January 2010 Newsletter
January 12, 2010
Jefferson Street Counseling & Consulting has a variety of non-traditional, more experiential therapy models available. Check out some of the descriptions that follow:
Relaxation Exercises
Counseling clients typically come in weekly or every other week, but the most effective treatments for anxiety often are more effective if practiced several times a week. One of the more unique services at Jefferson Street Counseling & Consulting is the ability to record a personalized relaxation exercise to a CD for regular use at home. Relaxation exercises begin with deepening your breathing, then can be further tailored based on your individual preferences. Some clients prefer a guided imagery meditation, where you are guided to envision all the sights, sounds and sensations of a relaxing scene– whether on a fantasy beach vacation, or remembering a special real-world place from memory. Others prefer a more physical focus– paying attention to particular tense muscle groups and relaxing them through alternately flexing and stretching. Practicing these exercises over time– both in session and at home– you’ll learn how to routinely put worries and stress out of your mind. Having this break on a regular basis can allow you to become more resilient to stress, to effectively reduce physical and mental anxiety reactions, and to successfully tackle tasks that seemed overwhelming before.
EMDR
One of the newest techniques for releasing old traumas and negative beliefs is a revolutionary process called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This new tool helps release stressful and uncomfortable emotions stored away in the body and mind. EMDR has been used with many different types of problems including rape, Vietnam combat problems, trauma due to natural disaster, sexual molestation and physical abuse. EMDR is also helpful in releasing uncomfortable memories of being criticized, embarrassed and shamed by others as well as being unmotivated or stuck on certain emotionally stressful issues.
Through the shifting back and forth of the eyes (or bilateral sound or tapping) while focusing on inner body states, the individual learns about the temporary nature of the negative emotions as old repressed feelings come to the surface and are released. The process of observing the feelings and body energies and watching how they shift, teaches the person how to utilize a Zen detachment towards strong emotions. The client describes what he or she is feeling such as tension in the shoulders or tingling in the legs while recalling the experience. Rehashing of old trauma is minimized.
Whatever comes up, the gentle reminder from the therapist is “Just watch it. Just stay with it” or perhaps, “Learn from it” while continuing the eye movement. After a while, the energies that have been experienced as uncomfortable begin to shift growing larger or smaller, disappearing or going into some other expression in a different part of the body. The reprocessing part of the technique allows for quiet time for positive messages to come through from the unconscious mind about how they could see the situation differently and feel good about it. Clients often report that what they were concerned about no longer seems to be an issue.
EMDR is useful for all ages. More information about EMDR is available at these two sites among many others: www.emdria.org and www.emdr.com.
Poetry Therapy
Poetry Therapy groups call you on a journey where the past and present begin to make sense; Where the future begins to look brighter. Unlike traditional talk groups, a writing group allows each person to give undivided attention to personal thoughts and concerns. Guided reflective writing will help you gain confidence, take action, and move forward in your life. Write Path Poetry Therapy groups provide a unique opportunity for you to discover the inner resources to resolve problems. After reading a short piece of poetry, group members are invited to privately write thoughts and feelings in a journal. Sharing those thoughts is always optional, but most group members are eager to read their journals to other supportive group members.
Why does this kind of group help?
The Write Path is not a classroom – no one judges what you write – criticism is never allowed.
This environment frees you to write from your heart, your gut, your quiet mind whispers – what you write is alway right for you.
Although some writers write verse, most do not. Ramblings, rants, and half-formed thoughts work well.
All manner of journal writing opens you to the place where insight and wisdom lie waiting.
Here’s an example of a Poetry Therapy poem: See how you might relate to what the writer says.
And the day came
when the risk it took
to remain tight inside the bud
was more painful
than the risk it took
to blossom.
From the Diary of Anais Nin: Volume 6 (1966)
For More Information Call 208-385-0888 or online www.writepath.org Write Path groups are facilitated by Susan Reuling Furness, M.Ed., LCPC, LMFT, PTR
Marriage & Family Therapy
Susan Reuling Furness and her husband, Timothy J. Furness, provide a co-therapy approach to solution-focused marriage and family therapy. Counseling with couples and families focuses on improving communication, resolving specific concerns, and enhancing the strength of the family system. Meeting as a therapy team with couples and families, Susan and Tim provide counseling that explores and resolves individual and relationship differences without gender bias. And couples appreciate that one therapist working with two individuals sometimes presents: there is no need for one spouse to feel that the therapist is “taking sides with” or “ganging up on” the other spouse. In addition, working with two therapists provides the ability to meet separately with each spouse or family member as the situation presents itself during counseling. Susan and Tim appreciate the unique and sensitive nature of family conflicts and agreements. Their work with couples and families is individualized to meet everyone’s personal needs and situation.
Equine Assisted Therapy
Equine Assisted therapy is also available at Jefferson Street Counseling and Consulting. First of all, it is therapy, not horse training or self-esteem building through horses. The horses seem to be able to get the therapeutic process moving quickly in the right direction. So far it has been used with couples, individuals experiencing symptoms of PTSD to depression, families, and blending families. Here is what some of the participants have said about the experience:
“Horse Power! Working with horses got me to see through my beliefs and I learned from a first hand real life experience. I don’t know what happened with me in one hour might have taken ten hours in regular talk sessions to reveal. It was powerful!”
“I had lost a part of myself in my fears that seemed to get bigger. The horses became bigger than my fears. I faced my fears that day.”
“I stepped in the poop as I approached my step-daughter (horse) and I thought this is so typical. Every time I try to get close to her, I step in poop.” (Expand the apple-treat bible)
“I felt frustrated that I wasn’t given any help. In thinking about the experience later this week, I understand that I needed to do the work. It’s like my marriage I’m the one who needs to come forward and not just wait for her to help me. I need to face this.”
“ My children so quickly took on the roles they take at home and my boy friend’s children just seemed lost. When I could not talk and the children needed to solve the problem I saw immediately how I’m being manipulated by my children, but also by my boyfriend’s children too. It was a picture I could see that quickly. I’ve been so busy making sure everyone was happy that I missed completely.”
“I don’t understand yet what his happening. I just know what’s going on with me is beyond words to describe. I know it is big and powerful. It scares me kinda.”
“ I liked being there, being with horses again – I couldn’t believe how angry I felt. I’ve been numb for so long. My family calls me ice mom, but here I just wanted to throw that rasp to the other side and I thought he didn’t have the right to hit me. Later that night I wrote and wrote in my journal, you’ve been asking me to write – to journal for weeks and I always said I’ll try but nothing comes up. Well, I can’t believe the stuff that is coming up now. I’m writing and I’m feeling. I’m a little scared about coming back too.”