Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

Video games, online gambling, online shopping and pornography all have the potential to become problematic Social media also has an addictive quality that can cause withdrawal and exacerbate mood disorders and/or addictions What Makes a Video Game Addictive High Score Beating the Game No Ending to the Game – i.e. Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) Role Playing Novelty/Discovery A good portion of World of Warcraft is spent exploring imaginary worlds, and Minecraft is spent designing new worlds Relationships Acceptance A place to anonymously try out different personas Like other addictions, internet addiction can have physical, social, financial and emotional consequences In our digital age, it is highly unlikely that people can completely unplug. Similar to other behavioral addictions like eating and sex, it is necessary to identify the motivations behind the internet use Additionally, by its very rewarding nature, internet addiction will cause neurochemical imbalances which can lead to depression and apathy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Based in Part on Brief Therapy with Eating Disorders by Barbara McFarland, and the Overcoming Disordered Eating Protocol by the Centre for Clinical Intervention - Shifting paradigms to one of resourcefulness vs. sickness - Identifying key interviewing questions to develop a strengths-based alliance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Objectives - Core Mindfulness - Walking the Middle Path - Distress Tolerance - Emotion Regulation - Interpersonal Effectiveness - Mindfulness Exercises - DBT Games and Activities Core Mindfulness - Three States of Mind - Reasonable: School Brain, scientist, robot - Emotional: What your heart says - Wise: The logical choice that makes you as happy as possible - Example: Animal rescue - Example: Extracurricular activities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Objectives - BREIFLY review the findings from the research identifying the connection between the brain and the gut - Differentiate gut health from proper nutrition - Identify signs and consequences of poor gut health - Explore the bidirectional relationship between the brain and the gut (second brain) - Identify promising alternative approaches to treating mood (and other) disorders. Overview - Depression is the leading cause of disability in the world according to the World Health Organization. The effectiveness of the available antidepressant therapies is limited. - Data from the literature suggest that some subtypes of depression may be associated with chronic low grade inflammation. - The uncovering of the role of intestinal microbiota in the development of the immune system and its bidirectional communication with the brain have led to growing interest on reciprocal interactions between inflammation, microbiota and depression. - The intestinal microbiota: A new player in depression? Encephale. 2018 Feb;44(1):67-74 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Objectives - Explore the unique needs of loved ones and caregivers of people with cancer Diagnosis - 650,000+ people die of cancer EACH year - When someone is diagnosed, the patient and loved ones grieve - Even if the cancer is “cured” or goes into remission there may be lasting disabilities and/or losses - Loss of security (health anxiety in the patient and SOs) - Loss of function or changes in appearance - Cognitive impairment (“chemo-brain”) impacts attention, working memory, executive function, and processing speed - Unmet needs of caregivers and patients were associated with increased physical symptoms, anxiety, and reduced QoL - Not everyone experiences grief in the same way - Families need to be educated about the grief bill of rights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Biopsychosocial Aspects of HPA-Axis Dysfunction Objectives - Define and explain the HPA-Axis - Identify the impact of trauma on the HPA Axis - Identify the impact of chronic stress/cumulative trauma on the HPA-Axis - Identify symptoms of HPA-Axis dysfunction - Identify interventions useful for this population Based on Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary - Additional modules will focus on topics including… - Accommodations for the clinician to prevent exasperation and burnout. - FASD in the criminal justice system - Case management and Unmet needs for caregivers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary -Mental health is a biopsychosocial issue -A healthy body, positive emotional experiences, effective thinking strategies, positive environments and healthy interpersonal relationships are essential -A weakness in any of these areas can contribute to extended distress and HPA-Axis dysregulation which can lead to mental health or addiction relapse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary ~ Neurotransmitters and hormones exist in a very delicate balance. ~ Changing one often results in a cascade of other changes ~ Mood and cognitive symptoms may be caused by problems with a variety of different neurotransmitters or hormones ~ Aging naturally reduces certain hormones and consequently neurotransmitters ~ Differential diagnoses requires exploring the possibility of a deficit in a neurotransmitter or hormone due to ~ Insufficient raw materials to make it ~ Deficiency in other chemicals that trigger its release ~ Excess of chemicals that degrade it or trigger reuptake ~ Problems in neuronal signaling within the system. ~ The human body is extremely complex ~ Symptoms of mood and cognitive disorders can be caused by a variety of problems in physiological systems ~ Cognitions and emotions can trigger the HPA-Axis and alter the functioning of internal systems and set off a cascade. ~ Effective treatment of mood and cognitive disorders requires addressing all physiological as well as psychological issues contributing to neurochemical imbalance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary - Helping your body to balance hormones and neurotransmitters requires - Good nutrition and good health behaviors(exercise, sleep, breathing) to reduce physical stress and inflammation - Addressing cognitive and emotional stress Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices