Finding an Affirming Therapist
Previous PostNext Post ADVICE Finding an Affirming Therapist Finding a therapist may seem daunting, so here are some helpful tips when conducting research. Finding an affirming therapist. Affirming, competent mental health therapists are available to support and help you heal. Here are some helpful tips to consider when finding an affirming therapist. The LGBTQIA+ community encounters stressors that negatively affect their physical and mental well-being. Some of these stressors include rejection, discrimination, violence, unaffirming spaces and/or providers, and health care disparities. These experiences can be traumatic, and lead to feelings of anxiety, fear, helplessness, discouragement, or mistrust. Internal and/or external stressors coupled with trauma can feel overwhelming and as if there is no way out. Affirming, competent mental health therapists are available to support and help you heal. Mental health therapists have varying levels of expertise and utilize a range of treatment modalities. They can help you in areas such as identity exploration, coming out, gender transition, trauma recovery, stress management, and skill building. Looking for a therapist may seem daunting, so here are some helpful tips to consider when conducting your search. Gather Resources. Reach out to your primary care doctor or other trusted providers for a list of referrals. If you have health insurance, log into to your account to search for mental health therapists or call the insurance company directly to request this information. Ask family members or friends for resources too. They may be familiar with clinics or organizations that have connections with affirming therapists. Request a phone consultation. Therapists typically offer brief phone consultations to prospective clients who may want more information about their clinical background, expertise, and special populations they serve. Consultations offer you an opportunity to know the therapist more and determine whether they are a match for your needs and concerns. It is also a great way to get a glimpse of their personality and therapy style. Ask Questions. During your phone consultation or intake appointment with a therapist, you are welcome to ask the following questions, “How are you going to keep me safe?”, “In what ways are you an affirming provider?”, and “What is your experience working with individuals with similar concerns as mine?” It is important to work with a therapist who you connect and feel safe and comfortable with as this will maximize your therapy experience. Finding an affirming therapist. Choose the Right Fit. Once you have completed your search, take the time to compare the therapists whom you spoke with. Trust your intuition. If you later learn you are not connecting well with a therapist, let them know. They can adjust their therapeutic approach to fit your needs and concerns. If that does not work, then it is okay to terminate services. They will gladly assist and connect you with another provider who might be a better fit for you. Affirming therapists are out there to help you begin the healing process. It might take a while to find a match, just remember to be patient and trust yourself and the process. You will be on your therapy journey before you know it! All Posts Advice Couples Therapy EMDR Therapy Health & Wellness Holidays Individual Therapy LGBTQ LGBTQ+ Therapy Links Mental Health Moment Services Teen Therapy Teens Therapist Uncategorized Dante Knew He Had to do Something Have You Suddenly Lost Your Confidence? Try These Tips to Regain Your Swagger! 5 Tips for Gift Giving
9 Strategies for Virtual Learning During The Pandemic
9 Strategies for Virtual Learning During The Pandemic Previous PostNext Post 9 Strategies for Digital Learning During The Pandemic Navigating the times during COVID has brought with it many unique challenges. One of the major challenges that both parents and children have found themselves facing is virtual learning. In March of 2020, many kids found themselves happy to be getting a “break” from attending school. However, virtual learning at the end of the 2019-2020 school year looked much different than virtual schooling for the 2020-2021 school year. 9 Strategies for Digital Learning During The Pandemic Virtual learning is not only the job of the teacher and child but requires much more parental time and attention than when kids are attending school in person. As Matheis (2021), points out, kids are having to navigate several online tools to locate their assignments, complete them, and turn them in. The challenges of navigating the online tools can be difficult for children which creates a need for them to call on their parents for assistance. 9 Strategies for Digital Learning During The Pandemic In addition, young children more than likely are not proficient typists, which leaves the parents needing to help their children to type responses to assignments. However, if the parents are not available due to their schedules then the kids will either end up with incomplete assignments, poor grades, missing work, or a combination of the latter (Matheis, 2021). 9 Strategies for Digital Learning During The Pandemic Many kids struggle with both impulse control and staying focused. Attending class via video screen allows more opportunity to not truly be focused and to get distracted looking at social media, texting friends, surfing the web, or watching streaming apps, which is leading to many kids doing poorly in school and having low grades. Virtual schooling has also led to an increase in anxiety, depression, and low motivation (Matheis, 2021). Kids are not having the same opportunity to fill their need for love and belonging by interacting and making connections with their friends at school throughout the day. 9 Strategies for Digital Learning During The Pandemic Parents are left wondering what they can do to combat some of the issues that they and their children are facing due to virtual learning? Some of the ways that parents can help both themselves and their children be more successful with virtual learning is to: 1) Maintain communication with your child’s teacher to stay informed about how your child is doing or ways that you can help; 2) If your child has an individualized education program or needs accommodations, communicate your child’s needs clearly to the teacher and see what adjustments can be made to help them be successful; 3) Create a quiet comfortable workspace for your child that is set up with all of the supplies they need to do their school work; 4) Create a morning just as they would have if they were attending school in person; 5) Make sure your child takes breaks during the day to get up and move around; 6) Create a schedule for your child to follow and put it somewhere they can easily reference it; 7) Help your kids stay focused by keeping distractions out of sight; 8) Set timers for your kids so that they can stay on task or know when it is time for class changes; 9) Allow your kids to set up outdoor playdates or enroll them to participate in an activity (Matheis, 2021). Matheis, L., PhD. (2021, January 18). Strategies to Get Through Virtual Learning During COVID. Retrieved January 24, 2021, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/special-matters/202101/strategies-get-through-virtual-learning-during-covid All Posts Advice Couples Therapy EMDR Therapy Health & Wellness Holidays Individual Therapy LGBTQ LGBTQ+ Therapy Links Mental Health Moment Services Teen Therapy Teens Therapist Uncategorized Dante Knew He Had to do Something Have You Suddenly Lost Your Confidence? Try These Tips to Regain Your Swagger! 5 Tips for Gift Giving