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Advancing Care for OCD: From Laboratory to Clinic
 | | At the OCD Research Clinic, monitoring the progress of a magnetic resonance spectroscopy brain scan. |
At the OCD Research Clinic and Ribicoff Research Facilities, Dr. Christopher Pittenger and colleagues aim to understand the mechanisms of the brain that cause Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Dr. Pittenger hopes his research will lead to the development of better treatment options for patients. Read more
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 | Opie poses
for a photo.
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Meet Opie, Therapy Dog
When Leslie Lemert, LCSW, rescued Opie, a pit bull mix, she never dreamed he had the makings of a talented therapy dog. He'd been living in a "bad environment," says Lemert. "He was fearful of new people and situations."
Today, the quiet yet confident Opie visits the West Haven Mental Health Clinic--a CMHC satellite where Lemert is a clinician--every Wednesday evening. With his calm demeanor and innate kindness, he fits in easily.
"He seems to have a real instinct for people who are suffering," says Lemert. "He moves toward them and wants them to touch him."
"Sometimes he and I work as a therapy team," Lemert explains. In addition to collaborating in one-on-one sessions with Lemert's young adult clients, Opie and Lemert often join other clinicians in sessions with children.
"We use him to draw children out," says Lemert. Opie helps therapists teach children basic social skills and concepts such as empathy, responsibility, and good touch vs. bad touch. Twelve years old and licensed in 2009 through Therapy Dogs Inc., Opie also interacts with people in the waiting room, helping visitors feel comfortable.
Lemert tells clients about Opie's history. "It's such a good example," she reflects, "of how when you allow someone--dog or human--to heal and you give them new opportunities, they have so much to offer."SPECIAL EVENT Celebrate Opie and the work of therapy dogs in our community!The Parachute Factory Gallery hosts a Celebration of Therapy Dogs in conjunction with the work of artist Stella Baer. April 10, 5:00-7:00 PM at 319 Peck St. Well-behaved dogs welcome!
For more information, contact pamela.dalton@ct.gov or lucile.bruce@yale.edu.
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Peer Support at CMHC
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The Peer Support Team at CMHC
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Who's that friendly person behind the table in the CMHC lobby? A Peer Support Specialist. For a full listing of Peer Support Services at CMHC, click here.
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Introducing CMHC's Staff Interpreter for the Deaf
 | | Dorothy Cennamo signs with Charles Avena, MSW in his office. |
Dorothy Cennamo, sign language interpreter, joined the CMHC community in February. As the new Staff Interpreter, her priority is to provide interpretation support for Charles Avena, MSW, Coordinator of the Deaf/Deafened/
Hard of Hearing Program.
"The opportunity to work full-time with a deaf professional is something I really enjoy," she says. "He is an expert in the field. It's exciting."
Depending on her availability, she can also interpret for clients as needed within the CMHC building and satellites.
"My expertise is in communication," notes Cennamo. "Different deaf people prefer different styles of communication. As an interpreter, you honor those preferences. I can also offer cultural support to help clarify misunderstandings that may arise about interpretation styles."
Doctors and clinicians may request interpreting support for their clients by contacting Avena. If the request cannot be covered by in-house resources, they may submit it to the Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired.
"CMHC has long provided interpretation support as needed, but the demand has increased in recent years," explains Avena. "Having a dedicated staff interpreter will help us engage clients better."
Welcome, Dorothy Cennamo!
For more information, contact Charlie Avena: charles.avena@ct.gov
(203) 974-7328 (voice)
(203) 974-7324 (TDD)
(203) 974-7322 (Fax)
(203) 909-6274 (Videophone-VP)
(203) 676-9214 (Cell/Voice/SMS)
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What Do YOU Think?
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A CMHC client fills out the Consumer Satisfaction Survey
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At CMHC, there are many ways for clients and staff to share ideas and offer feedback.
1. Outpatient Clients: Please complete the Consumer Satisfaction Survey of the CT Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (DMHAS). This is your opportunity to let CMHC know how you feel about the services you are currently receiving, and how CMHC can continue to support you in your recovery. Results are used by DMHAS, the agency that oversees CMHC, to improve services. Copies of the survey are available at the Peer Support Desk and from your clinician.
Complete the survey and enter the raffle to win a surprise $10 gift card! Thank you for your participation.
 2. How Are We Doing? These cards around CMHC are designed to gather feedback from clients. Director's responses are posted in the 1st floor lobby and outside the 2nd floor cafeteria. Please keep your comments coming! 3. Peer-Led Focus Groups Peer researchers are currently leading focus groups with CMHC clients to gain a deeper understanding of clients' experiences at the Center. These findings will be used to promote better customer service. The peer researchers designed the questions and are evaluating the responses. They work with Joy Kaufman, PhD, CMHC's Director of Program and Service System Evaluation, and will share results with the CMHC community in June. 4. Director's Advisory Group This new group of clients and family meets monthly with CMHC Director Dr. Michael Sernyak. For more information, please contact Ted Pappas, Director of Consumer and Family Initiatives, at ted.pappas@yale.edu, (203) 974-7265. 5. To CMHC Staff: Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome. Please send feedback to CMHC Director Michael Sernyak, MD, michael.sernyak@yale.edu. We are in the process of creating a special card for staff feedback, so stay tuned. 6. Lunch with Mike! Dr. Sernyak is now hosting monthly lunches with staff members. Staff members from all areas of CMHC are randomly selected and invited to attend. This is a great opportunity for colleagues to talk and exchange ideas. |
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Social Work Matters!
March is National Social Work Month, so please take a moment to thank CMHC social workers for everything they do. Join us for the Social Work Award Ceremony:
Wednesday, March 28th
2:00 PM, Room W212.
Click here to learn more about Social Work Month 2012.
This year's CMHC Social Work honorees are:
Avon Johnson, LCSW (Administration)
Heike Karsch, MSW (Administrative Services)
Aqil Hashim, LCSW (Clinical Services)
Lauren Quaggin, LCSW (Community Services)
Pamela Dalton, RN, C (Appreciation)
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Joint Commission & "Continued Readiness"
As many of you know, our triennial Joint Commission survey was completed in October 2011 and involved 4 surveyors: a psychiatrist, a nurse, a psychiatrist preceptor (surveyor in training), and an Engineer/Life Safety Code specialist. Throughout the survey, the surveyors were very complimentary of CMHC and impressed with the staff they met and the quality of care provided.
In response to the survey results, we underwent a re-survey in December and developed plans to address our deficiencies. We were required to identify "measures of success"--indicators we will monitor to ensure that we maintain a compliance level of at least 90% over a 4-month period. Areas of focus include various environmental issues, documentation of checks related to fire safety, compliance with the "do not use abbreviations" policy, development of alternative contracts for radiology services, documentation of risk factors for suicide in ambulatory clients, and methods to manage and track referrals for nutrition assessments on inpatient units. In addition, we developed policies on autopsies and protocols for responding to changes in a patient's condition.
In late April, we will submit our data for "Measures of Success." In May, we will begin our "Periodic Performance Review," a self-assessment in which we review and evaluate our compliance with all Joint Commission standards. As a result of this extensive self-review, we will develop additional plans of correction to ensure that we remain in continuous compliance with the ever-changing Joint Commission standards.
--Pamela Dalton, RN
Joint Commission Coordinator for CMHC
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Walking the Labyrinth: Across Time, Cultures, and Faith Traditions
Labyrinth Walks are a regular feature of CMHC. It wasn't always this way. CMHC's "petit Chartres" labyrinth was purchased in 2009 as a gift from the CT Mental Health Center Foundation for use by the CMHC community and guests. Its design replicates the labyrinth carved into the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France. Clients, patients, and staff painted the "chakra" (seven major energy centers) in red, orange, yellow, green indigo, violet and white.
Our labyrinth is recognized by the eleven circuits, the turns arranged in quadrants, the lunations (or "teeth") around the perimeter, and the 6-petal rosette in the center. In recent years, labyrinths have been revived to center oneself and/or for contemplation, prayer, or meditation.
Mark your calendar for upcoming walks:
March 15 and April 19.
Room W212, 11:00-2:00 PM.
For more information, please contact Mary E. Dansinghani, Chaplain/Coordinator of Spiritual Services, at 203-974-7860, mary.dansinghani@yale.edu.
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Editor's Desk:
The Brain and the Labyrinth
Look back at the photos at the top of this newsletter. There's a striking similarity between the brain scan and the labyrinth.
Notice the pathways, the curves, the light/dark spaces. Neuroscientists speak of the brain's "circuitry"; labyrinths have "circuits." Here at CMHC, researchers and labyrinth walkers are kindred spirits, delving into the mysteries of the mind through distinct practices of science and spirituality. For both, the ultimate goal is healing.
For the ancient Greeks, walking the labyrinth was a dangerous journey for only the bravest souls. Consider this story:
Daedalus, the master inventor, created the first labyrinth to trap the Minotaur, the man-eating monster belonging to King Minos of Crete. So complex was this labyrinth that after finishing it, the brilliant inventor was barely able to find his way out. Eventually the hero Theseus enters the labyrinth and kills the Minotaur. (To find out why he goes and how he escapes, click here.)
The labyrinth offers a way of understanding the complexity of life and our experience in it. So does this story. In our collective and individual lives, what are the monsters? Who are the inventors, the heroes, the guides? And what is the purpose of the journey?
Until next time,
Lucile Bruce, Editor
lucile.bruce@yale.edu |
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CMHC
News & Updates
DO YOU RIDE?
Please join us for the first meeting of CMHC CYCLES!
Tuesday, March 13
12 Noon, Room 133.
CMHC CYCLES! is a new group whose mission is to make CMHC a more bike-friendly place.
Questions? Please contact CMHC Director michael.sernyak@yale.edu.
Neuroscience 2012: Stress, Recovery, and Wellness  | |
"Dr. Ruth" Westheimer
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The legendary Dr. Ruth Westheimer will receive the Research Advocacy Award and speak about sexual health at Neuroscience 2012. This annual conference is for mental health professionals, consumers, and family members throughout the State of Connecticut. The conference will be held Saturday, March 31st, 2012 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Click here for the registration page. For more information, contact georgia.miller@yale.edu, (203) 974-7723. SPECIAL EVENT: A CELEBRATION OF THERAPY DOGS At the Parachute Factory Gallery Tuesday, April 10, 2012 5:00-7:00 PM 319 Peck Street, Building One See article in this issue. Upcoming Labyrinth Walks: March 15 and April 19 Room W212, 11:00-2:00 PM. See article in this issue.
Cultural Competency Advisory Committee Returns!  | |
Committee Co-Chairs
Manuel Paris and Edna Aklin
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The Cultural Competency Advisory Committee has reconvened with the broad purpose of increasing and expanding cultural competency throughout the entire CMHC. The term "cultural competency" refers to the ability and capacity of individuals and organizations to interact effectively with people of different cultures, races, backgrounds, and creeds. If you have thoughts or questions, please contact co-chairs edna.aklin@ct.gov or manuel.paris@yale.edu or any committee member: Arlene Arias, Charles Avena, Mary Dansinghani, Tarah Davis, Katurah Bryant, Yvonne Pallotto, Ted Pappas, Fredric Stolzman, & Tomas Reyes. National Association of Social Workers/CT 2012 Meetings at CMHC The NASW/CT Region 2 meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of each month from 5-6:30pm in room W212. Health & Wellness
Yoga & Stretching at CMHCYOGA IS A HIT Free yoga classes for CMHC staff, led by Laurie Edwards, PhD, are now happening every week at 34 Park Street. The response has been very positive. Schedule Tuesdays in Room W212: Stretching--4:30-5:00 PM Yoga--5:00-6:00 PM Please join us! Wellness at Work! These new brochures, created by Wellness Committee member Corey Roos, show how you can stretch, relax, and breathe in only 10 minutes! Find them in Room W212 or contact corey.roos@yale.edu. These Small Beans Are Good For Your Health... Valentine's Day has passed, but feel free to keep eating chocolate (in moderation, of course) all year long. We've done some investigating and discovered that cocoa beans contain flavanoids that have antioxidant qualities. Dark chocolate especially is packed with natural antioxidants. Flavanoids can help lower blood pressure and reduce cell damage implicated in heart disease. Of course, don't forget to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly! Click here to learn more about the potential health benefits of dark chocolate. Welcoming Guests to CMHC
In January, clinicians from the Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón De La Fuente in Mexico and the University of Miami traveled to CMHC to receive training from Hispanic Clinic providers Manuel Paris, PsyD (pictured above) and Luis Añez, PsyD. The group is replicating the Motivational Enhancement Therapy-Spanish study (NIDA Clinical Trials Network) originally led by Kathleen M. Carroll, PhD. In addition to experiencing the Hispanic Clinic's legendary hospitality, guests received training on the use of the independent tape rating system in Spanish. | |
(from left) Luis Añez and Manny Paris with the training cohort.
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Yale Department of Psychiatry monthly e-newsletter |
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