Author: Dominick Flarey

Case Management and Helping Families

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

I have pretty much always known what I wanted to do with my life and I never. At first I wanted to get into social services and help get children out of abusive homes and bad situations and the like. Then I realized I had need to get more personal with these people. To really affect and have a positive impact on their every day lives after incidents like these occurred. That is  

when I started studying to become a case worker. Getting your case manager certification is not an easy task, but with a little research and some good old fashioned studying, you won’t have a problem. Some psychological classes are involved but they were not really anything I have not been through before. All in all, getting my certification was a fulfilling experience that I will never regret, and now, because of it, I have the job of my dreams! I am one of few people who would not turn back time if given the chance.

Being a Case Manager

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

  A case manager is the person that handles the business portion of healthcare for a patient. This person is a trained professional that oversees the care on every level, for a patient. They coordinate the care provided by many different 

professionals to be sure the plan is safe and effective for the patient. They also communicate with insurance companies or employers to make sure the care that is provided is cover and for how long. In general, they balance patient advocacy with cost containment. Case manager certification processes can differ depending on the school they attend. Most certification programs require certification as a registered nurse, practical nurse, social worker or physical therapist. Case manager certification also requires training in developing and maintaining relationships. They need to be able to coordinate between the client, medical professionals and payees. They also need knowledge in disease management, health care management, psychological and developmental treatment. Most states require certification that can be obtained in as little as six weeks. Case manager certification requires a written exam and internship, as well as continued education to be certain they are up to date on changing regulations.

Forensic Nursing Practice: A Growing Specialty

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
Gavel with red heart and pills on white. Medical law concept.What is Forensic Nursing?

Specialized nurses that focus mainly on medicine with science and criminology as it pertains to the law are known as forensic nurses, and are practicing forensic nursing. Normally forensic nursing consists of assisting forensic scientists and forensic psychologists in collecting data in order to create a more realistic picture of the events that lead to each particular case. They have specialized training in the collection of forensic evidence, as well as criminal procedures and more. They are also called upon in court to provide their forensic expertise in the form of a testimony. The forensic nursing field often works with criminal victims that are the product of violent and intense mental and physical abuse. They serve mainly as the liaison between both the medical field and the criminal justice system. For this reason, it is critical that forensic nurses are familiarized with both fields. With the advancement of forensic technology, forensic nurses play a critical role in the criminal justice system used today.
The majority of forensic nursing is done outside of the hospital. They are normally the first medical representatives called upon to make the first assessments of a victim’s condition and dictate which procedures will follow next. It is typical for forensic nurses to posses the ability to properly asses the victims in a chaotic environment. Some situations can be hectic and a forensic nurse must be able to remain calm and make quick and correct decisions with a stressful situation surrounding them.
Forensic nursing is also needed in other areas outside of the criminal justice world. In the event of a natural disaster, these nurses play a large role in determining whether victims caught in a storm, hurricane, earthquake or flood will make it through alive or not. In the event that there are some people that did not survive a natural disaster, these nurses use their forensic training to help identify bodies and collect evidence to better aid research.

 How to Become a Forensic Nurse?

If you are interested in the forensic nursing field, there are several programs that are designed to train a person and prepare them for this field. First, however, you must become and gain experience as a registered nurse. While you are on your way to becoming a registered nurse, it will be beneficial to take as many courses in forensic science and nursing as possible. Different courses will be available depending upon the school you choose. It is recommended that you consider which course there schools offer before hand as the choices and quality of their course offerings will vary. Attend your chosen college or university and complete your RN degree. This will normally take 2-4 years depending if you decide to get your associates or bachelor degrees. Such degrees offered are normally associates of science in nursing (BSN), associates of science in nursing (BSN), or register in an RN program. Also, you will be required to pass your NCLE exam to gain your license and begin working as a registered nurse. Once you have graduated and accumulate a few years as an RN, you will then have to start specializing in the various forensic nursing fields. Such fields include courses in forensic clinical nursing, correctional nursing, forensic investigation, forensic psychiatric nursing, forensic gerontology, death investigation, sexual assault examination and legal forensics. When you have the appropriate experience working as a registered nurse and have gained knowledge within the previously mentioned fields, you will need to earn your certification that demonstrates this knowledge and commitment to the forensic nursing field. Such certifications include the FNCB, the IAFN, SANE-A and SANE-P certifications and the forensic nurse specialist certification from the American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc.
It is a difficult and long road to get into the forensic nursing field however it is a rewarding and interesting profession. As the demand for forensic nursing increases, the salary and benefits for this profession will rise. Currently, forensic nurses can make anywhere between $25-$60 per hour depending upon that persons experience and employer. Many forensic nurses continue to work as registered nurses on a full time bases. This usually is accompanied with an on call forensic nursing status which is paid 1 ½ ties their base pay rate. Whether you are currently working as a registered nurse or looking to gain entry into this field, forensic nursing may provide you with that step up in your career that you have been looking for.

Grief Counseling and Prolonged Grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Grief Counseling has to treat prolonged grief different than regular grief reactions.  While Bowlby’s ideas on attachment theory were originally designated for infants and their primary caregiver, the idea of attachment and the forming of bonds are still very important elements in how one will respond to a loss of a loved one.  In regards to complicated grief, its trajectories can lead to numerous pathological issues that need professionally addressed, however, surprisingly most people respond with resiliency to grief within the first six months.  Only 15 percent of the population experience complicated or prolonged symptoms.  Still, this number nevertheless represents a large number because everyone experiences loss.  With this in mind, treatment of prolonged grief is essential.

Grief Counseling and the Function of Sadness

The emotion of sadness serves two functions. In previous articles, we discussed how it allows the person time to reflect, meditate and heal from the loss.  This enables the person to find new meaning in one’s life narrative.  Secondly, we pointed out that sadness also manifests itself physically to awaken others to one’s needs of emotional support.  These components of the emotion of sadness are all natural and essential in normal grieving, but can become malignant to one’s emotional health if prolonged.
It is important to note that prolonged grief differs from depression.  In depression, one loses self esteem and feels emptiness due to no physical or mental stimuli but prolonged grief is an acute response to loss.  Prolonged grief is a desperate and painful yearning for the loss object.  It is an obsessive fixation that can find no value in anything else.  It is a haunting pain that finds only the ghosts of the deceased or loss.  It is also associated usually with guilt and lack of esteem in regard to the person and the deceased.  False notions breed within the mind, producing more intense yearnings that cannot even find joy in past memories.  These unhealthy attachments can also be intensified with people who were more economically or emotionally dependent upon the deceased.
Grief Counselors and other professional counselors can help those with prolong grief.  One treatment is exposure treatment.  Exposure treatment forces the person to face his or her pain and talk about the most painful aspect of the relationship with the deceased.  It is through this that counselor and patient can talk together about what the person feels is bothering them.  It is the hope of the counselor to find out if any false notions exist within the patient during this session.  Feelings of guilt, anger, or lack of self esteem can all be identified and addressed.  In addition to this, the counselor will eventually set up goals for the person.  Usually people who suffer from prolong grief have become reclusive.  The  grief counselor will try to push the person into the social settings to form new interests and attachments.  The purpose is not to eliminate the past attachment, but to help create a healthy adapted bond with the deceased.  The person should be able to integrate the loss of the deceased into his or her life narrative but also write new chapters and find happiness in other things.
While these things are crucial it is important to note two things.  First medication may also be applied.  In these cases, medical professionals need to be involved and second, since it is complicated grief, the grief counselor should be working in accordance with a LPC.  Of course, if the grief counselor is already an LPC, then this is all the better.
If you would like to learn how to become a certified Grief Counselor, then please review.
By Mark Moran, MA

Grief Counseling Certification: Grief Counselors and Traumatic Loss Effects On Society

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Traumatic loss affects the social structure.  Since we are social creatures by nature, the butterfly effect blows through the winds of life and affects every aspect of humanity.  Katrina, 911, and the latest Tsunami in Japan all reflect this as every corner of the Earth viewed the destruction from these events.  With these aspects in mind, grief counselors are called upon not only to treat victims but also bystanders who are scarred by the horrific sights and stories they witness in person or on television.

Themes Grief Counselors Can Face

A few themes noticed by experts include the following social ideas on how grief effects society.  First, the minimizing tendency to deny the possibility of traumatic events happening to oneself.  One is only to soon to proclaim, “This cannot happen to me”.  This leads to the dangerous idea and theme of how well unprepared people are for traumatic events.  One can especially see this in the case of government reactions.  It also shows that governments are far from void of emotional response as any other person would be.  Also one can see government response is not spared from classism and racism in its response. Another developing theme effecting society is the fact that death imprint is more universal and far reaching than ever before due to internet, television and up to date news.  During WWII, campaigns and victories were heard after the event, but today, one can witness the battle as it is fought.  Another theme is the fact that people socially accept natural catastrophes quicker than they do human caused pain.  Ideas of violence and genocide strike the human heart greater than the roar of a hurricane. Finally, one can also see a social theme addresses the importance of ritual.  When various rituals of burial are denied during massive catastrophes with great death, the grief recovery of an individual can be compromised.
All of these social implications point towards a variety of issues that can lead to complicated forms of grief not only in victims but also bystanders.  Grief counselors, social workers and other emergency relief workers should be aware of these things when helping those that are victims to great grief caused by nature or man. If you are interested in a grief counseling certification, please review our program.
Mark Moran, MA

Certified Grief Counseling and Oscillation

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The idea of oscillation is new to Grief Theory and  certified Grief counseling in that in incorporates happy states of reprise from sadness until the mind and soul are ready to encounter the sadness again.  This up and down process continues until severity and regularity gradually decrease and the person is able to cope better and adapt to everyday living. The West has for sometime been cautious of such feelings because it was thought to be a state of denial but modern psychological findings are discovering that people do indeed go through ups and downs during the grief

process.  This is not to dismiss stage theory as a useful analysis of the grief process but it does point that stage theory does have some inaccuracies in describing the universal phenomenon of grief.  In fact, many people do not even follow the chronological stages of grief.  The paradigm of traditional grief thought is being replaced with a more fluid process that understands the oscillation and resiliency as natural factors during the grief process.

Grief Counseling Meets Resiliency

The reality is resiliency is more common than thought and is a natural method of coping.  While early studies are trying to determine if resiliency is genetic, the common notion today is that it is psychological and some have better coping abilities than others.  Obviously the traumatic level of the event does objectively effect the coping but overall an individuals ability to cope both externally and internally is advantageous over those who only cope inwardly or outwardly.  Another element of coping involves one’s outlook.  People who are able to find good out of evil and have a higher power they find solitude in are more likely to exhibit resilient behavior than those who do not.
Grief counselors need to identify these factors and encourage them in their clients to foster greater and faster recovery.  Adaptation to loss is quicker for those who exhibit these traits. If grief counselors can identify these traits, they can help others cultivate them so as to avoid complicated or pathological states of grief in the future.

By Mark Moran, MA

Christian Counseling and Lenten Ideas on the Numeral 40

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling and the Number 40

The Lenten theme of “40” and “Desert” is a reoccurring theme. Let us today look at the time of Israel and the 40 years in the desert and see how we can utilize this concept with Christian Counseling Ideals.
For doubting God after the numerous miracles, Israel was punished with a wandering in the

desert for Forty years. This was even imposed upon Moses. Only children under the age of 21 of that sinful generation would be spared the denial of the Promised Land. During this time, the Jewish people under the guidance of Moses wandered the desert for an additional Forty years. It would be under Joshua that they would eventually enter into the Holy Land.
Here we see two motifs that correlate with Lent. The idea of the number Forty being a period of repentance and the idea of a desert. The desert signifies the world and sin. In the temporal realm, Christian pilgrims on Earth suffer in the desert until the final reward of the Promised Land. As the faithful Israelites entered into the Promised Land after Forty years, so too shall the follower of Christ enter into the Promised Land which is Heaven.
This however is an Old Testament analogy of the desert led by the Prophet Moses, the next idea of “40” and the “Desert” is even more amazing via Christ in the New Testament. However, we will leave that for another day. In the meantime, it will suffice to meditate upon the wandering in the desert of the Jewish people and how it relates to our own wandering in the desert of the world.
If you want to learn how to become certified in Christian Counseling then review.

By Mark Moran, MA

Christian Counseling and Christ’s 40 Days in the Desert

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christ’s Time of Temptation

The ideal of the desert and the number Forty also are useful motifs for penance in the New Testament. These symbols as used in the Old Testament also relate to the New testament and continue the theme, especially in the case of Christ and his temptations in the desert.  Christian Counseling sessions should utilize this motiff for Lenten discussions.

Again emphasis is placed on the desert as a place where sacrifice and renewal is found against Satan. Satan tempted Christ three times. He urged him to jump and allow angels to catch him from a cliff, promised him food and demanded adoration in exchange for all the kingdoms of the material world. These temptations contradicted the fasting that Christ was undergoing. Whether Satan at this time realized that Christ was the Logos is speculated, but the fact he remains he did sense a holiness never found in previous prophets and wished to tempt Christ during his period of fasting. Ultimately, it is in the desert that Christ in all his humanity faces Satan and emerges victorious unlike the fall of Adam. In much the same way, we must fast in the world for Forty days and emerge victorious like Christ over Satan. While the temptations may differ, they still represent the devil’s attempt to destroy our Lenten sacrifices. What temptations does Satan give one? They could correlate with an opposite vice of a virtue we are practicing in Lent, or represent a desire we are trying to curb. In all these ways, we must pray to Christ to send these temptations away.
Through the Forty days of Lent, we must overcome temptation, renew our faith in Christ, fast and prepare for the Resurrection. As Christ emerged from the desert prepared to do his Father’s work, so can we emerge prepared to do the will of the Father.
If you are interested in the Christian Counseling Program, please review it over and see if it matches your academic needs.  As a certified Christian spiritual counselor, you can help others find Christ
By Mark Moran, MA

Christian Counseling and Lenten Ideals of Walking with Christ

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling and Lenten Ideals

There are other motifs for Lent that Christian spiritual directors can also use to portray Lent other than the image of Forty and the image of desert. One such way is viewing Lent as a time of walking with Christ, not only during his public life, but also during Christ’s passion. One then is expected to carry one’s own cross to Calvary next to our Lord.
As Christians carry their crosses with Christ during Lent, they can also become like Simon who helped our Lord carry his cross. By sacrificing and offering up one’s crosses, one offers reparation for one’s sins but also the worlds. When in union with Christ, these ordinary trials of everyday life become supernatural sacrifices. With Christ as Our High Priest, we bring to him our offerings of trials suffering and pain, and we walk with him. St,. Theresa should us the power of offering little things. We do not need extraordinary actions but the simple offering of daily annoyances. We can also offer sacrifices and fasting. St. Ignatius in his Spiritual Exercises points out that when one fasts though, it is deeper than a mere sacrifice. Fasting goes beyond sacrifices because fasting deals with ordinary denial of everyday necessities. When one denies oneself superfluous things, they practice temperance and moderation, but when one fasts they deny ordinary things.
During Lent, Christian Counselors should encourage that their spiritual children carry their crosses, make sacrifices and fast and abstain properly. While our Lord in his human nature existed in temporal time and died historically, as a divine being, he is eternal. The Trinity as an eternal being is unbound by the time and escapes it vacuum. In the all seeing eyes of God, there is only one reality-the ever present. In this way, our sacrifices and words of consolation to Christ are seen and heard by him as he carries his cross. Hence we can truly walk with Christ to Calvary during this Lenten season, weeping as the holy women, helping him as Simon, and consoling him as his mother.

by Mark Moran, MA

Lenten Ideals: Meditations from the Stations for Christian Counseling

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

During Holy Week it is proper to prepare oneself for the passion of Christ during Christian Counseling sessions.  In meditation upon his suffering and death, we can grow closer in love with our savior and find pious resolve to offer our own crosses with Christ.  Meditation with Christ can also allow us to join Mary, John, Veronica, Simon and the Holy Women to the very foot of the cross.  While Christ’s death as a temporal reality happened historically some Two-Thousand years ago, Christ as the Logos also exists outside of time and within that ability can hear our thoughts and prayers as he suffers.  This is an excellent opportunity to mourn for Christ from a distant future but also in a tender present whisper in the echo of time.  We can literally console Christ in our meditation as he suffers for us.
Christian Counseling meetings should take advantage of meditations that can be employed by their clients when focusing on Christ during Holy Week.  Certain themes can be applied from the Stations of the Cross and utilized for spiritual development within the souls of the faithful.

Christian Counseling Themes Found in the Stations

A few themes that stand out the most from the Stations of the Cross will be reviewed here and

applied to one’s own personal crosses they may carry.  The First and most obvious theme of the Stations is conforming one’s will to the Father.  As Christ accepted his cross, he submitted his will to the Father.  This pain of mental submission initiated in the Garden and was carried to its finality at the cross.  In our prayers, we should mimic Christ in accepting the chalice of the Father.  Our prayers should be focused on what doors the Lord chooses to open not the ones we wish to have opened.  Through the meek and humble example of our Lord, we too should accept whatever crosses come our way.
 A Second theme that appears in the Stations is Christ’s calmness and magninty in the face of chaos and lies.  As those unworthy to judge him mocked him, he stood as a pinnacle example of Christian excellence and peace.  He did not return hate with hate, but stood his ground, professed truth and portrayed a magnanimous image for all Christian generations to follow.  This was clearly seen as Pilate condemned Christ to death.  How many times are we unjustly ridiculed or mocked?  Do we stand for Christ despite the heckling of the world?
A Third theme can be found in the numerous times Christ fell because of our sins.  Each time Christ looked up to heaven, and triumphantly and courageously lifted up the cross of our sins.  How many times do we fall for those we love yet continue to carry on especially when no reward is in sight?  How many times do we help others without any benefit to our own?  This theme can also be applied to Simon, who though at first hesitant became an example of helping others.  Little did Simon know that by helping a stranger, he was indeed playing a small role in his own redemption.  This is the truth behind helping others.  One cannot see the temporal value on earth, but will be surprised and amazed at the value of such small actions in the next life.
A Fourth theme can be found in the sorrows of our Lady.  The loss of a child is the most painful experience a person can feel.  Our Lady not only lost her son, but witnessed his cruel torture.  She saw him carry his cross, expire on the cross, hold his lifeless body, and witness the sealing of the tomb.  Her sacrifice of her son for our redemption has led many to refer to her as a Co-Redemptrix.  She herself, while unable to liberate man as Christ, still nonetheless suffered with Christ for the sins of man and suffered the mental anguish of seeing her only son die.  In this regard, the love of Our Lady for us is also a theme that cannot be diminished if one meditates on the Stations.
A Fifth theme is the fidelity of Mary, John, Veronica and the Holy Women.  Due to the fear of the mob and the Romans, few remained faithful to Christ in his darkest hour.  Judas betrayed him with a kiss, Peter denied him three times, and many of the Apostles and Disciples fled the garden like sheep scattered from the shepherd.  This betrayal stung our Lord more than any broken promises we have found in our life.  Yet, when times get tough, do we find ourselves standing behind Christ as a soldier, or as a scared lamb?  Has the Holy Spirit strengthened us enough to stand by Christ?   Would we flee the garden or be found at the foot of the cross on Good Friday?
A Sixth theme is the horrendous nature of sin.  While the effects of sin may not be spiritually visible to all, the debt of sin still nonetheless has an enormous debt to justice.  Justice demands restitution for that injustice.  Only Jesus Christ, who as man represented us as High Priest and as God became the perfect victim, could undo the imbalance of the sin of Adam.  Through this self-sacrifice of Christ on the cross one can see the heinous nature of the infinite debt of sin.  Christ’s mutilated body that hung from the cross clearly shows it.  Every sin ever committed unleashed itself upon the sacrificial lamb.  How many times do we blame the Jews and Romans for this crucifixion?  We should also look at our sins because ultimately it was our sins that did this to our Lord.  In this, we should weep bitterly as Peter did.
While many other themes can be found within the Stations, I think it is good to reflect on these during Holy Week.  Christian Counseling sessions can also reflect on these themes as well as others if they apply to individual situations.  If you wish to become a Christian Counselor, please review the program and see if the Christian Counseling courses match your academic needs.