Copyright © 2022 Helpful Living Magazine No portions of the publication can be transmitted, reproduced, or distributed in any form without contacting Founder Jamie Rockymore-Bess. All articles have been reviewed and approved by Founder Jamie Rockymore-Bess. To contribute or to be interviewed contact info@helpfullivingmag.com Disclaimer: Helpful Living Magazine does not take the place of therapy or any mental health services. Some of the articles and stories may be triggering. If you or someone you know has a mental health emergency please call 911 or go to your local emergency room.
Contents
06
Letter From The Founder
08
My Fear of the First Therapy Appointment
34
Postpartum & Mental Health
25
The Shame-Based Language Of Our Schools
6
Letter From The Founder
Running The Marathon of Self-Control
22
7
The Artist On The Cover
School Counselor on Wheels
23
8
My Fear of the First Therapy Appointment
The Shame-Based Language Of Our Schools
25
10
Building A Village for Autistic Children
The Impact of Abandonment and Strategies for Creating Healthier Relationships
28
12
Project Pneuma
Girls Anthem
30
15
Massaging For Your Mental Health
7 Key Strategies for Making the Transition to Eating Healthy
32
17
Family You Alright
Postpartum & Mental Health
34
20
How I Dealt With Abandonment
The Benefits of Family Therapy
36
38
My Internal Everest
48
The Prime Theory Company
44
My Internal Everest
38
3 Recommended Books For Your Mental Health
40
Who is that Masked Woman? Be Yourself!
43
5 Ways to Start Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health
44
How Can a School Counselor Benefit Your Child during the School Year?
46
The Prime Theory Company
48
1:1 Coaching Is The Way To Go!
50
What Is DDA!
52
Perspectives From A Male Therapist
54
5 Ways to Start Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health
50
1:1 Coaching Is The Way To Go!
54
Perspectives From A Male Therapist
LETTER FROM THE
FOUNDER
I
want to be transparent with you, after having a baby and being up in the middle of the night (more nights than I expected). I was at war with myself, many days I felt like I was existing and I knew it was going to take some time before I could allocate time for myself. It took a lot of motivation and conversations with friends to get out of this funk. Even after talking with my therapist I thought I was good to get back into the swing of things, but I didn’t realize the swing of things looked different compared to the last time I had a baby. I was now a mother of two, doing drop offs, pick ups, doctor appointments and everything in between. I had to remember my life changed and my family dynamics were not going back to the way things used to be. Oftentimes I would lay in bed at the end of the day not feeling accomplished and completely overwhelmed, wondering if I did everything I said I was going to do. Adulting, as they call it, is complicated and adding children in the mix takes the challenge to another level. One thing I did keep in mind was taking things one assignment at a time. I took into consideration that some days required me to rest, because if I am not good to myself, I couldn’t be good to my family. And that is one of the common problems this issue will be discussing. As you get ready to prepare your child(ren) for the school year, whether they are in pre-k, elementary, middle, or high school we all know there is a shift when the school year starts. This also goes for our college students, the dynamics of the house changes. Families are running on a tight schedule and it’s always good to prepare as best as we can. In this issue you will read articles about family dynamics, programs that help the youth with mental health and behavioral challenges, along with personal stories for encouragement. I wish you and your family a great start of the school year and if you don’t have any children, I pray the shift into the fall season is a good one, and if it is not please know we are here and our goal is to help you seek the support you need. Be prepared to be encouraged and awed as our articles will inspire you. You will not be the same after reading this issue. Enjoy!
Jamie Rockymore-Bess Founder, Helpful Living Magazine
Helpful Living Magazine displays articles and stories from the perspectives of the writer. They are used for advice and not for the primary use of treatment. Stock photos are from Belle Imagery Portraits, Canva, Freepik.com Pixabay. Shutterstock, & Unsplash. Logo created by Passion Designzz
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The Artist On The Cover
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive, and to do so with passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” - Maya Angelou
S
herita T. Sparrow fell in love with art at the tender age of
since. Known as The Healing Artist, Sherita is also a holistic coach, teacher, designer, and author. She aims to share her creative gifts with the world to help others flourish and contribute to something greater than themselves. Sherita holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Art from Towson University, and a degree in Graphic Design from Delaware College of Art & Design. In her span of work, Sherita explores the power of vulnerability and how it leads to healing from the inside out. Some of her favorite mediums to use are acrylics, chalk pastels, and torn “Be the Light,” “Life is Sweet,” and “Believe in the Magic of Change.” The intention is to empower and uplift one’s spirit to bring about emotional peace within. To learn more about The Healing Artist and check out her canvas prints visit: www.offthecanvascollection.com/canvas-prints
You may also connect with her on IG @thesheritasparrow It’s YOUR time to get in touch with your creative side!
Painting Description: “God’s Grace” is a 18x24 acrylic painting that incorporates three West African Adinkra symbols. The symbols are symbolic of our beautiful community’s greatness (Adenkrehene) and resilience (Wawa Aba). From green to orange, yellow, and fushia, the leaves by God’s grace (Nyame Nti) and mercy. Butterflies fly across the sky to illustrate the idea of us emerging on the other side of the storm stronger, wiser, and more spiritually connected. I challenge you to… Take time to absorb the vivid colors, shapes, and symbols of the painting. What does it convey to you? In what way does it speak to your heart and soul?
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INFORMATION
My Fear of the First Therapy Appointment Mekea Anderson LCSW-C
P
eople have vastly different life experiences and may find themselves in need of professional help. There are major barriers to accessing mental health services such as costs, health insurance or the availability of providers. Another barrier to accessing mental health services that can go unnoticed, is a fear of attending the first appointment with a therapist. People acknowledging a need for mental health services and contacting a therapist is only the first step. Some people let the uncertainty of the process deter them from sitting down with a therapist. But, with a mental health provider is nothing to fear. Some people get cold feet and rethink keeping a scheduled appointment with a therapist, because there is a fear that they will have to tell their entire life story to a stranger in the first meeting. Realistically, there is not enough time for that! Therapy appointments are time limited most often running 45 to 55 minutes in length. It is also
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important to know that there is specific information that must be collected and Most mental health practices have an intake process to collect demographic information, health insurance, and personal history details. A mental health provider is also
required to provide the clients with consent forms for treatment, HIPPA practices, privacy notices and an estimate of costs. It is imperative that new clients understand the procedures for scheduling appointments, cancellations, and any costs for the services. Be prepared to review the
therapists to describe the reasons a client is seeking services. This will give the new client an opportunity to describe any symptoms they have been experiencing in recent months, and the effect these symptoms are having on the client’s daily life. The focus of an initial appointment is to outline the most pressing concerns that are negatively impacting the client’s life. It is important for the therapist to know if the client is experiencing any trauma, grief, loss and/or any medical concerns. The therapist should gain an understanding of what the current issues are that have prompted the client to seek help. New clients should know there is a structure for a first appointment with a therapist. A new client may worry and think ,“what am I going to say?” Your provider will guide you through conversations about the intake paperwork, safety discussions and presenting problems. The mental health professional is aware that answer questions. Rest assured that a mental health professional is there to create a space that is comfortable and safe to share. The therapist wants to know how to help you and there is no right step towards change, and it should not be a barrier for accessing help. Let us change the narrative and reduce the stigma that a new client is forced to tell a therapist everything about themselves in the first appointment. The goal is to build a lasting therapeutic relationship that helps a client; not to interrogate someone. With that said, go ahead and schedule your first therapy appointment today!
About Mekea Anderson LCSW-C:
questions. After the review of the intake information, another topic of discussion is the client’s safety. Mental health providers will ask new clients if there is a history of suicidal or homicidal ideations or a prior suicide attempt. These terms can make people uncomfortable, but mental health professionals are required to assess the safety and stability of a new client. It is important to be honest and inform the therapist if there is an emergent matter that should be noted. Mental health professionals will also share resources for emergency care and discuss the limits of confidentiality which means a mental health professional is required to intervene if a client presents a danger to self or others. The safety assessment is nothing to fear, and new clients should keep in mind that their safety is paramount to the mental health professional. So now that you have reviewed the intake information and completed the safety assessment you may wonder when do I tell my life story to the therapist? Sharing your personal story with a therapist will not be done in one sitting. A new client may find themselves sharing parts of their story across several therapy meeting, a mental health professional is going to start with what is known as “presenting problems.” This is a clinical term used by
Mekea C. Anderson is the owner of Assurance Therapeutic Services, LLC located in Upper Marlboro, MD. She has worked as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice since 2013 in Maryland and Washington, DC. Mekea’s approach to therapy is to help people facilitate meaningful changes in their lives. In addition to private practice, Mekea also collaborates with the local school system to provide mental health services to students. Her services also include professional writing, training, and public speaking engagements. You can follow Mekea @assurancetherapeuticservices on Facebook and Instagram or check out her website https://assurancetherapeuticservices.com.
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INFORMATION
Building A Village for Autistic Children By Keischa Pruden
W
hat does it mean to create a village for your autistic child? Building a village is a continual process of locating people, places, and other resources dedicated to improving the life of your child. For our oldest son Aaron, who is now an autistic adult, building a village has been a lifelong endeavor. Early on, my husband, Paul, and I decided to surround ourselves with people who were supportive of our family mission (to surround Aaron with daily support dedicated to his happiness and success) and vision for Aaron (ensure Aaron has his definition of a meaningful day). Over time, our village expanded to include other important components. Let’s take a look at what components make up an awesome village.
The Main Village Your main village members are usually family members: mom, dad, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
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However, in today’s society, families are not as close as they once were. Some family members do not fully understand or support autism and can be a distraction. The main village members are those who support your mission and vision; folks who are dedicated and can be trusted to participate in the raising of your child. They do not have to be blood relatives.
Biological Issues/ Supports Autistic children often have accompanying physical issues that will need to be addressed. These issues can include gastrointestinal discomfort, sensory issues, coordination issues, etc. A DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRICIAN is a great resource to have in your village. This medical professional is trained in developmental issues in children referrals for issues related to autism and accompanying disorders. OCCUPATIONAL
About Keischa Pruden:
THERAPISTS are also helpful professionals who specialize in helping people complete tasks in everyday lives they may have zipping coats, etc. A SPEECH/LANGUAGE THERAPIST can aid in improving speech
Psychological Issues/ Supports Therapists/Psychiatrists/Other Medical Professionals who specialize in treating autistic persons with comorbid issues (depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc.) are excellent providers to have in your village. These professionals should have resources to help decrease any negative issues that may arise, including coping skills, strategies, and/or medications. Paraprofessionals are also a helpful resource for families and children. They are usually part of a team that works with your child, but they work one on one with your child to reduce harmful/negative behaviors. They also work closely with the family and are often viewed as more knowledgeable about your child than the professionals.
Academic Supports If your autistic child has difficulties alongside autism that cause issues with learning, an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or 504 plan may be needed to help them succeed in the school setting. The Exceptional Children’s Chairperson of your child’s school should be your first point of contact to request help.
Spiritual Supports Autism and the Church can be a delicate topic in some communities. As a mental health professional, I always encourage parents who are spiritual and attend a place of worship to speak with the leaders of their church. Share your child’s diagnosis and g a u g e a c c e p t a n c e . Au t i s m , i n s o m e religious beliefs, is still not accepted and is seen as something that can be “beaten” out of a child. But if your place of worship is accepting of autistic children and better yet, has programs in place to help them enjoy times of worship, then incorporating spirituality into your village is highly recommended.
Social Issues/Supports
Village Life
A therapist can help an autistic child become more comfortable with transition, teach social skills, and help the family identify community supports. Paraprofessionals can help work on therapeutic goals in the community with your child. Once community supports are
Village life sounds full and busy, doesn’t it? That’s because it is! Between doctor’s appointments, school, play dates, church, therapy appointments, church, work, date night (yes, you and your mate should incorporate date night on a regular basis!), life WILL feel like a roller coaster at times. That’s why you build an awesome main village, folks you can depend on to help you manage the day-to-day activities. You will feel like giving up sometimes. But there will be good days too. Village life is hard work
and volunteering/employment opportunities as your child gets older), you or interested village members can then reach out and engage them in opportunities to learn more about your child as well as opportunities for community engagement. As a parent, you may even start a local support group for autistic children and/or parents if you see a need.
telling what I heard, I’m telling you what I know. Peace and Blessings, KP
Keischa is a self described “country girl” who wears many hats. She is a believer, a wife of 27 years to husband Paul, mother to two amazing sons Aaron and B r y a n t , p s y c h o t h e ra p i s t , a u t i s m a d vo c a t e / c o n s u l t a n t , a n d p u b l i c speaker. Keischa holds the following licensures/cer tifications in Nor th Carolina: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, Certified Clinical Supervisor, Substance Abuse Evaluator for NC DMV, Certified Child Parent Psychotherapist and is a Local These designations allow her to work with a wide arrange of populations and issues. In addition to being a therapist and autism/special needs consultant, Keischa is also a published author. Her and Other Adventures of Faith, is a daily devotional designed to help those who need encouragement in their daily lives to keep striving forward. Keischa shares her own struggles and experiences in this devotional, mainly her walks with her youngest son Bryant, nicknamed “Moo”. Her latest published work, Aaron and Me, Our Journey on the Spectrum, shares her family’s experience with autism, as experienced by Keischa’s youngest son Bryant. Both books can be found on her website or on Amazon. If you would like to connect with Keischa platforms: FB: Pruden Counseling Concepts, IG: @pcconceptspllc, website: prudencounselingconcepts. com and blog: kpsworld.org.
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