her
7. Consider No-Contact.
8. Consider Finding a Therapist.

Listen to Learn more.

7 Signs of a Narcissistic Mother and How to Cope

Today's show is Part 1 of 7 signs of a Narcissistic Mother and How to Cope.  7 Signs include: 

1. She doesn't respect your boundaries. 
2. She lacks Empathy (or Seems to turn empathy on & off)
3. She seemingly competes with you.
4. She Gaslights You.
5. She only treats you well in public. 
6. She often presents as the Victim.
7. She takes advantage of others.
8. How to Deal with a Narcissistic Mother 

For today's show, reference an article by Choosing Therapy.
Listen to learn more. 

In today's episode, I share how Pills and Skills Recovery came to be.  I share how my weekly radio talk show ministry came to be, and finally, I share my vision for Pills and Skills Recovery. Listen to learn more. 

In today's show, I share information about my upbringing and the role the Church played in my life.  Today, my mother joins me in the studio, and she and I walked down memory lane sharing about growing up in the church.
 
Listen to Learn more. 

Today I’m still talking about co-parenting, but I’m talking about how to reestablish a relationship when one parent has been absent, when there has been estrangement, or if there has been broken trust between the parent and child. When this has happened How do you begin to repair that relationship? 

One strategy to begin rebuilding or repairing that relationship is a type of family therapy called Reunification Therapy. This type of family therapy–Reunification Therapy– aims to reunite or reestablish a relationship between a parent and child. Reunification Therapy emphasizes attachment, promotes healthy communication, and works to heal injuries in the relationship. It aims to improve relationships within the family or treat alienation.
This is what I'm talking today. Listen to Learn more.

What is Reunification Therapy    --Very Well Mind

In today's show, I discuss one practical way to build a co-parenting relationship: A weekly Parenting Phone call, schedule at the same time and with agenda.  First on the Agenda should be all the good stuff that has happened with your child(red)-- that sets a positive tone for you and your ex to compromise and make decisions that are in the best interest of your children. Other topics to discuss as it relates to your child(ren) include: 

• Medical issues
• School related issues
• Activities (what’s coming up in activities? whose taking them or picking them up)
• Behavior issues either at home or at school, and
• Scheduling –birthdays, holidays, and vacation, and more. 

Today I reference The Co-Parenting Survival Guide Letting Go of Conflict after a Difficult Divorce or if you were never married after a difficult breakup or separation. The Co-Parenting Survival Guide was written by Dr. Elizabeth S. Thayer and Dr. Jeffrey Zimmerman –they are Co-Founders of Beacon Behavioral Services and the P.E.A.C.E. program –PEACE stands for - Parents Equally Allied to Co-parent Effectively. 

Listen to learn more. 

In today's episode I continue my discussion on How to Help When in a Mental Health Crisis. Today I'm focusing on shame and how Brene Brown says the antidote to is empathy. I talk how group therapy and how that is a safe place to tell your story and it be met with those who demonstrate empathy.

In today's episode, I talk about how to get help if you or a loved one is in a mental health crisis. This first step is to go to your local behavioral health hospital for an ASSESSMENT and evaluation. Here in Greenville, there is The Carolina Center for Behavioral Health. 
The assessment will take roughly 45 minutes where they take a medical history and trauma history. During that time, they are trying to determine what is the best level of care to get you stable and your symptoms under control. There are 3 levels of treatment:

1. Inpatient -- the most restrictive. If you are suicidal or in a state of psychosis, and you a danger to yourself or others, you need 24 hr. round the clock to get stable. Once you are, your= transition down to a lesser restrictive level of care.
2. Partial Hospital Program (Also called the Day program) -- Mon. - Sat. 9-3pm. The you can go home. This last roughly 10 days and then your transition down to the least restrictive level of care. 
3. Intensive Outpatient --MWF 9-12 Noon. 

Listen to learn more about each level of treatment.




This content is for informational purposes only. If you feel you need to talk to someone, please consult a medical doctor or a licensed professional counselor. If you are in an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you need help with suicide prevention, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

In this episode, I share 5 tips for maintaining your recovery from Bipolar Disorder.
Those tips include:

1. Take your medication
2. Work with your treatment team (primary physician, psychiatrist, and therapist)
3. Get adequate sleep.
4. Use Coping Skills and Self Care
5. Manage your Stress level (at work, finances, relationships)

Listen to learn more.

This content is for informational purposes only. If you hear something you think might work for you, before making any changes, please consult a medical doctor or licensed professional counselor.