ACA Blog

This is a continuation of a series of articles regarding a potential treatment/vacation model for Veterans returning from combat missions. Day 5-Not surprising, Jim and Fran are up and out of bed by 0530. Their bodies naturally wake up at this hour. Waking up, they are excited about doing something together and feel like they haven’t felt in a long time, like they’re on the same page of music.

The recent death by suicide of reality television character Russell Armstrong, husband of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong, has sparked media conversation about the dangers of reality TV. But in my mind, the real danger here is the effect that his suicide could have on his three children.

I’ve spent the last year writing about the DSM-5, which is slated for publication in May 2013. I admit, the more I’ve read and learned about the proposed revisions and how they’re being developed, the less optimistic I’ve become about the final product.

Like a lot of counselors, I get quite a few journals. Some I read. Some I say I’m going to read and never do. Every now and then, a journal article comes along that speaks to me even though I may not realize it at the moment. Not long ago, I got a chance to use something I had read in Counseling Today. When I received the issue on Creativity in Counseling (February, 2011), I read through it. I found it interesting but I remember thinking, “Cool ideas but probably something I’m not likely to use.” I thought that because I am about as creative as a pile of laundry on most days. So, I read the issue and tucked it away never thinking that I would come back to it later.

Working at a retail store was my very first job. The initial challenge: the horror of using the intercom to complete a price check. But there was a loophole! I asked my co-worker if she could check prices for me, as I was busy bagging items. One day, she caught on and said it was time for me to use the intercom. It felt like everyone was going to watch and listen to me ask for a price check on a pair of socks. I turned on the intercom and asked for a price check. I looked around and was relieved to see that no one paid attention. Rejoice! First lesson learned: sometimes a little tough love goes a long way to having people face their fears.

A few weeks ago, I shared with someone whom I look to as a mentor, that I had noticed the lack of individuals willing to take personal responsibility for their problems. As I spent more time thinking about this, I realized, of course (!), that I was not taking personal responsibility for my own corner of the world. It is so easy, and really quite soothing to find someone to blame when things don’t go my way. To fixate on another person, institution, or “they” fools me into believing, in all my self-righteousness that I am guilty of nothing. When, of course, underneath all of my whining, bemoaning, persecuted, almost martyr like way to sainthood attitude, there I am – guilty, guilty, and guilty of what I so knowingly diagnosed in the world.

Many people do not know this but although I am a proud pacifist I am also proud to come from a family that has served in this country’s armed services going at least as far back as the Civil War. I, like many of my relatives before me signed up to serve while a senior in High School as part of a delayed enlistment program that allowed me to go on weekend maneuvers with the National Guard Unit that I would be assigned to once I completed basic training. Although a pacifist I felt that I could align my personal and religious beliefs with the desire to serve; I elected to get into Military Intelligence as I felt my work may have been able to save lives. A rapidly growing lump in my throat, the eventual removal of tumors and cysts, need for ongoing treatment and resultant lifelong changes with my body ended my military service almost before it began; the military only wants healthy bodies. Later I attended a civilian program at Norwich University the private military college in Vermont (BA, MA & CAGS). I am proud to be affiliated with those who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

‘The first three to four months after he was born he was a girl. Then he became a boy,’ my mother revealed toward the end of her life. She was talking about my brother, Ralph, who was 1 year and 8 days older than I. It is the sad story behind this blog, ‘DO NO HARM’. Ralph was brilliant. An IQ measured above 150 in high school. (I don’t know exactly what it was because back in those days, it was believed that high school counselors shouldn’t reveal to parents or students their IQ test results.) For 30 years he tried to figure out who he was. Throughout junior high and high school he was interested in girls only to find out what they were like—how did they know how to dress, what where they interested in, what did they do, etc. It was his troubling secret. Clearly he had a male body—6 foot 5, broad shoulders, sang tenor in the church choir, shoe size 15. The only anomaly was he had no facial hair. He had the XY chromosomes.

As a counselor with a caseload, there are a few tips I would like to share, that have helped me get the most out of my time at work. These strategies of efficiency have helped me be able to spend more time with my clients and less time battling with my paperwork. Here are some methods that have worked for me: 1. Using Voice Mail Strategically Before I dial a phone number, I will take a few seconds to write down on a sticky note what the goals are for that conversation. This simple step helps reduce rambling and freezing that may occur if I reach voice mail. When I reach someone’s voice mail, I don’t just say “Hi Bob, this is Jackie, please call me back. Thanks.” Instead, I leave a message stating who I am, the main reason of the call, and a clear action plan for them to take next. This action part of the message is important because it moves forward the conversation. Instead of going around in circles and perhaps playing phone tag, the receiver of the voice mail message knows what they have to do next.

1) Locate an office site so you can start the process of applying for insurance panels. Whether you use your home or pay rent for space, all health insurance providers need your address to start the ball rolling. If you just want to do private pay, you still need an office location to start your marketing plan and networking with others.