Depression Counseling Archives - Ducere Investment Group

Divorce Counseling

Atlanta, GA
from Counseling
#Elitehomehealthcare #Homehealthcare #Homecare, Depression Counseling, divorce, divorce counseling, legal, relationship counseling

Divorce Counseling – What Qualifications Does a Divorce counseling therapist Need?

Since divorce can be one of the most emotionally and psychologically challenging events that impact numerous aspects of person’s life, it is no surprise that the qualifications of a divorce therapist are quite involved. When a marriage ends traumatically, a divorce therapist is usually responsible for helping an individual cope with the challenging mental, financial, emotional, and physical process of the uncoupling. Not only can divorce counseling therapists act as an intermediary to ensure that the separation is achieved with minimal hostility, but they can also equip individuals with the essential skills needed to navigate through all of the choppy waters associated with this life transition.

If you are interested in concentrating your career in helping clients through the painful process of divorce, the following are the qualifications that are expected for divorce therapists. Education Requirements to Become, a Divorce Therapist Similar to other mental health and therapy careers, starting a successful career as a divorce therapist involves lots of education beyond the baccalaureate level.

Usually, individuals seeking to become a divorce therapist will start by earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, sociology, or social work with elective coursework focusing on marriage and family situations. Upon degree completion, most aspiring divorce therapists then go on to graduate school to earn a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, community counseling, or clinical mental health counseling. Although it is not required at this time, some divorce therapists go a step further to earn a Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy as well.

Qualifications for Becoming Licensed as a Divorce Therapist Along with earning a master’s or doctoral degree in a field closely related to marriage or couples counseling, there are a set of training requirements that are needed to obtain licensure and certification as a divorce therapist.

According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), qualified candidates for licensure must have graduated from an accredited program and obtained, at least, two years of post-degree supervised clinical experience working in direct service to married couples. Once these requirements have been met, divorce therapists must then pass a state licensing examination or the national examination for marriage and family therapists conducted through the AAMFT Regulatory Boards. Most Important Skills that Divorce Therapists Need In addition to the extensive training and educational requirements for this vital mental health profession, it is important for divorce therapists to gather the essential skills that will enable them to succeed in the career choice.

Since divorce therapists need to help their clients feel comfortable enough to share their deepest feelings, it is important that individuals possess strong interpersonal, communication, and listening skills to be compassionate in this extremely challenging transition. Divorce Therapists should also develop solid organizational skills to maintain thorough case notes, keep detailed paperwork files, and manage insurance claims.

Furthermore, divorce therapists often must work in close collaboration with spouses, children, family members, and other healthcare professionals, so strong collaboration skills are also a must. Overall, recent shocking United States divorce statistics indicate that 41 percent of first marriages, 60 percent of second marriages, and 73 percent of third marriages end in divorce.

As a result, the projected job growth for divorce therapists and other marriage counselors is expected to grow at a rate much faster than average at an impressive rate of 41 percent before 2020. For those who are seeking to take advantage of these plentiful job opportunities and actually make a difference in the lives of others struggling through a difficult time, it will be required that you fully complete all of the qualifications above of a divorce therapist.

Bibliography

“What Qualifications Does a Divorce Therapist Need?” . n.p., 1 Jan. 1970.Web. 21 Feb. 2016.

Why We Love Mental Health Counselor – And You Should, Too!

Atlanta, GA
from Counseling Mental Illness
Counseling, Depression Counseling, Family Therapy Counseling, Grief Counseling, Mental Health

Mental Health Counselor

Mental health issues tend to be multi-faceted. In light of this, mental health counselors are trained to treat their clients in a holistic manner, working in tandem with professionals in education, medicine, and related fields to get to the complex roots of each individual client’s unique struggles.

Their methods of assisting clients are diverse, as are the locations in which mental health counselors work. They might treat substance abuse at a rehabilitation center or provide in-home family counseling, for example.

Important Facts About This Occupation

Median Salary $40,850 per year
Similar Occupations Social worker; physician; psychologist
Job Outlook (2012-2022) 29% growth
Key Skills Interpersonal skills; Compassion; Listening skills; Organizational skills; Speaking skills

Duties and Responsibilities

Mental health counselors help patients work through personal issues like anger management, depression, suicidal thoughts, aging, parenting, self-image, relational problems, stress, or addiction. They provide psychotherapy, assessment, diagnosis, substance abuse treatment, and crisis management. Field Specialties Mental health counselors handle records and documentation of their cases and use these to collaborate with other professionals.

Common specialties are substance abuse counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, career counseling, marriage counseling, and family counseling. Mental health counselors may choose to specialize in a particular patient group, such as children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, couples, or families.

Most mental health counselors in the U.S. work in outpatient and residential care centers, individual and family services, and local governments. They are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues, including depression, anxiety, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress, problems with self-esteem, and grief. They also help with job and career concerns, educational decisions, issues related to mental and emotional health, and family, parenting, marital, or other relationship problems.

Mental Health Counselors also continue to play a growing role in the military mental health crisis, helping military personnel and their families deal with issues such as PTSD. Mental Health Counselors often work closely with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors. In the U.S. states, Mental Health Counselors diagnose as well as treat mental illness, though the scope of practice for mental health practitioners varies from state to state.

A typical day for a counselor begins by reviewing upcoming scheduled patients and meeting with those patients. After each patient meeting, a recorded assessment of progress is noted in their patient file. Follow-up calls with other professionals to discuss patient care and treatment may be necessary. Meeting with hospitalized, institutionalized, or home-bound patients may also take place during the work day. Patient paperwork and notations to fellow professionals often require additional time in the office or at home.

A licensed mental health counselor spends many years training for this position. After successful completion of a master’s degree in mental health, a prospective counselor then performs two years of supervised clinical experience. Then, the candidate takes a licensing exam to receive the title of licensed mental health counselor.

Education

After earning a bachelor’s degree, a mental health counselor completes a master’s degree in counseling. In a typical program, students take courses in psychotherapy, diagnosis, psychological assessment and testing, psychopathology, group counseling, and research. They also study counseling theory, human development, career development, lifestyles, and social contexts.

Training and Certification After completing a master’s degree in counseling, candidates gain at least two years of clinical experience under the supervision of a licensed mental health counselor, according to the American Mental Health Counselor’s Association. Upon successful completion of a certification test, the candidate is licensed as a mental health counselor.

Work Environment

Mental health counselors work with community agencies, substance abuse centers, hospitals, employee assistance programs, health care organizations, corporations, youth homes, and independent practices. They work with other professionals, including social workers, psychiatrists, and school counselors.

Licensed Mental Health Counselors

Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) are highly qualified, Master’s level, 3rd party reimbursable, cost-effective, public service oriented mental health practitioners. LMHCs work in private practice settings, and agencies, clinics, schools, and hospitals, providing quality mental health services for consumers. Licensed Mental Health Counselors are prepared to assist clients who are coping with a wide variety of problems and concerns.

Licensed Mental Health Counselors specialize in many areas such as the emotional problems of anxiety and phobias, depression, child and spouse abuse, family conflict, eating disorders, sexual dysfunctions, drug and alcohol abuse, crisis intervention, job and career issues, personal growth, bereavement, and crime victimization.
LMHCs have rigorous clinical training which includes clearly specified, comprehensive, educational and field training requirements:

• A Masters degree in counseling or a related field
• 60 credit hours in total
• 700 hours of pre-masters supervised clinical practicum and internship training
• 3360 hours of post-masters, supervised, clinical work experience prior to licensure
• A passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counselors Examination (NCMHCE)
• Training supervisors of LMHCs must have five years post-masters clinical experience

Importantly, LMHCs must continue their education and training to renew their license. They must obtain 30 hours of continuing education credits every two years. Additionally, to ensure the highest quality of care and protection for mental health services consumers, there are National Standards of Professional Practice and Ethical Standards to which LMHCs must conform.

Licensing requirements vary from state to state. In all states, mental health counseling licensure is required to independently practice, but can be practiced without a license if under the close supervision of a licensed practitioner. Licensing titles for mental health counselors vary from state to state: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and various forms of these titles may list differently per state statutes. The titled “Mental Health Counselor” (or variation thereof) is a protected title and a violation of state laws for persons to hold themselves as such without the proper credential.

“About LMHCs | MAMHCA” . n.p., 1 Jan. 1970.Web. 30 Jan. 2016.
“Licensed Mental Health Counselor Salary”. n.p., 1 Jan. 1970.Web. 30 Jan. 2016.
“Mental health counselor ” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. n.p., 1 Jan. 1970.Web. 30 Jan. 2016.
“What Does a Mental Health Counselor Do?”. n.p., 1 Jan. 1970.Web. 30 Jan. 2016.

How I Used Group Counseling

Atlanta, GA
Group Counseling Interpersonal Issues Mental Illness
Anxiety, Depression Counseling, Grief Counseling, Home Healthcare, Long Term Care, Mental Health

Drs. Chris Schimmel and Ed Jacobs discuss common mistakes in group counseling from an Impact Therapy point of view based on their book, Group Counseling: Strategies and Skills.

Common Group Counseling Mistakes

Group counseling is a form of psychotherapy that usually involves four to ten clients and one or two experienced group therapists. Most therapy groups meet every week at the same time for one or two hours. During this period, the members of the group discuss the issues that are concerning them and offer each other support and feedback. Interpersonal interaction is highly valued and encouraged. Group counseling may be particularly useful for students who are having difficulties in their relationships or who want to learn about themselves and their connections to other people.

Community Counseling Solutions offers several different groups based on various interests and perspectives.

Why do people join groups?

Most often, people participating in a group because they are having some struggles with their relationships. The group is often the best place to get help with mutual concerns. If you have been referred to the group, it is because it is the most effective method for addressing your concerns. Here are some examples of the kinds of interpersonal issues that bring people to group:

Loneliness or isolation

Shyness

Excessive dependence in relationships

Superficial relationships

Frequent arguments with people

Discomfort in social situations

Difficulty trusting others

Being easily hurt or offended

Needing a lot of reassurance from others

Afraid of being left and

Lack of intimacy in relationships

Naturally, many of us experience these concerns at one time or another, but if you experience one or more of these to the extent that they are causing significant pain or distress for you, group therapy may be a solution.

How does group therapy work?

Group therapy is a unique experience for most people because the therapists and group members work hard to make it a safe and confidential place to explore relationships. Through the sharing process, members develop a level of trust that makes it possible for them to be honest and open with each other. They also learn to care for and accept each other. Ideally, the individuals who join the group are committed to learning about themselves and their relationships, and often they find considerable support and encouragement in group therapy.

Group therapy usually works because members behave in the society in ways that reflect how they act outside of the group. The difference is that the leaders and the other members can help the individual change unproductive patterns by giving feedback about how they perceive you and by offering alternative ways of interacting.

The group can also be a safe place to try out or practice some of these new options with people who are caring and encouraging. The group also helps people see that they are not alone in their pain. Finally, members can get advice and guidance from each other. Even if it is difficult for you to interact in a group situation, you can still benefit from being in the group. What does society look like? Groups can be organized in several different ways. Some groups have an overarching theme or are geared toward a particular type of concern.

Some examples of this type of group are those designed for women with eating disorders, for survivors of interpersonal trauma, or for gay and bisexual men. Other groups are more open to anyone. These are usually called general therapy groups. Another way that groups are organized is in relation to time. Some groups are open-ended and may last for years. Still others are time-limited and conclude after a certain number of weeks–usually between 6 and 12 weeks.

Also, some groups have open membership, meaning that the members can come and go as they please; while others have closed membership, saying that once the group reaches a certain number, no new members are added.

Finally, some groups are considered unstructured while others are considered structured which refers to whether or not there are planned activities for the group. If there are no structured activities, the group itself is free to decide how it will focus its time. If you have been referred to group therapy or are considering group therapy, you will want to ask questions about how the group is organized.

How can I get the most out of a group?

Most people are apprehensive about joining a group and experience some anxiety about doing so. It is not uncommon for people to worry that they will talk too much or not say enough, or that others will not accept them in the group. Most are concerned that the group will not help them. There are some things that you can do to maximize the chances that group will be meaningful and healing experience for you. The more willing you are to participate and commit to the group, the more likely it is that you will benefit from it.

Being as genuine as you can be will allow others to help you more directly. Think about what you would like to work on in the group and work actively towards change. Ask the group for help. Respect your safety needs and don’t press yourself to reveal more than you are comfortable revealing. On the other hand, gently challenge yourself to take more risks with self-disclosure so that your other needs get met as well. Use group to talk about yourself and your concerns. Many people struggle with whether or not it is OK to use group time. They worry that their concerns are not important enough, or they believe that others need the time more than they do. The group will be most helpful to you if you can find a way to talk about yourself. Express your thoughts and feelings.

Notice if you are holding back from doing this and talk about your fears of sharing in the group. “Try on” new behaviors in the group and ask for feedback from others when you do so. Although this means taking risks, it is usually well worth it. Give others feedback. This allows you to practice being direct, honest and assertive, but it also helps the other members to know how they are perceived. Be patient with yourself and the group. It will take time for you to feel comfortable in the group and it will take time for the group to develop trust.

You are encouraged to commit to the group for a sufficient amount of time before deciding that it is not the right treatment for you. When you are not in a group, think about the group and what kinds of reactions you are having. When you return to group the next week, share as many of these thoughts and feelings as you feel comfortable sharing.

“Group Counseling | Counseling Center”. n.p., 1 Jan. 1970.Web. 31 Jan. 2016.

5 Little-Known Homelessness Factors That Could Affect Your Community

Atlanta, GA
Health and Wellness
Depression Counseling, homelessness, Homelessness in America, Mental Health, Money

Homelessness in America – TED Video explains how we can take our own small and meaningful steps to end homelessness and admit and respond to the inequality in our midst.

Homelessness exists when people lack safe, stable, and appropriate places to live.

Sheltered and Unsheltered people are homeless. People living doubled up or in overcrowded living situations or motels because of inadequate economic resources are included in this definition, as are those living in tents or other temporary enclosures.

Health care for homeless people is a significant public health challenge. Homeless people are more likely to suffer injuries and medical problems from their lifestyle on the street, which includes poor nutrition, exposure to the harsh elements of weather, and higher exposure to violence (robberies, beatings, and so on). At the same time, they have little access to public medical services or clinics.

Each year between 2–3 million people in the United States experience an episode of homelessness (Caton et al., 2005). The psychological and physical impact of homelessness is a matter of public health concern (Schnazer, Dominguez, Shrout, & Caton, 2007). Psychologists as clinicians, researchers, educators, and advocates must expand and redouble their efforts to end homelessness.

The APA Presidential Task Force on Psychology’s Contribution to End Homelessness, commissioned by James Bray, Ph.D. during his tenure as APA’s president, developed a mission to identify and address the psychosocial factors and conditions associated with homelessness and define the role of psychologists in ending homelessness. Individuals without homes often lack access to health care treatment (Kushel et al., 2001). Chronic health problems and inaccessibility to medical and dental care can increase school absences and limit employment opportunities (APA, 2010).

People without homes have higher rates of hospitalizations for physical illnesses, mental illness, and substance abuse than other populations (Kushel et al., 2001; Salit, Kuhn, Hartz, Vu, & Mosso, 1998). Physical & Mental Health Poor physical health is associated with poverty in general but seems to be more pronounced among those who are without homes (APA, 2010).

Rates of mental illness among people who are homeless in the United States are twice the rate found in the general population (Bassuk et al., 1998). 47% of homeless women meet the criteria for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder—twice the rate of women in general (Buckner, Beardslee, & Bassuk, 2004). When compared with the general population, people without homes have poorer physical health, including higher rates of tuberculosis, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS (Zlotnick & Zerger, 2008), as well as higher rates of medical hospitalizations (Kushel et al., 2001).

When compared with the general population, people without homes have poorer physical health, including higher rates of tuberculosis, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS (Zlotnick & Zerger, 2008), as well as higher rates of medical hospitalizations (Kushel et al., 2001).

Sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS are prevalent among some subgroups of people without homes. Age, gender, and ethnicity are linked to such HIV/AIDS risk behaviors as injection drug use and high-risk sexual practices (Song et al., 1999) Mental Illness & Homelessness Distinguishing between those with and without severe mental illness may be particularly important. Assertive community treatment offered significant advantages over standard case management models in reducing homelessness and symptom severity for homeless people with severe mental illness (Coldwell & Bender, 2007).

The President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health made clear the need to address the public mental health system’s delivery of service to people without homes and with mental illness. This population is more likely to use hospitals than regular outpatient care (North & Smith, 1993), which is not only more expensive but results in fragmented service and less attention paid to ongoing mental health needs. Shinn and Gillespie argued that although substance abuse and mental illness contribute to homelessness, the primary cause is the lack of low-income housing.

People with substance and other mental disorders experience even greater barriers to accessible housing than their counterparts: income deficits, stigma, and a need for community wraparound services. The remediation of homelessness involves focusing on the risk factors that contribute to homelessness as well as advocating for structural change.

Ill health and Homelessness and health concerns often go hand in hand. An acute behavioral health issue, such as an episode of psychosis, may lead to homelessness, and homelessness itself can exacerbate chronic medical conditions or lead to debilitating substance abuse problems. At the most extreme, a person can become chronically homeless when his or her health condition becomes disabling and stable housing is too difficult to maintain without help.

Persons living in shelters are more than twice as likely to have a disability, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, compared to the general population. On a given night in 2014, nearly 20 percent of the homeless population had severe mental illness or conditions related to chronic substance abuse, according to the 2014 Point-In-Time Count. Thousands of people with HIV/AIDS experience homelessness on a given night.

Physical health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease are found at high rates among the homeless population, in addition to injury and physical ailments from living outdoors. Many people experiencing homelessness have also experienced trauma, either resulting from homelessness or in some way leading to it. Behavioral health issues and trauma are found disproportionately among unaccompanied youth who are homeless.

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 require that health insurance plans cover behavioral health treatment such as therapy equally to that of physical health treatments. Health Care Access Treatment and preventive care can be difficult for homeless people to access, because they often lack insurance coverage, or are unable to engage health care providers in the community.

This lack of access can lead a homeless individual to seek medical attention only once his or her condition has worsened to the point that a trip to the emergency room is unavoidable. Federally Qualified Health Centers and Health Care for the Homeless Clinics, which are available in most communities across the U.S. provide some basic health services to homeless persons without cost.

Also, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows states to expand their Medicaid public health insurance program to cover more people with very low incomes. Previously, Medicaid was limited to covering people with children or with a disability. The ACA has also increased the number of community-based care options, such as with “Health Homes.” Health Care Solutions Housing is an essential component of health and health care. Moreover, effective strategies to end homelessness must always take into account the extent of health conditions and disability faced by homeless people.

For chronically homeless people, the intervention of permanent supportive housing provides stable housing coupled with supportive services as needed – a cost-effective solution to homelessness for those with the most severe health, mental health, and substance abuse challenges. With the advent of the ACA, funding through Medicaid will be an essential financing component for the supportive services in permanent supportive housing.

Bibliography

“Health & Homelessness” . n.p., 4 Feb. 7473.Web. 4 Feb. 2016.

“National Alliance to End Homelessness: Health Care” . n.p., 4 Feb. 4640.Web. 4 Feb. 2016.

What is the Future of Healthcare?

Atlanta, GA
from Home Healthcare
#Elitehomehealthcare #Homehealthcare #Homecare, Counseling, Depression Counseling, elderly health issues

How will healthcare change in the future? Dr. Stephen Klasko shares his insights on healthcare reform in this informative talk cleverly staged in the year 2020.

Try to imagine how the practice of medicine will be like in 2020 or 2030.

This not an easy exercise considering recent healthcare reform efforts and scientific discoveries make even a six-month view into the crystal ball a little cloudy. To help us get an idea of what the future of healthcare will look like, we consulted Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Here are 3 changes, they said we may see:

A new way to deliver care

The traditional, one-size-fits-all, office visit model of medicine has reigned for decades. Physicians are locked into a system that requires they see patients in their office every 15 minutes, and alternatives like e-mail consultations have been slow to catch on.

Healthcare has been stuck here because of the payment structure, says David Moen, a physician and medical director of care model innovation at Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services. Moen’s job is to rethink the traditional model and find ways to make the alternatives work. The current financial structure limits this innovation, he says, and fails to take into account patient engagement and drive efficiencies.

But at Fairview, they are initiating care reform, Moen says, which will in turn inform payment reform. Moen says the future of care includes different delivery models (think phone, Internet, and group visits), a greater focus on patients’ behavior, and a far more team-oriented approach.

“This is probably the most opportune time in decades for physicians to provide leadership to the change taking place,” he says.

Online visits

Moen’s colleague, Eric Christianson, an emergency department physician at Fairview, has been trying his hand at what some believe will become a new tier for healthcare delivery: online visits.

As part of a pilot program with BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota, Christianson has started seeing some patients via the Internet, using a Web cam and a telephone. Already, after only about 40 visits, Christianson says he can see how this method would make him more efficient, and give him some flexibility in his schedule.

“It seems to me to be a very common sense, logical step,” he says. “The technology is out there. There are still things that need to be worked on, but as it’s being developed and being refined, it’s clear to me that it could be utilized for betterment of patient and physician experience.”

Not only will the online care model extend healthcare access to people in rural or underserved areas, but it can offer the physician a unique way to control her schedule. Imagine spending half of the day in the office seeing patients, then returning to work — perhaps from the comfort of your home — in the evening after your child’s softball game or dinner with the family. Any down time between patients, such as a last-minute cancellation, can be filled with another appointment.

A patient can go online to find out which physicians are available for an online visit, says Roy Schoenberg, CEO of American Well, which provides the online system.

The physician can review records, communicate, and write a prescription — and actually get paid (albeit less than for an office visit).

Minnesota is one of only a few areas using the online care model, but Schoenberg envisions the system evolving to allow for other disciplines to participate and for physicians to consult with each other.

Christianson also sees the mode taking off. “There’s no question that online care is something that is going to grow,” he says. “This is just another layer we can utilize and help with the efficiencies of the whole system.”

Group visits

Perhaps the ultimate move toward more efficiency would be seeing more than one patient at a time. Imagine if you could corral a half-dozen of your patients with similar conditions into a single visit, allowing you or your staff to give the information and guidance once. For some physicians, this is already a reality, and many see group visits as a new model for the practice of the future.

Although group visits have been around for several years, the concept is gaining in popularity, and more payers are beginning to reimburse for them.

The concept started around patients with a similar condition, such congestive heart failure, who are in a rehab program, says Erica Drazen, managing director for the emerging practices division of CSC Healthcare Group, a planning and performance improvement consulting firm in Waltham, Mass. In a group visit, there may be a facilitated discussion about diet or exercise, after a nurse or physician has evaluated each patient individually.

“Patients listen to what is going on with every patient, as well as talk amongst themselves,” Drazen says, which provides them with greater insights into their condition and builds support among the group.

“As you hear questions and answers, you learn a lot about yourself,” she says. “Patients love the visit experience.”

Surprisingly, privacy concerns don’t seem to be a barrier to such visits, Drazen says, and of course any exam is done in a separate room.

This can allow the physician to be more efficient, and it also gives her some insight into the condition she might not otherwise get in one-on-one visits.

Group visits tend to be limited to organized systems of care, such as an HMO or large clinic that allows for reimbursement, Drazen says, but “where they are introduced, they spread pretty quickly.”

Rather than being uncomfortable for patients with chronic illnesses, group visits can be empowering, says David Ehrenberger, a family-practice physician at Bloomfield Family Practice, which has conducted group visits and is participating in a patient-centered medical home pilot project.

“That group dynamic is extremely powerful,” he says.

3 Nutrition Counseling Strategies That Will Transform Your Life

Atlanta, GA
from Counseling
Counseling, Depression Counseling, Medicaid, Mental Health, Nutritional Counseling

TED Video - Dr. Wendy Pogozelski speaks about how knowledge is power in nutrition.

Everywhere you turn, there’s a different diet book or plan promising you’ll lose weight fast. But what works? Well, some experts from Prevention.com provided the following tips.

DON’T FOCUS JUST ON CARBS

1 “Cutting carbs can lead to weight loss, but only if it results in an overall calorie deficit,” says Georgie Fear, nutrition coach and author of “Lean Habits for Lifelong Weight Loss.”

“If you cut out all carbs but add lots of oil and nuts in their place, you might not lose weight because you aren’t reducing overall calories.”

Instead of demonizing or glorifying one single nutrient, try to reduce the overall number of calories you take in.

SKIP THE SCALE

2 “One of my top tips is to avoid the scale and instead use your pants as a guide to your weight,” says Jessica Levinson, nutritional counselor and consultant at Nutritioulicious.

“The number on the scale can be an important measurement for health, but it can fluctuate based on so many different factors, like time of day, fluid intake, and exercise. How our clothes fit often tells a more accurate story.” If it’s tough to button your jeans, then it’s time to take a look at your food intake.

3. Here’s a shocker: If you’re not taking the time actually to pay attention to what you eat, you’ll never lose weight. In other words, mindlessly shoveling food down your gullet while you check e-mail or watch TV will likely cause you to overeat.

Instead, give your food your full attention, says Mitzi Dulan, nutritionist for the Kansas City Royals and author of The Pinterest Diet.

Research shows that people who eat their food mindfully are 34 percent less likely to be obese than people who don’t. How can you become more mindful at mealtimes? “Only eat at the kitchen table,” Dulan says.

5 Teen Counseling Practices That Make You Look Like A Pro

Atlanta, GA
from Counseling
Counseling, Depression Counseling, Grief Counseling, teen counseling

Teen Counseling – The teenage years are challenging for teens and their parents. Teens face many new pressures and may not always react in the healthiest ways to the problems they encounter.

In some cases, teens may need counseling to help them cope with their problems. Parents should know the danger signs to look for and how to find a counselor if their teen needs one.

Some of the struggles teens face are a normal part of growing up, like dealing with peer groups, experimenting with new ideas, and going through changes in mood, identity, and interests. Parents can help their teens through some of these issues by talking to them, being patient with them, and creating an environment that is structured and supportive.

Continue reading “5 Teen Counseling Practices That Make You Look Like A Pro”