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An Educational Source to Psychology and Mental Health (Mind, Body, Spirit)
Showing posts with label psychology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label psychology. Show all posts
Friday, September 5, 2025
Setting Healthy Boundaries, Protect Your Energy #Mentalhealth #Boundaries #Personalgrowth
Saturday, February 26, 2022
5 Ways to Control Racing Thoughts (Anxiety) and Reduce Their Occurrence
By: Kimberly Swanson, PsyM, LPC
Photo by Joice Kelly on Unsplash
Photo by Uday Mittal on Unsplash
Conclusion
Do you often find yourself bombarded by racing thoughts? If so, you're not alone. Racing thoughts can be incredibly intrusive and overwhelming, but fortunately, there are various ways to control them. This blog post will discuss 5 of the best techniques for managing racing thoughts. If you put some of these strategies into practice, you should start to see a significant reduction in their occurrence.
1. Focusing on the present and not too far ahead or what happened a long time ago. Individuals with racing thoughts are often based on an idea or notion that has not occurred and may never occur. Some people are hyper-focused on circumstances that have transpired or can't be changed. Individuals experiencing racing thoughts should be focusing on the here and now. These people should Affirm that "I won't be anxious about what has transpired, or will take place in the future; I'll fixate on things I can change," which is an excellent place to start. Mindfulness meditation is a great way to practice in the here and now.
2. Breathing Exercise - To reduce the panic responses (increased heart and breathing rates), inhale and take deep breaths. Panic Responses usually occur when the mind begins to race. According to Mental Health America (MHA) (2022) [1], it is recommended to slow down; taking deep breaths can lower stress and promotes calmness. The following strategy might help. Try: breathing in slowly while counting to five holding the breath for a few seconds, breathing out while counting to five. A person can practice deep breathing anytime, without any specialized training.
3. Positive Thinking and Rationalization - Think about positive things and rationalize your thoughts. Unfortunately, racing thoughts can lead you to a rabbit hole of anxiety and negative thinking. A person can break the perpetual cycle of pessimism by changing their behavior and mindset through a more positive outlook. Instead of thinking of the worse outcome, think of the brighter side of things. For instance, you were about to go to the store, and your car would not crank. You start to become anxious and think the worse, like what if it cost a fortune to get your car fixed even though, more than likely, you left your light on your car by accident. Instead, think positive and be thankful that you were at home, not out somewhere when your car did not crank. Then you will start to realize how fortunate you were that things are not as bad as they may seem.
4. Mantras and Affirmation - Use mantras According to an older article in the International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, mantras, or positive self-statements, are simple words or phrases that a person can repeat to calm their mind. Some people find them useful in times of panic and racing thoughts. Repeating phrases such as, "I can get through this," or "It will be okay," might help. Mantras allow the mind to focus on one simple positive or encouraging thought. This turns the mind away from its racing thoughts.
5. Meditation - Studies have shed more light on understanding the process and outcomes of applied meditation. Doing meditative exercises are linked to changes in the brain's makeup [2–5], as well as mental health [6–10], and improves focus [11, 12], Increase balanced emotions [13–15], slows down aging [16–18], enhance "academic performance" [19, 20], and other results. Substantial proven data supports that meditation has popularized the practice of various forms of meditational exercises.
Chakra Balance Quiz - Spirituality
The following is how meditation is being utilized within modern-day society:
- Psychological practices (eg. mental health facilities or clinics) [21–23].
- Educational programs [24].
- Businesses [24].
- Prison system [24],
- Military [24],
- Substance abuse rehab centers [24],
- Medical clinics (health and wellness) [24].
Sometimes people have racing thoughts symptoms due to traumatic circumstances, and it can also to a sign of a possible medical issue. Multiple health issues can cause racing thoughts and anxiety, requiring a medical doctor or mental health professional advice. If a person is experiencing racing thoughts (worry/stress) without a cause for the symptoms for more than two weeks, they may seek medical attention [25].
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Reference
1. Mental Health America (2022). My Mind is Racing! Retrieved from https://screening.mhanational.org/content/my-mind-racing/.
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20. Tang YY, Tang R, Jiang C, Posner MI. Short-term meditation intervention improves self-regulation and academic performance. J Child Adolesc Behav. 2014;2:154. DOI: 10.4172/2375-4494.1000154. [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
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22. Strauss C, Cavanagh K, Oliver A, Pettman D. Mindfulness-based interventions for people diagnosed with a current episode of an anxiety or depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One. 2014;9(4) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096110. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
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25. Berry, J. (2020). Racing thoughts: 7 tips to stop them. Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320658#takeaway
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Wednesday, October 16, 2019
American Psychology Credentials & Abbreviations
The therapists and other professionals within the field of psychology are listed in this listing have a wide array of credentials (academic degrees, licenses, certifications, etc.) which are abbreviated or acronyms following the therapist's name. The list below is some of the most common credential abbreviations and their definitions.
Academic Degrees
Licenses and Certifications
Academic Degrees
| MD ND DDiv | Doctor of Medicine (e.g. Psychiatrist) Doctor of Naturopathy Doctor of Divinity | |
| DMin | Doctor of Ministry | |
| DO | Doctor of Osteopathy ( e.g. Psychiatrist) | |
| DrPH | Doctor of Public Health | |
| DSW | Doctor of Social Work | |
| ||
| EdD | Doctor of Education | |
| EdM | Master of Education | |
| ||
| PsyM MA | Master of Psychology Master of Arts | |
| MAHS | Master of Arts in Human Services | |
| MAOP | Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology | |
| MC | Master of Counseling | |
| MD | Doctor of Medicine | |
| MDiv | Masters in Divinity | |
| MEd | Master of Education | |
| MHDL | Master of Human Development & Learning | |
| MPH | Master of Public Health | |
| MPS | Master of Professional Studies | |
| MS | Master of Science | |
| MSc | Master of Science | |
| MSEd | Master of Science in Education | |
| MSN | Master of Science in Nursing | |
| MSS | Master of Social Science | |
| MSSW | Master of Science in Social Work | |
| MSW | Master of Social Work | |
| ||
| PhD | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| PsyaD | Doctor of Psychoanalysis | |
| PsyD | Doctor of Psychology | |
| ||
Mc.D Mpsy.D Msc.D D.MT ScD | Doctor of Metaphysical Counseling Doctor of Metaphysical Psychology Doctor of Metaphysical Science Doctor of Metaphysical Theology Doctor of Science | |
Licenses and Certifications
| ABECSW | American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work | |
| ABFamP | American Board of Family Psychology | |
| ABPN | American Board of Professional Neuropsychology | |
| ABPP | American Board of Professional Psychology | |
| ACSW | Academy of Clinical Social Workers | |
| ADTR | Academy of Dance Therapists Registered | |
| APRN | Advanced Practice Registered Nurse | |
| ATR | Registered Art Therapist | |
| ATR-BC | Registered Art Therapist - Board Certified | |
| ||
| BCBA BCBT | Board Certified Behavior Analyst® Board Certification in Bereavement Trauma™ | |
| BCD | Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work | |
| BCDT | Board Certification in Disability Trauma™ | |
| BCDV | Board Certification in Domestic Violence™ | |
| BCETS | Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress™ | |
| BCFT | Board Certification in Forensic Traumatology™ | |
| BCIT | Board Certification in Illness Trauma™ | |
| BCMVT | Board Certification in Motor Vehicle Trauma™ | |
| BCPM | Board Certification in Pain Management™ | |
| BCRT | Board Certification in Rape Trauma™ | |
| BCSA | Board Certification in Sexual Abuse™ | |
| BCSCR | Board Certification in School Crisis Response™ | |
| BCSM | Board Certification in Stress Management™ | |
| BCUCR | Board Certification in University Crisis Response™ | |
| ||
| CAC | Certified Addictions Counselor -or- Certified Alcoholism Counselor | |
| CADAC | Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor | |
| CADC | Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor | |
| CAGS | Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study | |
| CAMF CAMS | Certified Anger Management Facilitator Certified Anger Management Specialist | |
| CAP | Certified Addictions Professional | |
| CART | Certified Anger Resolution Therapist | |
| CAS | Certified Addiction Specialist | |
| CASAC | Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| CBT | Certified Bioenergetic Therapist | |
| CCADC | Certified Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor | |
| CCDP | Certified Chemical Dependency Professional | |
| CCHT | Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist | |
| CCPT | Certified Clinical Pastoral Therapist | |
| CCMH | Clinical Counselor in Mental Health | |
| CCMHC | Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor | |
| CCSW | Certified Clinical Social Worker | |
| CEAP | Certified Employee Assistance Professional | |
| CEDS | Certified Eating Disorders Specialist | |
| CFLE | Certified Family Life Educator | |
| CGP | Certified Group Psychotherapist | |
| CHT | Certified Hypnotherapist | |
| CICSW | Certified Independent Clinical Social Worker | |
| CISW | Certified Independent Social Worker | |
| CMFT | Certified Marriage and Family Therapist | |
| CP | Certified Psychologist -or- Clinical Psychologist | |
| CpastC | Certified Pastoral Counselor | |
| CPC | Certified Professional Counselor | |
| CRADC | Certified Reciprocal Alcohol and Drug Counselor | |
| CRC | Certified Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| CSAC | Certified Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| CSW | Certified Social Worker -or- Clinical Social Worker | |
| CSW-C | Certified Social Worker - Clinical | |
| ||
| DAPA | Diplomate, American Psychotherapy Association | |
| DCSW | Diplomate in Clinical Social Work | |
| DOT SAP | Department of Transportation Substance Abuse Professional | |
| DTR | Dance Therapist Registered | |
| ||
| LAC | Licensed Associate Counselor | |
| LADAC | Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor | |
| LADC | Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor | |
| LAMFT | Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist | |
| LAPC | Licensed Associate Professional Counselor | |
| LASAC | Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| LCADC | Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor | |
| LCAS | Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist | |
| LCAT | Licensed Creative Arts Therapist | |
| LCDC | Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor | |
| LCDP | Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional | |
| LCMFT | Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist | |
| LCMHC | Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor | |
| LCP | Licensed Clinical Psychologist -or- Licensed Counseling Professional | |
| LCPC | Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor | |
| LCSW | Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
| LCSW-C | Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical | |
| LGSW | Licensed Graduate Social Worker | |
| LICSW | Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker | |
| LIMFT | Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist | |
| LISW | Licensed Independent Social Worker | |
| LISW-CP | Licensed Independent Social Worker - Clinical Practice | |
| LLP | Limited Licensed Psychologist | |
| LMFT | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | |
| LMHC | Licensed Mental Health Counselor | |
| LMHP | Licensed Mental Health Practitioner | |
| LMSW | Licensed Master Social Worker | |
| LMSW-ACP | Licensed Master Social Worker - Advanced Clinical Practitioner | |
| LP | Licensed Psychoanalyst -or- Licensed Psychologist | |
| LPA | Licensed Psychological Associate | |
| LpastC | Licensed Pastoral Counselor | |
| LPC | Licensed Professional Counselor | |
| LPCC | Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor | |
| LPCMH | Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health | |
| LPE | Licensed Psychological Examiner | |
| LPP | Licensed Pastoral Psychotherapist | |
| LSATP | Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner | |
| LSCSW | Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker | |
| LSP | Licensed School Psychologist | |
| LSW | Licensed Social Worker | |
| ||
| MAC | Master Addiction Counselor - also offered by NAADAC | |
| MFCC | Marriage, Family and Child Counselor | |
| MFT | Marriage and Family Therapist | |
| MT-BC | Music Therapist - Board Certified | |
| ||
| NBCCH | National Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist | |
| NBCDCH | National Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Hypnotherapy | |
| NCC | National Certified Counselor | |
| NCPsyA | Nationally Certified Psychoanalyst | |
| NCSC | National Certified School Counselor | |
| NCSP | Nationally Certified School Psychologist | |
| ||
| PA | Psychological Associate | |
| PLMHP | Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner | |
| PLPC | Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor | |
| PMHNP | Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | |
| ||
| RAS | Registered Addiction Specialist | |
| RBT RDT | Registered Behavior Technician Registered Drama Therapist | |
| REAT | Registered Expressive Arts Therapist | |
| RN | Registered Nurse | |
| RPC | Registered Professional Counselor | |
| RPT | Registered Play Therapist | |
| RPT-S | Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor | |
| ||
| SAP | Substance Abuse Professional | |
| SW | Social Worker | |
| ||
| TLLP | Temporary Limited License Psychologist | |
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Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Alfred Adler's Theory of Psychological Birth Order (Family Constellation)
By: Kimberly Swanson, MS-Psy, CNA
According
to Adler, the sequence in a person’s life is developed by the age of five
(Murdock, 2013). This is due to genetics
and a person’s upbringing and surroundings, personal outlook and lifestyle is molded during the earlier
years of life and it is very hard to alter (Adler, 1929/1965). In early life, children are very
vulnerable; this was observed by Adler
and he speculated that humans at the beginning of life feel inferior or
insignificant (Ansbacher & Ansbacher, 1956).
Family constellations
occurs when the family has determines the critical developmental stages of
their offspring (Murdock, 2013); this is when the birth order theory comes into play with individual psychology (Murdock, 2013). The biological order is the order in which a
child is born among their siblings and the psychological birth order is how
the biological order affects the child’s outlook, behaviors and outcomes in
life.
According
to Murdock (2013), the first child is usually the ones who get the most
parental attention and usually they interact well with adults. But when the second child is born, the first
usually feel that they have lost some of the attention (dethroned) (Adler, 1927/1969). Often times, the oldest are held responsible
or have to look after the younger siblings. When the oldest child becomes an
adult, they tend to like authoritative roles in jobs or in positions. The
middle child often times feel like they are sandwiched or squeezed in the middle, whereas the youngest child gets the center
of attention (Murdock, 2013).
References
Adler, A. (1969). The science of living (H.L. Ansbacher & R.R. Ansbacher, eds. &
Trans). New York: Doubleday.
(Original work published 1929).
Ansbacher, H. &
Ansbacher, R. (Eds). (1956). The individual psychology of Alfred Adler. New York:
Basic Books.
Murdock, N.L. (2013). Theories of counseling & psychotherapy (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Copyright in 2016 by ©Messenger Publishing, Inc.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Introduction to Freud's Psychoanalysis
By: Kimberly Swanson, M.S. - PSY, CNA
 |
| Sigmund Freud |
During the 17th
and majority of the 18th century, publications were geared with a
“neoclassicist” view in which human behavior is based on religion and it was
considered a sin if thought to think otherwise (Summers, 2011). They believed that “order and reason” was
needed to control human thoughts especially when it came to science and the
birth of, psychology, the science of the mind (Summers, 2011).
In 1879, Wilhelm Wundt
opened the first psychology lab at the University of Leipzig in Germany. Psychology
as is relatively new science that is growing and is constantly evolving. During
psychology’s evolution, it produced many branches of studies and approaches to
the field such as Wundtian Psychology, Titchenerian structuralism, and
functional psychology. Then the it changed
into Gestalt Psychology which was for those who opposed Wundtian Psychology. Right around the same time of Gestalt psychology,
a new approach was being developed and that was psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis was developed by Sigmund Freud
from Freiberg, Moravia which is now Pribor, Czech Republic.
Psychoanalysis was founded
by Sigmund Freud in 1895 which was marked by the publishing of his first book, Studies
in Hysteria. Freud’s psychoanalysis
is based on his personality traits and theories, concept of
analyzing/interpreting dreams to explain what is going on in the conscious and
subconscious mind, and his system of psychotherapy. His concept of psychoanalysis was what paved
his legendary mark into psychological history. Freud’s name is more popular and
famous than any other psychological scientist in the past due to his style and
approach to analyzing the mind. His
face and name embraces the cover of modern day publications such as Newsweek (2006) and feature stories in The Wall Street Journal (Schultz &
Schultz, 2012).
References
Schultz, D.P., & Schultz, S.E. (2012).
Philosophical influences on psychology (10th Eds.), A History of
Modern Psychology (pp. 65-86) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Press.
Summers, F.,
(2011). Psychoanalysis: Romantic, not wild. Psychoanalytic
Psychology, 28(1), p. 13-32.
Copyright in 2016 by ©Messenger Publishing, Inc.
Copyright in 2016 by ©Messenger Publishing, Inc.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Cultural Issues in Psychopathology
Cultural Issues in Psychopathology
By: Kimberly Swanson, M.S. - Psychology, CNA
In todays’ society,
there is stigma or negative connotation when it comes to seeking and receiving
mental or psychological services. Often
times, these negative point of views towards mental health stems from cultural
beliefs. It is apparent that cultural
issues are attributed to depression and cultural issues and is also a major
factor to the treatment of depression.
Understanding Culture and Mental Illness
The beginning
stages of incorporating culture into clinical psychological research started with
Kleinman (1977). Kleinman (1977) believed that culture is the basis of human
behavior especially when it comes to “mood disorders”. Fields (2010) states that, clinicians need to
be understanding and mindful of patients’ culture while treating them. There are two points of views, when it comes
to culture and depression (Fields, 2010).
The two points of views are: 1.
“universal views” – It applies to all cultural lines and can be measured with
proven evidence; 2. “cultural-bound”
views - is based on a specific culture and cannot be measure (Field, 2010).
In Field’s (2010)
research, it shows the current views on “multicultural competence, the American
Psychological Association (APA) Multicultural Guidelines” which points out the different
cultural views on mental health and the “cross-cultural validation of
depression”. According to Fields (2010),
cultural definition and “interaction” is constantly changing and evolving.
Identifying
culture as an intricate part of in the care of mental patients is a new phenomenon
that is taking place within psychological research (Fields, 2010). The purpose of incorporating culture into
psychological research is to address the complex issues that are often found
when working with a diverse population (Fields, 2010).
Examples of Culture
Issues & Depression
Asian Pacific Views on Depression
In the MyPsychLab
(2013), “Martha: Major Depressive Disorder” video, it discusses how depression
is viewed from an Asian Pacific patient name Martha. Martha suffered from depression due to a
failed marriage. At first, Martha did
not seek treatment because of her cultural issues. Nira
Singh (Director of children youth and family outpatient services of RAMS Mental
Health Agency) mentions that, “there is a stigma for most Asian Pacific clients
who utilize the services”. Getting
medical help is seen as more important than getting psychological assistance (MyPsychLab,
2013). Traditional families of Asian
Pacific Islanders may see treatments as shameful depending on their view on
mental health (MyPsychLab, 2013).
Nira Singh
mentions that, “often times that patients do not know that these services are
available to them and is available in their native language” (MyPsychLab, 2013). In the video, Singh also states that: “as
model minorities, you are not suppose to have mental problems…There is a feeling
of shame when acknowledging a weakness” (MyPsychLab, 2013). More outreach is needed in educating the
public on depression and how it affects people’s lives.
Bosnian Views on Depression
In Fields’ (2010)
research, there were many examples on how different cultures view
depression. One example is a case, “The
Case of G,” about a Bosnian refugee who suffered from the posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). The patients’ PTSD was
triggered by war and “the tragic losses” that he had to face in “his home
country”. G did not have to a psychologist or therapist in Bosnia because of
negative cultural views. The patient
views himself as a “traditional man” and in his country, seeing a therapist
often times means that you are “crazy” (Fields, 2010). He was concerned about being viewed as crazy
by others. For the Bosnian refugee, not
being able to speak English was also a perceived barrier. Having this perceived language barrier makes
the patient of a different culture feel “inadequate” (Fields, 2010).
In G’s case, there
was a need for social interactions.
According to Fields (2010), the patient’s plan of care was mostly geared
for “cultural dynamics” instead of starting an initial “treatment plan”. Once G received the support of getting more
social interactions with peers with similar cultures and backgrounds, G’s
condition greatly improved (Fields, 2010).
How Cultural Issues Affects Treatments for
Depression
The American
health care system is fragmented. These
fragmentations makes is extremely difficult for patients to receive the proper
treatment for depression. Doctors,
mental “health professionals”, “patients”, and “families” face the dilemma
of a divisive system that separates the “medical
and mental health” in its treatment options and line of care (Heinrich, 2000). By bridging and incorporating the medical with
the psychological, there would be a more balanced and improved system of care
for mental health patients, especially those who are suffering from depression
(Heinrich, 2000).
Overcoming
perceived cultural differences in patients when it comes to their line of care
is also extremely important. Clinicians
must be able to understand their client’s culture in order to provide the
patients with the best treatment options for depression. Each case for depression is different and
must be treated as so. Getting into the
mind of the patient and seeing from their point of view enables the mental
health professional to better serve their clients. Clinical research and case studies like
Fielding, (2010) and Heinrich (2000) has shown that understanding a patient’s culture means
getting to the root of the problem. This ideology of culture is paving the way for a more positive solution for patient care and for improving their
overall mental health.
References
Fields, A.J. (2010). Multicultural research and practice: Theoretical issues and maximizing cultural
Exchange. Professional
Psychology: Research and Practice, 41(3). 196-201.
Doi:10.1037/a0017938.
Heinrich, R.L. (2000). Improving depression care: Disseminating skills or changing
organizational
structure and
culture? Families, Systems, & Health.
18(4).
Kleinman, A.M. (1977). Depression, somatization and the “new
cross-cultural psychiatry.”
MyPsychLab, Pearson Video Series . (2013).
Speaking Out: The DSM in Context:
Martha:
Major Depressive Disorder [on-line video]. Available from
www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com.
Copyright in 2015 by ©Messenger Publishing, Inc.
Copyright in 2015 by ©Messenger Publishing, Inc.
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