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Judy Lipson's Newsletter for Transformation

Finding Your Light to Remember and Become Who You Really Are


HOW TO IMPROVE UPON THE AMAZING SELF THAT YOU ALREADY ARE
 
Here are a number of resources and tips that I recently read. I found them valuable, and thought that you might also. 

Find your center to increase your positive mood. This article reminds us that to find our calm, even in these more challenging times, we can connect with Earth. I love Dr. Laura Koniver's ideas. It's a quick read with easy techniques to address overwhelm, sadness, stress. fatigue, etc. 

Use guided imagery and inner child work. I have been practicing inner child work and guided imagery personally, and in my practice, for years. They are incredibly transformative. This article suggests techniques that you can try without using a professional. Enjoy! (And if you feel that working with a professional is preferred, there are a number of professionals who utilize the techniques.)

Tapping. I frequently talk about the wonders of tapping for dealing with big emotions. If you are not yet familiar with this technique, you can learn more here. I most frequently recommend using the tips of your index and middle fingers to lightly tap on your high-cheekbone (below the eye), on the collarbone, or on the side of the hand.

Havening is another technique to address big emotions. I frequently use it personally, and I occasionally incorporate it professionally. It's another brilliant, yet less well-known, technique to help ease big emotions and address PTSD. I was delighted to see this article about havening in a recent newsletter by the Amen Clinic. (You might recognize the name from Daniel Amen who identified various forms of ADHD and other mental health issues in the brain via spect scans. Change Your Brain Change Your Life is one of his most well-known books.)

Addressing your imposter syndrome. This is a common occurrence for professionals and laypeople alike. We too frequently assume that we aren't good enough, but that's a fallacy. This linked article includes this technique: 
  • Start noticing what you say to yourself when you’re working on a project.
  • Pay particular attention to the thoughts that make you feel more stressed, anxious, or defeated, and write them down.
  • One at a time, reality-test those thoughts using this simple, but incredibly effective, 4-Question technique. For each thought ask yourself:
  1. Is it true?
  2. Is it absolutely 100% true?
  3. How does this thought make me feel?
  4. How would I feel if I didn’t have this thought?
Next, turn around the original thought to its opposite and see if the new thought isn’t actually truer. Spend some time reflecting on this new thought.

Catastrophizing. Most of us have the tendency to imagine the worst possible outcome for a situation. This article recommends the following: 
  1. Make decisions in the morning
  2. Teach your inner critic to be more compassionate
  3. Make up a better story
  4. Be kind to yourself
I had this come up in a session recently. I recommended to my client that when the catastrophizing thoughts came up (usually at night) that she metaphorically place them in a box, elevator, hot air balloon, or some similar container to be addressed at a specific time during the next day, or at a later time during the week, or even in our next session. She texted me the next day to let me know that it worked really well. She (whose name is not really Annabelle) told herself during the night, when the fear thoughts were beginning to collect, that "Day Annabelle" would handle this situation the next day. It worked!

How to keep your heart open in hell. I didn't pen that statement, but the article title sure caught my attention! It links to a lovely, calming, short video by Ram Dass. I highly recommend finding 14 minutes to view this (maybe multiple times like I have).


I hope that you have found the above information helpful, and clicked the links when you wanted to learn more from the original source. I love hearing from you. Please share any fabulous techniques that you currently use for further developing your amazing self! And as always, reach out with any questions.
Judy

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I'm very much enjoying the opportunities to speak to professionals about Sensitives and / or transformation. I spoke to a local private school for highly-sensitive students last month and hope to share some of their questions/feedback in future newsletters. I will be speaking to a group of autistic adults this month (see below), and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for an opportunity to provide a webinar for AMHCA (American Mental Health Counselors Association). Can I help your organization? Check out the links below.
 

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2022

Professional Consultations
or
Specialized Self-Care For Empathic Clinicians
and Your Sensitive Clients 

(Offered as a presentation or in 1:1 or group virtual sessions)
 Read more about these opportunities

I APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK

AND YOUR QUESTIONS
 
SOCIAL SKILLS AND EMOTIONAL REGULATION
I was on a call with an autistic woman recently (this is how she defines herself), when she told me the most intriguing thing. She uses phone solicitors as an opportunity to practice communication skills. She takes the call with the full recognition that she will not allow herself to be taken advantage of. Additionally, she recognizes that these are individuals who are drawing income to support their families and so she is always polite.

After discussing this very clever strategy, our therapeutic conversation focused on emotional triggers that sometimes occur during conversations she has with friends or family members. We explored how when the emotional response is seen as bigger than the current issue, the inner child (or earlier adult) is re-experiencing a source trauma that adds content (think the layers of the onion adding more layers rather than diminishing in size) and therefore more emotional dysregulation.

We discussed how she might use these conversations with solicitors  to practice the process of recognizing and addressing triggering situations. For instance, when she finds herself triggered, she can take a breath and then pause her listening and/or her speaking to determine what is happening in that moment as well as the origination of the trigger. Recognizing that is often sufficient to stop or reduce the cascade of emotional dysregulation.

Talking to solicitors is a perfect opportunity to practice since she needn't worry about offending them or making them wait. These are not people with whom she has history, and she doesn't need to maintain a relationship. As a result, she is free to pause, to use trial and error, and to learn new ways to communicate as she learns to calm her nervous system as needed. Still, I reminded her that if she is getting overly dysregulated that she should go ahead and hang up - even abruptly - to take care of her needs.

She is excited to try this new opportunity and I am looking forward to hearing more about it.
QUOTES

The most difficult times for many of us are the ones we give ourselves.
Pema Chodron

Some people spend so much time pleasing others that they neglect themselves. You can’t get sick enough to take someone else’s pain or illness away. 
Louise Hay via Reid Tracy, CEO of Hay House

You don’t have to set yourself on fire to keep everyone else warm.
Penny Reid

There are two types of tired: one that requires rest, and one that requires peace.
Unknown

There is no coming to consciousness without pain. People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own soul. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. 
Carl Jung 

Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you are climbing it.
Andy Rooney

You can not suffer the past or future because they do not exist. What you are suffering is your memory and your imagination. 
Unknown

HOW TO LEARN FROM JUDY

September 27, 6-7:30pm: Sensory Overload Decoded (and Managed): A Continuation of the Conversation. For Full Spectrum ASD's Meet-Up on Zoom 

May 26-28, 2023Finding a Pathway to the Heart of Those with Autism and Neuro-Diversities. Keynote Speaker (with colleague, Karlta Zarley) at the Healing Touch Association of Canada Conference, London, Ontario, Canada

Listen NOW: Want to learn more about transformation? Here's the half-hour talk that I did for the West Bloomfield Rotary Club

Watch NOW: Easing the Empath Experience: Modulating Energy and Draining the Receptacle (7 mins) Part of a conversation with Kim Southerland, educational therapist.
COMMUNITY EVENTS

September 24, 1:30-3pm  My Journey with Autism Free presentation by Tracey Cohen for Therapeutic Concepts LLC, Sterling Heights. Registration required.

October 26-28, 2022MASSW Annual Conference: Constructing Futures, Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest. 

Spring, 2023: MCA (Michigan Counseling Association) annual conference, Holistic Health - Taking Care of Yourself, Your Clients and Your Community

Pathway to Hope 2021 Resource Guide offered by Healing Complex Kids. The first 4000 copies ordered with an Oakland County zip code are free, due to a generous grant! If you are not in Oakland County, or are after the 4000, then they are $9.97 + $5 for shipping and handling.
 
TIPS AND RESOURCES
 
The 988 crisis/suicide hotline has been implemented nationwide. Spread the word.
 
PROFESSIONALS ADDRESSING ANXIETY
Particularly for doctors, therapists and other professionals. I was reading Lucy McBride, MD's weekly newsletter and read the following:

"Anxiety is part of the human experience. So you’ll never hear me ask a patient, 'Do you have anxiety?' (That’s like asking 'Are you alive?') Rather, I ask about the degree of anxiety, the people or things to which the anxiety “sticks” (i.e. monkeypox, COVID, flying, public speaking, body image, an ex-boyfriend), the amount of brain space that the anxiety occupies, and the tools we might use to better manage it."
Judy Lipson, M.A.
Licensed Professional Counselor

Judy is a Licensed Professional Counselor who supports Sensitives of all ages - including ADHD, Anxiety, and Autism - in life, work and school.  She can also help you Remember and Become Who You Really Are. Judy offers Transformational Counseling, Educational Consultations, and Academic Strategies. Presentations and Workshops also available.
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
Parenting on the Go - Sensitives
BRING A PRESENTATION TO YOUR GROUP

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

"I so thoroughly enjoyed your most recent Spiral Wisdom Newsletter for Transformation. I just loved your insights, giving clarity to things as they are, that have impacted us all.. Your metaphysical approach is so spot on, resonating, and aligning with the introspective work I am doing with my clients. Thanks for including me in your community and for inspirationally adding to my day."
- J. M.

"It worked!!! I have had numerous moments to test the outcome of the work that we did. It’s amazing. You are amazing. I hear everything. I care about it. I don’t have an emotional attachment to it. Before I saw you last week, I did not know that this was an option. Thank you so much."
– Elli A

"I just finished reading your Newsletter! It is PHENOMENAL!!!! I am so looking forward to watching the podcasts! This is going to be SO Helpful for SO many people and a great way to reach out to the community and the world! I am blown away on Every level with this newsletter!!!! It is BRILLIANT!!!!!"
- S. W.

"I enjoyed the multifaceted forms of intervention that Judy provided. The presentation of senses and energy-work may not be a widespread, common practice, but it is helpful to identify or open up the conversation for those who can feel the energy or have heightened senses. I enjoyed this presentation. Thank you, Judy!"
- MASSW attendee

"Your ability to do guided imagery with me is so comforting and
reassuring and, even though you're doing the guiding, it still leaves me with the feeling that I can help myself when need be.  You're such a talented therapist!!  I hope you appreciate the impact that you have on so many people!" 

- Sue S

"I just wanted to let you know I have received wonderful feedback about your services =) So glad we found each other through the networking services."
- Dana S. (referring therapist)

"This is such wonderfully needed information. I am so thankful our paths crossed and I am able to grow and help others balance with the value of your insights, knowledge and wisdom."
- S. S.

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