Friday, May 10, 2013
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Transition
This season of life is full of transition. Probably my greatest transition yet. It's full of life changing questions. Where will I work? What will I do? Where will I live? What needs to change? What should stay the same? Am I missing something? Am I doing everything? What lies ahead? Will I get there? Can I do it? What's for dinner? (ok, I just threw this one in there, but I still have to make these decisions too! stressful!) As you can see, I don't do so well with transition. It makes me feel stressed, anxious, and excited all at the same time. So in attempts to quiet and settle my soul, I'm sharing some inspiration. Don't let life in transition pass you by, it's where great growth takes place. RelaxBreathe&Enjoy!
Master
The day has finally come.
Tomorrow I will go to my
very
last
class.
My final final has been submitted.
I am done.
WHAT?! Freak OUT! %%*$(@)!#(
Where has the time gone? It does not seem possible that this is already happening.
Social workers call this period of transition termination. It sounds drastic, I know. But, it refers to the ending and closure of many things. The end of client relationships and my internship, saying goodbye to colleagues, professors, and classmates, leaving my community at NYU, and preparing for the next phase. I have been doing a lot of terminating these last few weeks. It's exciting, exhausting, and terrifying.
Now I must face the unknown. The daunting, looming, unknown. The job search begins, as well as the anxiety.
But, this anxiety is different. I will face the world as a Master. And that feels good.
Tomorrow I will go to my
very
last
class.
My final final has been submitted.
I am done.
WHAT?! Freak OUT! %%*$(@)!#(
Where has the time gone? It does not seem possible that this is already happening.
Social workers call this period of transition termination. It sounds drastic, I know. But, it refers to the ending and closure of many things. The end of client relationships and my internship, saying goodbye to colleagues, professors, and classmates, leaving my community at NYU, and preparing for the next phase. I have been doing a lot of terminating these last few weeks. It's exciting, exhausting, and terrifying.
Now I must face the unknown. The daunting, looming, unknown. The job search begins, as well as the anxiety.
But, this anxiety is different. I will face the world as a Master. And that feels good.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
5 weeks...
until you can begin calling me Master.
w h o a.
hence, my absence from this blog. too much to do in five weeks. maybe i'll see you in may. if i make it through. then i may start capitalizing words again. or, maybe not.
also, why am i going to grad school to be a therapist when this guy is giving away free advice in union square. let's hope i'll be a little more qualified in five weeks. and no, i did not take him up on his offer.
w h o a.
hence, my absence from this blog. too much to do in five weeks. maybe i'll see you in may. if i make it through. then i may start capitalizing words again. or, maybe not.
also, why am i going to grad school to be a therapist when this guy is giving away free advice in union square. let's hope i'll be a little more qualified in five weeks. and no, i did not take him up on his offer.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Animal Assisted Therapy
I recently attended a seminar on animal assisted therapy and fell in L O V E! I have to share what I learned because it is amazing and inspiring and beautiful.
There is an organization in New York called Puppies Behind Bars. This organization trains prison inmates to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans suffering with PTSD and various other trauma and mental health issues. I can't even explain to you how cool this is. Not only is this cool because of (1) the amazing animals, (2) the drastic change made in the lives of veterans, but also... (3) the rehabilitation that occurs among the prison inmates. Whoa!
The inmates are trained to work with these dogs from the time they are 8-week-old pups to when they are 18 months. They teach them over 90 commands and tasks. Yes, tasks! These dogs can call 911, do laundry, and respond to emotional stimuli. They are taught to "get your back," which means they stand facing the opposite direction to help vets that struggle with surprises from behind or triggers from hearing sounds they can't see. They are taught to "check the corners," which means they will go ahead of a vet and look both ways to ensure safety and no surprise encounters around the corners or outside a room. They can enter a room and turn on a light to help the vet feel safe and secure upon entering. They also respond to vets that are struggling with depression and offer affection and comfort. These are all triggers and symptoms of PTSD that many vets encounter when they return from the war.
For the inmates that train these pups, they are given an opportunity to contribute to something, learn something unique and useful, and have a purpose. They then meet the vets and train them in the commands and how to work with their service dog. Through this connection, the inmates and vets also form a special bond. In some way, they are experiencing similar things. They may both feel like an outcast, useless, insignificant, trapped, and stuck in this world they don't know how to belong in. But, through these dogs and the mission they are carrying out, something greater happens. Inmates are finding a purpose, and vets are finding healing.
It's beautiful.
And who doesn't love a cute, adorable puppy that takes care of you, shows love and affection, and keeps you safe (and does laundry!). But, this isn't all fluff (haha!), real rehabilitation is taking place, and vets are healing and finding their place in the civilian world.
There are other organizations using animals to assist with therapy as well. A Fair Shake for Youth uses dogs when working with at-risk youth. The dogs help the kids build empathy, social skills, positive speaking, and even address anti-bullying. A rescue dog that limps, is blind in one eye, and can't wag his tail, helps bring up the idea of bullying, treating others with kindness no matter their disability, and not judging people based on appearance. Why didn't I think of this?! Kids in foster care meet rescue dogs and learn about second chances, affirmation, and the power of love. Awesome! For those kids that have been traumatized or abused, they can shout a command and see the dog react. It teaches them that their voice matters and they are valuable.
Dogs are also being used in nursing homes and hospitals. They will sit with someone during chemo therapy, play with someone with dementia and help trigger memories and emotions, and bring a smile to children's faces during pre or post surgery.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. There is something special about the animal-human bond and it has been proven to enter people's lives in ways that humans cannot seem to reach. I love it. And I'd love to use it in my own practice someday.
I better watch out, or my job may be taken by a pooch.
There is an organization in New York called Puppies Behind Bars. This organization trains prison inmates to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans suffering with PTSD and various other trauma and mental health issues. I can't even explain to you how cool this is. Not only is this cool because of (1) the amazing animals, (2) the drastic change made in the lives of veterans, but also... (3) the rehabilitation that occurs among the prison inmates. Whoa!
The inmates are trained to work with these dogs from the time they are 8-week-old pups to when they are 18 months. They teach them over 90 commands and tasks. Yes, tasks! These dogs can call 911, do laundry, and respond to emotional stimuli. They are taught to "get your back," which means they stand facing the opposite direction to help vets that struggle with surprises from behind or triggers from hearing sounds they can't see. They are taught to "check the corners," which means they will go ahead of a vet and look both ways to ensure safety and no surprise encounters around the corners or outside a room. They can enter a room and turn on a light to help the vet feel safe and secure upon entering. They also respond to vets that are struggling with depression and offer affection and comfort. These are all triggers and symptoms of PTSD that many vets encounter when they return from the war.
For the inmates that train these pups, they are given an opportunity to contribute to something, learn something unique and useful, and have a purpose. They then meet the vets and train them in the commands and how to work with their service dog. Through this connection, the inmates and vets also form a special bond. In some way, they are experiencing similar things. They may both feel like an outcast, useless, insignificant, trapped, and stuck in this world they don't know how to belong in. But, through these dogs and the mission they are carrying out, something greater happens. Inmates are finding a purpose, and vets are finding healing.
It's beautiful.
And who doesn't love a cute, adorable puppy that takes care of you, shows love and affection, and keeps you safe (and does laundry!). But, this isn't all fluff (haha!), real rehabilitation is taking place, and vets are healing and finding their place in the civilian world.
There are other organizations using animals to assist with therapy as well. A Fair Shake for Youth uses dogs when working with at-risk youth. The dogs help the kids build empathy, social skills, positive speaking, and even address anti-bullying. A rescue dog that limps, is blind in one eye, and can't wag his tail, helps bring up the idea of bullying, treating others with kindness no matter their disability, and not judging people based on appearance. Why didn't I think of this?! Kids in foster care meet rescue dogs and learn about second chances, affirmation, and the power of love. Awesome! For those kids that have been traumatized or abused, they can shout a command and see the dog react. It teaches them that their voice matters and they are valuable.
Dogs are also being used in nursing homes and hospitals. They will sit with someone during chemo therapy, play with someone with dementia and help trigger memories and emotions, and bring a smile to children's faces during pre or post surgery.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. There is something special about the animal-human bond and it has been proven to enter people's lives in ways that humans cannot seem to reach. I love it. And I'd love to use it in my own practice someday.
I better watch out, or my job may be taken by a pooch.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Snow!
New Yorkers are real pansies when it comes to snow. Seriously. We got about 11-12 inches of snow and the news made an uproar! Blizzard! Stock up! Buy batteries! Stay in! And New Yorkers take this very seriously. They love prepping for storms. They go buy water, peanut butter and jelly, and get ready for the long haul. NYU even cancelled classes. What the heck? My Minnesota blood scoffed at them, laughed at them, and yes, judged them.
I will admit, although I do not miss the negative temps of Minnesota, I have missed the snow. Even though I think New Yorkers are wackos, I do love the quiet shut down and slow down it forces upon the city. Maybe Minnesota should stop being so efficient and allow the snow to slow things down a bit! It's kind of nice. :)
So grateful I do not have a car out here, especially now! I do not miss this.
Everyone was out and about in Prospect Park. Lots of sleds, children, and smiles.
Favorite thing about the snow...I got to wear my new snow boots! Thanks Dad!
Gorgeous. Love snow in New York! It covers all the trash. :)
Just so you know...This pic is not New York. This is Puerto Rico where Brennan was during the blizzard. Sitting in a rainforest drinking from a coconut. I will not get into my jealous fit of rage when I saw this photo as I was walking through the pelting sleet. We are the Yin and Yang. And I love him so. Jerk.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Philly
Sometimes I forget how nice it is to get out of the city. Even for a day, even for a few hours. And since I have never really traveled on the east coast, there is so much I need to see while I call myself an "east-coaster." Man, that still sounds weird. So...in attempts to make my way through the major east coast cities, meet Philly.
Brennan and I made a day trip with some friends to take in an art show. We had a great time and packed in all of Philly's sights.
Brennan and I made a day trip with some friends to take in an art show. We had a great time and packed in all of Philly's sights.
The Liberty Bell. I am definitely lacking in history knowledge, but I think this is a pretty big deal.
Us in front of Liberty Bell.
Independence Hall.
City Hall.
Cue Rocky theme song. The Philadelphia Museum of Art. Although we didn't have time to actually go into the museum, we did run up the stairs. Brennan refused to put his arms up like Rocky for a photo opp. He's too cool for school.
Channeling my inner Rocky.
George Washington monument.
Brennan by the Native Americans.
Me and my buffalo.
It was a short trip, but we had a great time. I didn't actually get photos from the art show, but it was wonderful and full of inspiring paintings. Next on my list, D.C. :)
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