If you are finding yourself anxious, distracted, moody in this time of COVID pandemic, here is a podcast for you to help explain what’s happening. https://shrtm.nu/quCZ. The podcast: This is Your Brain on Stress (Jan 12) by Sanjay Gupta interviewing Robert Saplosky, Stanford Professor gives us description of how our brains are trying to adapt to present ‘super stress’ situations; situations that aren’t really there for us to manage.

What to do? Of course we have the same answers provided to us by many health professionals, including psychologists — exercise, meditation, diet. The takeaway here is that the “longer you wait to intervene the hard the battle” will be. In other words — don’t put off fending chronic stress before they turn into mood disorders including depression and anxiety. Stress also speeds up cognitive aging and decline.

Gupta has a HBO series on this matter of Stress titled “ONE NATION UNDER STRESS, Investigating the Historic Decline in American Life Expectancy” that debuts March 25 on HBO. We will want to watch to understand how stress actually shortens our life expectancy in the US. Are you, or your family member under intense, chronic stress? There are programs for every age to work to alleviate chronic stress.

Let’s face it — we’re ALL under stress, whether it be chronic (long term) or acute (short term). We have our ways of dealing with stress, some are better than others. Ways such as alcohol and both prescription or non-prescription drugs are not as helpful. Some of us just scream and tantrum, while others hold it inside. Let’s talk to find a solution that fits and is unique to your needs.

An important distinction in the world of treatment is the question of therapy vs therapist: which one works? The simple answer: Both are important. First, let’s talk therapy. As I have said many times over, not all therapy is the same — and not all therapy is treatment. Some therapy simply feels good and look better. Take facials. Many will tell you that facials are treatment, and although they are less thought of in this way vs. physical therapy — you might call facials useful treatment.

That said, one therapy for mental health is said to be most effective for most people, and that is cognitive behavioral therapy. However in breaking that down, dialectical behavior therapy or DBT is an further defined approach to cognitive behavioral therapy that helps the individual reconstruct their own impaired behaviors and personalities that effect their relationships with others and themselves. EMDR is an adjunct therapy, and not necessary or useful for everyone. There are actually many types of mental health therapy that exist for trained and licensed therapists.

The truth is that you cannot stop arguments around the two terms therapy and treatment, as these are not protected terms — meaning, ice cream licking is treatment for those with problems extending their tongue — perhaps (tongue-in-cheek).

So, what is important in selecting a therapist? Consider one most selective variable, that of training in determining the degree of knowledge and experience in working with a qualified therapist to learn the application of therapeutics to the appropriate population. So what does that mean. If your teenage is to go to therapy then, it’s your responsibility to be certain that therapist and their delivery of appropriate therapy is proper. Do you have to do this — really?

No! We are here to help you with this decision by recommending only therapists and coaches either within or outside of programs who fit the bill ; meaning that their approach and choice of treatment is appropriate for the age of the client and their issues. We can also help you decide whether therapy outside of a program (ie., outpatient therapy) is the way to go, or if a program offering specialized therapy is a better choice.

How do we do this? Through assessment by a licensed educational and clinical mental health professional who is _knowledgable in working with at risk behaviors. We recommend only therapists and coaches who meet our criteria for training and experience, and are appropriate for your family member. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to help you. Our calling card are the hundreds of families, therapists, coaches, and programs we have used over four decades. Inspired to pursue perfection of providing the most beneficial options available to families in need — we are here for you! 877-571-2524 or choice the little ‘pop up’ to right side and fill in your details.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drburdick_understanding-the-differences-in-neuro-presentation-activity-6726100324454563840-BUg2

Unrest is the operative word in these days of uncertainty. However, one principle is in place: do the right thing for your family, and your family will prosper. That right thing may or may not involve us, but it will be providing the right emotional and physical safe treatment options for a loved one. And your decision will be a concrete investment in that person’s future.

We’ve helped countless individuals throughout decades of service; our calling card is word of mouth. We are licensed and registered around the globe: meaning we bring ‘rest’ to ‘unrest’ in being there for your family. Count on us — we know school / work, treatment, and placement options. Leave your contact details to set up a call.

Years ago I remember my mother and me in the Hilton Cairo hotel when a 3 day ‘unrest’ broke out. No one was to go in or out and of course no one knew how long the unrest would last. Fortunately, it did not last long and life returned to normal.

Not so with COVID. Things will look different for the next decade as we consider the challenges to this virus, but to others that could crop up and the need to stay vigilant. Still the world is not standing still, and life is not over. In uniquely different ways, I believe it will open up with a vengeance in overseas travel.

Each placement is unique. This month, I have had three international placements, between the UAE, Europe, the UK and the US. All involve young people with unique needs that can’t be met in their home country in a meaningful therapeutic way. In putting in hours upon hours of consult, I know the concerns parents are experiencing during this time in thinking “what am I doing sending my child away to a boarding school.”

That’s why I am here to support. In living years overseas where I attended boarding schools myself, I know first hand the challenges and the excitement, and I do believe the schools with whom I’m referring are taking the necessary steps to keep the kids moving forward while keeping them safe.

Schools are operating within a ‘range of normal‘ with classes resuming and learning returning with alterations in such things as sports and activities with other schools. Administration is stepping up safety measures while teachers provide exceptional teaching. It is an excellent time to consider boarding, particularly with developing children who only have this time to meet their developing needs. Let us know of how we can help figure out how to maximize your child’s potential in an academic and therapeutic setting. Email or call today!