Month: August 2020

The Invisible String Workbook: Creative Activities to Comfort, Calm, and Connect

By Patrice Karst (Author), Dana Wyss  (Author), Joanne Lew-Vriethoff  (Illustrator) (2019)

From Amazon.com: “This must-have companion to the picture book phenomenon The Invisible String — which has sold half a million copies to date — uses more than 50 art and writing activities (plus bonus reflection cards!) to help build self-esteem and healthy relationships, and to celebrate the power of love. The bestselling picture book The Invisible String has been used successfully by countless parents, caregivers, therapists, and organizations who work with people coping with separation. Now, The Invisible String Workbook allows readers of all ages who have experienced any kind of separation or loss to delve deeper into their relationships, to engage in healing conversations, and to build stronger attachments. Written in collaboration with Dana Wyss, PhD, an art therapist who has used The Invisible String in clinics for years, this 112-page write-in book will help spread the power of The Invisible String to the communities who most need it — whether it be teachers in the early days of the school year, military families, counselors at grief camps, or everyday families nurturing connections with their loved ones.”

The Invisible String

By Patrice Karst  (Author), Geoff Stevenson (Illustrator) (2000)

From Amazon.com: “For Adults too! A steady best-seller and The Invisible String is reaching all over the World! with OVER 500,000 copies sold, this accessible, bestselling picture book phenomenon about the unbreakable connections between loved ones has healed a generation of readers–children and adults alike. “That’s impossible”, said twins Jeremy & Liza after their Mom told them they’re all connected by this thing called an Invisible String. “What kind of string”? They asked with a puzzled look to which Mom replied, “An Invisible String made of love.” That’s where the story begins. A story that teaches of the tie that really binds. The Invisible String reaches from heart to heart. Does everybody have an Invisible String? How far does it reach, anyway? Does it ever go away? Read all about it! THE INVISIBLE STRING is a very simple approach to overcoming the fear of loneliness or separation with an imaginative flair that children can easily identify with and remember. Here is a warm and delightful lesson teaching young and old that we aren’t ever really alone and reminding children (and adults!) that when we are loved beyond anything we can imagine. “People who love each other are always connected by a very special String, made of love. Even though you can’t see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart, and know that you are always connected to the ones you love.” Thus begins this heart-warming and reassuring story that addresses the issue of “separation anxiety” (otherwise known as the sense of existential ‘aloneness’) to children of all ages. Specifically written to address children’s fear of being apart from the ones they love, The Invisible String delivers a particularly compelling message in today’s uncertain times that though we may be separated from the ones we care for, whether through anger, or distance or even death, love is the unending connection that binds us all, and, by extension, ultimately binds every person on the planet to everyone else. Parents and children everywhere who are looking for reassurance and reaffirmation of the transcendent power of love, to bind, connect and comfort us through those inevitable times when life challenges us! Let’s tell the whole world that we are ALL connected by Invisible Strings! Adopted by Military Library Services & Foster Care Agencies Recommended by Bereavement Support Groups and Hospice Centers.”

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

August 8, 2020

MedCircle

Watch the rest of Dr. Dom’s videos on bipolar disorder HERE: https://bit.ly/2PwBneF What is bipolar disorder? Double board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Dom Sportelli treats bipolar disorder regularly. He breaks down what you need to know in this video. He also answers: What is bipolar 1 disorder? What is bipolar 2 disorder? How are they different? What do manic episodes look like? What are the symptoms of mania? What do hypomanic episodes look like? What are the symptoms of hypomania? Why are there misconceptions around the mood swings that accompany bipolar disorder? How is bipolar depression different than major depression? And more. In addition to bipolar disorder, Dr. Dom treats a range of mental health conditions like schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, adhd, psychosis, and more. Watch more videos on mental illness at MedCircle.com. #BipolarDisorder #MentalHealth #MedCircle

Understanding the Narcissist: Why Do They Treat You This Way?

May 7, 2020

MedCircle

Watch the rest of this video series on the psychology of a narcissist (featuring Dr. Ramani) instantly HERE: https://bit.ly/2SJWSux Understanding the narcissist begins with an important question: why do they treat you this way? This is the first session of a full series on the narcissist and why they may treat the people in their life this way. Narcissistic behavior is an incredibly confusing and destabilizing form of emotional trauma for the person on the other end of the relationship. Those who are victim to it report feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, confusion, self-doubt, anxiety, depression, and even symptoms resembling PTSD. What’s worse, many of these sufferers don’t realize that this poor treatment by a narcissistic partner or family member is at the core of these debilitating symptoms. In our first episode of this full video series, MedCircle host Kyle Kittleson and psychologist / narcissism expert Dr. Ramani unpack baseline knowledge you need on the psychology of a narcissist and narcissistic behavior. She explains the defining characteristics of a narcissist, how they handle emotion, and what psychologically causes them to hurt their partner’s emotional health. They answer… Why is understanding the mechanics of a relationship with a narcissist so life-changing? What enables a narcissist? What is a narcissist is and how they act in day to day life? Why do narcissists treat you this way? How does this narcissistic behavior affect the mental health of the sufferer? And more. Anyone who is having trouble in a relationship and suspects the person on the other end is a narcissist will benefit from this discussion. Finding relief begins with education. Learn how to improve your situation and your mental health outcomes.

Men Need To Talk About Their Sexual Abuse | Seth Shelley | TEDxUNBC

December 13, 2017

TEDx Talks

Pastor Seth Shelley takes us on an emotional and at times difficult journey about male sexual violence. He brings forward his own story of sexual assault to ask men to open up about their personal stories too. Recorded at TEDxUNBC in Prince George, BC. Seth speaks to an issue common around the world, sexual assault. However, it is men who also need to share their stories of abuse. Far too many men are silent about their own stories of trauma and eventual healing. It is our society’s ideas around masculinity which prevent men from opening up, and steal their narratives from them. Only through sharing with friends and family do we reclaim our stories for ourselves. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx Graduating from Summit Pacific Bible College in 2012 with a BA in Religion, Seth has pastored in Western Canada for the past 5 years. Currently he is the Associate Pastor at Timbers Community Church in Prince George, BC where his role is to provide counselling services, preform weddings and funerals, organize events for the community and a variety of other things. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies

By Resmaa Menakem, MSW, LICSW (2017)

From Amazon.com: “A NEW YORK TIMES AND WASHINGTON POST BESTSELLER

“My Grandmother’s Hands will change the direction of the movement for racial justice.”— Robin DiAngelo, New York Times bestselling author of White Fragility

In this groundbreaking book, therapist Resmaa Menakem examines the damage caused by racism in America from the perspective of trauma and body-centered psychology.

The body is where our instincts reside and where we fight, flee, or freeze, and it endures the trauma inflicted by the ills that plague society. Menakem argues this destruction will continue until Americans learn to heal the generational anguish of white supremacy, which is deeply embedded in all our bodies. Our collective agony doesn’t just affect African Americans. White Americans suffer their own secondary trauma as well. So do blue Americans—our police.

My Grandmother’s Hands is a call to action for all of us to recognize that racism is not only about the head, but about the body, and introduces an alternative view of what we can do to grow beyond our entrenched racialized divide.

  • Paves the way for a new, body-centered understanding of white supremacy—how it is literally in our blood and our nervous system.
  • Offers a step-by-step healing process based on the latest neuroscience and somatic healing methods, in addition to incisive social commentary.

Resmaa Menakem, MSW, LICSW, is a therapist with decades of experience currently in private practice in Minneapolis, MN, specializing in trauma, body-centered psychotherapy, and violence prevention. He has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and Dr. Phil as an expert on conflict and violence. Menakem has studied with bestselling authors Dr. David Schnarch (Passionate Marriage) and Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score). He also trained at Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute.”