April has been a whirlwind of activity, with so much going on in our industry and around the country. From observing Autism Awareness Month to celebrating the end of Ramadan and the start of Passover, there has been much to be thankful for.
As we bid farewell to April, I'm looking forward to the warmer weather and the exciting opportunities May will bring!
With best wishes,
Monthly Blog Round-Up
The following is a round-up of our monthly blogs in case you missed any on our social media posts.
It will come as no surprise to anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors that being in nature has significant mental health benefits. The serene feeling of being surrounded by the natural world has been written about by countless authors, poets, and songwriters, captured by artists in paintings and photographs, and increasingly showcased in documentaries and docu-series. But did you know that there is increasing scientific evidence to suggest that we can benefit significantly by viewing nature as a form of therapy?
One of the most challenging things to discuss among mental health and well-being professionals is the death of a client. Death is a painful and complex subject at any time, but the death of a client carries with it a specifically challenging weight for those of us who work in the fields of counseling, psychology, and mental or general health. This is especially true if the death was by suicide. It is vital that we can openly discuss client suicide, understand what it means for us as professionals and as people, and learn where to seek help when we need it.
Last week, we traveled to Washington DC to participate in the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) Advocacy Day. Our agenda included meetings with members of Congress and their staff to discuss the pressing issues in Therapeutic Transports, Adolescent Treatment, and Behavioral Health. It's always a privilege to be involved in these events and to serve as a trusted advisor for the development of significant legislation like the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act (SICAA).
I'm inspired by each Representative's commitment to understanding and addressing the concerns of their constituents, particularly those affecting our nation’s youth and most vulnerable populations. I'm eager to continue collaborating on these challenges in order to implement effective solutions in our field.
Caron Gala Dinner
We had a wonderful evening at Caron's Fourth Annual Gala, 'A Night of Transformation' at Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta.
The gala helps make it possible for families in need to receive Caron's life-saving treatment, and this year, Dr Rhonda Dawes Milner and Gene W. "Dusty" Milner were honored with the Richard J Caron Award of Excellence for their commitment to the life-saving addiction and mental health treatment Caron provides.
AVAIYA University
I was incredibly honored to speak alongside over 35 other therapists, trauma experts, doctors and other leaders in the field at the recent AVAIYA online series. It was a fantastic opportunity to share insights and knowledge on healing from childhood trauma and building self-worth with such esteemed colleagues.
I am pleased to be able to offer you the resource that delegates were able to download. It's packed with valuable information and tools on trauma that I'm sure you'll find beneficial.
If you don't already follow me on social media, I wanted to share this heartfelt story with you, too.
Over the past couple of years, I lost two very special horses, Nick O' Time and Kardigan Bay.
My husband initially tried to preserve their dear memory by sending some of their tail hair to a vendor to turn into bracelets. Unfortunately, we never heard back from the vendor after paying for the service which was devastating for me.
I was hesitant to trust someone with such precious keepsakes again; however, I recently discovered an artist named Denise Donovan, whose work and dedication touched my heart. Denise crafted beautiful bracelets and clay pieces that perfectly honor my beloved horses and was fantastic to work with because she genuinely cared about creating something special.
These beautiful and unique pieces are the perfect memorials to two irreplaceable souls ❤️
