Marriage and Family Counseling New York Long Island Manhattan

Welcome to another edition of Relationship Solutions. On this 10th day of October, as part of our efforts to create awareness of our field and education to the community, we want to celebrate World Mental Health Day. Often we are so busy in our lives that we do not always slow down and consider how well we are mentally and emotionally. Working in the mental health field for the past ten years has taught me a lot about “burn-out” and I have learned from many colleagues that sometimes we all need a “mental health” day to refresh ourselves. So, I suggest to all of you to take a moment today to reflect on your own state of mental health and take note about how you are feeling. Check in with your relationships, because the overall health of those around you does impact on your own well being. Find support in your relationships and lend support where needed.

On another note, I would like to announce some great news. Recently, Andrea Wilkinson Ohle, a staff psychotherapist at CCMFT, was hired as our Communications Director. Andrea has a background in communications before entering the field of mental health and has a great deal of experience and knowledge to share. She will be handling all media relationships for CCMFT and developing news and announcements for our community. Congratulations Andrea!

Happy Mental Health Day!

Warmly,

Cari

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Featured Article

A World-Wide Celebration of Mental Health

These days it seems as though there is a “day” for every cause, and at times it can be difficult to remember which color ribbon or bracelet corresponds with what cause. I think it is a positive commentary on how the concept of “awareness” in our world has grown and that we as human beings are paying homage to our compassionate trait—as that famous kitchen celebrity might say, “It’s a good thing.”

October plays host to some dates that celebrate our field: World Mental Health Awareness Day on October 10, 2007 and the coinciding week is National Mental Illness Awareness Week in the United States.

Implemented in 1992, the aim of WMHD was general; comprised of promoting mental health advocacy and educating the public on relevant issues. This year’s theme is “Mental Health in a Changing World: The Impact of Culture and Diversity.”

In many cultures, individuals are more willing to seek help from mental health professionals. Yet in other cultures, there is a low priority given to mental health and, thus, people don’t put as much effort into seeking help as they might with a physical illness. Interestingly, in many areas of the world, mental illness is seen as bringing shame to the individual and his/her family.

I find this last detail interesting. As practitioners of marriage and family therapy, our approach to mental health is focused on the family. We believe the family’s patterns of behavior influence the individual and therefore need to be a part of the treatment plan. Even if the presenting problem involves a more serious mental health condition, the treatment isn't just for the person that has been diagnosed—it involves all primary relationships in which the person is imbedded. MFTs take a holistic perspective to health care; they are concerned with the overall, long-term well-being of individuals and their families.

But you may have already known that.

Let us hope that in this spirit of awareness, we can collectively—as practitioners and consumers—bring to light the importance of mental health. Long ago a taboo subject, mental health is beginning to be considered as important as physical health, and the maintenance of one’s emotions and feelings are just as valid as the maintenance of one’s heart. So, be good to yourself.

For more information, visit www.wfmh.org or http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov.

Comments on this article or suggestions for future newsletters? Email andrea@couplesandfamilies.com.

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Event: 10-Week Anger Group

Date: Saturday, October 13, 2007 (Manhattan Office)

Time: 11:00am-12:30pm (appointment only)

Join our upcoming anger management group at our Manhattan office and learn effective tools for dealing with anger in your relationships. Anger is an emotion that we all experience when we feel vulnerable or attacked. The group will teach you effective ways for managing and expressing anger. Anger is explored in the context of relationships and tools for improving relationships will be provided. The goals of the 10-week program are:
• To increase awareness of anger expression patterns
• To learn how our anger experience is shaped by our development and what we can learn from our family and environment
• To identify current and past situations that fuel anger
• To identify responsibilities in the current anger situation that resulted in either a self or outside referral
• To develop specific ways to de-escalate potentially violent situations
• To decrease verbal and physical manifestations of anger, aggression, or violence while increasing awareness and acceptance of emotions

*Participants will receive a certificate of completion.

Fees:
$60 per group session
$80 for initial intake (required for participation)
*$125 for individual , couple or family (one-on-one) sessions (45-minute sessions)

*available in Manhattan and LI office

Contact us today! (212) 537-9313 ext. 1
Reserve your spot today for our October 2007 Anger Management Group or to talk with a therapist regarding our other services.
email: cari@couplesandfamilies.com