Free Mind-Body Workshops for the Public
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Because of the success of last year's Pennsylvania Psychological Association's first Mind-Body Health Workshops for the Public series, the free one-hour workshops will once again be offered on
June 17 and 18, 2009, 9:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.,
at the Hilton Harrisburg.
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You are invited to attend workshops presented by leading experts in the field of psychology. All sessions are free, and will address common life problems. The experts will also answer questions from the audience.PPA wants to help you to make healthier choices in your life, and in the lives of those you love. A complete list and description of all 14 workshops will be available on May 1st at psychologycanhelp.com.
Here are some of the things you will learn:
· How to Respond to Bullying
· Achieving Work-Life Balance with Support Systems
· Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders in Children
· Identifying and Caring for Returning Veterans' Hidden Psychological Wounds
· Caring for the Family Caregivers of Aging Parents
· Resilience in the Family
· Promoting Closeness with Your Child When You Have No Time
· Fostering Self-Esteem in Your Child
· Qigong for Mind-Body Health
PPA hopes you will plan to attend as many of these workshops as you can!
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What is a Psychologist?
Psychology is a mental health, health care and problem solving profession. Psychologists are trained to help people resolve feelings of depression, anger, anxiety and panic. They can help their clients change behaviors that have taken over their life, such as addictions or obsessive-compulsive patterns. Psychologists can help if someone's marriage is in trouble or if family members are having problems with each other.
What Training Does a Psychologist Receive?
Among all of the mental health professions, psychologists receive the most training. Most psychologists have doctoral degrees (Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D.), which requires 4-6 additional years of training after earning a college diploma. Some licensed psychologists in the state of Pennsylvania have Master's degrees. All psychologists must be licensed by the state of Pennsylvania to practice. Licensing requires a rigorous course of study in human behavior and how to help people cope more effectively with life's problems. Licensed psychologists have passed a national examination and completed many hours of supervised clinical experience before practicing independently.
How Does a Psychologist Help You?
· Psychologists help by carefully and respectfully listening, developing diagnoses and treatment plans, and using various types of talk therapies with individuals, couples, and families.
· Psychologists often teach the skills that people need to solve problems, reduce anxiety and depression and improve communication - to name but a few examples.
· Psychologists may also administer tests to measure intelligence, achievement, emotional and personality characteristics, career interests and goals, and many other human traits and abilities.
· Psychologists do not prescribe medication to solve psychological problems, but they may work with physicians to discuss and monitor the use of medications when needed.
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Welcome...
Four times a year the Pennsylvania Psychological Association provides practical and creative ways that psychology can help parents, businessmen and women, professionals and members of the public to improve their lives and their careers. Please feel free to forward these articles to friends, family and colleagues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Layoffs: Taking the Right Emotional Action
The words that many people are most afraid to hear today are, "You are laid off." When receiving this news, people can go through a rapid cycle of emotions: surprise, anger, rejection and acceptance.
In the surprise stage ("me, why me, what did I do wrong"), bargaining may begin: "I will take a cut in pay if I can stay." Anger may manifest itself in unrealistic negative statements such as "I always hated this company" or "George and Mary, who did not get laid off, never worked as hard as me." In rejection, the expression "this was an awful place to work, I'm glad I'm out of here" typifies the emotion.
A person who demonstrates acceptance looks at the layoff as an opportunity to find a better job with new challenges and new people. However, for people who are laid off, it is more often a natural first reaction to focus on self and blame themselves or the company for everything. Thinking such unhelpful thoughts as "this should not have happened at all," or "everything the organization did was wrong" needs to run its course. Continuing to focus only on the negative can be destructive and, in fact, may impede finding a new position. Once the thoughts that support anger and "rejection of the company" dissipate, being laid off can then be viewed as a new transition period of positive thinking, as a change in employment status, as a time to move on. Click here for complete article...
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Mindfulness Meditation
for Distress
It is easy to miss out on your life when almost all of your energy and attention are invested in avoiding pain. People diagnosed with certain emotional disorders do this. They get so invested in thought processes and behaviors aimed at avoiding death, loss, endings, rejection, and all that feels bad that they miss out on the moments that make up their very lives. This intention to avoid pain is very human and our bodies are even wired to learn to do it automatically. It only takes one burn from a hot flame to teach us to avoid it and the things and places associated with it.
We respond similarly to emotional pain. Add to this wiring a conscious mind that remembers, thinks, and imagines potential sources of pain and you have a person whose life can become restricted in a misguided effort to preserve life. Fortunately, through mindfulness meditation we can train our attention to be aware of the mental and behavioral habits that are limiting life and choose habits that nurture life. Mindfulness guides us in reclaiming the many moments that make up our life and in diffusing and befriending intense negative emotions.
Mindfulness is the awareness that occurs when we intentionally focus our attention on the present moment non-judgmentally. It can be learned in a class called mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training that was originally developed for people with untreatable physical pain. Through MBSR one relearns how to perceive inner and outer events non-conceptually and through direct sensory experience in this moment. Such perception is less blinded by previous experiences and the stories we tell ourselves about reality. Mindfulness is really a way of life that enhances our ability to let go of thoughts that are not useful and redirect energy in a way that will assist us in getting our needs met creatively and flexibly.
Click here for complete article...
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 Talking To Our Children About the Economy
Judith Blau, Ph.D.
In this time of financial recession, children may be noticing and reacting to the increased stress of their parents. Adult fears about paying mortgages, tuition, gas, and day to day expenses are common and can be picked up by children.
Open communication between parents and their children is the foundation of a healthy relationship. It is important to be honest with your children but to share information in a way that is not overwhelming or too much of a burden. Discussion should be aimed at age- appropriate levels. Older children and teens are already exposed to the news and have some knowledge about the recession. Discussing their awareness of the economy and concerns about the potential effects on the family can help clear up unrealistic fears and be reassuring. Talking with your children and asking about their thoughts and feelings can help clear up any misunderstandings, ease their anxieties and reduce their stress. It is also helpful for parents to offer reassurance with potential or actual strategies about what is needed to be done so that things will be okay.
· Pay attention to signs of stress that your child may experience, such as nightmares, sleep or appetite changes, difficulty concentrating or avoidance of situations or people.
· Parents who use healthful stress-reducing behaviors themselves are positive role models for their children. The use of good problem-solving skills, exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep, being creative in some way, and listening to music are all helpful. For example, taking a walk after dinner or dancing to favorite tunes are fun and inexpensive ways to distract oneself from worrying and to foster family connection.
· Parents can also use this time as an opportunity to influence their children's expectations about material possessions and to reinforce financial values. Children can be taught about budgeting and that money coming in needs to be balanced with money going out. A savings account can be set up or a certain amount
Click here for complete article...
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The current economic crunch is affecting everyone, including many businesses. More than ever, employers need to limit costs while maximizing productivity. Psychology has had a role in helping businesses achieve success for years and continues to play an active role today. While many books address financial problems, and business consultants are readily available, free information is available on the Internet that can help to improve any office.
For many employees, fear of losing a job combined with increasing work responsibilities causes a significant amount of stress. Prior research has shown that too much stress can lead to employee dissatisfaction, decreased productivity and increased absenteeism. Web MD notes a variety of ways that employees can learn to reduce job stress, including some activities that can be done at the office. Reducing high stress levels can also promote employee health, which helps to cut down on healthcare costs. Many of these techniques have been used by psychologists for years in the treatment of stress in a private practice setting and can be just as effective in the work environment.
While helping employees deal with difficulties in the workplace is one consideration, assisting employers with managing their staff is equally important. The Web site Employer-Employee addresses both sides of the workforce relationship. Though some of the articles are dated, the site provides several articles and resources on topics such as receiving feedback, sexual harassment, employee burnout and effective hiring practices. The provocatively labeled Web site Badbossology has many articles from multiple publications that deal with topics like workplace hostility, as well as common concerns that employees have with their bosses. Such a Web site can be of value for both employers and employees in being able to identify where communication breaks down and can provide a roadmap to avoid breakdowns that can occur in professional settings. Keeping a harmonious workplace starts with the selection of employees who are a "good fit" for the position. Care must be taken in finding a good fit for the work setting, as well as for the specific job duties. This makes effective hiring practices essential. One manner in which this can occur is through employment testing. Though this needs to be done with care in order to ensure fair and accurate measurement, the potential benefit of hiring the best candidate cannot be overlooked, especially when specific skills are necessary for job performance. Click here for complete article... | |
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