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January 2012 Newsletter

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:58:12 +0000

Blowing your Stereotypes: Being “not like you”

This experiment is designed mainly to be used in romantic partnerships and family relationships.

This involves identifying or becoming aware of what others complain about, get frustrated or upset with you about, or get down on you for.

For example:

Are you typically or always late?
Do you rarely clean up the papers on your desk?
Do you rarely or almost never make the bed?
Are you the one who overspends?
Do you rarely think about the doctor’s or dentist appointments and schedule them for the kids?
Do you usually cook or rarely cook?
Are you the one who almost never does or folds the laundry?
Do you typically initiate or press for sex?
Do you usually avoid sex?
Do you usually point out what’s wrong in the situation?
Or are you the eternal optimist, making the case for how things are okay or are going to be okay?

For the next week, try this experiment. Do something that’s “not like you.” Blow the other person’s or others’ stereotypes and expectations about you by doing something “out of character.” [Nothing mean or dangerous, just new and unlike your usual patterns. Pleasantly surprise the people in your life who know you best.]

I think you’ll be surprised at the results.

Bill O’Hanlon December 2011

When the Marriage Is Over

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:52:44 +0000

Title: When the Marriage Is Over

Date/Time: Monday, February 13th 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Location: Jefferson Street Counseling and Consulting

Description: Free workshop presented by Susan Reuling Furness, LCPC, LMFT

When a marriage ends, you experience a smorgasbord of emotion: hurt, sadness, anger, discouragement, disenchantment, and disorientation. For some it feels like going crazy. Join us to learn healthy ways to manage these (and other) predictable emotions. Gather hope as you begin moving on.

Meet Our New Therapist

admin — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:31:34 +0000

Shirley O’Neil M.Ed, has recently joined Jefferson Street Counseling and Consulting. Shirley has a background in both mental health counseling as well as school counseling. She spent 7 years as a school counselor, and has recently opened her own practice. She is the mother of 5 children ages 24 to 14, and is active in the Boise community. Shirley’s experience is broad with an emphasis on children and adolescents. Shirley welcomes new clients.

Monthly Conversation: Your Survival Guide to Separation & Divorce

Stephen Hill — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:56:18 +0000

Title: Your Survival Guide to Separation & Divorce
Location: jefferson Street Counseling & Consulting
Description: Date: February 8, 2010
Time: 7:00 – 8:30pm
Separation and divorce are among the most stressful life events adults and children ever face. They often entail additional major changes with finances, housing, school, childcare and work. Dr. Hill will review many critical elements for creating your own divorce “survival guide” as a single adult or parent.
presented by Stephen H. Hill, Ph.D.
Start Time: 7:00pm
Date: 2010-02-08

Healthy Parenting Even During The Holidays

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:49:11 +0000

Title: Healthy Parenting Even During The Holidays
Location: Jefferson Street Counseling & Consulting
Description: Date:12/14/09
Time: 7:00 – 8:30pm
Being healthy requires that you first take care of yourself. As a parent you may need to set limits and boundaries so there is just a little time for you. Limits and boundaries also help children become self-reliant in a very self indulgent world (as Stephen Glenn said in his book) Self indulgence and self denial seem to be the theme for the holidays unless you can teach limits and boundaries.
presented by Lorn H. Adkins, LMFT, LCPC
Start Time: 7:00pm
Date: 2009-12-14

May I Have Your Attention Please

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:59:33 +0000

Title: May I Have Your Attention Please
Location: Jefferson Street Counseling & Consulting
Description: Date: January 11, 2010
Time: 7:00 – 8:30pm
Help! Everyone wants my attention. There are so many distractions, I can’t think straight. At this exact moment, you are reading this program description.Will you finish it? Will you reserve a seat for this program before your attention is diverted and you forget? More questions: Where was your attention this morning? Were you thinking about football scores or your terribly insensitive husband? Where were you while you when your daughter was talking about math? Research confirms this – we can only focus on (pay attention to ) one thing at a time. Those who believe multi-tasking works are both fooling and cheating themselves. Learn to choose what receives your attention . . . how to intentionally focus. Susan’s program will add to your ability to learn, find satisfaction, make better use of your time. Take control of this most elementary thinking process – your attention. presented by Susan Reuling Furness, LMFT, LCPC
Start Time: 7:00pm
Date: 2010-01-11

November 2009 Newsletter

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:00:19 +0000

Could it be Bipolar? What does Bipolar Really Mean?
by Stephen H. Hill, Ph.D.
Many with Bipolar Depression spend years of frustration receiving the wrong advice and the wrong medicines for this very treatable type of depression. Bipolar depression can also be surprisingly common in its milder forms—perhaps representing 25% of depression cases in one study. In addition to depression symptoms, those with bipolar depression additionally experience either “highs” in energy or mood, or recurrent irritability, disturbed sleep and/or uncharacteristic behavior.
Bipolar Depression can be very difficult to evaluate. Traditional tests and even the official DSM list of symptoms is typically just one piece of the puzzle in arriving at an accurate diagnosis. Equally important as self-observed symptoms are:
the family’s mental health history
friends’ and family perception of symptoms
past response to medication
age at the first major depression
long-term patterns in symptoms

As this long list suggests, working with a provider who truly specializes in Bipolar can be critical to getting the right diagnosis and the right help in a timely way. In one study, those with a Bipolar depression went undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for an average of 12 years.
Self-tests and extensive online information on Bipolar are available at hillpsychology.com.
If you have questions about Bipolar, are seeking a second opinion, or are looking to re-establish counseling, one of the professionals at Jefferson Street Counseling & Consulting would be happy to meet with you. After getting to know you as a human being, we’ll then learn what symptoms of Bipolar Depression you’d like to address first. From there, we can choose an approach that has been proven effective and that also suits your own preferences and personality. Family members are welcome to attend, and they may even come in for consultation without the person of concern if he/she isn’t ready to seek help yet. To set an appointment call 385-0888.
Note: Dr. Hill recently presented on Bipolar depression both at a free community presentation and to physicians with St. Luke’s Family Medicine. If you are interested in receiving the handouts from this event, or in sponsoring a similar presentation for your organization, please contact Dr. Hill directly. For a list of additional topics the professionals at Jefferson Street Counseling & Consulting can present, please contact us at 385-0888.