January 2008

Happy New Year!

Mental Health Minute Front Range Psychological Associates

Happy New Year! We are so excited to start a new year here at FRPA - we are confident that there are great things to come in 2008!

We have a lot of new things coming up in the next couple months.  Please read on to find out all about the community events we are going to be participating in!

Best Wishes for the best 2008!

Dr. Bridget Engel & Dr. Stephanie Smith

First Anniversary

January 1st marks our first anniversary at our Erie location.  One year ago we decided to move our practice from Wesminster north to Erie. We couldn't be happier about our decision, and are thrilled to be in Erie.  We have so enjoyed becoming part of the community and getting to know our Old Town and Briggs Street neighbors.  The 9News Health Fair, Erie Town Fair, Oktoberfest, and Lights Up on Briggs Street have all been highlights of our first year here.  What a wonderful, warm, and welcoming community Erie is! Thank you all for making year 1 so spectacular!  Here's hoping there are many, many more anniversaries to come!

Now let's all go celebrate by visiting Erie's new Community Center (www.eriecommunitycenter.com) and Library, just a couple blocks south of our office on Briggs Street!

Girls and Body Image

You can't escape unrealistic images of the female body in today's culture.  An estimated 7-10 million girls in the United States have eating disorders, and a recent study indicates that approximately 90% of teenage girls think frequently about their body shape.  So how do you talk with your teenager to combat these confusing messages from the media?  Here are some tips with which to start:

1) Don't talk negatively with your daughter about your own body or talk with her about your weight. 

2) Emphasize that everyone is born with a different body, and no one type is better or worse than another.

3) Taking care of our bodies is important and everyone should do it in the way that makes them the most comfortable.  Exercising and eating nutritious meals helps us feel good. 

4) Talk about how body size and weight are just one part of who we are.  Our identities are made up of myriad of different facets that make us unique.  Praise them for their activities, talents and accomplishments.  

5) Share your thoughts and ask their opinions about how bodies are depicted in the media.  Emphasize for them how photos and media images are altered and changed to make people look more attractive. 

6) Teach your children that weight gain is a normal part of growth, especially during puberty. 

7)  Acknowledge your teen's struggle to fit in and be attractive.  Accept their feelings and encourage them to talk about them as often as they need.   

For an interesting look at how girls (and everyone) in our culture are bombarded by media images, check out the link below:

http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/dsef07/t5.aspx?id=7373

In This Issue

FRPA 1st Anniversary

Girls and Body Image

Hobbies and Mental Health

Thanks to You!

Thank you to all who contributed to our December food - We collected over 35 pounds of food!  We donated the the food to a local food bank - and hope to make this an annual holiday tradition.  Thanks!

We provde a free, monthly e-newsletter to the community.  Please click here to join our mailing list.

Upcoming Groups

Social Skills for Boys

Starting Monday January 21st from 4-5pm.

Boys ages 8-12 are invited to participate in this 8 week group.  We will be learning how to make and keep friends, manage conflict, and interact more confortably and effectively with peers and adults.

Anger Management for Kids

Starting Tuesday January 22nd from 4-5pm.

Boys AND girls ages 7-12 are invited to participate in this 8 week group.  We will be learning how to manage anger safely, detect warning signs of anger, and effectively communicate our thoughts and feelings with others.

Group space is limited - please call us (303-828-3080) to sign up! Or check out our website (www.frontrangepsychology.com)
for more info!

Upcoming Events

Stress Management Seminar:

Saturday January 12th

10:30 - 12noon

Westminster College Hill Library

Join Dr. Bridget Engel as she presents a seminar on how stress develops, its effects on daily functioning, and how to manage it more effectively at work and at home.

This seminar is FREE, but space is limited. Please call 303-404-5104 to register.

Women's Symposium: 10 Steps to Health, Happiness, and Financial Stability

Thursday February 21st

6:00-8:30pm

Erie Community Center

Join Dr. Stephanie Smith, Jeannie Hulse (State Farm Insurance), Susie Germany (Attorney), and other experts to learn about what all women need to know to enjoy financial and emotional health for a lifetime.  This will be a interactive, educational, and FREE evening with appetizers and cocktails.  Participants will leave feeling empowered and knowledgeable about the steps they need to take to care for themselves and their family.

While this event is free, registration is required. Please call 303-828-3080 or email drsmith@frontrangepsychology.com
to reserve your space!

Hobbies and Mental Health

January is a popular time for making resloutions, thinking about change, and making strides to improve our lives, health, and relationships.  Leisure time, hobbies, and avocations are important parts of many of our lives.  They provide an outlet for stress and anxiety, allow us to focus our energy on something purely for the joy of it, and sometimes even bolster our self-esteem and sense of purpose when we find success in our hobbies.  Some of our favorite hobbies include: scrapbooking, gardening, knitting, reading, and cooking.  What do you like to do in your spare time?  Would you like to find a new interest in 2008?  Check out the list of hobbies below - you may just find your new passion!

Walking  Yoga  Reading  Movies   Cooking   Sewing   Scrapbooking   Knitting   Writing poetry   Instrumental music

Drawing   Puzzles   Sudoku   Woodworking   Painting   Home Decorating   Bird watching   Gardening   Acting

Stamp collecting   Hula hooping   Genealogy   Treasure hunting   Soapmaking   Robotics   Pottery   Pottery

Amateur radio   Astronomy   Aquariums   Rose growing   Candle making   Juggling   Coin collecting   Antiques

Biking   Cars   Model airplanes   Singing   Crosswords   Baking   Gymnastics   Ice skating   Weight lifting

Public speaking   Soccer   Volunteering   Adopt a grandparent   Big Brother/Sister   Literature   Stenciling

Needle crafts   Writing music   Jewelry making   Pilates   Meditation   Religious activities   Pen pal   Computers

Quilting   Ballroom dancing   Horseback riding   Hiking   Skiing   Geocaching   Fishing    Belly dancing    Chess

Storm chasing   Billiards   Bug collecting   Aerobics   Environmentalism   Model trains   Rock climbing

Photography   Board games   Swimming