Taking care of our own
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Michael D'Andrea
Aug 17, 2010, 1:42:56 PM8/17/10
to Counselors for Social Justice, AMCD-L-...@lists.ufl.edu, CESNET-L is a unmoderated listserv concerning counselor ed. & supervision, nimc national
Aloha Everyone:
Our profession is indeed a noble one as it is fundamentally aimed at fostering healthy human development. As a result of hearing our clients' stories and becoming increasing aware of the need to develop the sort of multicultural counseling and social justice advocacy competencies that are necessary to promote both positive individual and systemic changes to accomplish this fundamental goal, many of us and our colleagues become overwhelmed with the needs of our clients and the socio-political challenges we face at this point in our collective history.
In discussions I have with many students, counselor educators and practitioners, it is not uncommon to periodically feel down, sad and depressed with some of the situations we observe to happen in our clients' lives as well as our society at-large.
In our busy-ness....we often fail to implement strategies that can support the sort of positive mood that is necessary to be resilient and successful in our professional and personal endeavors.
I have been researching numerous strategies that are being employed by many people in our society to address the predictable feelings of periodic sadness and mild/moderate depression that accompanies the commitment to our work.
The information presented on the short video that can be accessed by the link provided below may be useful for yourself and/or the students and clients you work with.
Although the video does not explain the impact of the recommendations made for dealing with feeling down from a neurological/brain chemistry perspective, the research I am doing in these latter areas support the recommendation to use:
fish oil (Omega-3) with DHA, folic acid, and St. John's Wort as mood enhancing supplements to one's daily diet. In addition,, I personally find the use of holy basil to be very effective in promoting an increased sense of personal well-being and positive mood.
You may find this information useful to share with students, colleagues, and/or clients....as well as in helping to enhance your overall well-being by stimulating the sort of brain chemistry and related neurological changes that foster a greater sense of mental health....after all.....our effectiveness as professional counselors is largely dependent on our own health and well-being.
Here is the link to the short video I referred to above:
In peace,
Michael D'Andrea
Our profession is indeed a noble one as it is fundamentally aimed at fostering healthy human development. As a result of hearing our clients' stories and becoming increasing aware of the need to develop the sort of multicultural counseling and social justice advocacy competencies that are necessary to promote both positive individual and systemic changes to accomplish this fundamental goal, many of us and our colleagues become overwhelmed with the needs of our clients and the socio-political challenges we face at this point in our collective history.
In discussions I have with many students, counselor educators and practitioners, it is not uncommon to periodically feel down, sad and depressed with some of the situations we observe to happen in our clients' lives as well as our society at-large.
In our busy-ness....we often fail to implement strategies that can support the sort of positive mood that is necessary to be resilient and successful in our professional and personal endeavors.
I have been researching numerous strategies that are being employed by many people in our society to address the predictable feelings of periodic sadness and mild/moderate depression that accompanies the commitment to our work.
The information presented on the short video that can be accessed by the link provided below may be useful for yourself and/or the students and clients you work with.
Although the video does not explain the impact of the recommendations made for dealing with feeling down from a neurological/brain chemistry perspective, the research I am doing in these latter areas support the recommendation to use:
fish oil (Omega-3) with DHA, folic acid, and St. John's Wort as mood enhancing supplements to one's daily diet. In addition,, I personally find the use of holy basil to be very effective in promoting an increased sense of personal well-being and positive mood.
You may find this information useful to share with students, colleagues, and/or clients....as well as in helping to enhance your overall well-being by stimulating the sort of brain chemistry and related neurological changes that foster a greater sense of mental health....after all.....our effectiveness as professional counselors is largely dependent on our own health and well-being.
Here is the link to the short video I referred to above:
http://video.about.com/altmedicine/Natural-Remedy-for-Your-Mood.htm
In peace,
Michael D'Andrea
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