(478) 796-2947 | lifesolutioncounselingservices@gmail.com

Life Solution Counseling Services

My WordPress Blog

  • Life Solution Counseling Services
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • ADD/ADHD Counseling
    • Anger Management
    • Career Counseling
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    • Conflict Resolution
    • Counseling for Anxiety
    • Counseling for New Mothers
    • Grief & Bereavement Counseling
    • Mindfulness-Based Therapy
    • Therapy for Depression
  • Getting Started
    • Appointment Request
    • Client Forms
    • FAQs
    • Rates & Insurance
  • Resources
    • Mental Health Links
    • Physical Health Links
  • Classes
  • Blog
  • Contact

May 14, 2021 by JCQLNJCKSN887 Leave a Comment

3 Roadblocks to BIOPC and Mental Health

If you belong to the BIOPC community and suffer from poor mental health, you’re not alone. In the United States, there are over 15 million indigenous people and people of color that report struggling with mental health issues. Sadly, these people often face roadblocks to seeking the help they need.

1. It’s Seen as a Stigma

Very often people in the BIOPC community stop themselves from getting the help they need because there is a cultural or social stigma within their group. As an example, in some BIOPC communities, seeking treatment is a sign that you are “crazy” and in other cases “weak.”

2. A Lack of Access to the Right Treatment

Oftentimes, people within the BIOPC community do not speak English. Unless you live in a large, urban area where other languages may be spoken by practicing clinicians, it can be challenging finding a provider who will speak your language.

And, according to the American Psychological Association, 86% of psychologists in the U.S. are White. This means it can be challenging to find a provider who understands your culture and background and the specific challenges you face.

If you cannot find a provider in your area that is of the same race, it is recommended that you ask prospective mental health providers about their training and background to get a sense of whether you’d feel comfortable working with them or not. You can ask things like:

  • Have they had any cultural competence training?
  • Do they have experience treating people from your specific cultural background?
  • Do they respect and include BIOPC clients’ values and cultural beliefs into the treatment plan?

3. A Lack of Available Resources

People within the BIOPC community often have a lack of access to proper resources where they can even learn about mental health and what they may be experiencing. The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) is a great resource to take advantage of and to share with other members of your community.

If you are suffering from a mental health issue such as depression, PTSD or anxiety and would like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me. I have had cultural competence training and always make it a point to incorporate my BIOPC clients’ values and culture into our treatment plan.

RESOURCES:

  • https://themighty.com/2020/07/bipoc-mental-health-month-things-to-know/
  • https://mhanational.org/BIPOC-mental-health-month
  • https://www.neomed.edu/ccoe/mental-health-resources/bipoc/

Filed Under: General, Men's Issues, Women's Issues

May 4, 2021 by JCQLNJCKSN887 Leave a Comment

I Have Back and Neck Pain. Can I Adjust Myself?

We’ve all seen those videos of people locked at home due to the pandemic, forced to give themselves and family members a haircut. While some of the results have been surprisingly not terrible looking, other hairdos would definitely be required to be categorized as hair-don’ts. But at least no one was harmed during the making of those bad haircuts.

But the same can’t be said for people who try and give themselves a quick CRACK of the neck or back. Most people, at some point in their life, will experience neck or back pain to some degree and it can be tempting trying to alleviate this discomfort yourself. But while someone can twist their back in a certain way and jerk their neck around, causing a loud POP or CRACKing sound, these attempts to adjust are very counterproductive and can make an already unstable joint more mobile.

How Do Chiropractic Adjustments Work?

Chiropractic adjustments work on treating issues in our joints and spine. By using a precise and special kind of force and manipulation, a chiropractor can realign misaligned joints, relieving pressure on the nerves and help surround tissue relax and become less inflamed. Chiropractic care can alleviate pain while helping to improve posture and mobility.

It takes years of training for a chiropractor to be able to safely and effectively adjust someone’s joints. They must learn how to use their hands and other specially designed instruments to apply just the right amount of pressure and movement to the joint.

So, to answer the question “Can I adjust my own neck or spine myself?” once and for all, the answer is a very loud NO! If you are suffering from neck or back pain, it is in your best interest to seek professional help. Don’t put it off because the longer you allow joint problems to fester, the more pain and inflammation you can and will develop.

If you live in the area and would like to get some help with your back or neck, please either call our office or stop by for a free consultation. We’d love to help you become pain-free as quickly as possible.

RESOURCES:

  • https://www.corechiropractic.net/can-you-adjust-yourself/
  • https://chiroway.com/chiropractic-adjustment-is-it-ok-to-adjust-myself/
  • https://colepaintherapygroup.com/can-i-do-my-own-chiropractic-adjustment/

Filed Under: Chiropractic

April 26, 2021 by JCQLNJCKSN887 Leave a Comment

National Minority Health Month

April is National Minority Health Month, a time for individuals within the BIOPC community to focus on addressing their mental health needs. Started 20 years ago, the National Minority Health Month Foundation launched National Minority Health Month to strengthen the commitment of local communities and mental health practitioners to eliminate the barriers minority populations often face when struggling with mental health issues.

During this time, many of us, including those in the BIOPC communities, are facing daily struggles in dealing with the continued stressors related to the Covid-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health has released some guidelines and suggestions to help individuals stay as healthy as possible during this time.

Exercise

Moving our body is not only good for our physical health but also our mental health. Not only do we feel good about ourselves when we commit to an exercise regimen, but the movement itself helps our body to release “feel good” hormones that can alleviate stress and anxiety.

Eat Well

When we are dealing with stressful situations, most of us tend to reach for unhealthy comfort foods laden with trans fats and refined sugars. Not only do these foods tend to make us pack on weight, but the chemicals in these foods can exacerbate our mental health issues, making us feel more depressed and tired.

It’s important to eat foods that support our mental health. Be sure to get enough protein and healthy fats. Your brain needs healthy fats to function properly.

Be Gentle with Yourself

When we are struggling with stress, depression or anxiety, it’s important that we are kind to ourselves and practice self-compassion and self-care. Take time for yourself each day to show yourself some love and nurture your spirit. Meditate, listen to music or get that massage you know you need!

It’s also a good idea to reach out to a mental health professional to get some guidance and tools to help you navigate what you are going through. If you’d like to explore treatment options, please reach out to me. I’d be more than happy to speak with you about how I might be able to help.

You may also want to check out this resource for some other minority health resources.

 

RESOURCES:

  • https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/nmhm/index.html
  • https://www.nmqf.org/national-minority-health-month
  • https://minoritynurse.com/national-minority-health-month-tips/

Filed Under: General

January 27, 2021 by JCQLNJCKSN887 Leave a Comment

How Counseling Can Help You Reach Your Goals in the New Year

If you struggle to set goals, let alone reach them, you are definitely not alone. In fact, it is thought that roughly 92% of the population has found it hard to stick to goals. This constant cycle of trying to set beneficial life or health goals, but never quite reaching them, can ultimately lead to depression.

That’s because reaching goals is empowering and helps us feel we are in charge of our life. When we don’t reach goals, we feel powerless and even hopeless that our lives can change for the better!

How Counseling Can Help

Just as you must follow a recipe to the proverbial “T” to end up with something edible, there is a formula that must be followed to the “T” to set reachable goals. This formula is often used in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help individuals set and reach goals that will help them change behaviors and better their lives.

Goal setting has actually been shown to be a useful tool for those suffering from depression according to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE. The study found that individuals suffering from depression had more trouble setting goals and were far less likely to believe they could reach them.

The study found that those who were depressed had more difficulties setting goals and they were also less likely to believe they would achieve those goals. The participants also tended to set avoidance goals rather than approach goals.

An avoidance goal is one you set to avoid a negative outcome. “I want to lose weight so I don’t develop type 2 diabetes.” An approach goal, on the other hand, is one that you set to ensure a positive outcome. “I want to lose weight to have more energy!”

The study shows that counseling can help people with depression set and achieve realistic and achievable goals as well as help them stay on track mentally in pursuit of that goal.

The goal-setting formula used by most CBT therapists is as follows:

  • Identify your goal.
  • Choose a starting point.
  • Identify the steps required to achieve the goal.
  • Take that first step and get started.

A therapist can help you with each one of these steps. From ensuring you select realistic goals that are approach goals, to helping you identify where you are in relation to your goal, breaking down the goal into smaller, actionable steps, and helping you take that very first one, a counselor or coach will be in your corner, helping you every step of the way.

Make 2021 the year you reach those goals that will help you live your best life. If you’d like some help getting there, please get in touch with me. I’d be more than happy to discuss how I may be able to help.

 

SOURCES:

  • https://positivepsychology.com/goal-setting-counseling-therapy/
  • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/notes-self/201308/how-set-goals
  • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/functioning-flourishing/201706/are-you-setting-the-right-goals

Filed Under: General

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next Page »

Jacqueline Jackson, LCSW



(478) 796-2947 lifesolutioncounselingservices@gmail.com

146 Pierce Avenue
Macon, GA 31204

Schedule An Appointment

Send A Message

By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.

Office Hours

Office Hours are Available by Request
Request An Appointment
  • Facebook

Find My Office

Contact Information

146 Pierce Avenue
Macon, GA 31204

(478) 796-2947
lifesolutioncounselingservices@gmail.com

A Therapist Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy