Hypnotherapy for Remembering a Traumatic Event

Hypnotherapy for remembering a traumatic event

When some people experience a traumatic event, they repress that memory far back in their mind so they don’t have to think about it. This can result in not even remembering the trauma for most people. Unfortunately, repressing a bad event in the back of the mind can result in a lot of future problems. Each person is different, but the mind normally works in similar ways for most people. Hypnotherapy for remembering a traumatic event can be very useful.
Suppressed memories could manifest themselves into making an adult obese, untrustworthy or even a criminal. Sometimes traumatic events can subconsciously change the way a person thinks, which is why these issues arise. There are a lot of people who walk around having absolutely no idea that they had a traumatic event happen in their past. Getting help is important for anyone that wants to recover from issues they are having in the present.

 How Hypnotherapy for Remembering a Traumatic Event Works

When someone goes to therapy like this, otherwise known as regression therapy, they will be put in a relaxed state. This isn’t like hypnosis that is seen on television when someone has to walk around and act like a chicken. The Hypnotherapist will gradually work up to accessing different memories. This works much like a tape recorder does since most memories will be played back with vivid detail. The patient will still be awake and able to respond, but they will be accessing different parts of their memory.
Normally these memories are huge events that happened during childhood. This could mean being raped, being abused, having a family member die or a number of other things. The therapist is going to ask questions that will lead to the patient remembering these things from their past. Sometimes it can be too much for them to handle; which means it could take several sessions to fully get the entire story. When the patient is woken up out of the relaxed state, they will be able to remember all the memories they pulled from their past.

 How Hypnotherapy can help Someone?

This therapy can help people navigate through their past and find out why they act the way they do today. For example, some people who are dangerously obese eat their feelings because they were raped in the past. Instead of dealing with the emotions of being physically abused, they repressed all of them and started eating. Normally this is a gradual weight gain that is obvious from right after the abuse happened. This is just one example of how trauma can affect someone without them even knowing it. There are a lot of other ways this can affect each individual and change their life. In fact, many serial killers have pasts that involved traumatic events. These events and not dealing with their emotions are what make them so violent and unhinged.
Being able to work out feelings with a therapist is extremely important. Once all the memories have been brought to the conscious mind, they can start to work themselves out. The therapist is going to work with their patient to determine what needs to be done. It is going to take many sessions for most people to come to terms with the events that happened in their past. Talking out these things can make a big difference with the way someone acts in the present and future. Most patients end up shedding a lot of tears and feeling relief by letting these memories come to surface.
Therapy can result in a person having a better attitude, not being violent, quitting certain behaviors and so much more. The patient is able to talk out memories and feelings, which is probably something they weren’t able to do in the past. The therapist is going to ask a lot of questions and become an active role in their life. Having a safe space where the patient can talk about their trauma is extremely important when it comes to the healing process. After the emotions from the past have been worked out, the future can become a lot brighter. It does take a while to re-build, but it can be done with the help of a therapist. Without hypnotherapy it might be impossible for some individuals to remember any trauma at all.
Interested in learning more, click this link: Hypnotherapy

Legal Nurse Consulting: Expert Witness

Legal Nurse Consulting: The Nurse as Expert Witness

Exploring The Nurse As An Expert Witness

It is not unusual for an attorney to utilize a nurse as an expert witness when the malpractice issue involves another nurse. There was a time when the attorney would have sought this information from a physician, but times have changed, and many states have ruled that expert testimony about a nurse should come from a nurse. The need for expert nurse witnesses is growing, and the job is not as easy as some might expect. The requirements to be an expert witness are many, and the job responsibilities are even more demanding once received. Let us explore the journey to becoming a nurse as an expert witness.

 The Nurse

The registered nurse is a highly sought after profession that involves providing personal health care to patients in a wide range of health care applications. To be a nurse one must complete the educational requirements necessary for specific specialties and degrees. There are various levels of credentials that can be earned in nursing that cover some 200 areas of certification. The more credentials a nurse have the better should they desire to become an expert witness.

 The Nurse As An Expert Witness

Some believe that an Expert Witness Nurse must be credentialed as a Legal Nurse Consultant. However, the two are not necessarily the same. The legal nurse consultant may well be an expert nurse witness. But, conceivably, any nurse may serve as an expert witness in a malpractice case and deliver an expert opinion.  An expert witness must maintain all of their existing credentials, qualifications, and be clinically active at the time of testifying. It is best if the nurse is certified, and current on the most recent procedures and related information. The basic mission of the expert witness is to conduct a review of the case and decide if the case should be pursued.
Should witness testimony be required from the nurse, they would utilize their experience, training to provide a scientific and technical opinion on whether or not there were deviations in the heath care standards surrounding the issue involved. Some malpractice areas where the expert witness nurse might be required include falls, misuse of medication, bedsores, or any deviation in the nurses function of adhering to applicable health care standards.
The expert witness is often used to show that the patient was not protected because a colleague administered substandard care. They may also determine if charts were accurately filled out, and to report incompetence by the nurse involved in the issue.

 The Role Of A Nurse As An Expert Witness

The expert nurse will review all records associated with the medical issue in question, and then provide their professional opinion to the retained attorney, as to whether or not the given case should be pursued. This requires a great deal of research to ensure the expert can see all aspects of the case clearly. In most cases the expert will review the Administrative Code of the Board of Nursing for the state in which the issue occurred. Any pertinent information discovered by the expert witness should only be provided to the attorney on the case.
Many states ask that a Certificate of Merit be filed by the expert witness. This will be used by the state to determine if the case should be pursued. The expert will either need to deliver a written or oral report on their opinion. They may need to gather information involving the relevant standards regarding the issue in question. All information must be handled with care. Court decisions have been decided all too often because paperwork was mishandled or filing dates were not met. The expert must be prepared for extensive questioning on the stand in reference to their credentials and professional opinion.
It can easily be determined that the responsibilities of an nurse as an expert witness is not easy in any form or fashion. These expert witnesses can earn a lot of money for their efforts, but they develop a sound reputation for honesty, and sustain the credentials to back up their testimony. Whether they work for the defense or the prosecution, it is imperative that their homework has been done. A malpractice decision may very well rest on the expert opinion they provide.
Registered Nurses may learn more about doing expert witness work as well as legal nurse consulting by access information: click here.

Legal Nurse and HIPPA

Legal Nurse Consulting Corner

HIPPA Privacy Rules In Simple Terms

HIPPA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This act, which was passed into United States law in the year 1996 under the mandate of President Bill Clinton, is intended to do several things at the same time. HIPPA is a very complex act that can seem inaccessible and difficult to understand to patients, entities and even some physicians. HIPPA privacy rules for health care are simply, when it comes down to it, a federal law used to protect patients from their information being used or released without their consent to other entities. This article discusses issues related to HIPPA as a review for practicing legal nurse consultants.

What Is Covered Under HIPPA

All your medical charts, your medical history, any conversation you might have with a medical professional, your billing information and any information on your insurance company’s computer systems are all protected by HIPPA from being shared to anyone unless it is necessary to do so.

When Is It Necessary?

When it comes to your care, if you are ever in an emergency, HIPPA allows for your medical history and information to be shared. Your information can be shared with your family or other caretakers, but you can stop this by putting a request in writing. Health professional are also allow it to be shared for billing, to protect the public’s health (if they think you might have an infectious or highly contagious disease, like the virus that causes SARS) or for the police to make reports on wounds. Doctors are not allowed by law to share any of this information with your employer and the information cannot be given to third parties that would use it for marketing or advertising.

Who Is Governed by HIPPA?

Not all health organizations that you are involved it will answer to HIPPA. Doctors, hospitals and insurance companies will, but if any other companies have your information like the place where you purchased life insurance, your employer, your school or even state agents, they do not have to abide by HIPPA.

What Are You Entitled To?

You can see your health records whenever you want, but you must submit a written request to get this done. You must say how you are going to use this information and who is going to see it. You may be charged for copies of your records.

What is a HIPPA form?

Health care providers need to inform patients how their information will be used and could possibly be shared. Health care providers must also ensure that the patient is always aware of his or her rights. This would usually be done in a HIPPA form. This is a document written in simple and straightforward language and it should ensure that the individual knows of his or her right to complain about any information being shared regarding medical records.

What Constitutes As A HIPPA Violation?

You might be accidentally violating HIPPA if you show your own medical records to a friend after having obtained them. Doctors and health insurance companies might be committing one if they are discussing your condition verbally or in a written form without your consent. A good indication of a HIPPA violation is if your medical records have been accessed too many times – this can happen due to curiosity and patients with very rare conditions are particularly vulnerable to this type of HIPPA violation.
Since its start, The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) has been a rather controversial law. Although many patients like the protection it provides, it can be difficult for physicians to make the right judgment calls when they do not have all the information available to make a difficult decision. There can be a court summons of someone’s medical records, but this is a complicated and very long process that hinders how effectively doctors can do their job.
It has also affected some medical researches because they are no longer allowed to look at statistical data on medical charts to provide a historical sample of significance in their studies. This means that doing a historical study of a particular type of disorder or disease could be near impossible.
Additionally, HIPPA is very complicated and it can be quite difficult to follow. That is why many people in the health industry need to have extensive training when it comes to it. Many legal nurses are well versed in HIPPA and provide consultations to health care organizations regarding the many issues involved in the Act. They also provide staff education and training seminars related to HIPPA issues. To learn more about legal nurse consulting, access here.

How To Deal With Grieving Children When A Pet Dies

Pet Loss Grief

The final ending of life is death. This concept may be easy to grasp but its effect may leave people devastated. The bond between children and their pets are unique and special. For a child his pet may provide companionship, love, entertainment, friendship etc. A child may consider his pet to be the closest living thing with which he can share his secrets, emotions, thoughts and such other feelings. Pets for children may be a perfect example of unconditional love, affection and loyalty. Children generally spend a lot of time with their pets, like playing with them, going for a walk with them, sleeping with them, watching television with them and so on. When the beloved pet of a child dies the special bond that they shared is broken and the child does not know how to tackle the situation. This article offers some suggestions for how to deal with grieving children when a pet dies.
Parents may ask how to deal with grieving children when a pet dies? The reality is there is no definite answer to this question as different children may react in different manner, depending upon the depth of the relationship that they shared with their pets, their age, and personality. A child on the death of his pet may feel sad, guilty, depressed, lonely, angry, betrayed and anxious, all at the same time. Such a situation is very tough for a child to handle and parents must provide the utmost support, understanding and sympathy.

 Feelings of Grief

In order to comfort their children parents should not give them false hopes, or try to replace the old pet with a similar looking one. The death of the pet may be a good time to reveal the true facts about life. The example of changing seasons can be a good way to make a child understand about life and death. The spring season can be compared with birth and winter season with death. Small children at first may not be ready to accept the truth and they may ask numerous questions. It is very important to answer these questions with patience and honesty.

After the death of their pets some children may exhibit drastic behavioral changes like getting angry regarding trivial matters, isolation from friends and family etc. Parents should note these changes and take time to talk with their children. Children should be encouraged to speak about their emotions, to express their fears and sorrows. Criticizing or judging a child for his reactions may not give favorable results. Grief is the natural outcome of the death of a loved one; therefore children should not feel ashamed to cry as it is a natural process to vent such feelings.

Parents must involve their children and ask for their suggestions regarding the funeral or memorial service for their pets. Family members and friends can write special massages regarding the good moments that they had spent with the pet. The child whose pet has died can be encouraged to write a good bye letter to his pet. It is very essential to make the child realize that the pet was loved by the entire family and everyone is sorry about the loss. Parents often have video recordings of special times that their children have spent with their pets. Showing such recordings can bring back the sweet memories which can be comforting for the child.

 Strategies to Deal with Pet Grief

Drawing pictures of the pet, placing a headstone at the site of burial, planting small plants in memory of the pet, donating money to charity for animals etc. are activities that a child can do in memory of his dead pet. Children may have their own ideas of what would give peace to the spirit of their dead pet. Parents should not ridicule should ideas. As a way of comforting their children parents can also share their stories of how they reacted to the death of their favorite pet or how they dealt with the situation.
Time is the biggest healer and this is the foremost point that should be considered while answering the question of how to deal with grieving children when a pet dies. With time the child will learn to live without his pet but the memory will always stay. Sympathy, love and compassion of parents can quickly heal the wounded heart of a child who has lost his or her beloved pet. To learn more about pet loss grief counseling, access here.

What Is The Difference Between Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy?

What is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy? This is a common question that most of us ask while seeking options to better our health and our lives in general. Although these two terms sound just about the same, each stands for an entirely different meaning, with the common relationship between the two being that they both refer to ways of altering the state of the mind. So, what exactly is the difference between these two terms?
The Difference between Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
The simplest way to go about expressing the actual difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy is by defining them. The definitions provide a hint for the different meanings of these two terms in relation to the mind and consciousness.
To start with, hypnosis is simply a consciousness state where your mind becomes receptive and open to suggestions. It is a state of mind that most of us go through on a daily basis, for instance when daydreaming, when watching a movie, or when you fall asleep while reading a book!
Hypnotherapy, on the other hand, is a therapy form whereby a hypnotherapist and you both apply the hypnosis technique to try and identify your false beliefs with an intention of changing them so that you may move on in life.
Using a garden analogy to explain the difference in the above definitions, hypnosis is like sowing the seed and watering it so that it can germinate and grow in to a healthy plant. Hypnotherapy, on the other hand, is like weeding the garden so that you can remove any unwanted plants, the weeds.
What do each of these techniques do?
With hypnosis, there is an induction process, just like the process of sowing a seed, where you move in to a state of consciousness and through positive affirmations and suggestions, you change the things in your life that you are ready to change. You can get in to this conscious and relaxed state yourself or through the help of a therapist. The end result is a relaxed mind, a pleasant feeling, and openness to thought and behavioral changes.
Though not a substitute to professional medical and health care but a complimentary procedure, hypnotherapy is used to help people improve their lives through a number of ways. These include simple stress reduction and relaxation, helping individuals to withstand and manage pain, helping with trauma, coping with medical procedures, reducing functional disorder symptoms and the general well being of a person. It is a therapy option used to help people cope with emotions and trauma.
Who practices these techniques?
Anyone can go through hypnosis without the assistance of a second party. It is a relatively simple technique that can come in to play even when one is doing the simple daily activities like watching movies or reading books, with better effects being achieved if it is practiced consciously. However, a person who practices hypnosis on others is called a hypnotist.
With hypnotherapy however, you need the help of a hypnotherapist, who is a trained person to assist others with this technique. Besides hypnotherapy, a hypnotherapist usually has certifications and qualifications in some other professional training like mind science, counseling and therapy.
These qualifications allow a hypnotherapist to provide very in-depth inquiries and consultations before the actual therapy sessions so that they can tailor the most appropriate care procedures for a particular patient. Actually, most of these hypnotherapists work together with physicians where they receive referrals for patients who need such care.
Good to note here is that hypnosis should not be confused with the kind of hypnosis employed in entertainment, otherwise called stage hypnosis. This discussion focuses on the therapeutic hypnosis that helps a person to improve on a certain area of their life by clearing their mind and concentrating on activities and a mindset that may lead to possible solutions to their problems, which is more like meditation.

Are these techniques right for you?
Truth be told, hypnosis and hypnotherapy have had their share of controversies. However, they have been proven, time and time again, to produce much better results in resolving some disorders and diseases. For instance, hypnotherapy has been shown to be more effective than medication at treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These methods are safe, side effects free, and if anything, they lead to a better sleep and a more relaxed you.
To answer the question of what is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy, we can simply conclude that it is the approach and the intended purpose, with the basics being almost the same. For information on hypnotherapy courses, access here.

What is a Living Will?

Legal Nurse Consultation

One of the most difficult things that a family member can go through is having to make a important medical decision regarding a loved one who is unable to speak for himself or herself. The stress of making such a decision in a hospital or nursing home can be overwhelming to those making the decision. Additionally, if there is any disagreement within the family about what course of medical action to take regarding the loved one, the situation can only become worse. The living will can help relieve some of the burden in difficult times when a difficult medical decision is required.
The living will is a type of advanced health care directive used to instruct medical personnel about what measures to take on a patient who is incapacitated and unable to make informed decisions about his or her healthcare. Two other forms of advanced health care directives include a power of attorney and a health care proxy. The various directive forms work alone or in tandem to provide instruction to doctors and nurses. It is important not to confuse a living will with a living trust, which is a form of estate planning that distributes a person’s assets after his or her death. This information is brought to you by our legal nurse consultation post on our blog.
It is essential to have a living will because it informs medical personnel and your family of what kind of medical treatment you want in case you are unable to speak for yourself. This can include instructions for what you want to happen in the event of an accident that leaves you in a permanent vegetative state or instructions how to handle your medical care if you have a terminal illness which progresses to the point of you being incapacitated. A living will should be written by a lawyer to ensure that it is legal and will serve its purpose if the need arises.

Understanding the Living Will

A living will generally describes the types of treatment you desire in the event you become incapacitated. For example, if you are in a vegetative state after an accident or other medical event, a living will can instruct your doctors whether or not to keep you alive through the use of ventilators, feeding tubes or other medical means. Other treatments often described in a living will include whether to administer pain relief, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or provide hydration.
The living will only becomes effective if a doctor certifies you as being terminally ill or otherwise permanently incapacitated. For example, if you have a heart attack and are unconscious laying in a hospital, but expected to recover and regain consciousness, your living will does not come into effect. You will still receive life saving medical treatment even though your living will stipulates that you do not want life prolonging medical procedures. That is an important distinction and essential to understand. A living will only comes into effect if you are terminally ill, in a permanent vegetative state or permanently mentally incapacitated.
If the situation ever arises where you are incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself, but your medical condition is not terminal or permanent, you should use a health care power of attorney or a health care proxy. Either one of these documents allow you to provide a third party, usually a family member or close friend, the legal authority to make health care decisions on your behalf in the event you are unable to express your wishes.
Being proactive and having both a health care proxy and the living will is both a responsible and loving thing to do. It removes the burden of making extremely difficult decisions from your family members if and when the time arrives. You do not need to be terminally ill to have the living will.

Creating a Living Will

To set up the living will and health care power of attorney, consult a lawyer who specializes in these documents in the state where you live. But before you consult with a lawyer, talk to your doctor about the different scenarios when a living will might be needed and what your options are for each scenario. It’s important to make an informed decision now, so your wishes are known in the event the living will becomes effective. Each state has slightly different variations in terminology and living will laws so a lawyer’s help is crucial. Additionally, once your living will is written, keep it in a safe place. Make sure your doctor and the person you select to have health care power of attorney know of its existence. Your living will does no good to you if nobody knows that it has been written. For more information on health care directives, you may want to consult a legal nurse consultant.

How to Write a Grief Sympathy Letter or Note

 Dealing with the Grief of Others

A sympathy letter is a formal and sincere way of sending your condolences to a grieving family member, friend, or colleague. It is usually sent or emailed during the first few days after the death of an individual. Sending a sympathy letter is a great way to empathize and give comfort to a person who has just lost a loved one.  Dealing with grief is a challenging journey. Those who grieve are generally very appreciative of the notes of condolences they receive.

 How to Begin the Letter

A grief sympathy letter often opens up with the writer acknowledging the death of the person. The writer may do this with lines such as “I am so sorry to hear of your loss,” or “I was shocked to hear about X’s death.” If the writer is writing on behalf of a group or company, he or she may write something like this: “I am writing on behalf of Y company or X’s friends to express our condolences for X’s passing.”  These lines not only serve as an appropriate opening for the letter, but also set the tone for the entire sympathetic theme.

 Acknowledge the Loss

After acknowledging the death of the person and the loss of the grieving party, the writer then expresses sympathy in the succeeding sentence or paragraph. The writer may say “Please find comfort in the love and good memories we have of X,” or “I want to express my sincerest sympathy for your sad loss.”  In this part of the letter, the writer condoles with the grieving party and offers words of comfort to the bereaved family.

Share Wonderful Memories of the Deceased

A sympathy letter should also have a few lines about the deceased person as described by the writer. These lines usually enumerate the good qualities that the writer admires and will miss about the deceased. The writer may say, “X was such a sweet and hardworking colleague, and I will miss him dearly,” if the deceased was a colleague, or “X was a sincere, loyal, and trusting friend,” if the deceased was a friend. In the next line, the writer shares a wonderful memory of the deceased to the grieving party. This is an opportunity to highlight the good qualities of the person who has passed away. The writer may cite how he or she met the deceased, their friendship, working relationship, or how the late person spoke affectionately about his or her family.

How to End the Letter

Grieving families will appreciate hearing words of love from just about anyone, particularly from people they know. This may be as simple as words of encouragement. One rule of thumb, though- never make any offer that you can’t fulfill. Some lines that writers can use for this part are, “If there is anything that I can do, I am just a phone call away,” or “Don’t hesitate to call me up if you need anything from me during these tough times.”  As a closing line, writers may end their letter with phrases such as “love,” “truly yours,” and “affectionately yours.”
Here’s a sample of a short but sincere sympathy letter:
“I am saddened by X’s death. No words are adequate to describe just how special a person he was. He always had kind words to say about everyone in the office. He also often told us how he loved you and his children. If there’s anything we can do for you, just give us a call. Our thoughts are with you and your family during these difficult times. Sincerely, John.”
Oftentimes, when one is faced with a friend who is grieving, it is hard to know what to do. Knowing how to write a formal sympathy letter can help one organize one’s thoughts and feelings in a coherent manner. For someone who is mourning the loss of a loved one, reading a simple sympathy letter is sure to make the loss a little easier to bear.
If you would like to learn more on how to become certified in grief counseling, then please review.

How Stress Management Therapy Can Help

Stress Management Therapy

Stress management therapy in it’s various forms, has the potential to do a lot of good in people’s lives. This is because stress can adversely effect our overall health for long periods of time, and have a large detrimental impact on our health during the course of our whole lives.
Many illnesses and ailments can be traced back to stress as a significant underlying cause. Increased stress levels can be a contributing cause or exacerbating factor to heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, frequent colds and many other illnesses.
Not only does stress effect us physically, but also mentally. The symptoms can limit people’s lives by causing them to avoid situations where triggers for their stress might arise. If an individual suffers from anxiety attacks or panic attacks, this can lead to them avoiding public places and becoming prisoners in their own homes.
Stress management therapy may not completely cure all the symptoms, or the underlying causes of the stress factors for everyone, but it can help people get to a stage where the effect of stress on their lives is diminished to levels where it is minimal. This will mean the impact on their lives from stress is vastly reduced, and both their physical and mental well being can improve dramatically.
It can encompass many types of proven techniques to help people suffering from stress to control and reduce the amount of stress they feel.

Stress Therapy Interventions

Relaxation therapy is one of the main forms of stress management therapy. This can help individuals feel relaxed in their normal daily lives, but it can also give the individuals a set of techniques that may help reduce their stress once the symptoms have been triggered. When a person feels a panic attack or an anxiety attack starting to occur, they can use relaxation techniques to head-off the problem before the symptoms culminate into a full-on attack.
Just as emotional stimulation can cause these attacks, there are relaxation techniques that can help manage them and prevent them from becoming a problem.
As mentioned earlier, these therapies do not only help at the time of the attack, but also help the patient be more relaxed during the course of their daily lives. A person who is in a relaxed state of mind is far less likely to suffer from these attacks. Relaxation therapy helps people reach this state of mind by simply teaching them how to relax. It sounds very simple, but during modern living we often forget how to relax. These therapies can give a person techniques to practice at home to help them maintain a relaxed and healthy state of mind.
There are many different therapies that come under the umbrella of relaxation therapy, some will be of far more benefit to one individual than to another, so different techniques can be used to tailor relaxation therapy to the individual.
Aversion therapy can also help. Some people self-medicate with various substances to help them cope with their stress. Aversion therapy helps them by forcing the mind to associate the addictive substance with a negative stimulus.
Therapy which uses a positive stimulus to help someone associate that with desirable behavior can also help. This is similar to aversion therapy in the way it works, but rather than a negative stimulus being used to prevent undesirable behavior, a positive stimulus is used instead to reinforce desirable behavior or feelings. This can help the mind change the way it feels about the triggers of your stress, and associate them with something pleasant.
Hypnosis can also help, this causes the mind to be “reprogrammed” on a subconscious level, which can both reduce stress and reduce the symptoms and frequency of the attacks themselves.
There are many more techniques that can be used. All of them can help a person manage their stress to prevent it becoming a problem. Some people turn to a pharmaceutical solution for their stress, this can help but it is only a short-term fix. It does not teach people how to manage their stress. Prescription drugs also often have serious side effects that can cause problems in other areas of your life, as well as health problems.
A comprehensive program to help people with their stress, is the best solution to the problem. If you suffer from anxiety attacks, panic attacks or other forms of stress, stress management therapy can make a major positive influence on your life.  To learn about stress management education courses, access here.

What Is The Need For Pastoral Care Of the Dying?

Pastoral care of the dying is a special type of counseling by chaplains, pastors or other religious leader to dying persons and also their friends, families and relatives. The pastor or the chaplain provides comfort, hope as well as assurance during a time of uncertainty. We all know that death is the ultimate conclusion to our earthly life and it is a phase that every living being has to go through some day or the other.
However embracing one’s own natural death or accepting the loss of a dear one is much difficult and so in such a situation we turn to religious teachings and religious leaders to find solace. The subject of death, both physical and theological has been the center of attention in the Bible. The main essence of pastoral care of the dying is showing spiritual love for fellow humans and forms an integral part of Christian teaching.
For a professional person who provides emotional and spiritual support to the dying it is very important to have a proper understanding and realization of thanatology. A person who is in his death bed looks to the chaplain or pastor for spiritual assurance and company to overcome loneliness and fear. The pastor or chaplain should help the dying person to communicate with his loved ones. The minister should also help the dying man to reflect on the quality of life that he has lived and at last prepare the person to face the final transaction of leaving the earthly body. The duty of the minister or pastor does not end here as he also needs to act as a pillar of support for the dear and near one of the dead person. The pastor can also help the bereaved family members to make various arrangements like burial, funeral planning etc.
The question of when to call for pastoral care of the dying may arise in our mind. There can be no single definite answer to this question. Pastoral care of the dying can be called for when a patient is informed of having some serious illness like cancer, AIDS etc. This type of help can be called for if a patient is in his death bed or is worried about some surgery that is going to take place in the near future. Pastoral care of the dying can be called for if the family member of a patient who is seriously ill wants spiritual guidance and support.
In the western countries pastoral care ministers constitute the health care departments of most hospitals so patients as well as their families can easily ask for their guidance. Different people have different point of view regarding death. Some view death as an unwanted intruder that hampers the natural process of life while some view death, suffering and pain as integral and unavoidable aspects of living life and a suitable ending to the journey of life. The view of a person regarding death is largely molded or shaped by different factors like social customs, religious faith or belief, cultural background, personal way of thinking etc. People who believe in the existence of God or are followers of Christianity generally call for pastoral care when they or some of their loved ones are nearing death.
For a dying man and his family a pastor or chaplain is not only a spiritual bridge with God and after-life but also a social supportive agent. When a man nears death his opinion of life can greatly change, all the materialistic things that seemed very important to him at one point of his life may then seem to be of no great importance. The person may feel a great desire to purge himself of all the sins that he has committed in his life time and so getting pastoral care for the dying can be of great help. In such critical situations friends and family of a dying man feel very close to the pastor. They start relying on the pastor for his guidance and help. The pastor may be requested to give his opinion regarding crucial matters like family, medical, moral and ethical issues. Many people believe that religious faith can work miracles where medical science fails and so they can call for pastoral care of the dying during such situations.

Grief Counseling – What is it and how can it help

Grief counseling is in high demand today. The loss of someone close to you is a painful experience and can create many emotions such as anger, shock, sadness and guilt. Within this period, you may feel as if these emotions may never let up and come to an end. Loss is a tough thing to handle but it is something that most of us will have to face several times within our lives. These feeling are often categorized as grief and you may find it challenging to move past this phase alone. For such instances, it is recommended that you seek grief counseling.

 What is grief counseling?

Grief counseling is a type of theory that focuses on a person or people suffering from the feelings of grief and helps them get through their feelings. Often, grief counseling takes place with a group of people as opposed to individually as working through this process with loved ones will often help this process. The most common reasons that require grief counseling come after a death of a loved one; however it is not uncommon for people to seek this form of therapy after a divorce, the loss of a job, or the diagnosis of a serious disease, such as cancer and more. In any of these situations, grief counseling works to help that person or people cope with their emotions.

 Grief counseling in groups

As mentioned, grief counseling often takes place in a group setting. This is because the involvement of your peers, who can better understand what a person is going through, will minimize the feelings of isolation that is prevalent among grief stricken people. An added benefit is also that your friends and family will be able to stay with you outside of the sessions, something that a counselor is not able to do.

 What are the goals of grief counseling?

The main intent of this therapy varies depending upon the person and situation. The end goal is to best help that person recover emotionally from the particular situation. This form of counseling does not attempt to change what that person feels they want or need, however they do attempt to console and support that person as they are dealing with their intense emotions. More often than not, the simple act of talking about the situation will go a long way in helping a grief stricken person recover. For this reason, a therapist’s main intent is to accompany that person and encourage them to talk about what is going through their head. Getting that person to talk about it and having someone listen and converse with them about is the main role of a grief therapist.

 I am suffering from grief, how will counseling help me?

When a person looses someone close to them, or they go through an emotionally intense situation, they will often receive a lot of attention from their friends and family. After a few weeks, however, those people will be ready to move on with their lives even though that person may not yet be ready to. This is where grief counselors play an important role. Today, most of the theory behind grief counseling is based on the work of Elizabeth Kubler Ross, a famous Swiss psychiatrist who was able to identify the different stages of grief that a person will go though. Her findings showed that grief is not a straight line process and is not easily understood by the people who are not also going through the same feelings. This makes it difficult for a grieving person to find the full support they will need from friends and family members alone. Grief therapists are trained to work with and identify the stages of grief that a person may be going through and is better able to walk them through the entire process over the course of several weeks or months.
If you are suffering through feelings or grief, or know someone that is, it is important to seek some form of grief counseling as it is the best way to get through your emotions in the most healthy way possible. It is important to surround ones self around loved ones and continuous communication between the two parties will go a long way in helping that person recover from such emotions. You may also consider learning more about grief and strategies to deal with it. There are online grief counseling courses you can take to expand your knowledge in this area of specialty care.

Child Grief and Bereavement Counseling

Everyone deals with death in their own way, but children are a bit different. Most young children really don’t understand death, even those who do can have a hard time dealing with their feelings. It’s important to make sure kids are getting the care they need during a time when they lost someone close to them.

Child grief  and bereavement counseling is something that any parent should seriously consider. This is a great solution since most kids don’t want to talk to their parents or other family members about their feelings. Most parents don’t even know what questions to ask to make sure their child is dealing with their feelings in a healthy manner.

 How Counseling can Help Children through the Grieving Process

Professionals have the educational background to help children deal with this sort of situation. Each child is going to grieve differently depending on their age and experience with loss in the past. If a child doesn’t feel like they have support they could end up keeping their emotions bottled inside, which could have really dire effects in the future. When kids have a third party to talk to they will be able to let their emotions out and talk about what they are dealing with on the inside. At first these visits might be difficult if the child is resistant, but in time they will get better. Some kids might end up speaking freely; it varies from each different person.
Counselors are going to ask questions to the child that do not scare them. Their main goal is to get an idea of what is going on in their head. The answers that the child gives will help the counselor tailor their questions and conversation for the appointment. Professionals do understand that each child is different, so they don’t handle each one in the same way. When a kid feels comfortable with someone, they will be more encouraged to speak with them about what is going on. No matter what type of death is being dealt with, a child needs to speak with someone about it. Child grief counseling can make all the difference with how someone grows up and deals with other situations. When parents aren’t able to get a child to talk, counseling is a great option to consider. This is a sensitive subject that many parents are uncomfortable dealing with since they aren’t sure what they should do or say.

 What Children Will Learn by Going to Child Grief Counseling

Losing a parent, grand parent, sister, brother, or other family members is going to be really difficult for any child. When they go to see a professional counselor they can actually come out of the experience a lot stronger than they were before. This can help them deal with death in the future, since it’s inevitable. Most kids will cry and talk about their feelings, but they need to have a well-rounded idea of what death is and how it will change their life forever. A counselor will be able to explain what death really is and help them learn tools for dealing with grief. A child needs to know that it’s alright to cry and that they should talk to someone about their feelings. When they know that it’s alright to let their feelings show, they are less likely to bottle them up inside. If they don’t feel comfortable talking with a family member, a counselor is a great alternative.
Some tools that can help any child grieve include: to be honest about their feelings, realizing that death is a part of life, crying is good and memories can help out a lot. Children can easily learn how to cherish memories and feel good about them instead of feeling sad. Some kids end up keeping a journal filled with their emotions while others find a friend they can talk to. Either of these are great to have when it comes to grieving. These tools are going to help any child deal with death instead of constantly feeling depressed.
Child grief and bereavement counseling is something that any parent should consider for their child. This will give their son or daughter a safe space where they can talk with someone about what they are feeling. They will learn tools that help them feel better about the situation. Although it’s a sensitive subject, it has to be taught to kids to give them a brighter future.

The Role Of A Nurse Educator

The role of a nurse educator is growing in importance today. A nurse has several different imperative roles in today’s health care system, one of which is to inform patients and their families of the diseases that they are faced with. A step above that is a nurse educator. This nurse is using all of their clinical experience and skills to properly prepare their students. They also do a great job of mentoring and teaching fellow nurses who may be new or have less experience. A nurse mentor leads a very active and fulfilling life as they are both informative and emphatic.
Nurse educators are traditionally in charge of structuring, implementing and revising the type of educational materials that fellow nurses receive. This material fits a wide range of uses, from a more academic and scholarly feel to a more concentrated and specific approach for individualistic issues. Nurse educators are often a great sounding board for issues that arise for another nurse that they may be unfamiliar with and have not dealt with in the past. Nurse educators are the keys to assuring quality and factual based content is taught to the entire department.

 Practice and Goals

Because health care is such a diverse and constantly changing field, it is important that those in this position are comfortable with constantly learning and growing. New information and changes in procedural patterns are inevitable so a nurse educator must be willing to easily adapt. Being a leader is usually at the forefront of a nurse educators job. They practice in all type of health care facilities and are generally working with fellow nurses and patients alike.
A nurse educators primary goal is to create a set of curriculum and material that is all encompassing and helpful for their students. Because of their involvement in teaching and being of service to fellow nurses, future nurses and patients, nurse educators often experience a high level of job satisfaction. They take pride in their role of helping another person learn, grow and ultimately succeed in the nursing field. Being of service to others is why many people become nurses in the first place, this just adds to that principle by helping and encouraging others who have that same deeply engrained belief.
There are tremendous benefits for those who choose a career as a nurse educator. The medical field is one of the most stable markets because certain ailments are inevitable. So no matter how badly the economy is doing, surgeons, doctors and nurses will still be around to take care of the sick and dying. Because of this, nurse educators will also always be needed. Another huge benefit of choosing this particular work as a career is the cutting edge technology and information that will be available to you. Wouldn’t it be great to be one of the first people to know about a certain procedure? What about being able to read information about a unique and rare disease? These are the types of things nurse educators do on a daily basis.
Nurse educators are always learning something new and interesting. They are apart of an ever changing and growing workplace that is perpetually knowledge based and intellectually stimulating. Usually nurse educators work in a specific field of study. They often have specialties similar to those that doctors have. These fields can range from cardiology, family health, pediatrics and much more. A general comprehensive background is necessary but usually whatever concentration you are most familiar with is the one you teach. The type of qualifications needed to become a nurse educator usually require a master’s degree but there are some exceptions to this rule.
As a nurse educator you are also entitled to a pretty flexible schedule. Many choose to teach just part time in junction with their other work. Whether that be clinical work or actually working in hospitals directly with patients. Assessing the learning and knowledge of nurses is also a duty that many nurse educators carry out. Making sure that the nurses in the field and those who deal with patients every single day are well informed and knowledgeable is imperative to the quality of care that the patients receive.
There are many different things that nurse educators do but one of the most important is that they are there to teach, answer questions and to really listen to their students and patients. The role of a nurse educator is an important one and those who are willing to do the job are needed. To learn about becoming a nurse educator, access here.

Spiritual Counseling: Rediscover Your Inner Power

By: Zendra Marks

What is Spiritual Counseling?

Spiritual counseling considers the soul, instead of the body and mind, as the commencing point for the sense of your true self. It has an enhanced view of life, acknowledging that this world is often confusing mystery. It considers self-belief systems, universal and personal energy systems, karmic interplay, instinctive psychic realities, subconscious states of mindset, spiritual theology, metaphysical experiences, spiritual existence and higher self-cosmic relationships.
Spiritual counseling views why life is instinctively personal and why individuals want to develop their own distinctive, graceful relationship with it, naturally and without forcefulness. As the soul is considered as the beginning point, consciousness comes from the heart, while not overlooking the head or brain, and from this heart space care for the blessed interdependence of all living existence comes to the surface.

 What does Spiritual Counseling involve?

Spiritual counseling involves a process where one person reevaluates who he or she feels about and themselves and about other persons. Care for self and care for others is the primary concept of the personal and combined growth. As the spiritual counseling is holistic, there is no separation and division, no dichotomy between individual or collective opinions and response, all is fundamentally correlated. Spiritual counseling brings about a realization that life experiences grow into the supreme tool, with the incorporation of personal problems and personal venture. The main objective of taking spiritual counseling is to convey themselves and their own world with long cherished wisdom, spiritual consciousness and personal realism using integrity.
Spiritual counseling involves the process of developing consciousness of a spiritual identity. It does so by reminding the fact that all the human beings are more than their personalities and their problems.
It gives faith in oneself so that people have within themselves the knowledge and understaning to make the right decisions in life.
Spiritual counseling also ensures that people have faith in their potentials. That means each situation has a prospect of growth for them.
It enables people to have belief in the journey which indicates human lives haves some deep meanings.
Spiritual counseling also makes people realize that that all people are in fact spiritual beings.

  Why might one seek out a Spiritual Counselor?

A spiritual counselor helps people to learn how to handle the challenges of daily life in relationship with the spiritual world. Most of the people are accustomed to thinking of themselves as alone in the world. People tend to think that they need to figure things out on their own, and fight for survival.
After spiritual counseling, people would begin to understand that spiritual togetherness is real. Then they would start to see that life can be different. They will learn that they are not alone, because everyone belongs to one world – but during the times of stress or difficulties they may forget this. That is why spiritual counseling is so important, as the long years of habit can be difficult to undo all by oneself.
A Spiritual counselor helps people to meet the challenges of life from a new consciousness of collective existence. It offers support to be a whole person – the soul and spirit, emotions, mind and body, and the practical life here on the Earth.

 What are the qualities of an expert Spiritual Counselor?

A spiritual counselor needs the cross cultural consciousness, a deep understanding around spiritual sphere and other matters of spirituality. They are well aware of, and they are devoted to a spiritual passage in their own lives as well as the lives of others. By concentrating on their deep inner relationships, forming an open connection and a unique mindfulness state, they produce a holding and blessed space for the individual and collective growth of their clients.
Finally it can be said that the divine journey can be delightful and arising, however it can also be demanding, frightening and solitary. Anyone might have the spiritual experience; however holistic self-consciousness is a completely different thing. Spiritual development best happens at the point while the soul is strong enough to take a little bewildering.
As a result, spiritual counseling can be a great tool to rediscover the potentials one have and find greater meaning of the life. However, as it deals with the deep consciousness of the mind and soul of a person, an experienced and qualified counselor can make things much easier and comfortable. To find out more about spiritual counseling and to preview online courses, you may access here.

What is Crisis Intervention Counseling?

Crisis intervention counseling is short term counseling that addresses emergency situations for people in crisis. A counselor will either speak to a person on the telephone (emergency hotline situation) or face to face, but it is better for people in crisis to have the one on one counseling, which allows the counselor to get a better gauge of the client’s demeanor.
It is difficult for a counselor to deal with a crisis over the phone because they cannot read the client’s body language or see the expression on their face; however, hotlines are important because they are a means in which to calm a person down and stop them from taking drastic and irreversible action.

There are many situations that can be considered a crisis for people. These could include:
• A woman who has been beaten once or repeatedly by her spouse. She takes the opportunity to call a crisis line while her partner has left the home, or possibly while he is pounding on the door to try to get to her and hit her again. The counselor can offer telephone support while contacting 911 and dispatching them to the address, if the counselor can manage to extract that information from the client;
• Someone who lives with a person who has a drug or alcohol problem, and they need someone to speak to because they do not know what to do about the problem;
• A person who has lost their job and is facing financial problems, including foreclosure, debt collectors and bankruptcy. Perhaps this person is unable to train for a new job and has no other prospects for employment;
• A teenager who is being bullied at school and is either terrified to go to school, or is thinking of taking their life;
• A man has just found out he has terminal cancer and has two weeks to live. He is unable to tell his family about the situation and needs to speak to someone about it. He is worried about his family and how they will get by in the future without him.
While it is not the role of the crisis counselor to “fix” the problem, they do have an obligation to provide support and explain to the client that the feelings that they are experiencing are completely normal. It is also important to point out to the client that the situation is temporary and that the crisis will eventually pass.
Crisis counselors can help their clients to develop certain skills that allow them to better cope with a situation. By open dialogue and careful discussion, they can help the client to explore various solutions to the problem while helping them to deal with the stress and think in a more positive way. The problem in a crisis situation is that people have complete tunnel vision, and they forget that there are other aspects to their life that are positive.
When a person is suicidal, they are only thinking of the current situation and how to get out of it. They are probably not thinking very clearly, and they are certainly not considering the effect that their death would have on others around them, such as guilt and remorse. The counsellor would point out all of those things to the client and help them to think of other ways to work through the situation.
People in crisis can learn skills that give them the ability to recover from their situation, but it is up to the crisis counselor to provide them with the guidance and resources to accomplish this. One important aspect of the process is for the counselor to have the client face the crisis head on, and try to move past it. The longer that the situation is prolonged, the less chance that the client has of dealing with it. Sometimes it may be necessary for some sort of confrontation to take place in order for the client to move on with their life. This can be very frightening and difficult, but the counselor is there to assist with the process.
If there is a cycle of behavior that continues to lead to crisis, it is up to the counselor to encourage the client to recognize and change that behavior. One very good example of this would be a drug or alcohol addiction and the cycle of destruction that goes with the addiction. The client is routinely causing extreme emotional pain to those around them, but they refuse to take responsibility for their part in the crisis. The counselor works with the client to break those cycles and heal the pain between the client and their family members and friends. To learn more about crisis intervention, click here.

Learn to Meditate

With life becoming more busy and hectic these days, it is important to take the time to care for yourself, center your body and your mind and your spirit, and the best way to achieve this is when you learn to meditate. Meditation is the process of clearing your mind of all thoughts and clutter, and relaxing into a state of clarity.
Many of us are constantly on the go, with work, children and activities outside of the home, and we tend to get extremely stressed out which has a very negative impact on our body. The body is designed to withstand a certain amount of stress; however, when we are under “attack” from every angle, our bodies can start to give in to the effects of stress. This makes us more open to disease and illness, and it is simple to avoid this by learning meditation techniques.
There is no big secret to mediation, and if you want to learn to meditate, you simply need to have an open mind. There is a certain spiritual aspect to this activity which you will tap into even if you are not the least bit spiritual. You need to find a space in your home that is quiet and well ventilated where you can sit alone for as much time as you need without being interrupted.
All that you need to do is sit in a quiet area, in a comfortable position, usually on the floor with your legs crossed. Closing your eyes, you will deep breath for several seconds, up to one minute. You will then tense up your body and then allow it to relax, letting the tension leave you with the breath you exhale as you relax. While you have been concentrating on your breathing, you can now just put that aside and let it happen naturally. You will simply think of one single thought and nothing else. Some people smile when they are meditating, while others may weep. It is a state of complete relaxation that is time you take for yourself.
If you want to learn to meditate, you must practice each day for as much time as it takes for you to feel relaxed. Taking this time for yourself will allow you to feel more peaceful and give you a much more positive outlook on life.

 Benefits of Meditation

There are so many benefits to meditation, and it is free and takes less than 20 minutes per day. Your body will reap many wonderful benefits from this practice, including:

• Increased blood flow and a slower heart rate;
• Slows down the aging process;
• A known cure for headaches and relief from migraines;
• Weight loss benefits and the normalization of your weight;
• A significant reduction in free radicals, reducing damage to tissues;
• Beneficial and lasting changes to the electrical activity in the brain;
• A significant decrease in muscle tension
• Lowers your consumption of oxygen;
• Can improve and speed up post- operative healing;
• Decreases perspiration (for those who sweat excessively);
• Can dramatically improve your immunity.

The brain is an extremely powerful organ, and when you learn how to relax it and provide it with much needed rest, it can use that reserved energy to heal other parts of your body. Stress increases the presence of free radicals and speeds up the aging process. This is why people who are under intense stress all of the time just look that much older.
In addition to the physical changes you will experience when you learn to mediate, you will also find yourself with more confidence, a greater ability to focus and concentrate and better moods. When you are in a better and more positive state of mind with good moods all of the time, you will simply feel like participating in life more. This is why mediation is a good solution for people who find themselves susceptible to depression.
Meditation can also help you to develop your creativity if you are artistic, help you to retain more (memory), help you to develop your intuition and help you to feel rejuvenated. You will gain the ability to react more effectively to stress, instead of absorbing all of the stress, you will be able to redirect it and expel it through meditation.
If you are person who worries a lot, meditation can help you to deal with your worries and fears. By centering your thoughts and focusing on yourself and positive things, you will be able to dispel all of the negative feelings and replace them with peace of mind and happiness.

Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention Deficit Disorder is a behavioral pattern characterized by hyperactivity or hyperkinesias of brain activity resulting in inattentive and impulsive behavior. Officially, Attention Deficit Disorder is called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (A.D.H.D.), but commonly people use the term A.D.D. to refer to the disorder.
Typically A.D.D. is a psychiatric disorder diagnosed and treated in children. This is important because it is a developmental disorder that can have unhealthy effects into adulthood. Many people that have been diagnosed in childhood with A.D.D. tend to lead chaotic lifestyles and become much disorganized at times. Most of these symptoms go untreated which can lead to unhealthy choices such as reliance on non-prescription drugs and impulsive behavior, especially under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
It remains unclear how many adults are diagnosed with A.D.D. because many people were not diagnosed as children. It is known however that boys have A.D.D. three times as much as girls according to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It’s also known that A.D.D. crosses all ethnicities and countries in about the same numbers.
The causes of A.D.D. are still relatively unknown, but the Professional Group for Attention and Related Disorders have noted that scientific studies show that the disorder is genetically transmitted and result in a chemical imbalance and deficiency in neurotransmitters. A study completed by the National Institute for Mental Health concluded that the rate that the brain uses glucose, its primary source of energy, is lower in children with A.D.D. Although it is not officially known the direct cause, a number of detailed studies have shown A.D.D. is not environment based, and therefore not caused by parents or teachers.
What are the symptoms of A.D.D.?
The three main signs of Attention Deficit Disorder are inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. While usually focused on a child’s behavior, these signs can apply to adults as well.
Inattentiveness
– Does not pay attention to detail and make careless mistakes in schoolwork or menial tasks.
– Does not listen when directly spoken to.
– Does not follow through with instruction and fails to finish schoolwork or assignments.
– Has difficulty organizing tasks
– Easily distracted by small stimuli
– Forgetting tasks in a daily routine
Hyperactivity
– Fidgets with hands and feet
– Talks excessively
– Always “on the move” to do something new
– Restlessness in adults and excessively running and movement in children
Impulsiveness
– Often intrudes and interrupts
– Acting before thinking
– Difficulty waiting one’s turn
– engaging in risky behavior
It is important to note that most people experience these symptoms from time to time. Some people many exhibit this behavior consistently. It does not mean these people have A.D.D. People including parents and teachers, should not be making any diagnosis themselves. Those concerned with the potential of the disorder should seek a medical professional.
How is A.D.D. treated?
Standard treatments for Attention Deficit Disorder are medication and counseling.
Medications
Medications are only prescribed when diagnosed by a doctor. If needed, a doctor will prescribe either a stimulant, non-stimulant, or anti-depressant based on the person’s condition and medical history. As with any medication there can be side effects but with A.D.D. medications they are rare if taken properly.
Counseling and Social Training
There are various types of counseling available to treat A.D.D. sufferers and their family members. These include family therapy, behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, parenting skill training and social skills training. All of these treatments tend to be successful as it involves all members of the family working with mental health professionals.
Support Groups
These can be a great source of comfort for parents or adults with A.D.D. to bond and sort out issues affected by the disorder. Fears, concerns and other problems can be addressed in a compassionate environment where everything can be voiced and no one feels alone.
Attention Deficit Disorder is a real concern for parents with children that excessively display the signs of the disorder. At a crucial developmental stage, this disorder can have lasting effects. It’s important to seek a mental health professional if the behavior is unmanageable.

Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis Explained

If you are curious about hypnotherapy and hypnosis, wondering how they work, this article will give you a basic understanding of the subject and enable you to decide whether it’s for you.
Hypnotherapy is an effective method of resolving some psychological problems and assists in personal development. As the term suggests, hypnotherapy is a combination of hypnosis and therapy. Hypnosis is used to induce relaxation and make the mind more receptive to therapeutic suggestion. It is not associated in any way with stage hypnosis which has different aims.

 Is Hypnotherapy for You?

People who choose hypnotherapy are seeking to change the way they feel, think, or behave. They may wish to lose weight, quit smoking, be more confident or perform better. They might want to develop particular personal qualities or change unhelpful patterns of behavior, which they see as necessary to move forward in life. If this strikes a chord, hypnotherapy may well be for you.

How Does Hypnotherapy Work?

Having a clearly defined goal is the first stage in the process and provides the direction your therapy will take. If, for instance, your goal is to be more assertive it should include how you will feel, and the ways in which your life will be different, once you have achieved it.
Hypnotherapy can be used to overcome the blocks to achieving your goals, in a number of ways. It builds self confidence and esteem, can help you change limiting beliefs, and resolve underlying issues. The roots of any block lie beneath conscious awareness. Hypnosis enables access to the unconscious mind so therapy can be applied to the problem at this fundamental level.
The therapeutic process may involve direct or indirect suggestion, visualization or imagery, story-telling metaphor and a range of other techniques designed to bring about psychological change.
Hypnotherapy re-programs your mind and modifies feelings and behavior in alignment with your goals and wishes. The internal changes produced then need to be grounded in real-life situations for the process to be complete. If your goal was to lose weight, you will need to weigh and measure yourself, and buy smaller clothes to know how much lighter and slimmer you have become. If your goal was to overcome your flying phobia, you will need to experience a flight to know you are now a confident air traveler.

 What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness experienced as deep relaxation with a focused awareness. It is induced by shifting the activity of the brain from the left, more logical side, to the right side. Here the unconscious mind can be accessed, and creative solutions to problems sourced. This shift can be achieved in a number of different ways including the use of relaxing music, descriptive imagery, rhythmic phrasing, suggestion, or plays on words to induce the hypnotic state.
While you are in hypnosis you may have useful insights or recognize truths which help you change in the way you desire. However, healing can take place and problems be resolved without you being aware of such processes.

How is Hypnotherapy Delivered?

There are three ways to receive hypnotherapy. You can visit a qualified therapist who tailors the therapy to your individual and specific needs. You can buy and listen to hypnotherapy audio recordings which deal with your particular problem. The therapy content is necessarily generalized to suit the majority of users, but it can still be effective. You can also learn self hypnosis and apply your own therapy.

Will it work for You?

Hypnotherapy has much to offer as a tool for healing and personal development. If you have a clear goal, are motivated to change and willing to try something new, you have the ideal conditions for it to work for you. This may be the life-changing catalyst you are looking for. You may also search out hypnotherapy courses that you can take from a qualified provider of education.

The Role of The Legal Nurse Consultant

Whenever some medical-related litigation cases occur, it is often the job of the legal nurse consultant to work hand in hand with attorneys to be able to review and evaluate the case. They usually deal with medical and nursing malpractice, personal injuries or almost any medically-related case which calls for a sufficient medical knowledge from the field. But before anything else, perhaps you might be wondering what these legal nurse consultants are and what they tend to do for a living. To provide insight into their practice, let us take some time to understand this practice specialty.
A legal nurse consultant is a registered nurse and will be the one to perform such tasks as critical analysis of clinical and administrative practice and deal with any other healthcare issues. They act as the bridge between the medical and legal system. They often possess professional insight in both health and medical aspects and legal guidelines at the same time. However, you have to take note that these consultants are nursing experts and not merely paralegals. That is, they specialize more on the field of nursing and health care and are often considered to be experts in these fields.

 What are the roles of a legal nurse consultant?

There are indeed a lot of important roles of the legal nurse consultant. To provide you with a deeper understanding of the various important roles that a legal nurse consultant plays, let us review them.

1. Reviewing and Researching Medical Records

Medical records are among the most important things to consider in any medical-related case. As legal nurse consultants, it is their responsibility to review and research medical records which are relevant to the case. This will help in determining the type of medical negligence as well as to identify any medical records which might possibly have been missing or else tampered. The medical records in turn will also provide the legal nurse consultant additional knowledge regarding the type of service being provided to the client. They will often develop time-lines for the incident of care in question so that attorneys may better understand the process of care and determine issues of negligence.

2. Investigation and Thorough Analysis of the Case

It is very vital for a legal nurse consultant to make several investigations and analysis of a particular case. Being a case investigator, there are in fact a lot of services which a legal nurse consulting should be able to provide to his/her clients. These may include such services as the investigation of any fraud within the government funded agencies and also researching whether or not the victim is applicable for compensation and claims. They particularly focus on standards of care related to the case they are working on. They provide expert analysis on defining the appropriate standards of care and assisting the legal team to identify the types of testifying experts to call into the case for deposition and trial testimony to support allegations of deviations from standards of care.

3. Expert Witness Testimony

Attorneys frequently hire legal nurse consultants to provide actual expert witness testimony. In such cases, the legal nurse will provide a deposition and actually testimony in trials. In these cases, the legal nurse may only testify to deviations from standards of nursing practice and not issues of medical standards of care. They may be retained to provide testimony for either defendants or plaintiffs. Their testimony can be invaluable to the outcomes of such cases.

4. Deposition and Trial Consultant

It will be somewhat challenging for an expert attorney doing all of the tasks themselves regarding a particular case. That is why retaining a legal nurse consultant can be extremely beneficial. Legal nurses assist in the preparation of depositions for trial. They assist attorneys in developing appropriate questions to ask in depositions related to the medical and/or nursing aspects of the case. They are frequently seen with the attorney’s team in the court room during a malpractice or personal injury trial.

5. Research and Education

One of the primary roles of the legal nurse is to conduct extensive research for the legal team. Along with this role they also function as primary educators for the legal team. They will review and study many sources of standards of care and then educate the team on how the standards related to the case in question. They teach the legal team the meaning of important medical terms related to the case as well. The legal nurse is the health care expert on the team and her/his knowledge and research and teaching abilities are central to the legal team pursuing a litigation or a defense.

Where do they Practice?

There are many areas that legal nurse consultants practice in today. Some include the following:
In their own practices as independent contractors
In legal firms
In hospital risk management departments
In personal injury and malpractice insurance organizations
In nursing education and staff development
In government agencies
In firms specializing in trial consulting
In legal research departments
The role of the legal nurse consultant isn’t just an ordinary practice. It is a high-level practice that merges the legal world with the health care world. Over the years more and more registered nurses are choosing to enter this specialty practice. While the stress in this position is very high, the rewards and economic benefits can be excellent. Do you want more comprehensive  information about legal nurse consulting? Access here

CASE MANAGEMENT in NURSING

Case Management in nursing is an evolving practice specialty. The role of nurses in case management is to supervise and coordinate healthcare for patients with long-term illnesses. Such patients require long-term therapy and careful planning of all aspects of treatment. For instance if there is a patient suffering from cancer , the nurse who is assigned the role of the nurse case manager must arrange for doctor’s appointment, drugs, radiation, surgery or chemotherapy. A nurse case manager usually works in a specific practice specialty such as cancer, pediatric or cardiovascular disease.
Among the goals of case management nursing is to coordinate the care of patients. Since there are other specialists involved such as therapists, surgeons and other doctors, a nurse in case management will coordinate and keep the records of all their activity while updating the patient accordingly on the progress. According to the health problem at hand, the nurse can also decide what the other specialists should examine the patient so that there is collaboration of efforts by all. The nurse also ensures that all the procedures performed on a patient are at the highest level, increasing the chances of the expected outcome. In so doing, all the resources are used efficiently without any wasted or over usage of care resources.

Case Management in Nursing

The role of the nurse in case management can be defined in 3 basic ways, or a combination of any, according to the individual hospital setting as follows:

Quality Management

In larger hospitals, this aspect of quality management may be separated from the normal case management. The nurse is assigned the role of ensuring that all the services provided are of high standards. In smaller hospitals though, the finances may not allow for separation of duties and the case management nurse does all the work involved. The nurse is responsible for the general quality of health care being delivered, and can also assist in the risk management office when legal matters arise during a patient’s treatment.

Utilization Review

This type of case managers review different elements of the various hospital systems, guided by the terms of the hospital or the insurance company that is in charge. Prompt service delivery as well as adequate and safe utilization of the service is also a responsibility under this docket. The nurse is specially of essence in relation to insurance, because he/she approves and certifies acute and non-acute admissions. This information is then passed on to the insurance company under which the patient is covered. The nurse uses what is known as ‘InterQual Criteria’ which is a standardized method of identifying diagnoses, probable complications, procedures required and the timelines during which to account for a shifting diagnoses.
The Utilization Review nurse coordinates with the quality manager physician to administer high quality services to the patient. For instance if the patient has improved and no longer needs acute care, the nurse can consult the QM physician to see if the patient can be transferred to outpatient care or other suitable services. Before making a decision, the physician will review the patient’s chart, current situation and discharge plan. If in agreement the recovering patient can be moved to a lower level of care. To qualify for a post of Utilization Review Manager nurse, a three-year experience in  an acute hospital setting is advisable.

Discharge Planning

The role of this nurse in case management is to coordinates all the elements of admission or discharge of a patient. According to the InterQual Criteria, this nurse deals with the high risk patients with chronic diagnoses such as complicated pneumonia or stroke. The nurse combines all the available social and financial services to come up with a viable and safe discharge plan. A discharge planning nurse can cover up to forty patients at a time depending on the individual hospital policy. It is ideal however to have no more than twenty patients. Past experience together with assessment abilities are used to review the patients current situation, medical history and family support before formulating a discharge plan. A discharge planner should be familiar with Medicare guidelines, InterQual Criteria as well as fees for service items that enable a patient to be given a different level of care. These are some of the important things that should be known.
Nursing case management is a growing practice specialty. Many registered nurses are taking advanced case and care management programs to increase their knowledge and skills to practice in this area. As health care continues to reform, we will see this nursing specialty increase in demand and in importance.

Holistic Nursing

Holistic nursing is a type of nursing in which the care and wellness of the patient as a whole being is provided. This means that the nurse will provide healing for the full body and not just one part that regular nurses may attend too. This type of nursing encompasses the full body and all of its functions including the body, mind, spirit, relationship and environment. A holistic nurse is an instrument of healing for the patient and they will ensure that the patient is being treated from all aspects including the inner and outer body. The mind and spirit will also play a large part in the therapeutic healing that a holistic nurse will provide.
Holistic nursing has been around for many years but was first recognized as a valid nursing practice in 2006 by the American Nursing Association. The training for a holistic nurse is similar to that of a regular registered nurse in addition to having training of other types of therapies that may be experimental. These can include several types of complimentary alternative modalities such as acupuncture and aromatherapy. The training of this type of nurse will also involve understanding the connectedness of the body, mind, spirit and environment and it’s effects on a patient’s health and well being.

 Holistic Nursing and the Body-Mind Connection

One of the most important aspects of being a holistic nurse is understanding your patient and the way that their body and mind interact with each other. This is one of the most important aspects of understanding what types of treatments will best work for the patient. They will also ensure that the basic care and medical procedures are completed and used to ensure that the patient is receiving the best care and attention that they need in addition to offering healing and care for the mind and consciousness. It is a well documented fact that healing and health is entwined and an important part of the healing process is believing that the treatments in which you are receiving will work for you. This is why a holistic nurse takes the time to get to know her patient’s body, mind and soul. They will use many alternative therapies in a patient’s care like the use of water therapy.
Nearly all types of patients and diseases can benefit from the care of a holistic nurse. They take the level of care and attention to their patients back to the first days of medicine. They offer the attention and understanding that a lot of doctors these days do not have. They also provide the patient with someone that understands what they are going through and is there to lend a calming hand to them during the treatments that they are receiving. Holistic nursing is available for all types of patients including children and the elderly.
But it is not all alternative therapies and understanding that this type of nurse provides. They also understand and administer all the normal aspects that a registered nurse would do for a patient. The level of care that they provide is half alternative methods such as water therapy and understanding the patients needs and half approved medical care such as setting bones and taking vitals and updating patients charts. There is a balance of medical and alternative methods that you will receive from this type of nurse and they are on the same level as receiving care from a registered nurse. They just provide some added alternative therapies like acupuncture that may also aid in the wellness of a patient. Some of the more common therapies that they will use are massage, water therapy, acupuncture, meditation, relation and exercise therapies.

Integrative Care

Providing both medical care and alternative therapies for patients makes the job of a holistic nurse the overall best type of care for any patient. No matter if the disease is new or in a well advanced stage the level of care that is provided will help to calm the patient and keep the spirit of the patient intact. This is one of the most important parts of being a holistic nurse. A holistic nurse not only treats the body but also treats the mind and the consciousness by offering other ways to administer medicine and care to their patients.
If you are thinking about becoming a holistic nurse it is important that you understand to be successful it is vital that you have the right mindset. This will include high levels of patience, understanding, a great bedside manner, and great organization and critical thinking skills. To learn more about holistic nursing, click here.

Substance Abuse Addictions Counseling

Prescription drugs when misused can cause serious addiction problems.  Please also review AIHCP's Substance Abuse Counseling CertificationThank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Substance Abuse Addiction Counseling. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

Stress Management Consulting

Companies need to help employees succeed with better stress management in mind.  Stress kills output and companies should seek to limit stress as much as possible for their employees

Thank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Stress Management Consulting. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

Spiritual Counseling

pray togetherThank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Spiritual Counseling. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

Pet Loss Grief Support

Children need help grieving pets.  Please also review AIHCP's Pet Loss Grief Support

Thank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Pet Loss Grief Support. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

Pastoral Thanatology

Palliative Care addresses serious illness at any phase.  Please also review our Pastoral Thanatology Program and see if it matches your professional goalsThank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Pastoral Thanatology. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

Nurse Patient Educator

young african nurse helping senior woman with medical formThank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Nurse Patient Educator. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

Meditation Instruction

Consider becoming a certified Meditation Instructor and bring the health and benefits of meditation to multiple clientsThank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Meditation Instruction. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

American College of Legal Nurse Consulting

Nure next to a scale and gavelThank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Legal Nurse Consulting. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

American College of Hypnotherapy

two heads full of gearsThank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Hypnotherapy. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

Holistic and Integrative Health Care

Please also review our Holistic Nursing Certification for nurses and see if it meets your goals and needs

Thank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Holistic and Integrative Health and Nursing Care. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

Health Care News

Thank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the latest health care news from around the world. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

Health Care Life Coaching

Wellness goals can be reached with life coaching help. Please also review our Healthcare life coach programThank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Health Care Life Coaching. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

American Academy of Grief Counseling and Program in Grief Counseling

Prolonged Grief Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder are different but closely related.  Please also review AIHCP's Grief Counseling CertificationProgram in Grief Counseling

Thank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Grief Counseling. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

In the meantime, please review our program in Grief Counseling and see if it matches your educational and academic needs.

Practice of Grief Christian Counseling Blog

Practice of Christian Grief Counseling Blog

Many church candles in yellow transparent chandeliers

Thank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Christian Grief Counseling. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

American Institute of Funeral Service Associates

Grieving and funerals during COVID face challenges for the bereaved to properly express themselves. Please also review our Funeral Associate CertificationThank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of funeral servicesOur blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

Forensic Nursing Specialty Practice

Thank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Forensic Nursing. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

 

Crisis Intervention Counseling

Thank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Crisis Intervention Counseling. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

Trying to recover from PTSD can be delayed over distortions about the event. Licensed counselors through Cognitive Restructuring can help individuals find the truth to move forward. Please also review AIHCP's Crisis Intervention Program

 

Child and Adolescent Grief Counseling Education Program

lonely sad girl on the dark beach

Thank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Child and Adolescent Grief Counseling Education Program. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

To become certified by the Child and Adolescent Grief Counseling Education Program, one needs to take the core courses.  Those qualified can become certified. Certification lasts three years and must be renewed.

Also keep in mind, the program is for certified grief counselors who wish to make child grief a specialty area.

American Academy of Case Management

Nurse Discussing Records With Senior Female Patient During Home VisitThank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Case ManagementOur blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

Attention Deficit Consulting

Thank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Attention Deficit Consulting. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

Christian Spiritual Counseling

Christian Spiritual Counseling Program

Thank you for visiting our AIHCP web blog. This category of the blog focuses on the specialty practice of Christian Spiritual Counseling. Our blog provides our visitors and professional members and students an ever expanding platform for related articles, information, discussions, event announcements and much more. We invite your participation by posting comments, information, sharing and authoring for our blog. Please visit us often and be sure to book mark us!

Christian Spiritual Counseling is a specialized form of counseling that focuses on Christian morals and theology to handle personal problems.  The Bible and Christ are the sources to this type of counseling.

To become certified in Christian Spiritual Counseling at AIHCP, one must be qualified as a minister, in ministry, or have the proper academic background.  After completion of the courses, one can become certified.

In the meantime, if you have any questions please let us know.  Enjoy the blog!

Crisis Intervention and Domestic Violence

Crisis workers, specialists and counselors who help those in crisis and trauma come across many cases of abuse or domestic violence.  Whether lower tier, on site, or dealing with long term trauma, domestic violence is a large problem within the world, especially against women.  This is not to say it does not also occur against men, but the higher percentage of abuse and domestic violence is against women and children.  Women especially suffer the brunt of domestic violence cases and suffer as victims sometimes unable to act.  This blog will review what domestic violence is, factors surrounding the victim and perpetrator, as well as intervention strategies to help victims, usually women, to be able to heal and move forward.

Please also review AIHCP’s Crisis Intervention Specialist Program as well as its Anger Management Consulting Program and see if these programs meet your needs.  Professionals in the Human Service Field who help battered women and other victims can utilize these certifications to broaden their knowledge and understanding of domestic violence.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is any physical or verbal harm to another in a household. Please also review AIHCP’s Crisis Intervention and Anger Management Certifications

Domestic violence goes well beyond merely anger and loss of control but has many elements that go deeply into the psychology of the abuser and the willingness for the victim to sometimes endure for years.  Domestic Violence also known as Intimate Partner Violence encompasses all types of couples including not only married, but those living together, same sex couples, and abuse of children or elderly (James, 2017, p. 286).  Within Domestic Violence are key terms that designate the crime.  Battering refers to any type of physical assault, while abuse is a more general term that not only encompasses physical violence but also emotional, verbal abuse as well as threatening (James, 2017, p. 287).

There are many theories that surround the relationship that ties abuser and victim together.  Attachment/Traumatic Bonding Theory speculates that abusers abuse because of fear of losing the significant other due to childhood trauma of losing loved ones and lack of stability.  Another theory is Exchange Theory which postulates that the abuser will continue to be violent as long as the reward outweighs the cost of utilizing violence to control.  Intraindividual Theory investigates various psychological and neurophysiological disorders that play a part in why batterers abuse.  From the victim perspective, many women suffer from learned helplessness and battered woman syndrome in which the woman accepts the abuse and the results as a learned behavior.  In reverse, the abuser, usually a man, falls into the learned behavior of achieving results through inherent abuse.  Feminist theory attributes abuse by men to be tied to sexist and patriarchal views within society that glorify the dominance of the man over the woman.  Cultural reinforcement and glorification of aggression for success can also play a role in advancing aggression as a positive attribute.  Finally, psychological entrapment proposes that women have to much to lose financially if they report or leave the abuser.  In addition, the secret fills the victim with shame and ties the abused to the abuser and looks for the abused to justify and find ways to stay (James, 2017, p. 290-293).

There are also numerous secondary stressors and issues  that can add or complicate to the abuse case.  Issues surrounding geographic location can affect the duration of abuse if the abused is isolated.  Economic and financial stressors can play a role in a woman staying with an abuser, as well as religious beliefs and stigma.  Many women may feel disenfranchised or rejected if abuse was made public.  Other stressors and factors include the age of the couple, with younger couples experiencing abuse at a higher level, as well as the role of drugs and alcohol (James, 2017, p. 294).

In addition, there are many myths about domestic violence that can sometimes look to dismiss it as not as serious.  One such myth is that battered women overstate their case, display too much sensitivity, or hate men or are looking for revenge.  The reality is most women who report are not reporting the first incident but are reporting after multiple cases.   Other myths involve justifying the abuse as if the woman or victim provoked the beating, or that if it was truly so bad, she would leave the relationship.  These false myths need dismissed in order to give domestic violence the spotlight it deserves and the importance for society to make it not a family personal issue but a community one (James, 2017. p. 294).

Profile of the Batterer and Abuser

Batterer suffer from a variety of emotional impulse controls but also are possibly suffer from past abuse, as well as addiction issues. Many find wish to exert dominance over others

Batterers usually can have any of the following issues.  They were battered themselves, faced poor family conditions as children, have anger and impulse control issues, deal with addictions, or suffer from a variety of emotional and cognitive disorders. Characteristics of individuals, in particular men, who abuse suffer from a variety of issues.  Many demonstrate excessive dependency and possessiveness toward a women.  Others have poor communication skills and can only filter anger to express.  Others may have unreal expectations of their spouses or partners.  Others may see themselves as dominant and set up rigid family control patterns for the spouse and children that cannot be infringed upon.  Many men who abuse also are characterized as jealous, impulsive, denying, depressive, demanding, aggressive and violent.  In addition, many suffer from low self esteem and form addictive habits (James, 2019, p. 293). Many abusers usually look to minimize abuse.   They may deny battering, minimize the battery, or project the battery onto the victim (James, 2017, .p. 321).

Some batterers are a family only batterers.  These types act out but are quick to seek forgiveness.  Others with low level anti-social tendencies, or violent anti-social tendencies are far more dangerous and terroristic.  This does not mean family only batterers do not have serious issues or can lead to fatal outcomes.  It just means, there violence is more confined to the home and nowhere else and it may not be due to deeper psychological disorders (James, 2017., p. 296).  However, it is important to note, any physical violence, even a push or shove, or threat is too much.  There needs to be zero tolerance for any type of behavior.

Profile of the Abused

Abused women on the other hand suffer various characteristics that fall into compliance with abuse and perpetrate its continuance.  These characteristics are sometimes sought out by abusers since it enables control.  Many abused women lack self esteem due to the continuous verbal insults.  They lack self confidence in abilities to make the situation better. Many women who are abused come from past history of being abused, much as the abuser.  They may regularize the abuse as something familiar and normal.  Many women who are subject to abuse are very dependent upon the spouse and are unable to escape the situation, or fear leaving due to stigma.  Many women cannot differentiate between love and sex and also feel it is their duty to fix the abuser by staying (James, 2017, p. 294).

Many women simply live and relive the vicious cycle of abuse.  They accept the the tranquil periods or first phase of tranquility of no violence but soon enough, the second phase of tension starts to build and the third phase of a violent outburst occurs.  Upon this, the relationship enters into a pivotal crisis state of whether the abuser will seek forgiveness or re-assert dominance where the victim accepts the situation and re-enters a new tranquility phase.  Only till the victim stops the cycle will the domestic violence end (James, 2017, p. 296).

Assessment and Intervention

Upon any report of domestic violence, human service professionals are required to report.  This involves documenting the abuse with pictures and statements, assuring the victim of her rights and giving her a plan, and finally, reporting the incident to appropriate authorities (James, 2017, p. 300).  Most disclosures occur at shelters, hospitals, on scene, via a crisis call or after an arrest. Unfortunately, sometimes it is difficult to access battered women or to get them to display bruises or report a crime.  The Battered Woman Scale measures traits that make it difficult for battered woman to discuss or report abuse.  Overall, most women possess traits of those with PTSD (James, 2017, p. 299).

During the clinical interview it is important to believe a woman who reports battering.  Most women who finally have enough courage to report, are finally doing so after numerous incidents and are finally realizing the life or death nature of the situation.  It is important to listen with empathy, provide support and facilitate the necessary course of action for the victim (James, 2017, p. 302).    It is important as a crisis responder or counselor to be real with the victim and listen with empathy.  The victim should be allowed to express emotion and the time she needs to express and tell it.  The counselor should maintain eye contact during this phase and exercise empathetic listening skills.  It is also important to remain respectful and non-judgemental.  This is a very difficult story for the woman to tell and she needs to be applauded and not questioned with “why”.  Counselors need to also help restate the victim’s thoughts and feelings and help guide the victim to better options and ways to resolve the issue and any fears she may have or possess.  Finally, it is important to follow through and check on the victim’s process (James, 2017. p. 304).

Over the long term, it is important to provide psychoeducation about abuse and feelings associated with it.  It is important to emphasize how unjust family violence is and how to better cope with it in the future.  Other victims may also need aid in dealing with PSTD, or other stressors that are preventing them from healing and moving forward.  In addition, women, families and victims need social support to help through the process (James, 2017, p.314)

Many abusers will need more than merely anger management, but additional support groups to help individuals face their own inner demons and to see the damage their violence does to the people they love.  This may also involve drug and addiction therapy, as well as public intervention.

Conclusion

Domestic violence is not a family issue but a public issue. Please also review AIHCP’s Crisis and Anger Management Programs

Domestic abuse whether verbal or physical is always wrong.  It has deeper roots usually and cause deep crisis and trauma to victims.  Many who perpetrate it have their own inner issues.  While men usually are the perpetrator, it is important to note that not only women and children can be abused, but men can also be abused by women.  In addition, same sex couples also face the same domestic issues heterosexual couples face. Counselors, crisis specialists, chaplains, pastors and social workers can play large roles in helping stop the cycle of violence and helping victims find safety through good assessment, reporting and future therapy.

Please also review AIHCP’s Crisis Intervention Specialist Program as well as its Anger Management Consulting Certification.  The programs are online and independent study with mentorship as needed.

 

 

 

Resource

James, R & Gilliland, B. (2017). “Crisis Intervention Strategies”. (8th). Cengage

Additional Resources

“The National Domestic Violence Hotline”. Access here

“Domestic Violence”. Psychology Today. Access here

“Domestic violence against women: Recognize patterns, seek help”. Mayo Clinic Staff.  Access here

Strong, R. (2023). “What Is Domestic Violence? Learn the Signs and How to Get Help Now”. Healthline. Access here

 

How Leadership Training Enhances Health Professionals’ Career Growth

Doctor leading his staff. Written by Phillip Ekuwem.

Leadership is a skill that stretches well beyond titles or positions. For healthcare professionals, it’s a practical necessity that can drive personal career growth while improving the entire care experience.

Yet, many in the field aren’t taught leadership formally despite constantly making decisions that impact patients, teams, and entire healthcare systems.

Leadership training fills that gap, equipping healthcare professionals with tools to navigate everything from patient care decisions to complex team dynamics.

This isn’t just about climbing the career ladder – mastering skills that strengthen confidence, advance careers, and create better outcomes for everyone involved.

 

The Role of Leadership in Healthcare

Impact on Patient Care

For healthcare professionals, leadership skills directly influence the quality of patient care. Studies consistently show that patient outcomes improve when led by influential leaders who set clear standards and guide teams with a patient-centered focus.

Healthcare leaders are responsible for establishing practices that put patients’ needs first – setting protocols, overseeing patient communication, or creating environments where patients feel heard and respected.

Strong leadership drives these outcomes, creating a healthcare experience where patients feel safe, valued, and supported, ultimately contributing to higher satisfaction and better health outcomes.

Influence on Healthcare Teams

Adequate healthcare isn’t a one-man mission; it’s teamwork at every level. When there’s leadership within healthcare teams, it builds a culture of respect, open communication, and collaboration.

A strong leader fosters an environment where every team member feels valued and motivated and can contribute meaningfully.

This leadership is essential in healthcare, where professionals from diverse disciplines – doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and support staff – must work seamlessly together. When leaders promote these values, teams work better, conflict resolution becomes smoother, and, most importantly, the quality of patient care improves.

Organizational Outcomes

Good leadership has a significant impact on organizational success in healthcare. A leader who understands healthcare systems, resource management, and strategic planning can significantly improve a company’s growth.

From improving operational efficiency to ensuring compliance with regulations, strong leaders help keep healthcare organizations steady, even amid change. When leaders are equipped with skills to handle financial and strategic challenges, they contribute to the organization’s stability and adaptability.

 

Core Components of Effective Leadership Training

Interpersonal Skills Development

At the heart of healthcare leadership are strong interpersonal skills – communication, empathy, and the ability to resolve conflicts constructively. Training in these areas helps healthcare professionals foster better relationships and teamwork, leading to a more cohesive work environment.

When leaders learn to listen actively and provide constructive feedback, they empower their teams to voice concerns and contribute ideas. This kind of atmosphere enhances morale, and leadership training benefits those in hospital systems.

It is crucial for healthcare professionals planning to start or manage private practices. Running a successful practice requires more than clinical expertise – it involves managing finances, overseeing staff, and making strategic decisions that ensure sustainability and growth.

Leadership training prepares professionals for these responsibilities by teaching essential skills in budgeting, resource allocation, and patient care strategies.

For healthcare providers considering private practice, investing in leadership training is a valuable step that can ultimately lead to a more organized, efficient, and financially stable practice and drive innovation, ensuring that care practices evolve to meet patient needs.

Systems Literacy

Understanding the complex systems within healthcare – regulations, financial structures, and organizational dynamics – is another vital part of leadership training.

Systems literacy gives healthcare leaders the big-picture knowledge needed to navigate policies, manage resources effectively, and understand how different parts of the organization connect.

This awareness helps leaders make informed decisions that are financially and operationally sound. It’s about knowing how the system works and using that knowledge to improve efficiency, compliance, and overall patient care quality.

Decision-Making and Critical Thinking

Decision-making is a daily reality in healthcare, and practical leadership training sharpens the ability to make thoughtful, evidence-based choices. Programs focusing on decision-making build skills in critical thinking, risk assessment, and responding effectively under pressure.

Healthcare leaders trained in these areas approach complex patient cases, staffing challenges, and budget constraints with a steady hand and a clear strategy. Ultimately, these skills go beyond quick choices – they ensure that every decision aligns with the best patient outcomes, supports the team’s efficiency, and meets the organization’s goals.

Financial Considerations for Leadership Development

Understanding Financing Options

For healthcare professionals looking to develop leadership skills, various financing options can support the cost of formal training programs or additional certifications.

For instance, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans can fund starting private practices or cover educational expenses contributing to business and practice management.

Providers seeking funding might also consider reviewing Lendio loan requirements as part of their exploration, particularly if they’re interested in flexible financing that can be applied to leadership or business management courses. Understanding these options helps healthcare professionals make informed decisions about investing in their development without straining their finances.

Application to Private Practice

Leadership training benefits those in hospital systems and is crucial for healthcare professionals planning to start or manage private practices. Running a successful practice requires more than clinical expertise – it involves managing finances, overseeing staff, and making strategic decisions that ensure sustainability and growth.

Leadership training prepares professionals for these responsibilities by teaching essential skills in budgeting, resource allocation, and patient care strategies.

For healthcare providers considering private practice, investing in leadership training is a valuable step that can ultimately lead to a more organized, efficient, and financially stable practice.

Benefits of Leadership Training for Career Advancement

Enhanced Professional Competence

Leadership training equips healthcare professionals with skills that boost their competence in both clinical and administrative areas. These skills directly enhance daily performance, from improving their ability to communicate clearly with patients to managing workflows within their team.

As professionals gain confidence in handling complex situations and guiding others, they become invaluable assets to their organizations. This competence contributes to career growth and establishes a strong reputation within the field.

Increased Opportunities for Advancement

Leadership skills open doors to higher positions and responsibilities for healthcare professionals aiming to grow in their careers.

Many leadership programs provide access to mentors, networking opportunities, and structured career paths, making moving into roles like department head, clinical director, or executive positions easier.

By developing these skills early, professionals set themselves on a path to leadership, standing out as candidates who can lead teams, manage budgets, and implement strategies that benefit the organization.

Improved Job Satisfaction and Reduced Burnout

Leadership training supports personal well-being by reducing the risk of burnout, a typical healthcare issue. Skills like effective communication, time management, and conflict resolution make day-to-day work smoother, reducing stress and increasing job satisfaction.

Leaders training in these areas are better equipped to create balanced, supportive work environments for themselves and their teams, which helps sustain long-term motivation and career fulfillment.

Case Studies and Success Stories

Vanderbilt Otolaryngology Leadership Program

Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Otolaryngology residency includes an innovative leadership training program integrating fundamental leadership principles into residents’ medical education.

Designed to span the duration of the residency, this program includes Naval ROTC topics, public speaking workshops, a micro-MBA course, and a capstone leadership project.

Sessions occur outside clinical hours, often during morning conferences or dinner sessions, allowing residents to focus on health policy, finance, conflict resolution, and effective communication without disrupting their medical training.

Vanderbilt’s model demonstrates how embedding leadership elements into residency can equip future healthcare leaders with the skills they need to manage teams, communicate effectively, and make strategic decisions in a clinical environment.

Relias Healthcare Leadership Development

Relias Healthcare offers professional development programs tailored to healthcare staff at various career stages.

Their leadership programs focus on fundamental skills like effective communication, emotional intelligence, and team-building strategies. Through online courses, workshops, and interactive modules, healthcare professionals learn to manage team dynamics, resolve conflicts, and lead organizational initiatives.

Success stories from Relia’s alums reflect improvements in their leadership confidence and practical skills, enabling many to transition into managerial roles or lead departments.

This program highlights how targeted leadership training can empower healthcare professionals across disciplines to take on leadership roles and drive positive organizational changes.

Integrating Leadership Training into Medical Education

Current Gaps in Training

Although the benefits of leadership skills are as clear as day, most medical curricula don’t include formal leadership training. This lack of focus leaves many healthcare professionals unprepared for roles that require team management, decision-making, and strategic thinking.

With structured leadership development, healthcare workers can learn on the job, leading to consistent results. Addressing this gap would involve incorporating leadership competencies directly into medical education, helping students build essential skills in their foundational training.

Proposed Curriculum Enhancements

Medical education programs might include various leadership-building activities to better prepare healthcare workers for leadership responsibilities.

For example, providing mentoring opportunities where students observe seasoned healthcare executives may help them gain necessary knowledge about strategic planning, patient-centered care, and efficient team administration.

Furthermore, offering specialized courses in systems management, communication tactics, and healthcare policy might help students better comprehend the larger organizational environment in which they will operate.

These programs would give aspiring professionals a well-rounded skill set that would enable them to lead confidently in various healthcare settings by combining clinical education with leadership training. This would help their careers and the teams they will lead.

 

Conclusion

Leadership training isn’t just an optional skill set for healthcare professionals; it’s a powerful catalyst for personal and career growth. By building competencies in communication, decision-making, and systems management, healthcare professionals lead confidently and clearly.

Programs like those at Vanderbilt show the impact of structured leadership training, while options for ongoing development, like those offered by Relias, make leadership growth accessible across career stages.

For healthcare professionals, leadership skills translate directly to better patient outcomes, stronger teams, and more resilient organizations. Investing in leadership training – whether through educational programs or financial avenues for private practice – supports a more adaptable and empowered healthcare workforce.

Author’s Bio.

Phillip Ekuwem is a writer that has pretty much done it all. He started out as a sports journalist writing for some top publications like Redbull and Yahoo Sport UK, then later made the switch to content and copywriting and has worked with top financial publications like Stock Dork. When he’s not writing, he’s either catching up on the Premier League or hanging with his friends and playing Fifa. 

 

 

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Health Care Manager Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

 

Crisis Intervention and Sexual Assault and Abuse

One of the most heinous actions against another human being is sexual assault.  Sexual assault is a broad term that can include rape but also any type of sexual activity that includes not only women, but also men and children.  In all, sexual abuse, or rape involves any type of deliberate violation of another that incurs an invasion of the body by force without consent.  It violates the persons privacy and inner space hence scarring the individual emotionally, mentally and physically due to this violation (James, 2017, p.242).   There are many forms of rape, sexual battery and assault upon numerous different victims with different genders, orientations or ages.  Sexual abuse or rape can be committed by a complete stranger, or by a partner, friend or family member.  It can occur through force, drugging, or coercive means.  It can be severely violent with physical resistance or without.

Sexual Assault victims undergo extreme trauma. Please also review AIHCP’s Crisis Intervention Specialist Certification

Ultimately it is a violation of personhood and intimacy.  It is a stealing of innocence and security.  Due to this, in all cases, it causes different levels of trauma and crisis within the existence of the person.  In this short blog, we will review some of the issues that result from sexual assault and how to help others through it.

Please also review AIHCP’s Crisis Intervention Program

Myths Surrounding Rape and Sexual Assault

There are many myths and fallacies surrounding sexual assault regarding its nature and the victims themselves.  Such myths include that rape is merely rough sex,  or that rape is a cry to avenge a man, or that rape is motivated by lust, or that rapists are loners and not everyday people, or that survivors provoke or asked for it, or that only bad women are raped, or that rapes only occur in certain bad areas of town.  In addition, other fallacies include that men who are raped are willing victims due to their strength or position.  Other myths blame only  homosexuals as perpetrators of abuse upon young boys.  Other fallacies include limiting male trauma to female trauma, that once a victim, one will become a future perpetrator, or if someone enjoyed pleasure during the sex of rape, then the person enjoyed it (James, 2017, p. 244-245).  These fallacies can create many misconceptions about the nature of rape and how to help victims of rape.  The reality is rape or sexual assault is a traumatic event that violates and invades a person.  It can lead to a variety of traumas and when myths and fallacies circulate, it can cause intense grief for the victim.

Nature of the Rapist

Most rapes and sexual assaults obviously occur to women or children, but the nature and makeup can be attributed to anyone who seeks to sexually hurt another person.  In case of usually men, the rapist or assailant performs hostile acts and is filled with anger.  Many may feel mistreated, anxious or threatened and have issues with women.  Many see women as inferior or submissive, and feel the need to display power over them.  Many display poor interpersonal skills and also show sadistic patterns of behavior (James, 2017, p.242).  Regardless of gender, those who victimize others in cases of sexual assault fall into four categories.  The first is commit due to raw anger.  The second commit due to power exploitation.  The third commit to power reassurance and finally the fourth commit due to sadistic needs (James, 2017, p. 242).

Rapists, especially molesters, will utilize grooming techniques to find victims and entice them with rewards, only later to entrap them with manipulation to continue in the action by degrading them, blaming them, threatening them, or blackmailing them into secrecy.  Blaming, shaming and disenfranchising the voice of the young person is key to the predation (James, 2017, p. 268).

The rapist or assailant can commit these crimes on a date, abduction, or even within a relationship. It be between a family member, spouse, friend or total stranger. All cases are a grave injustice to the autonomy of the other person and leaves great traumatic scars that require crisis care and long term counseling.  The crimes against children are especially heinous and cry to heaven for justice.  Fortunately, crisis specialists can play the role of angels on earth and try to help these victims.

Helping Sexual Assault Survivors

The initial impact stage of sexual assault and rape leaves the person within the first 2 weeks raw with emotion and maybe even physical pain from the assault.  The person may be haunted by nightmares, flashbacks, dissociation, hypervigilance,  or other reactions to acute stress (James, 2017, p. 248).   These peritraumatic stress syndromes are natural for anyone who was involved in a severe trauma.  They may gradually over time relax or persist into traumatic stress disorder or even PTSD (James, 2017. p. 250).

Among the many possible reactions, some may exhibit multiple emotions, while some may appear unaffected on in a state of shock. Some may wish to not discuss the event.   Others may feel humiliated, demeaned or degraded without value. They may feel stigmatized, shamed or an extreme impaired self image.  Some may blame themselves for the rape or assault.  Others may have difficulty trusting others again.  Some may become depressed or suicidal.  Others may become extremely angry and seek revenge (James, 2017, p. 252).

Its important to help the victim find stability/safety and meaning after sexual assault

After 3 months, many will still need to continue medical care for physical issues as well as mental counseling.  Some may have difficulty resuming or returning to work.  Others may have a hard time resuming sexual relations.  Some may also display mood swings and emotional outbursts.  Others may continue to display nightmares, flashbacks and other symptoms of PTSD, as well as depression or suicidal ideation (James, 2017, p. 253).  Children will show regression, odd behaviors, or acting out and if left untreated may deal with unresolved grief and trauma throughout life.

Counselors, as well as social support among friends and family can play key roles in healing.  It is important for those around the victim to be understanding of the trauma and the damage it causes in regards to mood swings, emotional outbursts and the need to express anger.  Friends and family need to be available and counselors need to show empathy and listening.  In doing so, it means recognizing the hurt, the trauma, the self esteem issues, the lack of trust, the fears and triggers, as well as letting her make some decisions on her/him on his/her own to again feel autonomy (James, 2017, p. 254).

While those suffering from more traumatic reactions may require exposure treatments, affective regulation and cognitive therapies through licensed counselors, crisis specialists can help the victim feel safe and secure.  The crisis specialist can reassure and help the person see solutions and answers to the problem and offer insight to their emotions.  In these cases, helping individuals find grounding through breathing and relaxation techniques can be helpful.  It can help an individual regain equilibrium.   In addition, many will need help with grief and understanding loss.   Grief resolution and meaning making will be essential as the person attempts to tie together this horrible event with one’s life story and finding meaning it.  James points out that the two first tasks are clearly stabilization and finding meaning (2017. p. 266).

Many individuals may require support groups that share the similar trauma of sexual assault, as well as ways again to feel safe and regain autonomy.  This can be through the help of others or through other ways of taking control, whether it be through self defense training, or weapons training.  It may involve also finding closure through justice through the judicial system. Some may also look to find even deeper meanings by helping others.  Many may form support groups or push forward into forming organizations or public awareness groups for sexual assault survivors.

Conclusion

Please also review AIHCP’s Crisis Intervention Specialist Program and see if it meets your professional goals

Sexual assault is one of the most disgusting and grievous offenses against another human being.  It is broad and wide against numerous target populations according to orientation, gender and age but it usually involves power, anger and sadistic energy.  Individuals suffer intense trauma by this violation and many feel a variety of emotions that can lead to various behavioral issues and future PTSD. Even for those who suffer the general trajectory still suffer emotionally, mentally and physically and must go through a process of stabilization meaning making and finding autonomy, safety and healing again.

Crisis Specialist play a big role in the initial phases of helping sexual assault victims find safety and ability to stabilize their emotions and mind after the assault.  They then guide the victim to finding the necessary long term aids to help the person again find healing and wholeness.

Please also review AIHCP’s Crisis Intervention Specialist Certification.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in crisis counseling.  The program is great for counselors, social workers, chaplains, as well as nurses, EMT and police and rescue.

 

Resource

James, R & Gilliland, B. (2017). “Crisis Intervention Strategies”. (8th). Cengage

Additional Resources

National Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors and their Loved Ones. Access here

I am a victim of rape/sexual assault. What do I do? Access here

Legg, T. (2019). “Sexual Assault Resource Guide”.  Healthline. Access here

Pappas, S. (2022). “How to support patients who have experienced sexual assault”. APA.  Access here

 

 

Massage Therapy for Mental Health: Unlocking the Power of Therapeutic Touch to Reduce Anxiety and Depression

Teenage girl practicing EFT or emotional freedom technique - tapping on the karate chop point, closeupWritten by Nick Gabriele.

Mental health has taken center stage as a pressing concern. Stress, anxiety, and depression are on the rise, fueled by the constant demands of work, personal responsibilities, and global uncertainties.

Mental health challenges don’t just affect the mind—they impact every aspect of an individual’s well-being, often spilling over into physical health.

Amid this growing mental health crisis, massage therapy has emerged as a powerful complementary therapy. While it has long been known for its physical benefits, research increasingly supports its effectiveness in promoting emotional and psychological well-being.

For healthcare professionals, this presents an opportunity to incorporate massage therapy as part of a holistic mental health care plan.

In this article, we’ll dive into how massage therapy impacts mental health, explore its physiological and emotional benefits, and discuss practical ways for healthcare professionals to integrate it into their practice.

 

How Massage Therapy Impacts Mental Health

To understand how massage therapy supports mental health, it’s important to first examine the intricate connection between the mind and body.

Stress and mental health disorders like anxiety and depression don’t just remain confined to thoughts—they manifest physically as muscle tension, chronic pain, and even sleep disturbances. Massage therapy acts as a bridge, addressing both the mental and physical symptoms of these conditions.

Globally, the statistics are staggering. Anxiety disorders affect approximately 301 million people, while 280 million individuals suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization. These conditions often require a multi-pronged approach to treatment, combining traditional methods like therapy and medication with complementary therapies such as massage.

 

Activation of the Parasympathetic Nervous System

One of the most significant ways massage therapy impacts mental health is by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. This is the part of the nervous system responsible for the “rest and digest” state, which counteracts the “fight or flight” response triggered by stress.

During a massage, the soothing touch stimulates sensory receptors in the skin, sending signals to the brain that promote relaxation. This calms an overactive sympathetic nervous system and allows the body to enter a state of rest.

Research supports this mechanism: a meta-analysis by Moyer et al. (2004) found that massage therapy reduces cortisol levels by up to 31%, while increasing serotonin by 28% and dopamine by 31%—neurotransmitters crucial for regulating mood and promoting a sense of well-being.

The science is clear: activating the parasympathetic nervous system through massage can provide immediate and long-term relief from anxiety and depression symptoms.

 

Easing Physical Manifestations of Stress

Mental health disorders like anxiety and depression often come with physical symptoms, including:

  • Chronic muscle tension
  • Tension headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Digestive issues

These physical manifestations not only worsen mental health but also create a vicious cycle of stress and discomfort. Massage therapy breaks this cycle by relieving muscle stiffness, improving circulation, and releasing tension in areas prone to stress, such as the neck, shoulders, and back.

A study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology revealed that individuals with generalized anxiety disorder reported a significant reduction in physical symptoms after just three massage sessions. These findings underscore the importance of addressing the physical side of mental health challenges to achieve comprehensive relief.

 

The Benefits of Massage Therapy for Mental Health

As we transition from the mechanisms of how massage therapy works, let’s delve deeper into the tangible benefits it offers for mental health. Massage therapy addresses anxiety and depression on multiple fronts, making it an invaluable tool for healthcare professionals and patients alike.

Regulation of the Nervous System

One of the most profound benefits of massage therapy is its ability to regulate the nervous system. By lowering cortisol levels and boosting serotonin and dopamine production, massage helps stabilize mood and reduce feelings of stress. These effects are not limited to the duration of the massage session—they often last for days, providing lasting relief for individuals with anxiety or depression.

Research from Harvard Health highlights how the calming effects of massage can lead to sustained improvements in mental health, particularly when combined with other therapeutic interventions.

Alleviation of Physical Symptoms

Physical symptoms often accompany mental health challenges, creating additional burdens for patients. Chronic pain, headaches, and muscle tension are common complaints among those with anxiety and depression. Massage therapy targets these physical symptoms, offering relief that can have a ripple effect on emotional well-being.

Imagine a patient with persistent neck pain caused by stress. A targeted massage not only alleviates the physical discomfort but also reduces the underlying stress, creating a positive feedback loop that enhances both physical and emotional health.

Studies, including those published in ERIC, confirm that even a few sessions of massage therapy can significantly reduce physical symptoms, making it an effective adjunct to traditional mental health treatments.

Enhancement of Emotional Balance

Massage therapy goes beyond physical relief to foster emotional healing. The act of therapeutic touch can help patients reconnect with their bodies, grounding them in the present moment and reducing rumination on negative thoughts. Additionally, the nurturing environment of a massage session provides a safe space for emotional release, helping patients process unresolved feelings.

By fostering mindfulness and emotional balance, massage therapy empowers patients to take an active role in their mental health journey.

Improvement of Sleep Quality

Sleep disturbances are a hallmark of both anxiety and depression. Poor sleep not only exacerbates mental health symptoms but also diminishes emotional resilience, creating a cycle of exhaustion and stress. Massage therapy promotes relaxation, enabling patients to fall asleep more easily and enjoy deeper, restorative sleep.

Research from the American Massage Therapy Association demonstrates that regular massage therapy sessions can significantly improve sleep quality, even in individuals with chronic insomnia. For mental health professionals, this makes massage an invaluable tool in addressing sleep-related issues in their patients.

Support for Trauma Recovery

Massage therapy can be beneficial for individuals with unresolved trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It addresses PTSD on a physiological level, helping clients reconnect with their bodies and process trauma. Studies have shown that massage therapy can provide relief for distressing physical and psychological symptoms attributed to trauma exposure.

Boost in Immune Function

While often overlooked, the connection between mental health and the immune system is significant. Chronic stress and depression can suppress immune function, making individuals more susceptible to illness.

Massage therapy has been shown to enhance immune function by reducing stress hormones and increasing the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, which play a critical role in fighting off infections.

For individuals with anxiety or depression, improved immune function can lead to better overall health, which in turn contributes to emotional resilience and mental well-being.

 

Practical Applications for Healthcare Professionals

Now that we’ve explored the benefits of massage therapy, let’s discuss how healthcare professionals can effectively incorporate it into their practices. Integrating massage therapy doesn’t just benefit patients—it also enhances the overall effectiveness of mental health care plans.

Personalizing Techniques for Mental Health Needs

Each patient’s mental health needs are unique, and tailoring massage techniques can significantly enhance their therapeutic experience.

For anxiety relief, gentle strokes like those in Swedish massage promote relaxation by calming the nervous system and reducing stress hormone levels. These techniques help patients feel grounded and safe.

For depression support, deeper pressure techniques such as deep tissue massage target muscle tension and improve circulation, helping to alleviate the physical lethargy often associated with depression. Techniques like trigger point therapy can also release stored tension in key areas like the shoulders and neck.

By discussing preferences and comfort levels with patients, therapists can ensure each session meets both their emotional and physical needs. This personalized approach helps maximize the benefits of massage therapy for mental health.

Collaboration in Mental Health Care

Massage therapy becomes even more effective when integrated into a collaborative mental health care plan. By working alongside psychologists and psychiatrists, massage therapists can help create a comprehensive approach that addresses both emotional and physical symptoms.

For example, psychologists can provide insights into a patient’s stress patterns, while massage therapists address the physical tension linked to those stressors. Educating patients on how massage therapy complements traditional treatments, such as therapy or medication, ensures they see it as a valuable part of their overall care plan.

Leveraging Technology for Better Outcomes

As mental health care evolves, technology plays an increasingly important role in improving patient outcomes. Tools like massage therapy client software help healthcare professionals manage patient information, schedule appointments, and track treatment progress. These tools enable therapists to focus on delivering exceptional care while simplifying administrative tasks.

 

Conclusion: A Holistic Tool for Mental Wellness

Massage therapy offers a unique and effective way to support mental health. By calming the nervous system, alleviating physical symptoms of stress, and fostering emotional balance, it provides a holistic approach to managing anxiety and depression.

For healthcare professionals, integrating massage therapy into treatment plans can lead to better patient outcomes and more comprehensive care. As mental health continues to be a global concern, massage therapy stands out as a valuable complementary therapy that bridges the gap between physical and emotional well-being.

If you’re a healthcare professional, consider incorporating massage therapy into your practice. With its proven benefits, it can play a vital role in helping your patients achieve long-term mental wellness.

 

Author’s Bio.

Nick Gabriele, Director of Noterro since 2012, has transformed the company into a leading practice management software provider, helping users streamline note-taking, appointments, and overall practice management.

Drawing from over a decade in Independent Medical Evaluations and experience in chiropractic, physiotherapy, and massage therapy, Nick brings a wealth of expertise.

He is also a seasoned speaker and writer on topics like electronic record-keeping, featured in publications like Hamilton News and podcasts including Business Blueprint

Reference:

Field, T. (2016). Massage therapy research review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 24, 19-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.04.005

Diego, M. A., Field, T., & Hernandez-Reif, M. (2004). Massage therapy improves mood and reduces serum cortisol levels in adults. International Journal of Neuroscience, 114(10), 1313-1330. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207450490476011

Moyer, C. A., Rounds, J., & Hannum, J. W. (2004). A meta-analysis of massage therapy research. Psychological Bulletin, 130(1), 3–18.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1360859210000896

 

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Emotional Freedom Technique & Meridian Energy Health Tapping Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

 

The Critical Role of Insurance Verification in Healthcare

Health care insuranceBy Alan Dworetsky.

The basis of revenue cycle management and the foundation of providing patients with financial clarity is accurate insurance eligibility verification. In this comprehensive guide, we take a look at its core components and show how modern solutions are making this important process more efficient..

Insurance Verification Challenges

In today’s complex healthcare landscape, obtaining accurate insurance information is critical yet increasingly difficult. Common problems include old eligibility data, missed patient details or coverage changes, which impact the workflow and cause revenue loss if not addressed.

Without vigilant eligibility and benefits verification, critical mistakes can easily occur, including:

  • Submitting claims to the wrong payer
  • Failure to capture patient responsibility
  • Writing off accounts that had further billable coverage

Such errors frequently result in denied claims and slowed reimbursement. They also contribute to already burdensome administrative tasks for staff.

A Closer Look at Three Core Challenges

Manual Processes

Despite technological progress, some providers still occasionally use manual verification through phone calls. They consume a significant amount of administrative time and risk human error due to misfiled paperwork or poor documentation.

Data Fragmentation

Vital insurance data is often scattered across different systems and departments, making it time-consuming for billing and administrative staff to gather complete coverage information.

Dynamic Change

Medicaid and Medicare coverage may be subject to change. Outdated information may lead to claim denials which otherwise could have been avoided.

Effects on Providers and Patients

Ineffective verification penalizes both healthcare providers and their patients.

For providers, the financial consequences are clear:

  • Delayed revenue collections
  • Risk of denial write-offs
  • Higher administrative costs

For patients, the effects may be less direct but can significantly impact their experience:

  • Unexpected out-of-pocket expenses
  • Delayed treatment authorizations
  • Billing disputes and complications

Any resulting patient dissatisfaction can harm the provider’s reputation and future referrals.

The Importance of Checking Patient Responsibility

Verification issues affect how deductibles and copays are managed. Data gaps make it difficult for staff to accurately inform patients about what they owe.

Inaccurate estimates can lead to patient complaints and allegations of deceptive pricing. Evolving technologies offer a smart way of improving the eligibility verification process.

The High Costs of Eligibility Failure

A recent Change Healthcare report analyzed the revenue impacts of eligibility-related claim defects. Findings revealed:

  • Up to 20% of initial claims contain eligibility errors
  • 23% increase in denial rates over 3 years
  • From $1,012 to $7,876 (in public hospitals); and from $3,906 to $24,687 (in private hospitals): Average hospital claim value

Collectively, these factors equate to tremendous lost revenue, given the pricey claims affected.

For a 500 bed hospital submitting 5000 claims per month, denial rates spiking from 10% to 15% would translate into $25 million in annual revenue at risk.

The Core Elements of Insurance Verification

Effective verification relies on several key components working together:

Accurate Data Collection

  • Obtain detailed coverage information during admission
  • Record policy details precisely in centralized electronic records
  • Identify any secondary or supplemental plans

Ongoing Eligibility Monitoring

  • Conduct initial real-time verification upon admission
  • Track coverage changes and adjustments

Benefits Confirmation

  • Clarify types of covered services
  • Review referral and authorization requirements
  • Identify network status and out-of-network provisions

Financial Responsibility Communication

  • Check for applicable copays, coinsurance, and deductibles
  • Align and discuss the out-of-pocket costs with patients

Emerging Verification Solutions

Advancing technology enables automation to streamline verification process components, improving efficiency.

Automated Eligibility Verification Systems

Modern automated web-based platforms can validate coverage specifics in seconds.

They verify multiple payers and update provider systems through integration, reducing labor hours spent on calls and paperwork.

Popular options like eSolutions and Experian Health offer such capabilities. However, they lack regular automated patient coverage monitoring essential for billing accuracy.

Newer solutions fully automate verification and coordinate its various facets. These suites integrate verification and coverage tracking into a single system. Staff can access patient insurance records from a single dashboard, verifying eligibility and benefits in one step. This reduces disjointed data that can confuse the staff.

Two Standout Features

Insurance Discovery – Uncovers Additional Billable Coverage

Uncovers additional billable coverage by searching external databases, boosting legitimate claim submissions.

Automated Coverage Tracking – No More Manual Monitoring

Monitors coverage changes automatically, notifying staff of critical updates that may affect pending claims. This feature prevents multiple claim denials due to incorrect insurance data being used.

Spotlight on Approved Admissions Verification

Approved Admissions exemplifies how advanced technology can streamline the insurance verification process, accelerating revenue and admissions.

The unique platform verifies Medicaid, Medicare, and many other commercial payers while also continuously tracking changes.

Insurance Discovery

Approved Admissions also provides a coverage discovery tool that allows user to uncover additional active coverage by searching external databases in real-time. The feature maximizes revenue collection opportunities.

The searches identify probable payers from claim information, delivering new coverage details to maximize.

Integrations

A defining advantage is Approved Admissions’ tight integration with major EHR/PM systems, including Epic, Cerner, Allscripts, and Athena.

The bi-directional data exchange automatically transfers verified specifics into patient records while importing demographics to check against payer data. This closes gaps that commonly cause eligibility confusion and claim problems.

The integration speeds workflows by allowing staff to verify coverage, benefits, and responsibility right within their regular software systems, eliminating tedious screen switching.

Best Practices for Insurance Verification

Here is how you can maximize the use of insurance verification software:

Identify Verification Gaps

Analyze current methods to pinpoint shortcomings that lead to manual errors or use outdated information.

Map Future Workflows

Check in advance how the system will integrate into existing software. This will simplify future integration.

Notify Staff In Advance

Communicate the plans to use new software with the future responsible users. Organize training sessions or demos with the software provider in advance in order to give the employees the chance to learn the new tool.

Leverage Automated Tracking

Focus on insurance changes tracking features, as according to data from providers, every 6th Medicare or Medicaid patient will have changes in their coverage every month.

Missed changes are very costly and may represent a majority of claim denials that are related to incorrect insurance.

Run Regular Discovery Searches

Periodically search for potentially missed coverage  (especially for self-pay accounts) to maximize your revenue collection opportunities.

The Critical Role of Accurate Eligibility Data

Complete patient insurance information is critical for other revenue cycle management tasks like coding, billing, authorization, etc.

Eligibility-driven denials inflict significant financial losses, requiring additional administrative work to refile correctly and delaying payment.

Key Metrics that Signify Improvements

Tracking key revenue cycle management metrics allows healthcare providers to quantify the effectiveness of their processes. This helps identify opportunities for improvement to boost financial performance.

Some vital metrics to monitor include:

Claim Denial Rate

The claim denial rate measures the percentage of submitted claims rejected by payers. A high denial rate signals issues in the claim generation and submission process.

To calculate:

Number of denied claims ÷ Total number of claims submitted x 100

Lowering denial rates reduces lost revenue from unpaid claims. It also cuts the administrative costs of reworking and resubmitting rejected claims.

Automating insurance eligibility verification and claim scrubbing helps minimize incorrect information, the primary driver of denials. Monitoring changes in first-pass claim acceptance rates shows the impact of these measures over time.

Days in Accounts Receivable

This metric tracks the average number of days from when services are provided to when payments are received. The lower the number, the better the organization collects its earnings.

To calculate:

Total outstanding accounts receivable ÷ Average daily net revenue

Proactively following up on outstanding claims and educating patients on financial expectations and payment options helps speed up collections. Regularly review A/R days, bi-weekly or monthly to track improvements.

Net Collection Rate

The net collection rate shows the percentage of total charges that the healthcare provider actually collects as payment after accounting for adjustments and write-offs. Higher is better.

To calculate:

Total payments received ÷ Gross charges x 100

Comprehensive charge capture, robust denial management, and efficient collection procedures improve this rate over time. Tracking this metric indicates the success of revenue cycle initiatives.

Bad Debt Rate

The bad debt rate reveals the percentage of services provided that are written off as uncollectible after exhaustive collection attempts. A lower rate is preferable.

To calculate:

Total bad debt write-offs ÷ Total charges x 100

Clear financial responsibility estimates and payment plan options for patients can reduce bad debt write-offs.

Tracking these vital metrics will provide quantitative insights into your revenue cycle performance. Compare the numbers before and after targeted process improvements to understand the extent of their impact.

Embrace the Future of Insurance Verification in Healthcare

The stakes are high: mistakes in insurance verification can lead to revenue loss and potential patient dissatisfaction. However, the tools and best practices outlined here offer a roadmap to mitigate the key risks related to incorrect insurance verification.

Eligibility automation tools simplify billing processes, reduce claim denials, and streamline the revenue cycle.

When looking for a suitable tool, first and foremost, ensure that the technology aligns with your organization’s specific needs and goals.

Look for technologies that seamlessly integrate with your existing electronic health record (EHR) and billing systems.

Evaluate whether the technology provides comprehensive payer connectivity, including support for a wide range of insurance providers such as Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial plans. This ensures that you can verify coverage across your patient population without limitations.

Consider features like automated coverage tracking, which continuously monitors patient insurance status and alerts staff to any changes that might affect billing or authorization.

 

Author’s Bio

Alan Dworetsky – Business Development Director, Approved Admissions

With 18 years of experience, Alan Dworetsky is a senior leader specializing in healthcare business development and strategic planning.

He knows a thing or two about healthcare software and revenue cycle management, with a deep understanding of how to best use technology for healthcare practices’ operational needs.

Alan’s work focuses on combining technology and smart planning to help businesses grow, solve challenges, and enhance billing operations.

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Case Management Certification programs and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

How Holistic Wellness Transforms Your Life.

By – James M. Katz, BA

Most of us know those moments when standard health advice falls short. One expert talks about diet alone. Another focuses on exercise. A third emphasizes meditation. This leaves us confused about putting all the pieces together. A comprehensive approach to holistic wellness provides the answer. Research and practice over the last several years have shown that true well-being doesn’t fix isolated issues. The human body works as an interconnected system. Physical health, mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual well-being are the foundations of one complete system. This piece explains how a comprehensive approach to holistic wellness can revolutionize your life. The core principles and practical strategies will help you build a tailored path to complete well-being that enhances every aspect of your health.

Understanding the Holistic Wellness Revolution

The comprehensive wellness movement has brought remarkable changes to our approach toward holistic healthcare and wellbeing. The global wellness economy has grown substantially from $3.70 trillion in 2015 to $4.20 trillion in 2017, showing our collective move toward detailed health solutions.

The Rise of Wellness Thinking

Modern understanding of comprehensive holistic wellness has deep roots in ancient civilizations like Greece, Rome, and Asia. These cultures developed advanced ways to maintain health. Ancient practices, especially Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, focused on creating balance between body, mind, and spirit. Modern research and understanding have now revived these time-tested principles.

Why Traditional Approaches Fall Short

Traditional wellness approaches don’t work well because they:

• Treat symptoms instead of addressing root causes
• Don’t consider environmental effects on health
• Create solutions without scientific evidence

Traditional programs typically achieve nowhere near 30% employee participation. This shows we need a more detailed approach. The biggest problem isn’t just about participation. These approaches don’t deal very well with individual needs because they use a one-size-fits-all strategy.

The Integration of Mind, Body, and Spirit

Better health comes from balancing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Research supports this idea. When we address these connected aspects together, we create lasting health outcomes.

Recent studies show 81% of people now prioritize physical health, while 74% focus on mental health, and 71% emphasize emotional wellbeing. These numbers reflect our growing awareness that wellness isn’t separate – it’s a dynamic mix of life’s various aspects.

The power of comprehensive wellness lies in recognizing the mind-body connection. Mental and emotional states substantially affect our physical health, and vice versa. This connected approach creates a foundation for lasting wellness that covers every aspect of our being.

The Five Pillars of Holistic Healthcare Transformation

The path to comprehensive wellness rests on three fundamental pillars that work in perfect harmony. These pillars create the foundations for lasting change in our lives.

Physical Vitality and Movement

Physical well-being is the life-blood of comprehensive wellness. Regular movement improves not just physical health but also affects our vitality. This vitality determines our health, happiness, positive relationships, and life satisfaction. Physical activity builds strength and creates a foundation for overall wellness.

Here are the key benefits of physical vitality:

• Improved cardiovascular health and lung function
• Higher energy levels and reduced fatigue
• Better sleep quality and deeper rest
• Reduced risk of chronic diseases

Mental Clarity and Emotional Balance

Mental holistic wellness extends way beyond the reach and influence of stress management. Recent studies show that comprehensive approaches to mental health can substantially affect our overall well-being. Spiritual practices and mindfulness help people cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. 

The sort of thing i love is how our emotional and mental states interconnect. Dr. Gabor Mate’s research emphasizes that “safety is not the absence of threat; it is the presence of connection”. This understanding has transformed our approach to mental wellness.

Spiritual Connection and Purpose

Spiritual wellness brings the most profound changes in our transformation. Spiritual wellness isn’t about religion – it gives meaning to life and helps understand our purpose.

Dr. Lisa J. Miller’s neuroscience research shows how spirituality relates to a more resilient and reliable brain. On top of that, Dr. Bruce Lipton’s foundational research in energetics and epigenetics shows how our thoughts affect our DNA. This suggests that spiritual practices cultivating compassion, peace, and love can activate gene expression. The result is a physically healthier and more joyful life.A Holistic Wellness Diagram

The human spirit needs purposeful practice just like our bodies need exercise. A nurtured spirit develops resilience to experience peace and purpose during life’s most challenging moments. This spiritual strength becomes our anchor and helps us direct through difficulties with grace while we retain our sense of purpose even in adversity.

Creating Your Holistic Wellness Foundation

A strong foundation for an all-encompassing approach to wellness begins with understanding our current position. Let’s discover how we can build a framework for lasting change through careful planning, setting goals, and daily habits.

Assessing Your Current Wellness State

The first step in this experience requires us to assess our current state using reliable tools. Research shows that the most trusted instruments include the Wellness Evaluation of Lifestyle, Five-factor Wellness Evaluation, and the Body-Mind-Spirit Wellness Behavior Inventory. These detailed tools help us get into several aspects of our wellbeing:

• Physical vitality and health patterns
• Mental and emotional balance
• Social connections and support systems
• Purpose and spiritual direction
• Environmental influences

Setting Integrated Holistic Wellness Goals

A full picture of our current state allows us to create meaningful goals. Studies show that using standardized wellness measurement instruments in primary care settings can boost preventive services and behavioral health outcomes by a lot. Note that wellness extends beyond the absence of illness – it’s a lifelong process where we make decisions to live a more balanced and meaningful life.

We can make our wellness experience more manageable by creating SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). This structure will give a clear path for our wellness transformation.

Building Daily Wellness Rituals

Daily practices hold the real power of transformation. Research shows that intentional everyday rituals can turn ordinary routines into moments of personal significance and reflection. These rituals need three basic elements: intention, attention, and repetition.

Here are five foundational rituals that can boost our overall wellness:

1. Morning Meditation: Start each day with grounding practices to reduce stress and improve concentration
2. Mindful Movement: Add regular physical activity that lines up with our energy levels
3. Nature Connection: Time outdoors clears our mind and improves our mood
4. Evening Reflection: Practice gratitude and review our daily experiences
5. Digital Detox: Stay away from devices at least an hour before bed to improve sleep quality

These rituals, when practiced consistently, can boost our self-worth and create inner peace. Note that wellness means something different to each person, and what helps one person might not help another. Success comes from building a foundation that strikes a chord with our personal needs while staying flexible enough for growth and adjustment.

Navigating Common Transformation Challenges

Living a holistic wellness lifestyle brings its own set of challenges. Learning to guide ourselves through these obstacles makes our experience smoother and environmentally responsible. Let’s explore ways to overcome these common hurdles together.

Overcoming Resistance to Change

Our minds often resist change when we start our wellness experience. Research shows that resistance isn’t just about willpower – it’s deeply rooted in our brain’s hardwiring to keep us safe and maintain familiar patterns. This understanding helps us approach change with more compassion and patience. 

Our brain learns to survive through familiar patterns. Rather than fighting this resistance, we can work with it by setting SMART goals that arrange with our brain’s natural tendencies. This approach creates lasting change without triggering our internal defense mechanisms.A graphic showing the various types of holistic healthcare

Managing Time and Energy

Managing energy, not just time, plays a vital role in holistic transformation. Research indicates that while time is finite, energy can be systematically expanded and renewed through specific rituals. This change in viewpoint has revolutionized our daily wellness practices. 

Our bodies operate in natural cycles called ultradian rhythms, consisting of 90-120 minute periods of high energy followed by lower energy phases. Understanding these rhythms helps optimize our daily activities:

• Schedule challenging tasks during high-energy periods
• Take strategic breaks during natural energy dips
• Practice deep breathing exercises between activities
• Create boundaries around technology use
• Arrange activities with our natural energy flows

Maintaining Motivation and Momentum

Motivation needs more than willpower. Studies show that emotional connections to wellness goals create more sustainable change. The process matters more than the end result for maintaining long-term momentum.

The 1% Better Approach works effectively. Small, incremental improvements work better than dramatic changes. A person who exercises for 10 minutes today aims for 11 minutes tomorrow. This compound effect creates sustainable progress without system overwhelm.

Emotional energy management plays a key role in maintaining momentum. Research shows that positive situation reframing and expressing appreciation build emotional resilience for long-term transformation. Brief but regular breaks throughout the day help recharge and maintain steady progress toward wellness goals.
Strategic solutions and understanding these challenges create a more sustainable approach to our wellness experience. Note that transformation isn’t about perfection – it focuses on progress and consistency in daily choices.

Measuring Your Holistic Wellness Progress

Wellness tracking needs both art and science to work well. Research and practice show that measuring wellness means more than just counting steps or tracking calories.

Key Wellness Indicators to Track

The CDC uses various surveys to assess health and wellness in multiple ways. Here are the essential indicators you should track:

• Physical Health Metrics: Daily activity levels, sleep quality, and vital signs
• Mental Wellness Markers: Stress levels, anxiety patterns, and mood fluctuations
• Emotional Balance: Social connections and relationship quality
• Spiritual Growth: Sense of purpose and inner peace
• Environmental Impact: Living space wellness and community involvement

Studies show that several factors affect our mental and emotional health. These include worry, mood, sleep, stress, relationships, and alcohol consumption. Monitoring these connected elements creates a better picture of overall wellness.

Using Technology for Wellness Monitoring

Technology makes tracking wellness easier than ever. Smart watches and fitness trackers have become essential tools. More than 300 million people used wellness apps in 2023. These devices track everything from physical activity to sleep patterns and give great insights about overall wellbeing.
A remarkable fact is that 80% of wearable device users want to share their health information with healthcare providers. This blend of technology and professional healthcare support creates an all-encompassing approach to wellness monitoring.

Adjusting Your Approach Based on Results

Analytical insights help guide decisions and make meaningful changes. The CDC’s behavioral risk factor surveillance system helps understand how many days mental or physical health might not be optimal. This data helps develop activities, programs, and policies that improve overall health. 

You should look at multiple data points when checking progress:

1. Short-term Indicators: Daily energy levels, mood patterns, and physical activity
2. Medium-term Trends: Monthly sleep quality, stress management effectiveness
3. Long-term Progress: Quarterly wellness assessments, yearly health markers

Studies show that standardized wellness measurement tools substantially improve preventive services and behavioral health outcomes. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale works well to monitor mental wellbeing in the general population. This helps people make better decisions about their wellness.

Note that measuring progress isn’t about being perfect. It helps you understand patterns and make smart adjustments. Modern technology combined with traditional wellness metrics creates a more nuanced and effective way to track your wellness experience.

Building a Sustainable Wellness Lifestyle

The path to lasting wellness starts when we shape our environment to support our health goals. Research shows that creating safe and supportive environments leads to better health outcomes and improves overall wellbeing. 

Creating Supportive Environments

Our environment plays a significant role in our wellness. Studies suggest that supportive spaces help reduce high-risk behaviors and mental health issues. Here’s how we can create a wellness-friendly space:

• Physical Space Organization: Declutter and arrange for optimal flow
• Natural Elements: Add plants and natural light
• Wellness Zones: Set up areas for meditation and exercise
• Digital Boundaries: Create tech-free spaces for peace of mind
• Air Quality: Keep proper ventilation and purification

Research shows that colleges with wellbeing resources and programs see better student outcomes. We can use these insights to improve our personal spaces and reach our wellness goals.

Developing Healthy Relationships

Our relationships shape our wellness deeply. Studies show that connecting with peers helps ease loneliness and builds a sense of belonging. Healthy relationships need several key elements to last.

People with strong social connections have better health outcomes. They show lower rates of anxiety and depression, higher self-esteem, and build more trusting and cooperative relationships.

Active listening and open communication help nurture these bonds. Research shows that emotional support helps mental health recovery, and small gestures can make a big difference.A picture of a spa with candles lit.

Maintaining Long-term Balance

A sustainable wellness lifestyle focuses on progress, not perfection. Studies suggest that habits take about 66 days to form. This means we need patience and consistency. 

Long-term balance needs attention to every aspect of wellness. Research shows that wellness changes constantly and needs good self-care. We should regularly check and adjust our approach based on our needs.

Strategic breaks throughout the day boost productivity and creativity. Our bodies work in 90-120 minute cycles of high and low energy. Planning activities around these natural cycles helps maintain balance.

Daily rituals support overall wellbeing effectively. Research suggests that workshops, seminars, and events help ease stress and provide ways to handle challenges. These opportunities become part of our routine, making wellness natural rather than another task.

This approach to wellness creates a lifestyle that lasts. Studies show that sustainable living means understanding how our choices affect the world and finding ways for everyone to live better. Our wellness practices benefit us, our community, and our environment.

Conclusion

All-encompassing wellness is more than just another health trend. It’s an approach that recognizes how our physical vitality, mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual wellbeing are interconnected. We’ve seen these elements work together to create positive changes that last.

Experience and research tell us that lasting change doesn’t need perfect execution or major life overhauls. The foundation for lasting wellness comes from small, consistent steps backed by daily mindful practices and tech-enabled tracking. We succeed by creating environments that help us grow, building supportive relationships, and staying flexible as we move forward.

Note that wellness isn’t a destination – it’s a continuous trip of growth and discovery. Every step toward better health brings us closer to the balanced, vibrant life we deserve. This could be through morning meditation, mindful movement, or meaningful connections. Our all-encompassing approach doesn’t just improve our health – it improves every aspect of our lives. These positive changes create ripples that spread way beyond ourselves.

If you’re part of the nursing field and are looking for a way to expand your healthcare career, then you should visit the American Institute of Health Care Professional’s online certification program in Holistic Healthcare. The certification program is designed to give you a greater understanding of the holistic wellness field. All of the required courses are based on competency exams and are taken 100% online. For a full review of the program as well as the required courses, please press here.

FAQs

Q1. What is holistic wellness and how does it differ from traditional approaches? Holistic wellness is an approach that considers the interconnectedness of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health. Unlike traditional approaches that often focus on treating isolated symptoms, holistic wellness aims to create harmony between all dimensions of well-being for overall health and life satisfaction.

Q2. How can I start incorporating holistic wellness practices into my daily routine? Begin by assessing your current wellness state and setting integrated goals. Implement daily rituals such as morning meditation, mindful movement, nature connection, evening reflection, and digital detox. Remember to start small and focus on consistency rather than perfection.

Q3. What are some common challenges in maintaining a holistic wellness lifestyle? Common challenges include overcoming resistance to change, managing time and energy effectively, and maintaining motivation. To address these, focus on setting SMART goals, aligning activities with your natural energy cycles, and adopting a ‘1% Better Approach’ for sustainable progress.

Q4. How can I measure my progress in holistic wellness? Track key wellness indicators across multiple dimensions, including physical health metrics, mental wellness markers, emotional balance, spiritual growth, and environmental impact. Utilize technology like wellness apps and wearable devices to monitor your progress, and regularly review and adjust your approach based on the results.

Q5. What role do relationships and environment play in holistic wellness? Supportive relationships and environments are crucial for sustainable holistic wellness. Focus on creating spaces that promote well-being, nurturing healthy connections with others, and maintaining a balance across all dimensions of wellness. Remember that wellness is an ongoing journey that involves continuous adaptation and growth.

Research Articles:

Rationing of nursing care, a deviation from holistic nursing: A systematic review. Lata Mandal MSc Nursing, Et Al. Nursing Philosophy Volume 21, Issue 1. Special Issue: Missed care, care left undone: Organisation ethics and the appropriate use of the nursing resource. January 2020 e12257

Full Article

Holistic Nursing in Practice: Mindfulness-Based Yoga as an Intervention to Manage Stress and Burnout. Hilcove K, Marceau C, Thekdi P, Larkey L, Brewer MA, Jones K. Journal of Holistic Nursing. 2021;39(1):29-42.

Full Article

Phenomenology for the Holistic Nurse Researcher: Underpinnings of Descriptive and Interpretive Traditions. Patton CM. Journal of Holistic Nursing. 2020;38(3):278-286.

Full Article

Implementing a Spiritual Care Subject for Holistic Nursing Practice: A Mixed Method Study. Cooper KL, Chang E. Journal of Holistic Nursing. 2023;41(3):233-245.

Full Article

Arab Americans and Grief Counseling Video Blog

Arab Americans face unique challenges and losses that grief counselors must be aware of.  Cultural competency helps grief counselors understand the issues Arab Americans face and how their culture interprets loss and stress.  Unique to Arab Americans is cultural differences with the West as well as stereotypes regarding Islam.

This video takes a closer look at these issues and how grief counselors can better assist Arab American clients.  Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification as well as its Grief Diversity Certification.  Both programs are online and independent study with instructor mentorship as needed

Grief Counseling and Native American Populations Video

Cultural competency is important in counseling. Grief counselors or any counselors need to be aware of their own biases and beliefs as well as how they are perceived by diverse populations.  They also need to be adequately trained in target populations to better help them.   Native Americans have their own unique strengths, challenges, history, traumas, and cultural expressions that need to be understood to better help them in counseling.

Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals

 

Compassion Fatigue and Burnout in the Helping Professions

The helping professions are strenuous at a personal level but also a professional level.  They demand the best of everyone to not only at a personal level but also at a professional level.  One is not only taking upon their own personal stressors but also a number of other personal stressors and crises of other people.  Whether a police officer, social worker, counselor, nurse, chaplain, first responder, crisis worker, or hospice care worker, one will find oneself in situations of intense pain, crisis and trauma.  This involves not only juggling one’s own daily life but also being emotionally, mentally and physically available at a professional level.  Compassion fatigue and burnout is very common in these areas and can cause intense crisis to the helping professional.

Burnout and Compassion Fatigue

Burnout is common for individuals who are overworked or feel helpless or not valued. Human Service Workers especially experience this type of burnout if not careful

According to James, burnout is the “internal psychological experience involving feelings, attitudes, motives and expectations…the total psychic energy of the person has been consumed (2017, p. 544).”  Burnout just does not occur as a crisis overnight but is a long process that gradually emerges over a variety of reasons.  Occupational burnout according to James occurs for six major reasons.  First, workload becomes too complex, urgent and traumatic.  Second, freedom and control are restricted and the individual becomes micromanaged and has to deal with ineffective leaders or teams.  Third, lack of reward whether emotional, financial, symbolic or even simple recognition of service is ignored.  Fourth, absence of social support.  Fifth, lack of justice and fairness to the case or situation and sixth, discordant values with employer or organization (2017, p. 544).  All of these sources can lead individuals into a state of burnout when dealing with their job or cases.  In addition, these overall stressors can lead to stress related diseases or as Selye refers General Adaptation Syndrome (James, 2017. p. 545).

Individuals who suffer from burnout face multidimensional symptoms which are behavioral, cognitive, spiritual, affective and physical.   Burnout according to James can be trait in that is is all encompassing and has rendered the worker unfunctional, or it can be a state of activity in which the activity being performed over and over becomes the primary source (2017, P. 551).

Those who suffer compassion fatigue share in the same basic issues of burnout but because of dealing with cases and victims.  This can in addition lead to secondary traumatic stress disorder through the stories and experiences or at a higher level secondary trauma via vicarious traumatization where the caregiver beings to transform and shares the client’s related trauma (James, 2017, p., 554-555).

Intervention for Burnout

Individuals need to identify key signs of potential burnout and address it properly.  The biggest thing to realize is how can someone help another person if one is in crisis him or herself?  It is important to administer self care and recognize the signs of burnout before they negatively affect career.  This involves recognition of burnout, addressing them with appropriate measures, setting boundaries when necessary, and practicing self care when appropriate.  Organizations are also responsible to ensure that employees are not over worked, and in cases that involve trauma ensure that their workers receive the necessary counseling to process what they witnessed.

Since many Human Service workers are perfectionists and many place too much weight on their shoulders to help as many as possible, it is important for self evaluation. Hence intervention exists at three levels involving training to identify burnout, organizational oversight and individual self care (James, 2017, p. 557).  Training to identify burnout is key and also emphasis on self care.  Individuals need to have a strong understanding of the type of trauma their career will demand.  Organizations need to maintain proper monitoring of hours of their workers, as well creating a work place that is open to expression, ideas and values that both organization and employee share.  Managers need to take a personal interest in their workers mental health and identify signs of burnout or compassion fatigue.  When seen, they need to intervene and help the individual find time off, counseling or other resources to help their employee fulfill daily duties.  Social support systems within the organization that supply listening, technical support and emotional support are key (James, 2017, p. 562).   Individual support groups of liked careers can also play key roles in helping individuals face the stressors and traumas of the job.

Self care is one of the key preventing resources to burnout as well as a way to alleviate it. James attests that individuals are just as responsible for maintaining emotional and mental stability as their employer (2017, p., 564).  Hence it  is important to self monitor for signs of distress and if distress starts to occur, then to properly address it.  This may involve recognizing that the world is not one’s full responsibility or other false narratives that only oneself can help this particular person.  It may involve not being a perfectionist and reducing work load.  It may involve understanding that one is not defined solely by career but also multiple other social connections It may involve imposing boundaries and understanding it is OK to say no to something or someone.  Self care is hence critical especially since burnout slowly erodes a person sometimes before a person can recognize it. Below are a few self care ideas in relation to cognitive, behavioral, affective, physical, social and spiritual aspects of one’s life.

First responders, chaplains, hospice workers, nurses, counselors, social workers, crisis workers and other behavioral health professionals need to practice self care

Cognitive

  • One’s thinking has to go beyond problems at work.  It is important to find time cognitively to think of other things.  Reading and music can be excellent forms of self care that challenge the brain and force it to think of other things than work.  Pick up a novel or even read a comic book!
  • Study something new and entirely foreign and different from work.  Challenge oneself with games, or crossword puzzles
  • Set boundaries with others who push

Behavioral

  • How we act at work needs to be different at home.  Take time to loosen up and dress down.  Enjoy the simple unrestrained life at home and embrace it.  Act upon adaptive coping strategies that promote healthy behaviors and avoid maladaptive ones that attempt to hide the issue
  • Do something safe but spontaneous and fun outside the regular weekly life

Affective

  • Emotionally, case loads and co workers can be exhausting.  We can have anger and frustration.  It is important to emotionally care for ourselves.  This can involve music, but also meditation and mindfulness.
  • Massage
  • Treat yourself to a snack or dessert or anything that is safe but provides self comfort
  • Visit a place that is special
  • Allow time to express to a good friend and vent or utilize a diary to manage negative emotions

Physical

  • Exercise is key to helping one let out aggression but also release healthy endorphins.
  • Exercise can give one other goals outside the office such as good health and strength
  • Jogging, biking, hiking, swimming, weight lifting, brisk walking, yoga or whatever physical activity helps you find yourself
  • Find time to sleep

Social

  • Many times, individuals with burnout turn into only work and become isolated.  It is important to remember that life exists after work.  Positive activities are key.  Some can be planned, others should be implemented as time permits.  It is important to have time management so that activities do not stress or make one feel they are neglecting work
  • Family game night
  • Out to dinner
  • Hobbies
  • Movie or show
  • Any type of party or entertainment
  • vacation

Spiritual

  • Balance in life is key.  We many times balance profession, academics, mental, emotional and physical life but forget spiritual.  Spirituality is a key health component of a person because whichever the belief it gives life a higher meaning.
  • Personal prayer
  • Reading the Bible, Koran, Torah, or whichever spiritual or life meaning book on philosophy
  • Attending one’s religious services and other events
  • Keeping good spiritual hygiene that correlates with one’s religious beliefs

Conclusion

Self care is key to preventing burnout crisis. Please also review AIHCP’s Crisis Intervention Specialist Program

Burnout occurs especially for human service professionals.  Those in healthcare, behavioral health, ministry, human service, and public service are faced with the double edged sword of not only personal issues but also being exposed to secondary stressors of other people.  Through time, compassion fatigue or burnout can occur and professionals need to be aware of what causes it and also understand the steps to prevent as well as intervene regarding it.  Organizations and employers also have a responsibility to protect their crisis and human service workers through various checks and programs.  Self care is ultimately a key friend to any human service professional and is a must for anyone who wishes to work in a field exposed to so much trauma and pain.  While self care can be very subjective in nature to the person’s life it is very objective in the end result of better affective, physical, and cognitive functioning for the professional

Please also review AIHCP’s Stress Management Consulting Certification, as well as AIHCP’s Crisis Intervention Specialist Program.  Both programs are online and independent study with mentorship as needed.

 

 

 

 

Resource

James, R. & Gilliland, B. (2017). “Crisis Intervention Strategies”(8th). Cengage.

Additional Resources

Jackson, K. (2014). “Social Worker Self-Care —  The Overlooked Core Competency”. Social Work Today. Access here

Sparks, A. (2023). “7 strategies to help prevent burnout”.  Medical News Today.  Access here

Sherman, L. (2022). “8 Tips for Avoiding Burnout and Functioning at Your Best”. Healthline. Access here

Hendrlksen, E. (2021). “7 Ways to Recover from Burnout”. Psychology Today.  Access here

“Job burnout: How to spot it and take action”. Mayo Clinic Staff. Mayo Clinic.  Access here

Christian Counseling and the Psychological Benefit of Forgiving

Forgiveness is a key concept within the Christian faith and embodies the message of Jesus Christ.  Christ teaches us to love our enemies (Mt 5:43-44).   In Luke 6:27, He states to do good for those who hate you and in Matthew 5:39, He tell His followers to turn the other cheek for those who persecute you.  He reminds His followers that if one does not forgive the sins of others, then the Father will not forgive them of their sins (Mt 6:15).  Again, on the cross, showing the ultimate example, Christ begged the Father to forgive those who crucified Him crying out “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do (Luke 23:34)”.

It is clear that the message of Jesus Christ is to forgive others for the trespasses against oneself.  This core principle is perhaps one of the hardest elements for many to practically apply in Christian life.  It is very difficult to forgive an ex spouse, an assaulter, or someone who has financially wronged or cheated another.  Furthermore, for many in war torn areas, it is near impossible to forget past genocides and past wars that has led to centuries of feuds between families and nations.   To some, the Christian notion of forgiveness seems impossible to apply to everyday life.  In fact, it seems to almost ask Christians to be pacifists to the extreme and not even defend self or protect others.  The truth is not never forgiving nor forgetting justice, but in a point between satisfies both demands.  Yes, Christians are called to forgive even those who physically persecute them but they are expected to abandon notions of justice or self respect.  Did not Christ say during the Sermon on the Mount that “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will have their fill (Mt 5:1-12)”?

Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Courses

Myths About Forgiveness

A time to forgive and move forward. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification

When choosing to find God’s grace to forgive another, it is important to dismiss false notions about forgiveness.  According to Curran, forgiveness does not mean one is condoning the action or behavior of the person, nor does it entertain the idea that the relationship will improve or that one must remain in the relationship, nor does it mean one’s emotions tied to the event will vanish, nor does it mean one surrenders one’s right to be angry, nor does it mean one must forget the action as it it never happened.    Forgiveness, according to Curran, is not pardoning a person and dismissing the hope of justice, nor does it mean condoning the action and not finding reprehensible, nor does it mean one must maintain any type of relationship with the person.  It is important to differentiate the term forgiveness from pardoning, condoning or reconciliation.

Stages and Process of Forgiveness

While fulfilling Christ’s mandate to forgive others, forgiveness sets one free from the bitter fruits of revenge and self decay of hate.  Hate eats away at the person and leads on down a dark road of sadistic and evil thoughts and potential actions. In many ways, Christ is hoping to save His children from becoming the very thing that harmed them.  It is said, that if one seeks revenge, then to dig two graves and this is so true.  Christ understood the freedom that forgiveness gives to oneself.

Biles discusses many reasons why one naturally pushes the saving grace of forgiveness before undertaking the long journey of experiencing it.  Much it has to do with our own broken nature and pride even when we are the offended party.  Bile states that many refuse to forgive because they believe the myth that forgiveness requires reconciliation.  In addition, individuals may look to “save face” and feel it is beneath them to forgive something so wrong committed against them.  They may see forgiveness as a symbol of weakness.  Others may feel the offender must complete a series of tasks to demean themselves or show satisfactory restitution to one’s ego (2020, p. 61). Pride can play a large role in not permitting the stages of forgiveness to finally blossom.

Biles also referencing the powers of the emotions of anger and disappointment.  With anger, the emotion is justified but over time it stifles any change of heart.  This when anger becomes toxic to forgiveness.  It is fine to feel this emotion but to allow it to dominate decisions keeps one chained to the offense.  Furthermore, disappointment can lead one down a trail of becoming the other person’s judge and jury.  While it is OK to be upset and disappointed in poor actions of others, it is not OK to decide what that disappointment dictates in terms of reparation.   What is just and what one wants can be two very different things (Biles, 2020, p. 62).

Through one’s faith in Jesus Christ and the grace of the Holy Spirit, one can embark on the journey and process of forgiveness.  One can finally grant oneself peace and freedom from the offense and offender.  One can offer to Christ forgiveness as a gift and allow it to free the soul from the darkness of the action.  It can allow the person to move forward with that peace and freedom to focus on other things and not be tormented by the past.  It also ends the cycle of the offense. It releases the eye for an eye mentality and ends the cycle of perpetual violence.  Hence according to Biles, forgiveness is a gift from Christ.  We must accept it, yield to it and allow it to redirect our energies in positive ways (2020, p. 72-73).

The process is not only a spiritual process but also a psychological one.  According to Curran, the first stage involves identifying the perpetrator and transgression.  This involves accepting the negative emotions associated with it and the various aspects of the event and how it damaged oneself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  Curran then points out that one must identify, experience and process the emotions.  Within this critical step, the individual acknowledges the feelings one has felt and how those feelings have affected them.  If in a safe place, this involves speaking to the person, if not, it can involve speaking to the person through therapies such as the Empty Chair found in Rogerian therapies.  The third stage involves a cognitive desire to forgive and the importance of it.  This means one understands the benefits of forgiveness and how one can finally see the transgressor as a human being.  This does not mean one forgives the action, but more so stops demonizing the individual but instead sees the person as broken.  The fourth stage involves setting clear boundaries with the offending party.  One has a duty to protect oneself but also to have an understanding that forgiveness does not have to equate with reconciliation.  Reconciliation itself depends on many subjective factors and relations between the person that cannot easily be decided.  For example, an ex boyfriend or girlfriend who has broken fidelity is far easier to avoid than an ex spouse with children, or for that matter dealing with an estranged child.  Obviously each issue needs to be a carefully reflected upon based on the events, persons and circumstances as well as the overall health of the offended.  Finally, one must integrate the past and recreate the future with peace of mind that what has happened has been let go.  While there still may be emotional residue, one is able to forge forward in a healthy and mental way (Curran). This is very similar to the 6 Steps of Forgiveness without the added step prior to reconciliation of canceling the debt and freeing oneself completely from the event (Biles, 2020, p.77).

Seeking Forgiveness and Forgiving Oneself

The first step is to seek forgiveness. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification

Many times, we may find ourselves on the other end of the story.  We are not the transgressed but the offender.  Whether it is a small thing or big thing, accidental or not, it is the duty of transgressor to seek forgiveness and acknowledge the wrong.  Sometimes, an individual may never find that forgiveness due to another but it is spiritually but also psychologically important to push forward and seek forgiveness.  No person is perfect, so we will find ourselves in the wrong at times and this is why Christ emphasizes the importance of forgiving each other.  No-one is perfect.  It is important to remove pride and move forward to rectify the situation.

The first step, is repentance.  With God, we find ourselves in this spot almost everyday.  Through sin we seek repentance.  One seeks to repent also for sins committed against one’s neighbor.  Repentance removes the blindfold of pride and acknowledges our broken nature and the need to find forgiveness.  The second step is restitution.   In Catholicism, the Sacrament of Penance seeks this psychological step not because forgiveness has been granted by Christ via the cross, but because of the vast importance for the person to show a sign or symbol of his/her repentance.  The action of penance symbolizes and materializes the spiritual process and serves as a reminder of action to the words of sorrow.  With our neighbor, our restitution may involve more.  If we broke something, or hurt someone, or stole, then one is required by the virtue of justice to attempt to restore what was taken.  Obviously emotional damage is harder to fix, but one is moved to offer any solutions possible to rectify the wrong committed.  The third step is to rehabilitate.  One must not only say words and offer actions but must change within the heart.  One must have a firm contrition to sin no more.  The process must be pure.  Christ reminded the sinful woman that her sins were forgiven, but to sin no more.  This involves rehabilitating oneself and not constantly repeating the same offense. Finally, through this sincere process of rehabilitation, one then looks towards the final step of rebuilding trust through not falling back into offenses but instead doing good (Biles, 2020, p. 82).

So many times though, even if forgiveness is given, one can fall into despair and have a difficult time forgiving oneself.  Individuals may feel their sin was too great or that they cannot be seen as a good person again.  The forgiveness of Christ wipes away sin but the emotional damage can still exist.  It is important to flee despair and find hope in Christ but many live with guilt and shame of past deeds.  These emotions which initially brought them to repentance and were good can become bad and poisonous after forgiveness has been granted.  Guilt and shame serve an initial purpose but can erode at the mental and spiritual health of a person who refuses to forgive oneself.

Individuals may refuse to forgive oneself due to despair but some may also hold themselves to higher standards. Bile points out that it is emotionally difficult sometimes to forgive because one cannot escape one’s own thoughts and one cannot escape the fact one offended God, or neighbor in a way that is not oneself.  One has not only offended another but offended one’s self concept (2020, p. 83).   In forgiving oneself, one must first fulfill the duties to God and neighbor and take responsibility and seek repentance.   Secondly, one strive for peace within.  This is the most difficult aspect. One must again battle between the vices of despair and hopelessness and find hope in Christ.  One must again see the good within oneself despite the event that does not define one’s character.  This involves humility and acceptance of one’s brokenness and a path of renewal of trust in everyday life.  When one refuses to forgive oneself, then one goes down a deep path of despair and self loathing that can lead to maladaptive coping and deeper offenses against others.  One owes it to oneself, to forgive oneself after one has sought to fix the past.  The pain still may be present and remind, but it can also be a strength for individuals to avoid the same pitfalls in the future and help others.  This involves realistic living within the situation.  This means acceptance if reconciliation occurs with the offended party or not, or if forgiveness is granted by the offended party or not.  Consequences can hurt but they do not need to define. By living each day virtuously in rejection of the sin, then one can find new meaning and connect the wrong of the past with the virtues of the present and future (Biles, 2020, p. 84).

Conclusion

There are numerous psychological benefits to granting forgiveness beyond merely spiritual ones. Seek and accept forgiveness!

Granting and seeking forgiveness are essential parts of our fallen human nature.  No-one is perfect and we will all be offended or offend others.  Christ’s paramount message is to forgive others and to seek forgiveness.  Within Christianity, forgiveness does not entail forgetting, or condoning, abandoning justice or necessarily even reconciling but it does entail removing hate, unjust anger and dehumanization of the person. It involves seeing the person as a broken person but still a person created by God.   The process of forgiveness is also psychologically beneficial and the process helps free one from the trauma of the past and helps direct the person to the future.  Whether seeking forgiveness or forgiving, it is essential to the tie the past even to the present narrative and to proceed forward to a healthy future.

Please also review AIHCP’s Anger Management Consulting Certification as well as its Christian Counseling Certification.  The programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification.

 

References

Biles, E. (2016). “Managing Anger and Learning Forgiveness”. Global Mosaic International.

Curran, L. “Myths and Stages of Forgiveness: Worksheets for Clinicians and Clients”.

Bible Gateway.

Additional Resources

Raypole, C. (2020). “How to Forgive Someone (Even If They Really Screwed Up)”. Healthline. Access here

Scott, E. (2023). “How to Forgive: 5 Tips for Letting Go and Moving On”. VeryWellMind. Access here

Regan, S. (2022). “How To Actually Forgive Someone: A Guide From Mental Health Experts”. MGBMindfullness.  Access here

Kim, J. (2023). “How to Forgive Yourself and Others”. Psychology Today. Access here