November 2011 - Newsletter

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Hello Everyone!

We're still buzzing from Space Coast Mental Health Counselor networking meeting, which we hosted in October. An opportunity for this group of professionals to come together and share events and plans, as well as simply having time to get to know each other better. The next major gathering will be scheduled in late January, stay tuned for the date.

November takes me and Marilyn Bennett to Montreal for the annual ISSTD (International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation) conference, and we will no doubt have many new things to share when we return. During our absence, the very capable Jessica Stebbins, M.S., Registered Marriage & Family Therapist Intern, will be covering for us. Together with Dayna Smith, our trusted office manager, and a list of professional colleagues who have offered help with coverage, we know everything will be handled in a timely and professional manner.

November also means the return of those nostalgic commercials from our local grocery chain. You know, the one's that show enormous families all gathering in perfect unison and harmony! How many of us fantasize that our families should reflect those kinds of sentiments? How many of us and our family gatherings fall far short of that ideal? I encourage you to take the time to reflect on what our Thanksgiving holiday represents for you, and take steps to plan a time that nurtures your ideals, as well as your self.

Whether a family gathering is in your picture of the Thanksgiving holiday, or not, the time will no doubt include things over which you have no control. Perhaps you have no family with which to gather; perhaps you don't like the family members you do gather with; perhaps you are fortunate enough to have friends and family you are looking forward to spending time with - there will still be things over which you have no control. While we cannot control many things like, weather, behavior and attitudes of others, there are many ways in which we can pay attention those things about which we can actually do something. For example:

1. Our actions. We alone are responsible for what we do.
2. Our words. Spoken or written, the words we choose impact our lives and the lives of others.
3. Our beliefs. If we believe that others should take care of our needs, then we will be frustrated when they don't. We can change our beliefs.
4. Our values. What's important to us is our call. No one else can tell us what to value.
5. Our work. Although many of us complain of being stuck in a job or profession, we do actually get to choose our work in the world.
6. Our friends. Those we associate with say a lot about what we think about ourselves. We can choose to have friends that support us or choose to have friends who bring us down.
7. Our input. We can select our sources of news, turn off televisions and/or ignore advertising.
8. Our time. Though it may sometimes feel like we have no choices, we do choose every day how we will use the 24 hours the day gives us.
9. Our basic health. While we cannot control our genetic make-up, we can choose to exercise, get adequate sleep, eat healthy food, get routine check-ups, practice good mental health, and so on.
10. Our legacy. All that we choose while we are alive - our actions, words, etc. - will become the gift we leave behind when we die.

I encourage you to approach this holiday with realistic expectations of what works and doesn't work for you. When you bring your whole and 'un-frazzled' self to whatever you do, you and everyone around you, will find more quality time to spend, and have more fun with it! Travel safe and be well,

Connie Porter-Richard

Upcoming News and Events

Discovery Institute is proud, once again, to participate in sponsoring the 2nd annual educational and support conference on DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder), "Healing Together," to be held in beautiful Lake Buena Vista, FL, on January 28-29, 2012 at the Wyndham Lakes Resort. Therapists, survivors and their support team are invited to join us for an amazing week end of learning, healing and fun. For more information - agenda, speaker biographies and more: www.aninfinitemind.com/healing-together.html

Florida's only ISSTD (International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation) meets at Discovery Institute:
2nd Friday of each month
4:00-6:00 pm
This group is for professionals only and is a valuable source for updated information, on-going support and continuing education.

"Sexual Assault Victims Support Group" through the State Attorney's Office SAVS program, is held at Discovery Institute; the first four Tuesdays of each month from 6:00-7:30 pm. This group is free, on-going, and open to any adult woman over the age of 18, who has been the victim of a sexual assault. The group is hosted by Marilyn Bennett, MA, LMHC.

Back by popular demand, the: "Round-Table Discussion Series"

Does being a therapist sometimes leave you feeling like you are operating alone-in-the-dark? How do you approach colleagues for help with difficult issues? Want to expand your comfort zone with challenging issues? Want to explore how others face challenges similar to yours? Join us for a series of interesting discussions. Each round-table discussion addresses a topic timely for therapists today. Collegial exploration and discussion is a valuable way to develop and enhance working relationships with other therapists, and develop greater peace of mind.

2012 Topics & Schedule:

• February 10, 2012
  • "Ethics & Technology: Proceed With Caution!"
• March 23, 2012
  • "What Counselors Need to Know About Addiction"
• May 4, 2012
  • "Self-Care: Avoiding Burn-Out"
• June 22, 2012
  • "Using Creativity in Clinical Practice"
• August 3, 2012
  • "Mentalization: What's It All About?"
• September 14, 2012
  • "Working With Dream Imagery"
• October 26, 2012
  • "Share Your Faux Pas!"
• December 7, 2012
  • "What's in Your Therapy Tool-Box?"

All Round-Table Discussion sessions:

10:00 am - 11:30 am
1.5 ceu's (LMHC, LCSW, LMFT & RN, LPN, CNS, ARNP)
Light Refreshments
$15.00 per session

Discussion Hosts:

Connie Porter-Richard, PhD, LMHC
Marilyn Bennett, MA, LMHC
Jessica Stebbins, MS, Registered Marriage & Family Therapist Intern
Lola Mitchell, MA, Human Relations