Make a Mental Note

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Michelle Stangline, a school counselor and licensed professional counselor, discusses how therapists can incorporate creative counseling techniques into their counseling repertoire. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * When counselors are too busy worrying about how counseling works then they're not thinking about and truly present for their clients. Learning how to be creative in counseling – and not just relying on theories of counseling – is the goal * The colors clients use when drawing pictures are important and say things about them and their experiences. * Counselors need to try out creative counseling techniques on themselves before they use them with clients. * Counselors need to

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Russ Federman, a licensed psychologist, discusses characteristics of Bipolar Disorder and issues and challenges in counseling young adults with this condition. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * Bipolar Disorder isn’t magically cured with medication. Clients can still struggle with mood variability. * Bipolar Disorder clients don’t always feel in control of their moods and behavior. Psychotherapists can help these clients learn how to accept their condition and manage their symptoms and lifestyle. Bipolar Disorder is a chronic condition that must be managed in a similar to way to how people with diabetes and other health problems manage their conditions. * Bipolar Disorder is

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Stacy Speedlin, a licensed professional counselor and licensed drug and alcohol counselor, discusses characteristics of addiction, why people become addicted to substances, and ways in which counselors can help them. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * It is not unusual for clients have co-occurring disorders (i.e., display mental health problems and addictions). * People become addicted to substances for various reasons. For example, some people use substances to deal with pain – physical or emotion. * When people are under the influence of substances any hurt, pain or traumatic experiences become compartmentalized because the addiction does not allow them to feel. * Some clients w

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Chris Quarto, a licensed psychologist, discusses the basics of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) and evidence for and against its existence. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * “Holy trinity” of AD/HD symptoms – hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention (Barkley) * Hyperactivity – overactivity/restlessness; impulsivity – not thinking before acting; inattention – lack of focus, distractibility, short-term memory problems. * Everyone displays characteristics of AD/HD from time to time. Individuals with the disorder display more symptoms on a more frequent basis for longer periods of time on a consistent basis. * Arguments for AD/HD: DNA - se

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Jef Gazley, a psychotherapist and Distance Credentialed Counselor (D.C.C.) discusses issues and strategies in counseling people from a distance (e.g., videocounseling, e-mail). Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * Modern forms of distance counseling have been around since the 1990s. The suicide hotline, which has been around since the 1960s, was one of the earliest forms of distance counseling. * Early on critics denounced distance counseling because of inferior technology (e.g., videocounseling was not available so the therapist could not pick up on non-verbal cues of client). * Figuring out what a client needs and tailoring it to them is important. The therapist must judge whether distan

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Kali Worley, a motivational interviewing trainer, discusses the basic elements of helping people change using principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI). Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * Motivational Interviewing (MI) – a communication style that’s goal oriented and helps people resolve their ambivalence toward change. * Understanding and navigating conversations is an important part of the helper role. * MI was first used as a new approach to use with clients with addictions as confrontational approaches had been used prior to that without much success. MI is more a person-centered approach to conversation. * MI was developed to help people resolve a “two-way feeli

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Courtney Grimes, a psychotherapist in private practice and the clinical director of the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee, discusses factors that contribute to eating disorders and methods to help people recover from them. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * Most common types of eating disorders – anorexia nervosa and bulimia * Many people with eating disorders are “image driven” – feeling the need to look a certain way or be a certain way – is oftentimes media-driven/how models and actors appear on television, in magazines, music videos and on the Internet. * Historically, concerns about body appearance were considered to be female issues, but in recen

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Jean Landphair, a private practice counselor, discusses how the quality of relationships early on in life affects relationships later in life and what couples can do to strengthen their emotional bonds. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * A lack of secure attachment or bonding underlies many problems of couples. The human brain is hardwired to develop a connection with a parent/caregiver as an infant and this remains important throughout the course of life. * If a person develops a secure attachment with a parent during the early years then as an adult the person will feel that their significant other will be there for them when they need them (assuming they have a stable relationship). *

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Jennifer Taylor, a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist, discusses how play therapy can help children resolve emotional and behavioral problems. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * Play therapy works well for children between the ages of 3 – 11. * There’s more to play therapy than playing games with children. There is a theory and method as to the selection of toys as well as the play therapy process. * Exposure to trauma – indirectly or directly – is a common theme among many children who participate in play therapy. Other kids who are oppositional, defiant & disruptive at school or home are also seen, but may present as anxious and in

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Leticia Flores, a licensed psychologist and associate director of the University of Tennessee Psychological Training Clinic, discusses issues with which LGBT college students contend and methods of helping them experience success in college and life. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * Clients (including University of Tennessee students) can be seen at the UT Psychological Training Clinic for a reduced fee. * Poverty can have a negative impact on mental health. * Sexual orientation/gender identity is sometimes the primary issue of therapy while other times an LGBT client may simply require assistance with a non-sexual orientation/gender identity issue. * Some individuals who come into the

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Summer Lall, a board certified music therapist, discusses how music can help transform youth with emotional and behavioral problems. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * Summer works with court-mandated boys between the ages of 12 and 18. * Youth are exposed to four categories of music activities throughout the course of a week: 1) music and relaxation, 2) lyrics & listening, 3) instruments & insight, and 4) beat making & song writing. * The kids don’t require a music background/experience in order to participate in music therapy activities. In addition, the purpose of music therapy is not to teach kids how to play an instrument. * It is easy to build rapport by having ki

Given that most people are enjoying time with family and friends this week, I am not posting a podcast episode.  I will post my next episode next week - the first week of 2016!  Happy New Year!! : )

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Anne Marie Hall, a licensed professional counselor, discusses characteristics of college students and approaches she uses in helping them make developmental transitions. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * Working in a community mental health center provides a good background for private practice as well as a way to network with other professionals. * Nowadays, college-aged students/young adults are delaying marriage and home purchases. * A major question that college students must answer: “What am I going to do with the rest of my life?” Having to commit to an occupational and/or life choice results in anxiety among some students. * College students engage in trial and error

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Lisa Bahar, a licensed marriage and family therapist & licensed professional clinical counselor, discusses how two approaches – cinema therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy – are used to help clients deal with intense emotions and relationship problems. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * Cinema therapy – using film and film stories in the therapy process. Some clients do not feel comfortable participating in traditional talk therapy and so having them watch movies that are relevant to their cases may spark issues for discussion in therapy. * Movies can illustrate a metaphorical experience that can be discussed in therapy. For example, the “Shawshank Redempt

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Meshon Dugan, a licensed clinical social worker, discusses basic elements of successful therapy. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * Anxiety, depression and relationship conflicts are common among people who seek out mental health services * Some people have difficulty maintaining boundaries and setting limits. Underlying feelings of guilt play into the need of some people to say, “Yes” to others who make requests of them when in reality they might not want to say yes. * If people cannot maintain boundaries/set limits with others they become angry and frustrated and this can have a negative impact on relationships (e.g., blow up at people). * Validating client’s feelings

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Tamara Roth, a licensed professional counselor at JourneyPure, discusses the challenges and successes of treating women with co-occurring disorders (i.e., addiction and mental health) in a residential treatment facility. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * JourneyPure – a residential treatment program in Murfreesboro, Tennessee for women with co-occurring disorders (i.e., addiction and mental health issues) in which women are helped using a holistic approach. * Holistic approach to treatment – healing the mind, body, and soul. Addressing physical needs positively impacts the mind and soul. Women who have struggled with addiction typically don’t take very good care of the

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Jeff Viers, a licensed senior psychological examiner, discusses how cognitive distortions (i.e., “thinking errors”) contribute to behavioral and emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * Sometimes the personal experiences of therapists play a role in why they decide to enter the helping profession. * There’s less stigma with regard to seeking out mental health services nowadays. * People do not need to suffer in silence. There are many professionals that can help people who have mental health problems. * Cognitive distortions (i.e., inaccurate thoughts or ways of thinking about things) play an important role in mental health pr

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Cameron Carpenter, a licensed professional counselor, discusses his perspectives on the counseling process and issues and challenges in working with adolescent clients. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * Teachers can have a profound impact on career choice. * People may experience mental health problems because they don’t prepare themselves for the realities of what is going on in life/what they are confronted with at any given point in time. In addition, the ways that people think about their experiences (e.g., thoughts about events/experiences that are “off-base” or unrealistic) may also play a role. * When reality does not match up with a person’s expectations

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Pamela Drury, Ph.D., a licensed clinical neuropsychologist, discusses how a high-tech evidence-based treatment procedure called neurofeedback is used to treat Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * The brain plays an important role in psychological problems. Patterns of brain wave activity provide clues as to differences between people with typical developing vs. non-typical developing brains. Brain wave activity is somehow dysregulated/not working the way it should with non-typical developing brains. Teaching people to change brain wave activity is the key to improvement in symptoms. * An electroencephalogram (EEG) is used in neurofeedback.

In this episode of the Make a Mental Note podcast, Stephanie Eken, a board-certified psychiatrist and regional medical director of Rogers Behavioral Health Systems partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, discusses obsessive-compulsive disorder – it’s nature, causes and treatment. Give it a listen and find out why this episode is worthy of a mental note!  Get the show notes on the "Make a Mental Note" page at http://www.chrisquarto.com/ Click here to subscribe to the Make a Mental Note podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/make-a-mental-note/id1035476864?mt=2 Mental Notes: * Rogers Behavioral Health Systems is known for their specialty mental health services. Nashville was identified as an area that needs programming for obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders (e.g., OCD, compulsive hair pulling, fears, phobias, eating disorders.) Partial hospitalization (6 hours/day) and intensive outpatient programming (3 hours/day) is available for children and adolescents between