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Front
Range
Psychological Associates
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Join our mailing list and
receive our monthly newsletter as well as reminders about upcoming
events!
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Social Skills Group -
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We have had so
much interest (and so much fun!) in our social skills groups this
summer, we have decided to offer another group starting in
September. The group will focus on making friends, managing
conflict, positive communication, as well as other important social
skills.
The group will
be a time when girls can practice skills they have learned, make new
friends, and get constructive feedback from Drs. Engel & Smith as
well as their peers. We will play games, role play, discuss
concerns, and have a great time!
This group is a
wonderful opportunity for newcomers, and is also perfect for those
girls who have participated in past groups. The content will be
similar, but we will have all new activities, and more of a chance to
share specific concerns and practice our new skills with the group.
WHEN:
6 Monday
afternoons
September 10,
17, 24
October 1, 15,
22
4:00 - 5:15 pm
WHERE:
WHY:
To improve
social skills in a positive, supportive setting. Our goal is that
with improved skills, girls will gain confidence in their interactions
with peers and adults, make friends more easily, and keep the friends
they have, by managing conflict in an appropriate, productive way.
303-828-3080 for
more information, and to register for the Fall session.
Please feel free to forward this information to a friend!
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Join Our List
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National Family Day
Monday
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In 2001, President Bush declared the
fourth Monday of September to be National Family Day, A Day to Eat
Dinner with Your Children. His example was followed by a host of state
governers as well as local officials in communities across the country.
The purpose of National Family Day
is:
1. To raise national awareness about
impact of over-scheduling on families and children.
2. To encourage families to examine
their day-to-day schedules and choose what matters most.
3. To actively involve America's
parents, educators, coaches, legislators, religious leaders, and other
community leaders in a on-going dialogue about ways our communities can
foster a balance between family time, unscheduled activities, and
outside enrichment activities.
This event was originally organized by
child psychiatrist, Dr. Alvin Rosenfeld, author of "The
Over-Scheduled Child," in an effort to encourage families to slow
down and realize the value of healthy family ritual. It is
promoted on a national level by the Center Against Substance Abuse at Columbia University. Their interest and
involvement is based on research indicating that teenages who eat dinner
with their families are less likely to smoke, drink, or take illegal
drugs (1999).
Write down September 24th on your
calendars and enjoy an evening of fun with your family!
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Upcoming Events
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Dr. Smith will
be providing information about Mind/Body Health at the Society for the
Advancement of Multiculturalism and Diversity Conference on Sept. 28th
at the Auraria Campus in Denver.
For more information about this exciting conference, check out:
FRPA
is a sponsor for this year's Oktoberfest in Erie. Come out and enjoy the fun on
October 6th in Old Town Erie.
The
T.I.E.S. that Bind Seminar, presented by Fiona Cattermole, MSW - Sept.
12th at the Vista Ridge Golf Club in Erie. Contact Fiona at www.finexex.com for more information.
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Happy September! We are hopeful that
some beautiful, cool autumn weather is on the way! FRPA has a number of
exciting things coming up this Fall. Our Social Skills Group - Just for
Girls starts on September 10th. We are looking forward to a fun,
productive group this session. Call soon to reserve your spot!
Is there a group you would like to see
us offer? If so, please contact us and let you know your ideas. We are
setting our Fall and Winter schedules now - and we want to include you!
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Depression
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 Is Your Teenager
Depressed?
We all
know that teenagers can be moody and irritable at times. This is
a normal, healthy, developmental phase that most teenagers eventually
grow out of. But, with academic stress, busy schedules, hormonal
changes, and peer pressure, your teenager may also be at risk for
periods of sadness or depression. In fact, it is estimated that
20% of teens experience depression, regardless of their gender, family
income, social background, or racial identity. How will you know
if you should be concerned? Here are some signs to look for
·
Changes in eating patterns or weight
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Changes in sleep patterns
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Unusual moodiness or irritability
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Withdrawal from friends or activities
they previously enjoyed
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Sadness, tearfulness, or hopelessness
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Lack of energy, enthusiasm, or
motivation
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Indecision, forgetfulness, or poor
concentration
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Substance abuse
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Poor performance in school
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Low self-esteem or guilt
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Extreme sensitivity to rejection or
failure
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Frequent complaints of physical
illnesses, such as headaches
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Problems with authority
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Thoughts of suicide
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Incidents in which they harm
themselves
If you
suspect that teenager may have depression, seek professional
help. Your teen should be assessed by a mental health
professional. If he/she talks about suicide or engages in
self-destructive behaviors, bring them to a local emergency room at any
hospital, or call 9-1-1 immediately. Professionals will
be available and can assist you, and assessyour
child for depression.
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Managing Stress
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Don't Let
Workplace Stress Ruin Your Labor Day
In today's connected world Americans
are finding it increasingly difficult to switch off from the stresses
of the workplace, according to the American Psychological Association
(APA). One hundred and twenty five years after the first Labor
Day, the role of work in American lives has changed dramatically.
This year, many Americans will work, either at their workplace or by
answering e-mail, phone calls or faxes while at home or on vacation.
According to a 2006 APA survey work is the number one cause of stress
for Americans and almost one-third of Americans have trouble balancing
their work and family lives.
Originally intended as a day for
relaxation and celebration of the American worker, Labor Day today is
very different from the first Labor Day in 1882. Back then, a
largely industrial and agricultural workforce could disconnect from
work on Labor Day without the possibility of being disturbed by
work-related cell phone calls, reading e-mails on-the-go or being
summoned to rush back to the office. In today's 24/7 society,
work frequently intrudes in to employee's personal lives during
evenings, weekends, vacations and holidays. In fact, 83 percent
of email users admit to checking their email daily while on
vacation. Increasing work demands on employees have a significant
impact on employers too -- job stress costs U.S. businesses an
estimated $300 billion per year through absenteeism, diminished
productivity, employee turnover and direct medical, legal and insurance
fees.
"While technology has
undoubtedly improved our lives in the last 125 years, constant use of
technology can add to the stress levels of an already overworked
nation" says Dr. Russ Newman of the American Psychological
Association. "What is important is to learn how to manage
your stress at work and truly balance home and workplace demands even
if that means switching off your BlackBerry this Labor Day."
Increased stress can push people
toward using unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, comfort eating, poor
diet choices, inactivity and drinking alcohol to manage their stress.
APA warns that reliance on such behavior can lead to long-term, serious
health problems. The APA survey found that people expressing
significant concern about stress are more likely to eat fast food,
avoid exercise and use drugs or alcohol as a response to their stress
than use healthier methods such as exercise, good diet, meditation or
psychotherapy.
APA offers these strategies for
managing your work-related stress:
·
Know
yourself.
Be aware of your stress level and know what stresses you out. People
experience stress in different ways. You may have a hard time
concentrating or making decisions, feel angry, irritable or out of
control, or experience headaches, muscle tension or a lack of energy.
Learn your own stress signals.
·
Recognize
how you deal with stress. Do you engage in unhealthy
behaviors such as smoking, drinking or eating poorly to cope with your
stress? Do you lose patience with your children or spouse or
coworkers when you feel overwhelmed by work pressures?
·
Turn
off and tune in.
Communication technology can take you to productivity heights never
imagined, but it can also allow work to creep into family time, dinner
and vacations. Set rules for yourself, such as turning off your cell
phone or BlackBerry when you get home, or establishing certain times
when you return calls. Be sure to communicate those rules to others, so
you can manage their expectations. Let technology be a tool that works
for you, rather than the other way.
·
Keep
a "To-Do" list. Worried that you'll forget something
important? Constantly thinking through all the things you need to get
done? Clear your head and put those thoughts on paper (or in an
electronic task list) by creating a list of work and personal tasks and
marking those with the highest priority. Not only will you reduce the
risk of forgetting something, you'll also be better able to focus on
the task at hand.
·
Take
short breaks.
Stay energized and productive by taking a minute or two periodically
throughout the day to stand up, stretch, breathe deeply and shake off
the accumulating tension. Short breaks between tasks can be
particularly effective, helping you feel like you've wrapped up one
thing before moving on to the next. Take a 10-15 minute break every few
hours to recharge and avoid the temptation to work through lunch.
The productivity you gain will more than make up for the time you spend
on break.
·
Find
healthy ways to manage stress. Work to replace unhealthy coping
strategies, such as eating junk food, smoking or drinking alcohol with
healthy behaviors, like exercise, meditation or talking with friends
and family. Keep in mind that unhealthy behaviors develop over time and
can be difficult to change. Take it slow and focus on changing one
behavior at a time. Some behaviors are very difficult to change
and may require the help of a licensed professional such as a
psychologist.
·
Take
care of yourself.
Eat right, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water and engage in
regular physical activity. Ensure you have a healthy mind and body
through activities like yoga, taking a short walk, going to the gym or
playing sports that will enhance both your physical and mental health.
Take regular vacations. No matter how hectic life gets, make time
for yourself-even if it's just simple things like reading a good book,
listening to your favorite album or enjoying a leisurely Sunday brunch
at your favorite café.
·
Ask
for professional support. Accepting help from supportive
friends and family can improve your ability to manage stress. Your
employer may also have stress management resources available through an
Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including online information,
available counseling and referral to mental health professionals, if
needed. If you continue to feel overwhelmed by work stress, you may
want to talk to a psychologist, who can help you better manage stress
and change unhealthy behaviors.
© 2007 American Psychological Association
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Please feel free to contact us for
more information about anything in this newsletter, or for more
information about our services.
Stephanie Smith, Psy.D.
Front Range Psychological Associates
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