IPS Center for Psychological Services

A new mental health crisis sends Church's ‘field hospital’ into triage

In an interview with the Angelus, Jessie Tappel, LPC, ACS, shares her account of how the pandemic created compassion fatigue and burnout in mental health professionals.

Tappel serves as a faculty member for the Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.

Read the full feature: https://angelusnews.com/news/nation/a-new-mental-health-crisis-sends-the-catholic-field-hospital-into-triage/

A new mental health crisis sends Church's ‘field hospital’ into triage COVID-19 has given rise to another pandemic ripping through the US. Does the Catholic Church have an answer?

As mental health providers, you may find yourself spending so much time helping others that you forget to help yourself. It's so important to take care of your own mental health.

Here are 9 Mental Health Tips to keep in mind for yourself and your future clients:

1. Value Yourself: Don't forget to give yourself credit. Tell yourself you are proud of yourself and be confident in who you are and what you do.

2. Take Care of Your Body: Stop right now and go drink some water. Take a break from studying and go for a walk. Put things into your body that will fulfill you.

3. Surround Yourself with Good: Find friends, family, mentors, and prayer warriors that will help you get through the good and the bad times of your life.

4. Give Yourself: Give yourself to others and God. Do everything with joy and peace in your heart.

5. Learn How to Deal with Stress: Stress can be unavoidable, but how you deal with it will make a huge difference. Be aware of your stress triggers, and stay ahead of them.

6. Quiet Your Mind: Close your eyes and pray. Spend time with God, and find peace in this loud world. Before working or studying, spend 15 minutes with God and with yourself in a quiet place.

7. Set Realistic Goals: Write them down and make a plan on how you are going to reach them. Don't compare your goals to other people. Everyone is on a different journey and that involves different goals.

8. Break up the Monotony: Try something new. Go study in a different place or in a different way. Put on some music. Do things that will keep your life fresh.

9. Get Help When You Need It: Don't ever be afraid to ask for help. Whether it's from a friend, family member, or a professional; it's always okay to seek help.

The great unknown: 10 tips for dealing with the stress of uncertainty

Most people are creatures of habit. We do well when things are going as planned. What do we do when things don't go as planned? How do we handle that stress?

People react in different ways to the changing of plans, some can carry on with their lives, while others feel an overwhelming amount of anxiety as soon as there is any talk of changing plans.

How are you helping others deal with uncertainty? Here are ten ways to alleviate some of that anxiety.

Read more: https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/uncertainty

The great unknown: 10 tips for dealing with the stress of uncertainty Findings from the APA Stress in America Survey highlight common ways that uncertainty stresses us out.

IPS Center at Divine Mercy University - GiveChoose

The IPS Center is participating in Give Choose today, an annual day of giving hosted by the Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier counties. This day of giving supports local non-profits. Please consider making a donation to the IPS Center to support it's mission of providing low cost mental health services and of training clinicians who are responding to their vocation as healers!

https://www.givechoose.org/IPSCenteratDMU

IPS Center at Divine Mercy University - GiveChoose The mission of the IPS Center at Divine Mercy University is twofold. First, to prepare psychology graduate students and post-graduate trainees,in the methods of psychological therapies and evaluations consistent with the Catholic view of the human person. In serving our clients, we endeavor to enha...

The IPS Center is participating in Give Choose, a 24 hour day of giving organized by the Community Foundation to benefit local non-profits serving Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. Please consider making a gift to support the IPS Center in it's efforts to provide low cost mental health services to those who need them. Click the link to go to the IPS Center profile page and make a donation:

https://www.givechoose.org/IPSCenteratDMU

It is easy to go through life on autopilot and difficult to slow down enough to be present to what is happening right before us. Connect with the IPS Center if you are interested in how therapy services can help with living more in the "present moment" and healing hurts that may make this difficult.

The Trauma of Domestic Violence - Divine Mercy University

While the effects of domestic violence may not be readily seen, they can still be deeply traumatic.

Blog post by Ian Masson, LPC and Director of the IPS Center.

https://divinemercy.edu/the-trauma-of-domestic-violence/

The Trauma of Domestic Violence - Divine Mercy University In a December 2021 interview, Pope Francis referenced that in domestic violence a dynamic occurs in which a more powerful individual takes advantage of the

Grief is a catalyst for change in families and individuals. Families adjust to new roles, new boundaries, and new demands as a result of loss. In order to avoid crisis and transition into greater flourishing during this time, the family uses processes of adaptation such as shared meaning-making, restructuring, and problem-solving.

In this lecture, we will review important processes of adaptation, examine how they work together to encourage family resilience, and apply them to a grief example. Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/2016376994876/WN_tueBXsn6TLe8BpWjiOG18A

Presented by:
Jessica Barboza, MA, LMFT, EMDR-Trained

As a marriage and family therapist, Jessica passionately serves individuals, couples, and families as they seek to develop deep and meaningful relationship connections. She has experience working with pre-marital couples, high-conflict couples, adoptive/foster families, and blended families. Jessica’s primary area of expertise is working with individuals and families who are navigating loss, grief, or other traumatic experiences. In addition to her therapeutic practice, Jessica is also an adjunct faculty member at St. Edward’s University and a doctoral candidate at Utah State University.

Come to Me and Rest: Self-Care and Rejuvenation During the Christmas Season - Divine Mercy University

3 Practical Steps for Self-Care and Rejuvenation During the Christmas Season

By Ian Masson, MS, LPC (Director of the IPS Center for Psychological Services)

Read more: http://ow.ly/GWXu50HgFew

Come to Me and Rest: Self-Care and Rejuvenation During the Christmas Season - Divine Mercy University As we draw nearer to the celebration of Christmas and the start of a new liturgical year, it is easy to experience many contradicting pulls and pressures

Your Mental Health Matters! We care about you and are ready to serve you. Our therapy clinic is currently accepting Northern Virginia residents, offering the following benefits:
- telehealth
- convenience
- and affordable sessions (based on a sliding scale fee)

Contact an intake coordinator today at 703.418.2111.

In March, Dr. Leah Herod, Associate Professor for the Master's in Counseling program, gave a presentation on how to use technology and psychological methods to enhance spiritual, mental, and physical health. Watch her full presentation: http://ow.ly/q9Zx50F1mZ3

She also provided a list of app recommendations to help improve mental health: http://ow.ly/6Qvf50F1mZ1

On April 8th at 7pm ET, we are hosting an informative webinar to provide an overview of salient mental health concerns impacting physical, emotional, relational and spiritual functioning in light of the past year.

Increase your understanding of how to recognize and navigate these difficult time with those you serve, including how and when to refer them for therapy. Register now: http://ow.ly/xPQz50E9MkK

"While prayer, confession, and participation in Mass are beneficial for individuals’ wellbeing, the integration of prayer with therapy makes use of 'both the natural and the spiritual part to build toward a stronger life, what we call flourishing. It’s not either-or, it’s both-and,'” said Jody Garneau, an alumna of the Master’s of Science in Clinical Counseling program at Divine Mercy University. Read more: http://ow.ly/QaLj50DN18D

How To Cope Under Pressure, According To Psychology

How To Cope Under Pressure, According To Psychology http://ow.ly/zKAt50CjbGH

How To Cope Under Pressure, According To Psychology By Emma Young. A positive mindset helps — but support from others can sometimes backfire.

Take control of your mental health. Our therapists are now virtually available to help you. Call 703-418-2111 ext. 1 for a confidential screening or email a representative at [email protected].

Minute Clinic: Misconceptions about Psychotherapy – DMU Blog

In this video, former Psy.D. student Mark La Fave explains the common misconceptions surrounding psychotherapy from a cultural standpoint. He also notes that, according to studies, 50% of people at someone point in their life would benefit from going to therapy. Read more: https://blog.divinemercy.edu/2018/02/13/minute-clinic-misconceptions-about-psychotherapy/

Minute Clinic: Misconceptions about Psychotherapy – DMU Blog Minute Clinic: Misconceptions about PsychotherapyDivine Mercy University02/13/2018 We’re all too familiar with the stigma associated with people who receive psychotherapy. However, many patients have problems that a lot of people experience, such as anxiety from a new job or environment. In this v...

6 Tips for Handling Holiday Stress – DMU Blog

Despite the surface magic and positivity, the holidays are often accompanied by even busier schedules and events that can seem daunting. For many people, the mere idea of attending large family gatherings, numerous holiday parties, and all the traveling can produce anxiety, stress, and depression. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), three out of four people surveyed reported feeling anxious and/or depressed during the holiday season.

6 Tips for Handling Holiday Stress – DMU Blog 6 Tips for Handling Holiday StressDivine Mercy University11/26/2019 We always look to the holidays as a time of celebration; a magical time of good cheer, warm traditions, and being with family and friends. We think of it as a time of rest and relaxation, filled with joy and gratitude for all that w...

Take control of your mental health. Our therapists are now virtually available to help you. Call now for a confidential screening or email a qualified representative at [email protected].

In This Pandemic, I Miss the Refuge of My Therapist's Office

𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰, 𝗜 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘀𝘁'𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲:

"I drove by my therapist's office today."

"Common sense prevailed, though, and I kept moving with the traffic."

"In a few hours, I would be that client, logging into the 'waiting room' of the HIPAA-compliant virtual platform that, in the seven months since Covid-19 shuttered businesses and mandated social distancing protocols, has served as his alternative counseling space."

"I still haven’t adjusted."

Read the full story via (Psychology Today): http://ow.ly/GF7350C4oIa

In This Pandemic, I Miss the Refuge of My Therapist's Office Why teletherapy isn't quite the same.

There may not seem to be a major difference between feeling sad and depressed, but there are conditions that differentiate these mental states.

In this short video, Dr. Maja Ivankovic, Psy.D. explains that clinical depression includes the feeling of sadness, lack of energy, loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities, and difficulties focusing on tasks.

Watch the full video: http://ow.ly/GnN450BXOfY

Are you familiar with the rates of depression and its impact on men and women? In honor of National Depression Education and Awareness Month, here are a few facts about this mood disorder.

Psychological Trauma Is the Next Crisis for Coronavirus Health Workers

Psychological Trauma Is the Next Crisis for Coronavirus Health Workers • A New York City emergency room physician, Matthew Bai, can relate. In a recent interview with Scientific American, he said "I honestly have no idea how I feel. I go to work, and at the end of the day, I go to sleep. I have no time to digest any of this.”

Read more: http://ow.ly/c1y650BABRO

Psychological Trauma Is the Next Crisis for Coronavirus Health Workers Hero worship alone doesn’t protect frontline clinicians from distress

Better ways to prevent su***de

Increasingly, psychologists are banding together with others both inside and outside the field to tackle the problem of su***de prevention, says Cheryl King, PhD, a psychologist at the University of Michigan whose research focuses on improving su***de-risk assessments and evaluating interventions to reduce risk in youth. When she began her work three decades ago, the research was somewhat piecemeal, she says. No longer.
http://ow.ly/4p1m50Bv369

Better ways to prevent su***de Psychologists are working together to advance the field of su***de prevention.

U.S. veterans struggle with pain, stigma of post-traumatic stress: New research aimed at mental health

U.S. veterans struggle with pain, stigma of post-traumatic stress: New research aimed at mental health http://ow.ly/f3Ak50BqpV0

U.S. veterans struggle with pain, stigma of post-traumatic stress: New research aimed at mental health Iraq in 2003 was a nightmare C.J. Grisham could not wake up from. It was sustained, almost daily combat for months, and Grisham, a first sergeant in the Army, said he could feel the strain.

It's World Su***de Prevention Day. Here's how to spot warning signs

It's World Su***de Prevention Day. Here's how to spot warning signs. http://ow.ly/rYz350BnrCq

It's World Su***de Prevention Day. Here's how to spot warning signs “Everybody's mental health has been impacted by the pandemic ... so don't be afraid to ask someone how they're doing," Dr. Jen Hartstein tells Yahoo Life.

IASP StepCloser MainFilm

Something as simple as a smile 😊 can save a life.
***dePreventionDay

IASP StepCloser MainFilm Step Closer: A World Su***de Prevention Day Film. Working Together to Prevent Su***de

8 podcasts that talk honestly about mental health

During this time of unparalleled loneliness, podcasts are also a great way to make your home feel less quiet. Here are a few chatty ones that will bring some welcomed noise — and good, honest conversation about mental health — into your home. 🎧

8 podcasts that talk honestly about mental health Podcasts are a great way to make your home feel less quiet, and you feel better. Here are a few that will bring some welcome noise — and good, honest conversation about mental health — into your home.

How to Prepare for the Coming Flood of Student Mental Health Needs http://ow.ly/CXbD50AXOsY

Signs & Stressors: Depression & Bipolar | Mind & Spirit

[Throwback Thursday] Are you a mental health professional in need of a refresher on the signs and symptoms of mood disorders? Or maybe you are a clergy member or teacher and would find it helpful to know when someone is in need of psychological help?

In this presentation titled "Signs & Symptoms: Depression and Bipolar," Professor Dr. Lisa Klewicki provides an overview of mood disorders, including depression, manic or hypomanic episodes, and bipolar disorder and makes use of movie clips to illustrate some of the commons symptoms and stressors in the development of mood disorders.

Watch the full presentation: http://mindspirit.com/signs-stressors-depression-bipolar/

Signs & Stressors: Depression & Bipolar | Mind & Spirit In this presentation, Dr. Lisa Klewicki provides an overview of the mood disorders, including depression, manic or hypomanic episodes, and bipolar disorder. She covers the symptoms of these disorders and some common stressors associated with the development of the mood disorders. Dr. Klewick uses mo...

3 Surprising Benefits of Vitamin D

Did you know that Vitamin D is essential for your physical and mental health? It has anti-inflammatory properties that help fight against disease, regulate mood, and support weight loss. Be sure to spend time out in the sun ☀️ and eat fish like salmon 🐟 to get your daily dose of Vitamin D. Learn more via Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-vitamin-d#reduces-depression

3 Surprising Benefits of Vitamin D Produced in response to sunlight hitting your skin, Vitamin D helps keep your immune system in top shape. Here are three benefits of Vitamin D that may surprise you, including that it helps you fight depression. Learn more about how to avoid a vitamin D deficiency and what foods you can eat to boost...

[Free event for students - Use your school email address to register]

On Friday, July 24, the DC Psychological Association will be offering a workshop entitled, "Psychotherapy in Black & White: Anti-Black Racism in Black Client/White Therapist and Black Therapist/White Client Dyads," which will review the research on black-white interpersonal dynamics and how they relate to therapeutic work.

The presenter Dr. Laurie Paul has dedicated her research to understanding how clients and therapists negotiate racial, ethnic, and cultural differences in psychotherapy.

Workshop attendees will be eligible for APA approved CE Credits. Learn more: http://www.dcpsychology.org/event-3881103

The sun is out and summer is here! ☀️ Are you taking advantage of it? There are numerous physical and psychological benefits of exercise 🏋️, yet it is sometimes easier to stay indoors. 🏠 Why is that? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention answers that question in their tips on "Overcoming Barriers to Physical Activity." Read more: http://ow.ly/hdeq50Av5gj

In an interview with Max Bonilla, SSL, STD, International Director of the Open Reason Institute at the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid, Dr. Vitz shares his thoughts on the consequences that COVID-19's social distancing has on the health and well-being of people. He encourages viewers to practice forgiveness and discusses how the psychology of interpersonal-hatred relates to the current pandemic. Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/wmdIqriwXyY [via Expanded Reason Awards]

While some businesses begin to reopen, many are still working remotely. For employees who are struggling with remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, here are five tips to consider from Psychology Today. Our favorite is number five: Don't forget to get outside and move! Read more: http://ow.ly/FVAl50A8fxm

Here's a prayer before you start your work day: "Direct, we beg you, O Lord, our actions by your holy inspirations, and grant that we may carry them out with your gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may begin always with you, and through you be happily ended. Amen."