Wellness in Action Series

The Wellness in Action Series is for mental health professionals and other providers who have clients whose diet is impacting their mental and physical well-being. Often an individual’s emotional history and lack of understanding of her physical body’s needs contribute to her food choices. The series will give you the tools to help your current clients make healthier moment to moment choices and help you market to a new clients.

By providing your clients the resources to have a better

relationship with their body,

you are empowering them to have a better

relationship with themselves.

Benefits:
· Receive support on presenting diet change information to clients.
· Learn techniques that help your clients dialog with their bodies better about dietary causes of anxiety, depression, sugar addition and weight gain.
· Receive handout and the opportunity to roll play and practice in a supportive environment.


Fats: fire starters, fire fighters
Friday February 15, 2008 9am to noon
Learn how to explain the importance of good fats as part of well-balanced nutrition and which bad fats need to be limited. Learn how the type of fats in a diet contribute to depression, aggression, bipolar disorders2, obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.


Presenting protein: if you can teach it, you can own it
Friday March 14, 2008 9am to noon
During the first part of this group, you will receive detailed handouts and scripts to help enter into dialogue with clients. After we discuss the impact protein can make on improving health, you will have the opportunity to explain the importance of protein for maintaining energy and mental clarity as well as preventing anxiety and depression.


Encouraging exercise: changing self-image
Friday April 11, 2008 9am to noon
Learn how to encourage reluctant clients to exercise and appreciate the qualities of self-curiosity, self-observation, and self-compassion. When exercise is integrated into the values systems of the individual it becomes a, integral part of the client’s life.


Cost for the Series:
$240 for all three parts when received before Jan 25th
$270 for all three parts when received after Jan 25th, Deadline Feb 8th.
Limited to 12 people

For Applications click: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcnhgs2r_0cbcvn7fm

Question? Please call Dr. Kristen Allott at (206)579-2757
or visit www.dynamicpaths.com

Dr. Allott is developing a year-long training program and is seeking continuing education credits. This series is in development, does not provide CE credits.

How to Rebuild You Brain Group

I have long believed that as medical science has not been asking what the brain needs in terms of nutrition to function. To better educated the clients of Dynamic Paths, I am excited to announce that I am now offering a group for established clients at Dynamic Paths. This group will focus on providing more information than can be offered in individual sessions. After offering a Wellness Group at A Positive Alternative (www.apositivealternative.com) for the last year, I can see the benefits of individuals learning more about how proteins, sugars and fats affect their energy and mental clarity. With this information, I see that people can better moment to moment decisions on eating because they are better to understand and integrate what their body and emotions are telling them.

I am so committed to people getting this information that if you attend six of the ten sessions offered. I will offer you a free 45 minute individual session.

Rebuilding your Brain by listening to your Body Wellness Group

Wednesdays from 6 to 8 pm
$80 per Group
Must Reserve a seat by Monday before Group

Oct 10th: Discussion on the philosophy of Chinese Medicine. Suggested reading Five Spirits by Lorie Eve Dechar.

Oct. 24th: More Energy and More Mental Clarity: Why when you eat is as important and what you eat.

Oct. 31st: Labels: How to know what you are eating.

Nov 7th: Dialoging with the Committing: Getting the Critic out of the CEO seat.

Nov 14th: Planning for holiday eating and stress.

Dec 5th: Sugars: Not all sugars are created equally.

Dec 12th: Diet for Lowering Cholesterol: What fats to keep.

Jan 2nd: Making New Year’s Resolutions continue through out the year.

Jan 9th: Fats: Promoting Health Promoting Disease.

Jan 16th: Olympic Athlete Syndrome

Addiction Free without AA

• 
  
  Have you been looking for Outpatient Treatment for Alcohol or Drug use that is not based on AA or the 12-steps as the basis of Recovery?
  
  
  
• 
  
  Have you had mixed feelings about seeking treatment, partly because you still are very high functioning in many areas of your life, despite your drinking or use? (The majority of our clients are quite high functioning).
  
  
  
• 
  
  Would you like to be part of a program with small groups (no more than 8) that focuses on skills for not only getting free of addiction, and addresses other psychological issues that are intertwined with drinking/drugs?
  
  
  
• 
  
  Would you prefer a program that focuses on Therapy vs. court orders to treatment because of DUI’s and group members who are just marking time? (We carefully screen our clients in order to have a supportive, positive group experience for everyone.)
  
  A Positive Alternative is a Radically Different Approach to Alcohol & Drug Treatment – the only one of it’s kind in our Region. Here are just a few of the ways We Are Different:
  
  1) All our Therapists are Master’s Level Trained Clinicians with decades of both Addictions AND Mental Health experience.
  2) We believe that Groups need to consist of members who can easily identify with each other. Our Adult Groups are Gender Specific with separate Women’s Outpatient Program and Men’s Outpatient Program. In addition, our College Student’s Program to Prevent Addiction works to change addictive patterns, yet does not insist upon abstinence as a lifelong pattern.
  3) We incorporate the latest research in addiction therapy into our programs, including Motivational Enhancement, Cognitive Therapy, including Coping, Habit Change, Relationship and Self-Care Skills training, Mindfulness Meditation, Nutrition and Physical methods that effect well-being and brain recovery.
  If you would like more information, please see our website at www.APositiveAlternative.com or call 206-547-1955
  
  
  

Alternative Healthcare for Low-income & Homeless People

AHAC, Alternative Healthcare Access Campaign, was initially formed in August 1999 by a small group of students and homeless advocates, who were concerned that the benefits of alternative healthcare were becoming exclusively available to the wealthier segments of society. Previously, the Sound Clinic provided full service alternative and conventional healthcare to the downtown Seattle community until its closure in 1997, which created a void in accessible alternative healthcare for low-income & homeless people.
In 2006 it was estimated that nearly 6000 people were homeless in the Seattle area, according to the one night count of Seattle King County Coalition for the Homeless. Studies show that people in stressful circumstances (such as homelessness & unemployment) are more likely to also suffer from ill health. As alternative healthcare's focus is on disease prevention and restoring the body's natural balance, it is a strong tool for re-establishing and maintaining health in this population. One of AHAC's primary goals is to establish onsite clinical services at social service centers for low-income and homeless people to help address this need.
Since October 2000, AHAC has delivered more than 5000 free treatments at our service sites to close to 2300 people, giving us a nearly 50% return rate.

For more information contact:
AHAC
Address: PO BOX 45364 Seattle, WA 98145
Phone: (206)925-3322
E-mail: ahacseattle@gmail.com

Practitioner Corner: When should a child see a therapist?

KA: Jennifer, could you tell us a little about your practice as a psychotherapist?

I work primarily with children and their parents. In order to effectively help a child I have found it most helpful to also work with their parent(s). What that typically looks like is that I have one appointment per week (50 minutes) with the child and one appointment per month (50 minutes) with the parent(s). Depending on what is happening in the child and family’s life that may mean more appointments or less.

In my sessions with children I employ a variety of modalities; play therapy, art therapy, talk therapy and sand tray. Children, even under the most extreme stress, have a natural drive toward health. My job is to help them find their way back to a normal, healthy developmental progression. Children walk through this world doing their best to make sense of what they experience; they create a story as to how and why it all works this way. I work with children and their parents to ensure that they are creating helpful, nurturing, realistic stories.

One of the main reasons I work closely with parents is that I aim to enhance the parent/child relationship. Certain life stressors such as loss of a family member, divorce, or a life threatening illness will strain a child/parent relationship. In order for deep healing to happen we need to help bolster the child/parent relationship.

KA: How would a parent know that their child might benefit from seeing a therapist?

Good question. Sometimes it is obvious – a major loss (death of a family member, a divorce), a parent’s illness (cancer, depression…), symptoms of struggle with depression or anxiety (sleep problems, eating issues, thoughts of self harm, inability to participate in typical daily activities) or maybe a sudden change such as refusing to go to school when previously they loved school.

Sometimes it is not so obvious but more of a subtle feeling that a parent may have that something is “off”; perhaps a child does not react to a major event like a death, or there is a behavioral change that seemed like a phase that has gone on for much longer than is comfortable for everyone, or a parent notices that the whole family is making special arrangements to accommodate their child’s behaviors (not going certain places, adjusting schedules to avoid certain scenarios).


KA: How is this different than a parent seeing a therapist about the stress of parenting?

Parenting is without question the most difficult and rewarding “job”. I have a lot of respect for parents who are brave enough to investigate potential sources of support. During our initial conversation we discuss whether or not your child will benefit from therapy. The monthly parenting consultations are designed to address specific questions about your child based on my experience with them. As an example a child might have sleeping problems six months after the finalization of a divorce, which could seem unrelated. In a parent consultation our collective experience of the child will provide a way for us to problem solve together.


KA: How do you pick a good therapist for your child and what other concerns should you have such as confidentiality?

My recommendation is to talk with a few child therapists. They should be happy to spend some time with you on the phone and answer any questions you may have. Therapy only works if it is a good “fit”. It is important that you feel like a therapist truly hears you and includes you in your child’s process.

It is a very personal decision. Websites are one way to begin searching and learning about different therapists. Talking with friends or colleagues can help you gather some names. I would recommend you ask if a therapist specializes in children. You should expect their office to be welcoming to a child (toys, art supplies available). Ask them to tell you about their office in an initial phone call. Ask them what a session may be like for your child.

I am very cautious about confidentiality. When it comes to children I feel you can’t be too careful. This is one reason I have chosen to not accept health insurance. If a therapist submits an invoice to an insurance company they need to include a diagnosis, which will go into a client’s medical records. I feel that to be an ethical conflict in most cases. Keeping a mental health diagnosis out of a child’s medical records can also avoid misuse in custody disputes.

The child’s well being is the focus and that needs to be protected at all expense. When a parent seeks counseling for their child they are making an investment in the child’s future and healthy development. Often a child moves through a “diagnosis” such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and it doesn’t warrant locking them into that label. There is a fine line between naming a diagnosis and actually identifying the problem in your child’s life.

My recommendation to all the parents I work with is to trust their instincts, do some research and know that you know your child better than anyone. What I offer is another way to approach problem solving for you and your child.



Jennifer Stoakes, MA
(206) 409-7220
http://www.psychotherapynw.net/
My office is located in the Maple Leaf neighborhood in Seattle

Workshop on Food and Mood

Nutritional & Complementary Treatment for Mental Health Disorders: Non-Pharmaceutical Strategies that Work!

This is an all-day lecture on examining how foods affect mood. We examine the importance of protein in curbing sugar cravings and weight control and the importance of eating protein at breakfast. I offer new ways to think about sugar. And we detangle fact from fiction on good fat and bad fat. Each attendant will receive a lecture notes and useful handouts for clients at home.

When/Where:
Friday, July 20, 2007, in Tacoma 8-4pm
Friday, July 27, 2007, in Seattle 8-4pm
Friday, August 3, 2007, in Spokane 8-4pm

Who:
This lecture is directed at mental health professionals for Continuing Education. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

To sign up, go to: www.pesi.com

Recipe: Quinoa Tabouli

Pasta Method of Cooking Quinoa:
Bring 4 cups of lightly salted water to a boil
Add 1 cup of dry quinoa
Boil Quinoa for at least 4 minutes, up to ten minutes, per desired tenderness
Drain and rinse quinoa

Add a Healthy Veggie:
Finely chop one bunch of parsley, place in mixing bowl

Easy Lemon Dressing:
Squeeze one lemon for juice
Add olive oil for 1:1 oil and lemon juice
Add chopped garlic to taste (2-3 cloves)
Add sea salt to taste
Mix

Other Yummies
Like it hot? Add some chili powder or cumin to the dressing.
Like avocados? I am liking a avocado added.

The Big Mix
While the quinoa is still warm, mix into bowl with parsley, then drizzle dressing over the top. Serve immediately. Enjoy! If the quinoa is already made, warm the quinoa in the microwave and then mix into the parsley.

How do these good foods help you improve your health?

1. Parsley helps your liver detoxify and has lots of health-promoting antioxidants.
2. Quinoa is a great non-meat, high-protein food, which will reduce between meal cravings.
3. Both garlic and lemons can improve you cholesterol ratios.

If you want to know about the nutritional value of these ingredients, check out http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php

Sugar Addiction to Wellness Group

The purpose of the Sugar Addiction to Wellness Education Support Group is to provide education and support to empower you to reach your health goals.
You will be provided with
· Information on how food and physical activity affect food cravings.
· Support to set goals that work in your life and move you towards health.
· Information on how to stabilize and maintain healthy weight for your body.
· Information on how to prevent weight gain, depression, anxiety, irritability, diabetes,
and cardiovascular disease.
· Tools to calm and energize the mind and body.
When: Once a month on Saturdays from 9 -11 am.
Where: 89th and Aurora.
Cost: $80 per session. Quarterly commitment required.
Who:Recommended for women who have experience with quick weight loss programs and quick weight return, who are overweight, and are seeing a psychotherapist.
Led by: Dr. Kristen Allott, ND, L.Ac.
For More Information: 206-579-2757

Prevent Your New Year’s Resolution from Slipping Away

Did you set a New Year’s Resolution? Exercise more? Lose weight? Eat better? Be healthier? Now, only a few weeks through January, you feel the probability of reaching you goal slipping away?

My objective in 2006 was to become a more efficient small business owner. In order to reach my goal, I needed the guidance of an expert and I needed someone to witness my challenges, set backs and successes. To find this guidance, I signed up for a local small business group with Mikelann Valterra (www.womenearning.com). She helped me to understand the emotional issues of running a small business, as well as look at the assumptions I have made about making money as a small business owner. I highly recommend her group if you feel you are not earning up to your potential. She provides—among other excellent resources—some great statistics.

The American Society of Training and Development did a study on the probability of a person reaching a personal goal. Here are the statistics for a typical New Year’s resolution of exercising more.
The percentage of people who successfully reach their goal if they:
Hear an idea such as exercise is good for your health—10%
Consciously decide to adopt the goal such as name it as a New Year’s resolution—25%
Decide they will do the goal such as walk for 30 minutes three days per week—40%
Plan how they will do the goal, such as write it into their calendar—50%
Commit to someone else that they will do it, such as tell their friend—65%
Have a specific accountability appointment with another person, during which they can review what they were able to do towards their goal—95%.

I see the truth of these statistics all the time with myself and in my practice with my clients. When we set a goal, and a regular meeting is made to review what was accomplished towards the goal, we have more confidence, more patience, more self-esteem, a better ability to set realistic goals and more self compassion. In other words, when we are accountable to other people, the goals we set for ourselves are easier and less stressful to achieve.

I encourage you to think about how you can improve the statistical probability for completing your New Year’s resolution. If you have health goals that you need assistance with, I am offering three services at Dynamic Paths that might assist you:
1. Individual Appointments
2. A Wellness Group once a month, starting in February.
3. Speaking engagements with a group that you organize at your home or at work about food and mood and how it relates to overall wellness.
Call for more information, 206-579-2757.

Feature Practitioner: Jim Allbaugh, Certified Rolfer

Kristen: Jim, what is rolfing?

Jim: Rolfing is a form of body work that helps bring the body into a more balanced state. Pain, fatigue, and soreness all have the potential to fall aside, creating room for new possibilities. With rolfing, I try to bring the body into an optimal state of health, rather than the old status quo.

Kristen: From the rolfing I done in the past and the work we have done together, I understand that rolfing is a system of healing that starts by working to rebalance the physical body. As the physical body releases it’s old habit, we are able to release other habits. Can you say more about what you love about rolfing?

Jim: I love the dialogue. There is so much that can be said in conversation, but there is a dialogue that happens that is different and in some ways deeper during a Rolfing session. There is a conversation that I seek between myself and the body's inherent wisdom. What I have to do is LISTEN. Not easy, but wow, very profound.

Kristen: Do you have a story about how you helped one of your clients?

Jim: There are lots of stories. Rolfing is a very powerful modality. People report some remarkable results. More energy, calmer, less pain...One that comes to mind is how one client found the freedom of breath in her rib cage that had been cut off since birth. That was beautiful. She was able to breathe fully and in places she has never felt before.

Kristen: What shapes how you work with a person?
Jim: My commitment to my clients well being. I have been studying body work for over 5 years, and practice Aikido, a martial art, for over 13 years. Both have helped me understand the inherent wisdom of seeking our greatest potential. I bring these experiences and wisdom to my work. I seek to help my clients move from status quo toward their highest potential.

Kristen: Where can people find more information about you?
Jim: Jim Allbaugh
j.allbaugh@worldnet.att.net
www.rolfingseattle.net
(206) 271-1648