What happens when the provider, the caregiver, starts to burn out? Science reveals that we experience a change biochemically when we have taken on too much. Compassion fatigue creates a whole host of symptoms, including irritability, impatience, exhaustion, intolerance, dread, lack of clarity, poor motivation, a decline in personal well-being regarding sleep, health and mood, a transfer of stress to personal life, the internal eye roll, boredom, feeling of heaviness, forgetfulness, … [Read more...] about Combatting Compassion Fatigue
LCSW
When You Love an Addict
When you love an addict, it is a painful and confusing journey. The effects of addiction are like a stone being thrown into a pond. There seems to be no ending to the spillover of pain, drama, intensity and insanity. The whole family system is imprinted, and we all suffer. Concepts of recovery for family and loved ones include: Understanding the basics of how addiction wires the brain. Gaining some clarity of how addiction affects personality, mood and behavior. Taking inventory … [Read more...] about When You Love an Addict
Combatting Compassion Fatigue
What happens when the provider, the caregiver, starts to burn out? Science reveals that we experience a change biochemically when we have taken on too much. Compassion fatigue creates a whole host of symptoms, including irritability, impatience, exhaustion, intolerance, dread, lack of clarity, poor motivation, a decline in personal well-being regarding sleep, health and mood, a transfer of stress to personal life, the internal eye roll, boredom, feeling of heaviness, forgetfulness, … [Read more...] about Combatting Compassion Fatigue
Using Yoga in Recovery Therapy
Back2Basics offers a holistic and integrative approach to the treatment of addiction and co-occurring issues. By nature, the program is designed to bring participants into the outdoors and learn to be more comfortable in their own skin. We also bring in components of nutrition, fitness and mindfulness to complement the therapeutic and recovery work. In addition, the practice of yoga is an important component for teaching young people in recovery to become more “grounded” in their bodies. The … [Read more...] about Using Yoga in Recovery Therapy
Service to Others Can Contribute to a Lifetime of Happiness
People across the world engage in altruistic behaviors, ranging from paying for a cup of coffee for a stranger, donating gently used clothing, toys or household items, or volunteering at a local food bank. Engagement in service to others occurs without the expectation of anything in return. However, the benefits of altruistic behaviors have well-documented positive benefits to the individual in the helper role. For example, studies have shown that youth that engage in acts of volunteerism … [Read more...] about Service to Others Can Contribute to a Lifetime of Happiness
